The Purposeful Nomad: The Leadership journey of a remote worker in St. Maarten Part 1

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐑. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐱 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥, 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐎𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 s𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐨-𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 "𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐝", 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬.

For Dr. Camillia R. Comeaux, DrPH, MSPH, becoming a digital nomad didn’t mean running from responsibility, it meant showing up more fully. As Director of Research and Evaluation at Health Resources in Action (HRiA), Comeaux oversees a national portfolio of community-driven public health projects. But how she does it, remotely, intentionally, and across time zones, sets her apart.

“I’ve always loved to travel, sometimes just a weekend road trip, sometimes hopping on a plane to somewhere new. Over the last 10 years, that love became something more. What started as long weekends turned into extended PTO, and eventually, into weeks of remote work from wherever I landed. At some point, it stopped being about escaping work, it became about finding myself again,” she explains.

Her mindset shifted profoundly during the pandemic. “The pandemic changed things for me, like it did for a lot of people. It made me rethink how I lived, worked, and connected with others. I started asking bigger questions: How are people in other parts of the world coping with all of this? What does community look like beyond my zip code? My version of taking a risk wasn’t jumping out of a plane or braving a dating app, it was booking a ticket during a global crisis, not to run away, but to understand.”

That leap into uncertainty began with a desire to reset, but ended in renewal. “At first, I said I was traveling to ‘rest’ or ‘reset.’ But over time, I realized it was more than that, I was reopening. I wasn’t obsessing over my to-do list or stressing about the next meeting. I was excited to explore new places, meet new people, and just be. I slowed down, took things in, and gave myself permission to enjoy the moment, knowing I could always come back, not just to a place, but to myself.”

She recalls a turning point during her travels. “Things really shifted when I moved to Miami, a city full of energy and access to the world. I had a job that gave me flexibility and growth, and suddenly, international travel felt both possible and purposeful. My 23-day birthday trip in 2023, eight days in Dubai and 15 in the Philippines, was the tipping point. I worked for part of the trip and took the rest as true vacation. My stress went down, my creativity went up, and I came back feeling more aligned than ever. That’s when I knew: the traditional 9-to-5, or even a hybrid model, wasn’t for me. I thrive when I’m fully remote, living, working, and learning in new environments.”

While others often romanticize the freedom of her path, Comeaux sees it differently. “People often tell me I’m brave or inspirational for doing this. Honestly, I just feel like myself. I’ve always colored outside the lines, but always with intention. My faith keeps me grounded, through the grace of Jesus Christ, I’ve found a path that feels right. I call myself a ‘Connector of Vibes’ because I believe in meaningful connections, in sparking joy, and in bringing people together. I am someone who discerns, connects, and cultivates magic wherever I go. My joy is in people. My calling is in community. This lifestyle isn’t about running away, it’s about showing up fully for life, one place and one moment at a time.”

𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Though she’s now based in Miami, her work at HRiA knows no borders. “My home base is in Miami, but my work and heart stretch across the map. At HRiA, I lead a national portfolio of projects that focus on public health, equity, and community-driven change. And yes, I do it all remotely, but that doesn’t make it harder. In fact, it’s helped me grow as a leader.”

For Comeaux, the essence of leadership lies in trust and intentional communication. “To me, leadership is about communication, clarity, and trust, not sitting at a desk. I use tools like shared calendars and team check-ins to stay connected, but more than that, I lead with intention and presence. I bring my full self to virtual meetings, sharing stories, good energy, and real talk about what’s working and what’s not. I’ve learned that when I feel fulfilled and grounded, I show up better for my team.”

Time zone differences don’t impede her, they enhance her workflow. “Being in different time zones actually helps me manage my days better. I plan ahead, protect my time, and make sure I build in breaks to step outside and recharge. I don’t want to spend all day in a room on Zoom calls, I want to feel the energy of the place I’m in. That balance makes me a better problem-solver, a more thoughtful leader, and someone who leads by example, not just agenda.”

Although she has worked remotely for years, 2023 marked her full embrace of the lifestyle. “I’ve been working remotely in some form for a several years, but I really leaned into the digital international nomad lifestyle in 2023. That’s when I started putting the pieces together, flexibility, passion, and purpose.”

Her definition of productivity has evolved. “Now, I don’t define productivity by how many hours I sit at my computer. I think about the impact I’m making: Am I helping move the work forward? Am I creating space for my team to shine? Am I leaving room for creativity and innovation? Travel pushes me to be intentional. I’m not in autopilot mode, I’m present, curious, and thinking about the bigger picture.”

She credits her team for making this evolution possible. “This lifestyle has helped me become a better listener and planner. I’ve learned to trust my team and give them the space to lead too. They know I’m consistent and engaged, even if I’m calling in from across the ocean. The trust goes both ways.”

𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥

When entering a new environment, Comeaux has specific rituals to stay grounded. “Every time I land somewhere new, I give myself a day or two to find my rhythm, where I’ll work, where I’ll walk, where I’ll grab a coffee and just observe life. That sense of routine helps me feel grounded, even in unfamiliar places.”

Her days are deliberately structured. “I’ve also learned to design my day on purpose. I group my meetings, set aside focus time, and carve out hours to step outside and just be. I don’t want to be stuck inside all day on Zoom calls, I want to experience the places I’m in. Whether it’s taking a walk to the local market, catching the breeze by the ocean, or just striking up a conversation with someone new, those moments help me reset, refocus, and bring fresh energy to my work.”

Spiritual practices are non-negotiable. “I stay spiritually grounded through prayer, journaling, and quiet time. That part of my day never changes, no matter where I am.”

Her social media presence is more than a highlight reel, it’s a living narrative. “I also post regularly on social media, not just to document the journey but to spark curiosity and conversations. Posts that highlight 13 of the 33 beaches I found in Anguilla, all the local restaurant stops to find the best Johnnycake, or local hangouts that welcome a cigar, a cocktail, and good music at sunset often get the most engagement, people respond to authenticity and the vibe of a place. It sparks interest, and sometimes even inspiration.”

Those posts often lead to real-world impact. “Friends, family, even colleagues often reach out saying, ‘Where are you now?!’, and that opens the door to share not just where I am, but why. Since being here in Sint Maarten, I’ve even encouraged loved ones to come visit and experience the places I’ve been hyping up. And many do!”

Above all, she views this lifestyle as a vehicle for growth. “I talk about my experiences openly, with my team, my network, and anyone who’s curious, because I want people to see what’s possible. You can lead. You can grow. You can care for your mental health and still meet every deadline.

This lifestyle isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, and creating a life that’s joyful, meaningful, and whole. It’s also about being a Connector of Vibes, someone who bridges spaces, people, and experiences with purpose and intention. Whether I’m leading a team meeting from a sunlit balcony or sharing a story over coffee in a new city, I’m always looking for ways to build connection and amplify joy. That’s the kind of presence I want to model, and the kind of energy I want to leave behind.”

....𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥....𝘐𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦-𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘋𝘳. 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘯.

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