Hi, my name is… Elizabeth Pickering.
I’ve lived in Desert Ridge for a year and I love it because… The shopping, dining, and events make it feel like a small community within a bigger city.
A typical day in my life includes… Being a mom of two, a wife of a PVSchools teacher, working for an international luxury travel company, leading two travel industry networking organizations, and being an active volunteer with Moms Demand Action Phoenix Chapter.
My family is… Energetic!
One thing I cannot live without is… Traveling. Whether it is a familiar or new destination, I enjoy experiencing different cultures, cuisine, and customs.
My favorite movie I could never get tired of watching and why… “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” will always be hilarious. It holds up even with all the innovations in travel—sometimes it takes a miracle to get home!
When I was younger, I wanted to be…An artist.
The one person who motivates me is…Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and author, when she said, “You understand that it’s part of your role to make the world a better place for everyone; it’s a moral obligation that you feel not so much as a duty but as a simple fact of life.”
The last thing that made me laugh out loud was… “Effin Birds” on social media, check it out. Those birds are brilliant.
The perfect day… Either a day on the beach in St. Martin or a day when I am traveling to a new destination for the first time.
My favorite local nonprofit is… Moms Demand Action Phoenix Chapter, a strong group of local moms, dads, students, families, concerned citizens and survivors working together to fight for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We partner with community and business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe.
My life is… Perfectly imperfect.
The best gift I’ve ever received was… A solo trip to Brazil where I was able to visit Rio de Janeiro and Copacabana Beach as well as travel to Iguassu Falls. Walking along the rainforest and seeing toucans in every tree, then walking out and looking down the falls at Devil’s Throat was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
My dream vacation would be… Traveling aboard the legendary Venice-Simplon Orient Express on a journey from Paris to Istanbul, experiencing white glove service and midnight brunch while seeing some of the most impressive European countryside.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received…When traveling frequently for work, something stuck with me about the flight attendant announcement, “Secure your own mask first before assisting others.” The simple idea of ensuring your own well-being is at the center of self-care. If you aren’t well, you can’t take care of others.
