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Elizabeth Jere spent two decades leading global health programs across Africa — balancing leadership with single motherhood and a deep commitment to women’s empowerment. But after federal cuts abruptly ended her USAID contractor role, Elizabeth found herself adrift, grieving in Spain and searching for a new path.

In this episode, she shares her journey through loss, healing, and reinvention — from being “mothered” by a colleague in Cambodia to finding sanctuary underwater as a diver. Now the founder of Jiranileo, an African food tourism company recognized by UN Tourism, Elizabeth is building a business that celebrates culinary heritage and creates opportunities for women and youth.

This is a story of courage, community, and the power of starting over — told with honesty, humor, and hope.

To check out Jiranileo or find out more about Elizabeth Jere's work and travels, see the links below:

Jiranileo website: https://jiranileo.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-jere/

Travel blog: https://themoviousmzungu.com/

And if anyone wants to follow Elizabeth's remote life, she posts her travels on Instagram @dadaeliza

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This episode of Women Walking brings together two lifelong friends—Claudia Vondrasek and Lynn Malooly—who each found themselves at major crossroads this year. Claudia, a longtime USAID contractor, was swept up in the abrupt RIF that halted global health programs across the world. Lynn had just stepped into retirement after leading Water for South Sudan for more than a decade. Both were navigating endings they didn’t fully choose—and both turned to walking as a way to make sense of what came next.

Their Camino Portuguese pilgrimage became a space for reflection, laughter, spiritual curiosity, and the kind of conversations that only unfold mile after mile. They talk about the invisible rules that shape health behaviors, the transformative power of clean water, the emotional weight of career transitions, and the unexpected grace of Camino “angels.” Along the way, they rediscovered their friendship, their resilience, and the quiet wisdom that comes from putting one foot in front of the other.

This is an episode about transition, companionship, and the paths—literal and metaphorical—that carry us forward.

See the link below for more information on Breakthrough Action's Cost Comparison activity/tool Claudia and her team used to lead community discussions in the Democratic Republic of Congo about overcoming the perception that health care costs are prohibitive.

https://breakthroughactionandresearch.org/breakthroughs-gallery/cost-comparison-activity/

Find Claudia on Linkedin- www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-vondrasek

See the link below for more information on Water for South Sudan:

https://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/

For more information on the book --A Long Walk to Water --based on the true story of Salva, one of some 3,800 Sudanese “Lost Boys” airlifted to the United States beginning in the mid 1990s -- please see this link:

https://lindasuepark.com/books/books-novels/long_walk/

Find Lynn Malooly on Linkedin--https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-malooly/

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When the wave of public sector layoffs ended Denise Mortimer’s long career at USAID, she turned loss into creative renewal. In this episode, we explore how her RocketBear Project began with sketches of her dog and grew into portraits of colleagues’ pets paired with heartfelt narration. By celebrating the humanity behind public service, Denise offers a fresh and inviting perspective, blending humor, artistry, and compassion to honor dedication and resilience in ways that continue to resonate even after the institution itself was dismantled.

👉 Follow Denise’s RocketBear Project on Instagram: @rocketbearproject

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This week on Women Walking, we talk with Lenoure Mullaney, a longtime global development professional whose career began in the Peace Corps and spanned more than twenty years across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Like so many in our community, Lenoure faced the upheaval of USAID cuts in early 2025—an abrupt loss that felt like losing more than just a job.

In this conversation, Lenoure shares what transition really looks like: the grief of letting go, the humor of dog‑walking adventures, and the courage of starting fresh with horses, Airbnb hosting, and new ways of building community. Her story reminds us that even when systems collapse, we can keep walking—awkward steps, quiet decisions, and all.

Here are some ways to connect with Lenoure and learn more about her Equine and Retreat Center in Lovettsville, VA.

https://www.facebook.com/lenoure/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBlueHydrangeaFarm/

www.thebluehydrangeafarm.com

https://www.instagram.com/theogbaroness/

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In this episode, Lisa Neuberger Fernandez shares how walking with women—across continents and life stages—has shaped her journey through motherhood, leadership, and reinvention. From the Camino to community circles, Lisa reflects on how movement and mentorship help us find our next why. The Next Chapter Accelerator—a retreat and reflection program for senior women leaders—starts again this December. Learn more at www.nextchapteraccelerator.com.

To reach out to Lisa, you can find her on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahneuberger/

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In this episode, we talk with Fiona Macaulay—CEO of the WILD Network and co-founder of the Next Chapter Accelerator, a bold program helping women leaders step into what’s next. As part of the experience, participants walk and talk along the Camino, using movement as a catalyst for reflection, clarity, and connection. We also hear from Lee Ann De Reus, CEO of Badass University and a recent participant, who shares how the journey sparked courage, insight, and a whole new chapter. It’s a conversation about reinvention, leadership, and the power of movement—on the trail and in life.

For more information on Fiona Macaulay, follow her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionamacaulay and sign up for WILD's newsletter: www.thewildnetwork.org

For more information on Lee Ann De Reus, follow her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanndereus/ or check out Badass University LLC www.badassuniversity.com

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In this episode, we meet the youngest pilgrims we interviewed—two 19-year-old women navigating gap years with backpacks, curiosity, and a willingness to walk into the unknown. One studies at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the other is a student at Bates College. On the Camino de Santiago, they encountered physical exhaustion, emotional solitude, and moments of unexpected joy. From crowded hostels to quiet stretches of trail, they share what they packed, what they let go of, and what they carried forward into their lives today. Their stories offer a candid look at what it means to walk into adulthood—step by step, mile by mile.

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In Episode 6, we welcome Megan Maclaggan, a true solo Camino walker whose quiet presence carries a deep, healing energy—something you sense long before she speaks. Based in Mexico, Megan is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and a licensed acupuncturist, blending ancient wisdom with modern practice.

In this episode, she shares the highs and lows of her Camino journey—from the challenges of walking and biking (spoiler: the gravel bike wasn’t her favorite) to braving rain and hail, experiencing powerful "serotonin dumps," and navigating the twists and turns of a Camino romance.

Join us as Megan reflects on the adventure, resilience, and unexpected moments that make the Camino unforgettable.