When Answers Lead to the Questions

Travel is about asking new questions and thinking differently. Here are answers to questions we asked in Rwanda.

I curate Venture Travel with one purpose—that we travel differently, and think differently. 

Every person and place I choose to have us visit is purposeful. I want to introduce others to people that gave me answers to questions I never pondered to ask—and challenged my own thinking.

We recently visited Virunga Mountain Spirits, a premium craft distillery and restaurant in the foothills of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains that opened in early 2025.

Founded by Karen Sherman and Bill Wasserman, Virunga Mountain Spirits is woman-led and focuses on community, sustainability, and up-skilling workers, particularly women, in Rwanda.

Kari Vodka is their award-winning premium potato vodka crafted from “unloved” potatoes from the region’s rich, volcanic soil.

The team leads us on a tour of the gorgeous facility and brand story, we sip some vodka (straight and in cocktails), and enjoy lunch from Chef Theo, who leads onsite Kinigi Table. 

“The best food we have enjoyed in Rwanda,” says my group.

(And that was after some pretty amazing meals.)

Getting to know the people and story of Virunga Mountain Spirits—even becoming an investor—has led me to two questions.

Can you invest in women’s empowerment through a distillery?

There are lots of ways to support women’s empowerment. For most of us, the go-to is donating investing through a non-profit. I do a lot of that.

That’s good, but not sufficient. 

Because ultimately, jobs and up-skilling are everything. 

Being female-forward has been part of Virunga Mountain Spirits’ mission from day one. It shows up in many ways—including in original construction crew that was more than 1/3 female.

Women were trained in specialized stone cutting of the volcanic rock you see pieced together on the walls. It’s a prized trade skill; they’ve taken it with them to future high-end construction projects.

Then there’s the female leadership in the distillery room, the kitchen, guest services, the gift store, and business operations. 

(Remember this is a company in the alcohol industry.)

Female founders and CEOs are good. But a female-forward mission from a company’s onset? Even better.

Can you reinvent yourself (and your marriage) later in life?

Retirement is an outdated term. It’s a shame that our financial industry and social systems remain focused on it.

What my fellow Gen-Xers and I seek is rewirement.

Because mid-life can be an amazing time if we focus on our values, strengths, story and the freedoms we truly seek.

When you meet Karen and Bill (center), it’s an example of this brought to life.

Karen spent three decades in international development, beginning her career in Russia (where she learned to love vodka) and spent years leading women’s organizations in Rwanda. 

Meanwhile, Bill led his own successful career. 

With their kids grown, they decided to launch a new venture on the other side the world—Rwanda. And do it together.

Through Karen and Bill, I’ve learned how taking on new roles and a new adventure allows you to see your partner in a whole new light.

And shouldn’t that be what travel is about?

Meeting new friends. Finding new answers. Asking new questions. 

Inspired to find the questions that lead you to think differently, in ways big and small? Join me in Venture Travel in 2026. We connect to people and their stories. Because when you travel differently, you think differently. And do differently.