Marinel de Jesus, Empowering Porters and Women Guides Across Asia
In this episode, Krista talks with Marinel de Jesus, a former Washington DC-based prosecutor who became a global mountain nomad and entrepreneur.
Marinel is the founder of Brown Gal Trekker LLC & Equity Global Treks / The Porter Voice Collective.
From directing the docomentary, KM82 ,to developing her projects such as the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders, Marinel explains how tourism is rooted in systemic inequities that impact porters and women guides.
She shares her vision for a decolonized, people-centered industry—one that partners with local communities, values dignity and trains women to lead in the mountains.
She also opens up about the Filipino immigrant experience, the power of truthful storytelling, and why small, community-focused operators can deliver richer, more ethical travel.
Listen to rethink travel with heart, and learn practical steps to support women-led, ethical trekking and mountain tourism across Asia.
- 00:00 – Introduction to Marinel: from prosecutor to mountain nomad and social entrepreneur.
- 02:30 – The KM82 documentary and elevating porter voices.
- 05:15 – Systemic issues in tourism; why we need a decolonized approach.
- 08:45 – Himalayan Women Trail Leaders: training Nepali female guides; broader inclusion.
- 12:50 – The immigrant experience shaping leadership and cross-cultural understanding.
- 17:15 – Debunking myths about “bigger is better” in tourism; the value of smaller operators.
3 key takeaways
- Centering porters and women guides reshapes the entire tourism experience—dignity at the center.
- Smaller, relationship-driven operators can deliver more meaningful, ethical travel than large brands.
- True decolonization means co-creating with local communities, listening first, and letting local voices lead.
Marinel's websites:
Womenpreneur Asia is partnering with InnovNation and you are welcome to join me if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or established one: https://community.innovnation.ai/womenpreneur-asia
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