One of the coolest things about working at HMC is having the opportunity to explore the world, experience something new, and expand your horizons—with Xref! Since 2007, we’ve sent employees all over the globe to feed their wanderlust and return to share their experience. Winners of our Xref travel fellowship receive 40 hours of PTO and a $4,000 allowance to make their journey happen.

This year, we received 16 inspiring Xref submissions from employees throughout the company. Two separate juries convened, one hosted in our Ontario office and the second in our Sacramento office, where jurors thoughtfully reviewed, debated, and ultimately selected two lucky winners—Nicole Taylor and Evan Troxel. (The juries were comprised of clients and partners—there were no HMC employees on the juries.)

Nicole Taylor’s Xref submission, “Standing at the Threshold of Change,” outlines her plan to visit Cuba and experience the sights, sounds, and places that shaped her mima’s (grandmother’s) life—while Cuba is still a land frozen in time. She intends to reconnect with family in Cuba and put an image to the stories her mima told her when she was a child. Nicole will visit Havana, Pinar Del Rio, and Vedado. Read Nicole’s Xref submission here >> 

Evan Troxel’s Xref submission, “Roots,” takes him on a trek to discover his family heritage in Finland and Norway, explore the most adventurous natural environment it has to offer, and experience the design philosophies of his architectural heroes first-hand. Pulpit Rock, Trolltunga, and the Oslo Opera House are just a few of the incredible stops on his journey. Read Evan’s Xref submission here >>