Born in São Paulo, Maria Luisa ‘Lulu’ Carter began her professional career in education, the arts, and community service in Rio de Janeiro, before moving first to Europe and then to the United States 26 years ago. With degrees from Brazil in speech therapy, art and psychodrama, and a Master's Degree in science and education from Southern Connecticut State University, Lulu views the world through an eclectic and multicultural prism.

Lulu has initiated projects that combine education, community service, and the arts throughout the world – including the Amazon, Haiti, Ghana and Bhutan. Lulu is the co-founder of Destination Partners, a travel management company that works with American universities, nonprofits and instituions focused on the science of happiness. Through Destination Partners, Lulu has organized, created and developed educational programs abroad for Semester at Sea, New York University, the University of Virginia, and other American universities for the past 25 years.

In 2008, Lulu founded the nonprofit organization House of Gaia, in Naples, Florida, dedicated to bringing the world together through innovative programs and social inclusion. Lulu is a Chief Happiness Officer and is particularly interested in providing Positive Psychology services to individuals of all abilities.

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Lulu’s awards include: the Excellence in Diversity Award from Hodges University, in 2015; the Southwest Florida Face Award, in 2016; and the Lady Liberty Leader honor from Collier Freedom, in 2020.