What We Stand For
Gratitude
A thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible, resulting in a sense of peace and connection to something larger than themselves as individuals – whether to other people, nature, or a higher power
Community
An inclusive close-knit group of people that care about each other, united in purpose and drive, leading to a sense of deep belonging for those within.
Meaningful Relationships
A shared kinship between two or more people in a state of being defined by mutual respect, selflessness, and appreciation that creates a deep sense of connection.
Service
The act of engaging in supporting or collaborating with a person, a group, a community, a cause or a belief, contributing to a greater good without expectation of personal reciprocation.
Impact
To have a strong effect on someone or something. Marshalling resources, time, money, people and passion in a way that improves the state of being for anyone or all: individuals, communities, families, and or the planet and its animals.
Who We Are
Jill Valentine
Jill Valentine
Co-Founder & Transformative Travel, Life and Leadership Coach
Jill is a leading Transformative Travel Coach pioneering the transformational travel arena. She had the brilliant idea to harness the innate power of coaching, travel and volunteerism after becoming a Certified Professional Coach and then spending a month in the Philippines helping to rebuild after Typhoon Yolanda.
Combining these powerful tools together she now provides her coaching clients with the clarity, confidence and community to create personal and social change, while at the same time impacting communities in need around the world.
Leveraging her coaching skills and thousands of hours of volunteering locally and internationally, she’s the creator of ‘The UGO Triple Change Effect Model’ to inspire individuals to clarify their life purpose, step into their full power, and change their world.
Jill serves to inspire and encourage, because she understands the struggle to find more meaning in life. Although always feeling a call to service, she didn’t feel a deep and fulfilling sense of purpose until she was 32 despite years in the charity sector. She now meshes her passions of serving others, travel and community building to transform her clients lives and the communities they visit.
Jill has led programs in Belize, Nepal, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Tanzania and has a talent for creating safe, intimate spaces for clients to comfortably volunteer abroad, journey within, and create deep bonds with one another.
A passionate humanitarian, author of “Dare to be a Dandelion”, volunteerism specialist, disability sport consultant, and community developer, she lives by the words “Make it happen!”
She married her husband after a transformative year of volunteering in Uganda together and now they are raising their spirited daughter who loves giving back and travelling when she can.
UGO Leadership Team
Nicole Hrinco
Co-Founder and Global Partnerships & Impact Consultant
Genevieve Zimanyi
Business Development Consultant
Jess Kissane-Johnson
Transformative Travel Coach
Nizam Ahmed
Strategic Consultant and Photographer
