Stone & Compass was co-founded by husband and wife team Julie Kiernan & Rob Goodwin. They created Stone & Compass as a platform to allow others to challenge their own perceived limitations and reach beyond their dreams. Everyone on the Stone & Compass team is here for one reason and one reason only . . .to create spaces for people to come together to have cross-cultural experiences that allow them to learn more about themselves and others; ultimately creating friendships and life altering experiences.
As both an actress & educator, Julie has traveled and worked in a variety of places including Charleston SC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dominica, Bulgaria, and Monaco. She received her Master of Fine Arts from the University of California. She her interests are education, cultural exchange, and creativity.
In 2016 Julie was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award for Salem State University where she is a professor of Theatre & Speech Communication and is Coordinator of a combined bachelor/masters degree program in Theatre Education.
She brings a combination of curricular expertise and creativity to the programs at Stone & Compass. She creates and runs the programing at the center and is excited to help other people and organizations design engaging educational excursions.
A teacher, businessman, and environmentalist, Rob has either lived or created business opportunities in London, Puerto Rico, Cambodia, Eastern Europe, and throughout the United States. His interests are human history, cultural preservation, natural resource governance, social harmony, and business development.
Some of his most unique work includes opening a school in Cambodia, creating a restaurant chain in California, national environmental mitigation, archaeological preservation, and landscape design on large estates.
Holding multiple degrees in various fields including Archaeology, geography, and history-Rob strives to bring together cultures from around the world to dialogue and collaborate on a host of issues.
A native of Bulgaria, Emilian was born in Razgrad and now lives in Veliko Tarnovo with his wife and daughter. He graduated with a Bachelor degree in Business Management from Ct. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo.
He has 15 years of management experience in the fields of; hospitality, real estate, logistics, and human resources. A dedicated person, his interests include nature, culture, traveling, and photography. He speaks fluent Bulgarian, English, and Russian.
Kari Pike partners with Stone & Compass on marketing, communications, and internal projects. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Economics and has worked in a range of fields from management consulting to yoga. In her current work as a marketing consultant and freelance writer/editor, she coaches clients and community volunteer organizations to distill their message and streamline processes. Kari loves the energy of people connecting and collaborating, and is eager to share Stone & Compass’s message of human connection and hope for the future.
Ali is thrilled to be working with Stone & Compass. She began her journey back in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. From there, she attended Emerson College receiving a B.A. for Theatre Education and later Lesley University where she received her M.Ed. for Integrating the Arts into the Curriculum. For over ten years she has been the middle school drama teacher in Saugus, MA where she teaches sixth-eighth grade students during the day and runs the after school drama club, which regularly has more than 100 members. During the past summer months, Ali has been the Senior Camp Director for the Chestnut Hill School Creative Arts & Sports Program where she and her campers partake in bi-weekly field trips. Recently, Ali can be found at the Marblehead Little Theatre at the Youth Program Director.
Mike serves as an advisor and collaborator at Stone & Compass helping to further develop and expand our programs and operations. Throughout his undergraduate work at Skidmore College and his career across Healthcare, Information Technology, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Coworking and Financial Services, he has focused on the human and team experience. Mike brings that perspective and passion to our efforts every day and sees the world as a infinitely connected place where it’s a matter of helping people make the connection, consider what's possible, and then go try it. He is currently a Graduate Assistant and Master's Candidate in Conflict Resolution at the McCormack Graduate School at UMass Boston.
Tammy graduated from Suffolk University with a BS in Broadcast Communications. She worked for CBS affiliate WKYT, and was an Emmy Award winning team member during her time at the station.
A three sport award winning athlete, Tammy is most passionate about extreme adventure Sports. Whether snowboarding and snowskating the NorthEast, surfing in Hawaii, or skateboarding wherever the road may lead. Tammy is excited about the opportunity to build, grow, and run adventure tours that connect, and inspire others to live their best life.
If you are interested in an individual travel itinerary developed specifically for you, our friend and partner, Petia Whitmore, provides this service through Flying Raconteur - a custom travel planning resource for Bulgaria. Petia creates unique travel experiences, tailored to the traveler's preferences and based on her extensive knowledge of the country and wonderful network of friends and collaborators.
David Singleton recently relocated, with his family, from the United States back to his home country of England. He has worked in the industry of international travel for most of his career. He is happy to have a chance to work closer with Stone & Compass in Bulgaria.
Franco Zuccoli, is a holistic healer / health & wellness expert with 25 years experience helping people to recognize and realize their true potential. By focusing on the whole person from soul to cell Franco is able to apply his skills as an intuitive healer and his proprietary Genetic Based Training Method™ in a way that transforms lives from the inside out.
Franco holds a B.S. in Exercise & Wellness from Arizona State University and has used his abilities extensively, working with everyone from high level executives to professional athletes. For decades Franco has been hired to train, consult, and assess the needs of players from the NFL, NBA and NHL. While Franco is indeed a sports fan he’s a bigger fan of humanity and his goal is to bring health, wellness and healing regardless of background or ability.
Franco’s work with Stone & Compass currently includes supporting business development and strategic planning.