The Rustic Pathways Team: Driven, Bold, and Enjoyable People
Team Rustic Pathways is driven to achieve challenging but reachable goals to deliver for our clients. We are bold enough to try new ideas, take risks, and embrace continuous learning. We are fun enough to throw down.
Is this asking for too much? YES! But Rustic Pathways is building a team as close to this ideal as possible. Why not aim high?
Join here at: https://rusticpathways.com/inside-rustic/careers
Why Work at Rustic Pathways?
Innovative and Impactful Organization
Rustic Pathways pioneers transformative travel experiences for students, blending cultural immersion, leadership development, and service learning into unique programs.
Supportive and Friendly Environment
Rustic Pathways fosters a positive, non-toxic workplace where collaboration and support thrive.
Diverse and Talented Team
Joining Rustic Pathways means collaborating with professionals from various backgrounds, each bringing unique skills and experiences.
Passion-Driven Mission
Rustic Pathways employees share a passion for cultural exchange, leadership growth, and creating meaningful travel experiences for students. Learn more about our mission.
Meaningful Work
By joining Rustic Pathways, you contribute to impactful programs that inspire and empower young leaders while supporting communities globally. Learn more about our impact.
Broad Vision for the Future
As Rustic Pathways grows, the company aims to lead the student travel industry with innovative, sustainable, and life-changing programs over the next 5 to 20 years. Learn more about the Rustic Pathways vision.
Scott graduated from CU Boulder and Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. He taught English in a high school in Nagasaki for three years as part of the JET Programme. He has led gap year programs that led him around the world twice and gave him the chance to help students connect their learning and growth with a deeper connection with real people and real problems. As Director of Admissions he focuses on helping families find great Rustic Pathways programs that will create life-changing experiences for young people to create meaningful connections with their world.
Anna is an alumna of School Year Abroad and has a dual degree in geoscience and Mandarin from Dartmouth. Anna’s passion for experiential education and travel was sparked in high school and furthered in college. She now applies this passion at Rustic Pathways, providing opportunities for teachers and students to immerse themselves in new surroundings and engage powerfully with other cultures. Anna was previously director of our China operations and now resides outside of New York City.
Dr. Will Smith is a recognized leader in wilderness medicine who joined Rustic Pathways in 2015. He is an EMS and Emergency Medicine Physician who practices primarily in Jackson, Wyoming, but has practiced around the world from Baghdad ER to Easter Island. He is also a Colonel in the US Army reserve and has several other medical director hats from the National Park Service. He has personally participated in Rustic Pathways programs to Kilimanjaro, Fiji, and the Dominican Republic.
Nick grew up in Boston, and graduated from Babson with a degree in business but has since lived in California, New Zealand, Italy and Colorado. Rustic Pathways combines his passions for the outdoors with traveling to experience new places and cultures. He fills his free time in Colorado with skiing, mountain biking, hiking and paddle boarding, but is sure to travel internationally every chance he gets. Today he introduces students to Rustic Pathways and helps them find the perfect program.
Patrick began his career in experiential education as a Harvard student, managing the University’s First-Year Outdoor Program. After graduating with high honors from the Social Studies Department, Patrick continued his passion for social enterprise as an AmeriCorps volunteer. He now brings his strong leadership skills, love of the outdoors, and experience as Country Director in Mongolia and Tanzania to our team of Personal Travel Advisors in Ohio. Patrick’s immense dedication to community partnerships and passion for creating meaningful student experiences continue to shine through in our customer service.
Candice is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio with a degree in business administration, and she recently earned her MBA from Lake Erie College. Candice brings her expertise, kindness, and attention to detail to our human resources department. She assists with the on-boarding of all staff and manages staff benefits and professional development.
Chang Mo Ahn is a cross-cultural education and data specialist with 18 years in Latin America and formal studies in South Korea. Holding an Economics degree from Yonsei University and specialized data analytics training, he blends quantitative insights with cultural expertise to support global education pathways. With 1,000+ hours of SAT, TOEFL, and AP teaching, Chang Mo specializes in student transitions across international education. A trilingual (Spanish, English, Korean Level 6), he advises on student mobility, visa logistics, and academic adaptation. His data visualization work on education trends has reinforced his authority on global student mobility and cross-cultural education.
Kayla is a California native and San Jose State University graduate who loves sunshine, spending time on the coast and in the mountains. She’s always looking forward to her next travel adventure and the food she can try there. At Rustic Pathways, Kayla enjoys helping others discover their passion for travel and experience the profound impacts of interacting with others around the world. She lives in the Bay Area where you can find her enjoying live music, exercising, or cooking.
De’Lynn started at Rustic Pathways in February of 2022. Her passion of helping children thrive is evident by her multiple trips to Haiti, where she created incredible bonds with children in need. She is an alumni of Rochester Institute of Technology with a Master’s Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. As Program Curator, she plans the group travel programs in all detail. In this role, she supports the development of young people’s focus on their part in this world.
