#forjenn

Hi, I’m Gretchen, and I’d like to share my story with you. Sisters share clothes, dreams, fears and passions. My sister Jenn and I shared a passion for travel and exploration—but her journeys ended in 2010 when she lost her life to brain cancer. I had the privilege of helping my family care for her during her final months, and during that time, she told me how proud she was of me for creating a professional life in international education, helping others ‘go global’, and forging ahead with my dreams. I dedicated my first book to Jenn, and know she would be so proud of me today. I care deeply about wellness and lead an active global lifestyle.

I wish with all my heart that Jenn and I could talk today; however, launching Your Travel Sister is my way of staying close to her and engaging our communities to support brain cancer survivors to fulfil their dreams, as they overcome everyday obstacles.

Jenn’s Story:

Jennifer was born on Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere), 21 June 1963. She was an outgoing and confident young woman who pursued a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, and was fortunate to represent Gucci in her early career. She raised her two young children while representing another well-known brand, Mary Kay, and excelled in her ability to network and build connections. Jenn continued to work while raising her family and was soon commuting long hours to pursue sales positions she really did love. A quintessential extrovert, she convened family for holidays, neighbors for block parties, and colleagues around new sales ideas. She also loved to travel. We’d meet in London for a weekend or grab a night in NYC when schedules overlapped. We were travel sisters.

As a sister and cancer patient, Jenn was so grateful for my then employer—Tufts University—supporting my time away from the office, so I could focus on her and my family, as well as my work (San Francisco was just as good a gateway as Boston). We spoke about starting a foundation with University of California San Francisco (UCSF) that would advance brain cancer research and support for patients, their family—and the survivors.

Seven-and-a-half years after Jenn’s passing on Mother’s Day 2010, we are now taking the first steps to support brain cancer survivors through the brand new Brain Cancer Survivor Program sponsored by the Brain Tumor Centre at UCSF.

And now that I’ve made Australia my adopted home, we’re also expanding this vision to support the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation in Australia.

A percentage from every purchase of a Rodan + Fields product through my Independent Consultant website (https://gretchendobson.myrandf.com/) will contribute to one of these two funds.

We’re doing this together. We’re doing this For Jenn.

I am a:

* Sister to my family * Big sister to my mentees * Sister to may global gal pals (and guys) * “Sister” to Chinese men and women who trust me (cultural term) * Sister to my Rodan + Fields family

Let me be Your Travel Sister—and share my knowledge of a healthy, happy global career and life on the road.

Check my blog and social media platforms for advice on travel, nutrition, skincare, and business tips for being a global entrepreneur - @yourtravelsister