Mindy Poder

Mindy Poder is an award-winning travel journalist and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, Family Getaways, and Explorer magazines, with over 15 years of experience in the travel industry. She was promoted to Editor-in-Chief in August 2024 after starting as an editorial intern at TravelAge West in 2009 and working her way up through Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, Senior Editor, and Executive Editor roles. Her career trajectory demonstrates deep institutional knowledge and loyalty to the Northstar Travel Group family of publications. Poder has earned more than 30 writing awards, including the North American Travel Journalists Association's grand prize for travel journalist of the year and recognition from the Society of American Travel Writers. She was named one of Folio: magazine's '30 under 30' working in media for her excellent editorial judgment and big-picture content strategy. Her assignments have taken her to extraordinary destinations including kayaking in Antarctica, sailing on the first U.S. cruise to Cuba, meditating under Buddha's tree in India, and solo road tripping through Namibia. She specializes in wellness travel, emerging destinations, adventure travel, and luxury travel coverage, bringing both personal experience and professional expertise to her editorial leadership role.