Patrick grew up in the Midwest, deeply curious about the world that existed beyond the wheat fields and interstates. His first experience as a foreigner was in Spain as a young adult, and he has since focused his travels on developing countries where he has strived to leave a meaningful mark on people or communities through volunteerism.Patrick has now been traveling around the world and volunteering for more than 20 years. He has combined his passion for philanthropy with his insatiable curiosity about the world to more deeply understand other cultures while practicing a “leave YOUR trace” style of travel. He shares these experiences and their lessons through his blog (www.leavetheboots.com). He holds a journalism degree and a masters in environmental policy. Beyond his professional endeavors as a consultant for NGOs, Patrick has contributed to causes he cares about through efforts at home and abroad. He has served volunteer roles in South Africa, India, Peru, Costa Rica, Belize, Thailand and most recently in Moore, Oklahoma, where he provided aid to tornado victims immediately following the devastating storms of May 2013.