Beyond Borders: Redefining Travel, Hospitality & Purpose

49er Industry Chat Natalie M

Beyond Borders: Redefining Travel, Hospitality & Purpose
Natalie Mgonja '16
Founder & Experience Manager
Backyard Ventures
 

Join us for a compelling 49er Industry Chat featuring Natalie Mgonja '16, Founder & Experience Manager of Backyard Ventures.

Through curated retreats, co-living experiences, and immersive adventures, Natalie helps travelers connect with themselves, local communities, and nature in meaningful ways. Her work blends mindfulness, creativity, and adventure—reshaping travel as a journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and sustainable impact.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from an entrepreneur redefining the future of travel and hospitality!

This conversation is part of Grow °µÍøÊÓƵ’s Hospitality and Tourism sector, Mayor Rex Richardson’s initiative to strengthen workforce pipelines and drive economic growth. 

Natalie Mgonja is a Tanzanian-American experience curator, travel planner, and founder of Backyard Ventures, a company redefining tourism through slow, intentional, and wellness-focused travel. After earning her degree in Communication Studies from Cal State °µÍøÊÓƵ, she returned to Tanzania, navigating startups and tech before building her own path in experiential travel. Through retreats, co-living, and curated adventures, she invites travelers to immerse themselves in regenerative travel—connecting with themselves, local communities, and nature beyond the surface-level tourist experience. Her work blends mindfulness, creativity, and adventure, fostering personal transformation and deeper connections. Natalie is passionate about reshaping how people experience travel, turning it into a journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and sustainable impact.