U.S. Group Travel Sales Lead
Contact: pziemnik@rusticpathways.com | 440-975-9691
Primary Function: Leads U.S. school group travel sales and manages training/development for all customer-facing teams
Professional Summary
Patrick Ziemnik has served Rustic Pathways for 12+ years, progressing from Program Leader to U.S. Group Travel Sales Lead and many other roles along the way. A Harvard graduate with extensive field experience as Country Director in Mongolia and Tanzania, he now drives school partnerships while overseeing training for Personal Travel Advisors and Program Leaders. His unique combination of sales expertise and on-ground program knowledge helps schools design transformative experiences.
Patrick Ziemnik has served Rustic Pathways for 12+ years, progressing from Program Leader to U.S. Group Travel Sales Lead and many other roles along the way. A Harvard graduate with extensive field experience as Country Director in Mongolia and Tanzania, he now drives school partnerships while overseeing training for Personal Travel Advisors and Program Leaders. His unique combination of sales expertise and on-ground program knowledge helps schools design transformative experiences.
Core Responsibilities
U.S. School Group Sales
- Develops partnerships with U.S. schools for custom group programs
- Conducts sales presentations and program consultations
- Manages proposal development and contract negotiations
- Maintains relationships with 100+ school partners
Training & Development
- Trains and onboards all Personal Travel Advisors
- Develops training curriculum for Program Leaders
- Manages ongoing professional development programs
- Ensures consistent service standards across all teams
Field Experience & Partnerships
- Established partnerships with Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania, Save the Rain
- Maintains relationships with field teams in 38+ countries
- Provides sales team with authentic program insights
- Contributes to new program development
Qualifications
- BA in Social Studies – Harvard College
- Former Country Director: Mongolia and Tanzania
- Programs led: Mongolia, Tanzania, Morocco, Balkans, New Orleans
- Languages: English (native)
- Certifications: CPR, First Aid
Key Achievements
- 12+ years building Rustic Pathways’ operations
- Established key conservation partnerships in Africa
- Board Member, Cleveland Solar Cooperative
- Developed training programs used by 50+ staff members
Direct Contact For:
- U.S. school group travel inquiries
- Custom program development for schools
- Staff training and development questions
- Partnership opportunities