In the heart of Women’s History Month, we shine a light on the courageous women in the Peace Corps, including Kim Gray. With a background in tourism marketing and a zest for adventure, Kim’s decision to join the Peace Corps was fueled by a desire to make a tangible difference in the world. Learn about the influences that led her to this path and the impact she’s already making in her service.
photo: Kim with community partner, Darina Sarieva, Tour Manager, KCBTA/CBT Travel Kyrgyzstan
Introduction:
Can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background and why you decided to join the Peace Corps?
I’m a Bloomington IN native who returned for graduate school and decided to stay, after 13 years in Europe. You can’t get much more globally connected in the Midwest than Bloomington.
I’m most recently a technology marketer, but most of my 35+ year career has been in the tourism marketing sector, both internationally and domestically, including Disney Parks & Resorts, Visit Florida, and running an adventure travel marketing organization. Studying in Edinburgh, Scotland in college and backpacking in Europe, I was inspired to live and work overseas, and later, share with my family the experience of outbound international exchange programs, including hosting Rotary and youth exchange students. No surprise that most of my career has been in tourism and travel industry marketing.
When I’m not traveling to new (and old favorite) destinations, I enjoy live music performances, hiking one of our Sycamore Land Trust or State Park trails, and watching my son, a country music songwriter and performing artist, play at venues around the midwest.
Motivation and Inspiration:
What inspired you to become a Peace Corps Response volunteer?
My friend’s father actually, who after 30 years as a senior executive, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji. This was 25 years ago, but I made a mental note then that this is what I’d want to do later in my career. After applying for my Peace Corps Response volunteer (PCRV) position, I then met the Peace Corps Recruiter for Indiana University, Vicki Runion, an RPCV who served in Romania. She was a tremendous mentor and influence as I progressed through all of the steps in the Peace Corps recruitment and pre-service process.
Service Experience:
Can you describe your service experience and the type of projects you are working on?
I am only 6-weeks into my service, but already I am jumping into some exciting projects tied to a USAID grant (Future Growth Initiative) that our association recently secured. I will be working with the team to develop and market the first Kyrgyz National Trail, akin in concept to the Inca and Appalachian Trails. I am also helping coordinate a familiarization tour this fall for US adventure travel tour operators and travel media to increase awareness of Kyrgyzstan as an eco-tourism and adventure destination.
Challenges and Triumphs:
What challenges have you faced during your Peace Corps service, especially as a woman, and how did you overcome them?
This early in my Peace Corps experience I haven’t encountered any significant challenges, only those that would be expected of any American woman integrating into a culture where women are still assigned traditional roles.
Empowerment and Impact:
How do you believe your presence as a female volunteer positively impacted the community?
I hope that my presence on a team of 10, half of whom are women, including two young female professionals, will encourage them to see tourism development and marketing as a valuable and rewarding career. Period. Including women! I look forward to being a mentor for the younger professionals in our office, some of whom are considering or pursuing graduate degrees in sustainable tourism management.
Cultural Exchange:
How did you navigate cultural differences and gender dynamics during your service?
The biggest adjustment in cultural differences so far is becoming proficient enough in the language to communicate well and show my willingness to learn it. Though my posting in Bishkek makes it difficult to learn the native language of Kyrgyz because Russian is the primary language here. The next biggest challenge is learning to interpret indirect communication.
Women’s Empowerment Initiatives:
Are there specific projects or initiatives related to women’s empowerment that you are involved in?
No. Not yet. But I’m sure later in my service I will
Personal Growth:
In what ways is your Peace Corps service contributing to your personal and professional growth?
To be determined. Too soon to tell.
Advice for Aspiring Response Volunteers:
What advice would you give to other women considering joining the Peace Corps?
I’ve piqued the interest of a good number of my female friends and former colleagues who are at similar stages in their careers and want to make a difference, sharing their professional skills and passion. The shorter, focused commitment opportunities afforded by the Peace Corps Response program are of particular interest.
Legacy and Impact:
Reflecting on your time in the Peace Corps, what do you hope your legacy will be in the community?
In 10 months when my service ends, ultimately I hope I’ll have inspired the KCBTA to continue to be the unifier and leader of the sustainable tourism industry in the Kyrgyz Republic. More tangibly, I hope that through improvements we’re making in their brand identity and digital marketing they will continue to be a thriving, leading tour operator of sustainable travel in the Kyrgyz Republic.
To help celebrate Women’s History Month, read more amazing stories from just a few of the Women in the Peace Corps in our series “Building Bridges.” You will hear from women who are ‘Returned Peace Corps volunteers, but also women who are currently serving. You can find more here!
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Kyrgyz Republic Government.
