Meet kelly pantaleoni | actress & activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with kelly pantaleoni and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi kelly, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Give Backpackers helps communities in need by catering to their most immediate need; whether it be schooling in Peru, clean drinking water in Cambodia or teaching girls how to sew and have a sustainable business model in Uganda. We listen to the community leaders and raise money for them through in person and virtual fundraising, then bring the funds personally to the country and volunteer our time so our donors can see exactly where their money is going through live social media updates.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It certainly wasn’t an easy roller-coaster ride getting to where I am today, but it was fun. There have been so many ups and downs but that’s just life! and through my travels I’ve seen people who have been through far more adversities than myself and are so full of joy, kindness and wisdom it gives me hope. I overcame the challenges through meeting these types of people, and also myself – solitude can teach you so much about your own strength and inner knowing. I’ve learned along the way that healing isn’t linear, and people may disappoint you but your accomplishments will not.

I am most proud and excited about my two latest films that I produced; a movie on mental health “40 seconds” based on the statistic that every 40 seconds someone commits suicide, and the vastly contrasting “50 shades of quarantine” a pandemic comedy that adds levity to the lockdown reality we found ourselves in all around the world. They have both been on the international film festival circuit and will be released publicly soon -both with their own awareness and fundraising campaigns respectfully.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If someone was visiting me in Los Angeles I would take them on a hike and astronomy show at the Griffith Observatory, get a tasty vegan meal at Cafe Gratitude in Venice while walking around the funky neighborhood and then watch the sunset over the mountains on the sand dunes in Malibu.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is dedicated to Lindsay Marie Hawley; my best friend, my mentor, my idol, and now my guardian angel.

Website: www.40secondsfilm.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellypantaleoni

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kellypantaleoni

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kpantaleoni

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KellyPantaleoni

Other: Clubhouse @kellypantaleoni

Image Credits
@ohrangutang