Taylor McCarthy
Bachelor of Commerce (Concentration in Entrepreneurship)/Minor in Political Science (International Development) from McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Diploma in Heritage Carpentry & Joinery from Algonquin College, Perth, Canada
Taylor’s passion for outdoor adventure, cultural immersion and international development has led him around the world. He grew up in Ottawa playing hockey and skiing in the winter, while paddling the rivers of Ontario and Quebec in the summer. His addiction for travel came the year prior to university when Taylor pursued two of his passions, initially living in a quaint ski town in the Canadian Rockies before moving to Byron Bay, Australia to live and surf. Since this time, he has lived or traveled in dozens of countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, North Africa and Latin America. He comfortably speaks four languages including English, French, Portuguese and Spanish (…Portuñol).
While studying at McGill, Taylor spent his spring and summer seasons tree planting in remote areas of Western Canada. This annual routine gave him the means to travel abroad or remain out west to explore the coast and the mountains. His relationship with Latin America flourished while living with a local family on exchange in Mazatlan, Mexico. After graduation, this bond tightened while driving across Central America in a VW bug. Over the next 15 months, Taylor lived, worked, volunteered and studied his way through much of South America. Whether walking a puma named Simba near Cochabamba, backcountry skiing in the Patagonia, attempting (in vain!) to learn tango or teaching English at multinational companies in Buenos Aires, Taylor has an ever-evolving love for the rich culture and geographic beauty of Latin America.
After working as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited consultant in Canada, Taylor returned to South America in 2009 to intern for a non-profit (Endeavor) and teach English in São Paulo, Brazil. While volunteering for an organization (TETO) that builds shelter for impoverished families living in favelas (slums), Taylor renewed his passion for sustainable building and carpentry. This led him to return to school and complete an additional degree, this time in heritage carpentry and joinery. This change in career and lifestyle has enabled Taylor the challenging fulfillment of running his own custom homebuilding business while continuing to explore the world at every given opportunity.
He is thrilled to join the Dragons community and return to the majesty of Peru in 2015.