By Sam Hilgendorf, CIO
At Fox World Travel, we believe magic happens when collaboration meets the nurturing of talent. Our partnership with i.c.stars since 2018 exemplifies this belief. Through i.c.stars, we’ve welcomed incredible individuals into our Fox family who have become key players in our mission to deliver top-notch travel solutions. i.c.stars transform inner-city young adults into future leaders through tech and business training, significantly shaping how we bring new technology associates into Fox.
A Partnership Rooted in Success
Our collaboration with i.c.stars has been inspirational. Starting with High Tea with Cycle 4, I’ve had the honor of volunteering with each of their intern cycles. Fox has sponsored multiple events and recently hired two standout graduates: Olivia Veloz and Devinare Miller.
Olivia Veloz, a Project Manager and alumna of i.c.stars Cycle 13, shared:
“i.c.stars played a huge role in shaping where I am today. It gave me the confidence to take on new challenges and reminded me that I bring value to the table. The program helped me grow my leadership and communication skills, preparing me for my role at Fox World Travel.”
When Olivia reached out for a coffee chat, we didn’t have any IT roles open. However, her effort impressed me. Her experience in the travel industry and her enthusiasm led to a conversation about a role in our Project Management Office. By the end of the week, after seeing her present her cycle cohort’s website project, I knew we needed to hire her.
Olivia added, “Since joining Fox, I’ve felt so supported—whether it’s from the PMO team, coworkers, my leaders, or clients. It’s a place that encourages growth and collaboration. I’m excited for what’s ahead!”
Devinare Miller, an IT Support Specialist from Cycle 11, has also made a significant impact at Fox. His technical expertise and dedication have been invaluable.
Devinare shared, “When I decided to restart my career, I knew I wanted to pivot into IT—a field that had always intrigued me. However, the decision to switch career paths didn’t come easily. I had a lot of doubts. After much thought, I decided to take that leap and joined i.c.stars, a four-month immersive coding and technology boot camp. This program challenged me to confront my fears. The learning curve was steep. Every day was packed with coding drills, hands-on projects, and lessons in tools and languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and React.”
After graduating from the program in 2022 and interning at GE Healthcare, Devinare relocated to Fond du Lac and saw an opening at Fox. Using his i.c.stars network and relationships, he quickly secured an interview.
Devinare concluded, “This position has been a perfect opportunity to bring my new skills to life while living out core values like honesty, integrity, and a passion for taking care of both associates and customers. I’m driven by the chance to enhance customer experiences through innovative IT solutions.”
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow and navigate the evolving travel industry, our partnership with i.c.stars remains a cornerstone of our commitment to innovation and community impact. We look forward to seeing what Olivia, Devinare, and future i.c.stars graduates will achieve with us.
i.c.stars prepares these talented individuals for challenging and rewarding careers, not only by honing technical skills but also by developing business acumen and emotional intelligence. Olivia and Devinare have already made a significant impact on our associates and clients at Fox.
I encourage other businesses to explore the opportunities i.c.stars offers and support this incredible program. High Tea is a rewarding experience for both interns and the business community. Engage with the interns, and you’ll want to be the next to hire an i.c.star.