Genny Campetti originates from Italy and holds a Master’s degree in International Commerce from Seoul National University. She has been living in South Korea for six years, gaining experience working in the luxury fashion and food import industries. Genny’s love for travel and meeting new people has broadened her worldview and motivated her passion to explore diverse cultures. A passionate music enthusiast, she enjoys collecting records, attending concerts and discovering new sounds. At Rustic Pathways, she brings her global perspective and expertise to create meaningful and immersive travel experiences.
Hannah’s passion for experiential learning began during her semester abroad in Chile and has only grown since. She earned a master’s degree in higher education with a focus on international education and students affairs, and brings a breadth of experience managing and running group travel programs. At Rustic Pathways, she supports educators in their goals to provide students with opportunities for meaningful community engagement and to foster a sense of global citizenship through our programs. Hannah lives in Chicago, where you can find her playing beach volleyball, running along the lakeshore, or on a quest to find the best dumplings in the city!
Janette Daneshmand was born and raised in Southern California, a stone’s throw away from the original Disneyland. Janette spent an unforgettable summer in western Europe and Florence on a study abroad program during her time at Cal State Fullerton. In 2016 she moved to Manchester and worked for a craft magazine publisher as a professional crafter and later at a marketing agency that specializes in life science and biotech businesses as a social media manager. She connected deeply with Rustic’s mission of philanthropy, travel, and training students to build the skills they need to create impact.
Cameron has always had a passion for travel. After her first solo trip to Europe, she knew seeing the world was a goal she hopes to accomplish someday. She has been to 29 countries and can’t wait to visit her 30th. She has lived in China, Vietnam, and is currently living in South Africa. Cameron was a teacher in Florida for nine years before moving overseas to work for international schools. Cameron is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree from the College of Journalism. Besides traveling, she loves trail running, swimming, cycling, hiking, watching college football, and going to the beach.
Emily fell in love with travel and experiential learning after high school while taking a gap year in Bolivia and Peru. During her time at the University of Denver, Emily continued to seek out travel programs and opportunities while double majoring in Geography and International Studies. She was grateful for the opportunity to do coursework in Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Mexico, and Nicaragua! Since then she has worked in a variety of jobs including outdoor education, refugee services, ESL teaching, and as a Rustic Pathways Program Leader. Emily currently lives in Costa Rica and is passionate about animals (especially turtles!), rock climbing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Emma is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Spanish Language & Literature and International Relations with a focus in Global Environment & Health. Upon graduation she headed to Madrid, Spain to work in a public school supporting a bilingual program, working with students from 3 years old to 18 years old. Passionate about education, sustainability, and travel, she joined the Rustic Pathways team to combine these passions and continue working with students and families to support their development outside the classroom. While not working, Emma enjoys reading, hiking, and being on the beach whenever possible.
Gabby is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications. Once she graduated from college, Gabby combined her love for helping others and travel by serving as a humanitarian in Russia. She has traveled to 23 different countries and her goal is to travel to all seven continents. Since then, she has returned to live in Florida and joined the Rustic Pathways team to encourage students to learn more about different cultures through their own personal experience. While not working, Gabby enjoys being in the sun and in the water, going on spontaneous adventures, and traveling the world!
John oversees the Climate Leaders Fellowship, an innovative global service and leadership development program for high school students co-designed with the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab and Rustic Pathways Foundation. Prior to joining Rustic Pathways, John was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at Teach For America, and a founding team member of two other education nonprofits, Braven and TEACH.org.
Ziyoo Hwang is an illustrator and animator crafting stories through vibrant, dynamic visuals. Her journey has taken her from South Korea to China and the UK, where she honed her skills in illustration and visual communication. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, now, she blends static and moving images to explore imagination and tell stories. Her work invites you to escape into a headspace where creativity knows no bounds. She has a passion for the absurd and the whimsical. Let’s dream, discover, and see the world through a different lens.
Keegan has taught, studied, and researched in Thailand for more than a decade and joined Rustic in 2011. From northern California, he completed his master’s thesis on the effects of forest fires on floral and fungal communities. Keegan is fluent in written and spoken Thai and Lao and brings his deep knowledge of Southeast Asia’s history and culture to our Southeast Asia operations.
Yuri Kim is a global education and cross-cultural travel specialist with expertise in student mobility, risk management and digital engagement. Of Norwegian Korean heritage, Yuri has lived in multiple countries, offering an authentic multicultural perspective on youth travel. Yuri holds degrees in Communication and Technology/Society from the University of Agder, has developed student programs, managed travel logistics, and advised on safety and adaptation strategies. Her work includes roles in international education, public health, and digital marketing. Fluent in five languages and having visited 15+ countries, Yuri provides trusted guidance on student travel safety, education logistics, and cultural immersion, contributing to travel advisories and intercultural training programs.
