Lou deLisser, Owner & Travel Advisor
Lou’s passion for travel was instilled at an early age while visiting Europe and other destinations with her family. Lou vividly recalls sitting on the ancient steps of Pompeii, gazing in awe at Michelangelo’s David for the first time, cruising through the Inside Passage and witnessing the glory of the Alaskan wilderness, climbing by mule up the mountain to Santorini and much more. These childhood memories sparked Lou’s continuing desire to explore other lands and cultures. During college, she spent a semester studying in Paris and traveling throughout France. After graduation, Lou lived in Japan for 4 years where she traveled extensively throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Lou’s enthusiasm for travel has now extended to her family who has visited many destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Lou has independently traveled to all seven continents, most recently to Antarctica. Other destinations include Australia, Bali, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Morocco and the Maldives. However, her passion is Africa, where she has visited Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
After having been a client of Brownell Travel for over 15 years, Lou joined the company as an Independent Travel Advisor in 2014, forming Lou deLisser Travel, a Virtuoso member. She knows firsthand how traveling under the Brownell name, has enriched her travel experiences. Lou’s professional background as an Attorney and Event Planner has prepared her to fully engage in the research and the details of planning which result in extraordinary trips. This expertise coupled with Lou’s own travels allows her to provide her clients with exceptional travel experiences.
Mary Burkett, Travel Advisor
Mary brings a wealth of personal experience and passion to every journey she helps to curate. Born and raised in Texas, her love for travel began early, nurtured by countless adventures with friends and family. Her deep-rooted wanderlust has taken her across the globe, exploring the rich cultures and breathtaking landscapes of Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America. Over the years, she has cultivated a deep expertise in Africa, a continent that holds some of her favorite travel experiences. Walking the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, witnessing the majestic lions in South Africa, and marveling at the great migration in Tanzania are just a few of the unforgettable moments that has fueled Mary’s passion. Despite her love for traveling the world, Texas holds a special place in Mary’s heart, and she cherishes her roots there. As a travel designer, she is dedicated to sharing her passion with clients, offering exceptional customer service. Whether a grand international adventure or a convenient weekend getaway, Mary’s goal is to show you how wonderful traveling can be.
Charlotte Said, Travel Advisor
Charlotte's passion for travel was instilled at an early age, exploring the world with her parents on formative trips across multiple continents, from India and Tanzania to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong curiosity for new places, cultures, and cuisines. During college at Wake Forest University, Charlotte studied abroad in London and used every weekend to visit a new European city, making the most of her dual citizenship with Germany. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she spent six years in financial services, earning her MBA from the Darden School of Business in between.
While based in New York, Charlotte traveled frequently to Europe, developing particular expertise in Italy, France, and Spain. Beyond the continent, she has explored Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, with standout memories including a night under the stars in the desert outside Skoura, Morocco, hiking through Patagonia, checking Byron Bay off her bucket list during business school, and most recently, her second African safari, this time through South Africa. Planning trips for friends and family, and experiencing them together, has long been one of her greatest joys. An avid photographer, Charlotte is often drawn to discover new corners of the world through her lens, seeking out the perspectives and moments that make each destination distinct.
In 2025, Charlotte relocated to the Bay Area, settling in Tiburon, where she has continued to seek out undiscovered gems closer to home, from the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma to the coastline of Big Sur. Charlotte is thrilled to join Lou deLisser Travel and Brownell as a Travel Advisor. Her professional background in finance and most recently as a Chief of Staff has trained her eye for detail and discipline in research, qualities she now brings to crafting thoughtful, personalized itineraries for every client.
Brownell and Virtuoso
Lou deLisser Travel is an Independent Affiliate of Brownell Travel, the oldest luxury travel organization in the United States and a Virtuoso® member. Virtuoso® is a by invitation only network of elite agencies with supplier relationships and personal connections at the best luxury hotels, resorts, tour and cruise operators in the world. This affiliation allows us to offer our clients extra amenities, upgrades when available and VIP status. We are proud of our preferred partner relationships with top travel companies including: Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Rosewood Elite, Dorchester Diamond Club, Mandarin Oriental FAN Club, Peninsula, Penn Club, Belmond Bellini Club, Abercrombie & Kent 100 Club, as well as preferred status with cruise lines including: Seabourn, Crystal, Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions and Regent Seven Seas. It is through these affiliations, that we are able to delight our clients with amenities, special experiences and value they could not access on their own.
