Meet Our Team
Real travelers with real experience. Our team has visited over 200 countries combined and brings decades of hands-on expertise to every review.
6
Expert Reviewers
257+
Countries Visited
60+
Years Experience
Taro Schenker
Former music tour manager. 10 years on the road across 4 continents.
Taro spent a decade in the music industry as a tour manager, crisscrossing the globe with artists and crews who demanded gear that actually worked. From overnight buses in the American Midwest to bullet trains in Japan, backstage in London to festival grounds across Europe—he's lived out of bags, cases, and carry-ons for years. That experience taught him what separates travel gear that survives the road from stuff that falls apart after one trip. Now he channels that hard-won knowledge into TravelGiftList, helping travelers find products that meet real-world demands.
Editorial Team
Margot Bellamy
Senior Travel Editor
Former flight attendant turned travel journalist with 2M+ air miles.
Theo Castellanos
Tech & Gear Specialist
Electronics engineer turned travel tech reviewer. Has opinions about USB-C.
Nina Okonkwo
Adventure & Outdoor Editor
Former outdoor guide. Tests gear on trails, not in offices.
Jules Hartwick
Business Travel Expert
Ex-consultant who spent 12 years living out of a carry-on.
Devi Ramirez
Family & Gift Guide Editor
Gift-finding expert and mom who travels internationally with two kids.
Why We're Different
Every product recommendation on TravelGiftList comes from someone who has actually traveled with it. We don't just read specs—we test gear in airports, on trails, and across time zones. Our team includes former flight attendants, outdoor guides, engineers, and business travelers who know what works in the real world.
Real Testing
Products tested in actual travel conditions, not controlled environments.
No Sponsors
We buy products ourselves. No brand pays for placement or favorable reviews.
Always Updated
Reviews are updated when products change or better options emerge.