Jen DeJong is the founder and president of Encounters Unlimited. With 25 years of travel coordination experience, Jen has built a career around curating personalized, immersive travel experiences. Her expertise ensures that every trip with Encounters Unlimited is seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.
In 2022, Jen created Sicilian Encounters. As a first-generation Sicilian (Jen’s mother was born in Montevago, Sicily, and moved to the U.S. at age seven), Jen has a deep personal connection to the region and a passion for sharing its rich culture, history, cuisine, and wine with travelers. In 2025, Jen saw the opportunity to expand the business to include trips to other parts of the world with specific interests (wine and art) at the core of each travel experience.
Beyond her business, Jen is actively involved in her community, serving as board co-chair of Wooden It Be Lovely, a nonprofit supporting women recovering from addiction, and as a board member of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. Jen has been married to her husband, Marc, for 25 years, and they have two daughters, Maria and Rose. She loves to travel, coach her daughters’ volleyball teams occasionally, and enjoys time with family and friends.
Jen DeJong
Owner/ Sicily Tour Guide
Rachel Mobley
Level 3 WSET Sommelier / Wine Tour Guide
In 2018, Rachel earned her Level 3 with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a wine certification program based in London with international prestige. She furthered her studies at The American Wine School in Chicago, submitting her Level 4 Diploma thesis on the industry’s response to climate change, accepted by WSET in 2021.
For five years, Rachel enjoyed using her sommelier training working for Classic Wine Company in Birmingham, Alabama, where in addition to her responsibilities as Events Coordinator and Wine Steward, she led guided tastings for private events and hosted blind tastings within the wine professional community. She continues to offer a variety of guided tasting activities for private parties, as well as tasting consultations for bourbon collectors making barrel picks at Buffalo Trace. As a sommelier consultant for restaurants, Rachel has also conducted wine training workshops to educate staff and increase alcohol sales.
Rachel looks forward to partnering with Encounters Unlimited to give each small group wine tour her personal Somm of the South educational experience. She curates private, small group itineraries where you and a few of your friends tour the wine region of your choice with Rachel traveling alongside you as your personal sommelier. Past itineraries include Tuscany, Oregon, and Crete, while new wine tours to Argentina, California, and Sicily are in development.
Monica Zanetti
Artist in Residence
Meet Monica, a dynamic artist, vibrant cultural advocate, and the heart behind Wild Rose, Springfield’s one-of-a kind artisan gallery & boutique. Originally from Alameda, California, Monica brings her Mexican heritage, activist roots, and fearless creativity to every canvas, workshop, and community initiative she touches.
With a paintbrush in one hand and purpose in the other, Monica transforms recycled materials, bold colors, and textured layers into expressive works of art that reflect family, culture, and current times. Her work has been featured in San Francisco City Hall, the Alameda Museum, Sacred Art in Chicago and at numerous Chicago Street fairs including Retro on Roscoe, Ravenswood, Downtown Chicago, and Springfield Pride Fest.
In 2019, Monica made a lifelong dream a reality by opening Wild Rose, a retail meets gallery space that uplifts more than 20 local artists. Through one-on-one coaching, hands-on painting classes, and empowering creative workshops, including Vision Board Parties, Manifesting Your Dreams, Mapping Out Your Goals, and Women’s Empowerment workshops and events. She helps others unlock their creativity and chart bold, intentional paths forward.
Monica is also a speaker, sharing her insight on topics such as Art for Healing, The Mexican American Journey, Día de los Muertos Altar Instruction, and the power of creative identity. She has spoken for Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois and Illinois Women in Leadership, where she led a compelling conversation on intersectionality and how layered identities shape our personal and professional lives. Her voice and work have been featured across media platforms including NPR, WTAX Radio, Channel 20 Morning Show, Illinois Times, the Women Entrepreneurs Showcase, and the Viewpoint Project with Dennis Quaid.
Whether bringing mariachi vibes to Springfield’s Levitt AMP Concert Series, mentoring fellow creatives, or supporting inclusive arts initiatives, Monica brings joy, justice, and authenticity to all she does. She proudly serves on the boards of Memorial Foundation and Downtown Springfield Inc., championing art, equity, and small business growth.
Kristi Mitchell
Photography Instructor
It’s no surprise that photography found such a strong place in my heart and quickly became one of the biggest parts of my life—it truly is my passion! There's something magical about being able to capture both the big milestones and the quiet, in-between moments of people’s lives, preserving them forever. The desire to document real, meaningful moments has brought me so much joy and a deep sense of purpose. From the very beginning, my goal has been to tell stories through my lens—capturing genuine emotion, connection, and the beauty that often unfolds when most cameras have already been set down.
What has made this journey even more fulfilling is my love for travel and how it has naturally blended with photography. Exploring new places, meeting new people, and capturing their stories has added so much depth to my work. Whether it’s a destination wedding, a family adventure, or a quiet moment in a far-off corner of the world, travel continues to inspire and fuel my creativity.
Another part of this journey that has been deeply rewarding is teaching photography to others. With over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of leading both group workshops and one-on-one sessions. Watching people gain confidence behind the camera, find their creative voice, and grow their own passion for photography has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. I absolutely love helping others discover the magic of storytelling through photography.
I’m proud to run a photography business in the heart of downtown Springfield, IL and be a member of Illinois Women in Leadership, as well as a supporter of our vibrant local community. I’ve been nominated for Best Photographer in Springfield, Illinois five years in a row (2020–2024)—a fun honor that reminds me how much I love what I do.
Outside of photography, I’m a proud mom to four amazing boys! When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll likely find me at the pool with my family, cheering at sporting events, traveling, working out or enjoying a glass of wine and dinner with friends. Life is all about these moments—and I love living them just as much as I love capturing them.