Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, Malia grew up with the Rocky Mountains as her backyard playground, sparking her lifelong love for wildlife and the natural world. Summers were spent camping with family across Colorado and Utah, though some of her favorite childhood memories took place along the beaches and in the woods of Northern Maine. A lifelong bookworm, Malia’s love for storytelling began with tales of adventure, especially those from her mother, who was known around the office as Nat Hab's very own "Gear Goddess."

Inspired by her mom’s stories and a passion for nature, Malia eagerly began interning at the Boulder office as a teen, spending summers surrounded by people dedicated to wildlife conservation and immersive travel. A trip to Churchill at 15, where she encountered polar bears in their natural habitat, solidified her love for both travel and the wild. Now, as a full-time team member, she’s explored far beyond Boulder—journeying with Nat Hab to the Galapagos Islands, Belize, Tanzania, and most recently, Nat Hab’s Bear Camp in Alaska. She also enjoys traveling independently and has explored destinations from Greece and Spain to Mexico and New Zealand.

When she's not traveling, her favorite things to do include spending quality time with her friends and family, basking in the beautiful Colorado sunshine, attending live music shows, playing her guitar, and crocheting while watching movies or spinning one of her prized vinyl records.