Heather is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a degree in Psychology. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, her desire to learn new cultures is always satiated with each day working at Rustic Pathways. Her first international travel was with Rustic and helped her be brave enough to travel alone to Ireland and Scotland. When not working, she enjoys reading, taking nature walks and exploring all parts of Ohio.
Henrike Nietzold is an international travel and cultural education specialist with expertise in cross-cultural adaptation and responsible travel. With a background spanning German and Korean environments, she provides authentic insights for young travelers. Holding degrees in Textile Studies and Business Administration (Carl von Ossietzky University) and an immersive semester at Inha University in South Korea, Henrike documents Korean culture as an Honorary Reporter for Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on social media. A recognized expert in youth travel logistics, visas, and academic mobility, she offers practical guidance on intercultural adaptation. Fluent in German, English, Henrike bridges cultural gaps with accurate, localized travel insights.
Jonathan grew up around Syracuse, New York, leaving at 18 to join the US Air Force. He spent a short career as a Tactical Air Control Party Specialist where he deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan. After five years in Colorado with the Air Force, Jonathan left for Maryland and studied government and international relations. He graduated with a Bachelor’s from the University of Maryland and received a graduate certificate from the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC in peace building, stability and humanitarian development. He fell in love with Costa Rica and currently resides there in the mountains near San Isidro with his wife and three kids.
Matija completed an undergraduate degree at Northeastern University, then went on to earn a master’s degree from Harvard. Her expertise in leadership training and recruitment has enabled her to achieve great success within the Rustic Pathways Group Travel division. Her highest priority is that educators and students walk away completely satisfied and fulfilled from their incredible experience. In her free time, Matija enjoys reading, working out, running, and practicing power vinyasa yoga.
Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Devon’s journey into travel began with a high school study abroad program in Peru, sparking a lifelong passion for exploration. Engaging in outdoor pursuits like backpacking, skiing, climbing, and biking became his driving pursuit. During his time at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Devon found his calling as a student trip leader, guiding peers through nature to impart crucial lessons in independence and empathy. Armed with a degree in film and media studies, he transitioned to the outdoor recreation industry, assuming roles from Whitewater Guide to Freeride Ski Coach. Devon now channels his love of diverse adventures into Rustic Pathways.
Dani has a Masters degree in Bilingual and Multicultural Education and she has taught English in various cities around Spain for the last five years. Her first year studying in Granada, Spain is what sparked her interest in the International Education field. Dani believes in the transformative power that international education can have on young minds and that cultural immersion teaches us things that no textbook could ever. In her spare time, Dani enjoys spending time with friends, being on the beach, and exploring as much of the world as she can.
Emma Sparkes is a travel journalist and cross-cultural education specialist with over a decade in South Korea and TOPIK Level 5 Korean proficiency. She provides expert insights on travel, cultural adaptation and student mobility. Holding a BA in Graphic Design Communication (University of the Arts London), Emma combines visual storytelling with cross-cultural communication. Her authority stems from roles as English Section Editor of Korean Air’s Morning Calm, TBS eFM travel segment co-host and Resident Support Assistant for international students. Emma advises on travel logistics and academic mobility, providing practical, research-backed guidance for students, parents and travelers.
Talia is a recent graduate of Occidental College where she studied International Relations and Food Studies. Talia is a firm believer in the importance of getting out of your comfort zone through exploring new places and cultures and is excited to help Rustic students attain such experiences. Talia loves to travel and try new foods along the way, whether it be in a new neighborhood in her home base of New York City or a market on the other side of the world. You can also find her hiking, playing tennis, reading on a beach, or walking her two labs.
Quintin Willekens is a cross-cultural education and sustainable travel expert with first-hand experience in 20+ countries and eight years in South Korea. Holding a Business Sustainability degree (Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University), he applies sustainable development principles to international education and travel. With three years as an educator across K-12 and university levels, he guides students and families on cross-border education, visas, and safety. Quintin develops cross-cultural training programs and contributes to international tourism platforms, offering trusted guidance on student mobility, responsible travel, and global study preparation.
Teryn is a Michigan native and graduated from Lake Superior State University with a degree in Parks and Recreation. She has always been passionate about Recreation and Travel and is excited to help students find the best program that will positively impact their lives. She currently spends half of the year living in Italy soaking in all of the culture and amazing food. In her free time, Teryn enjoys photography, hiking, kayaking, and taking off on last minute adventures!
Founded in Australia in 1983, Rustic Pathways is imbued with the ambition and vision of the explorer in the outback. Here are some of the Rustic Pathways team members who have helped make us who we are today.