Our Team in Australia

With a degree in business and tourism management, Alejo has been an integral part of the Rustic Pathways team since 2011. Originally from Colombia, he now lives in Australia where he manages our operations across Australia. With a unique Spanish twist to his new-found Aussie accent, Alejo brings an exciting blend of cultures to our leadership team.

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Cass has spent the last 10 years traveling and working in outdoor education. With a degree in Youth Work, she loves to combine her passion for working with young people with experiential education. Before starting at Rustic in 2018, Cass was working for an Indigenous organization and is passionate about teaching the next generation about the importance of Australian history and culture. She loves being out in the fresh air and in her spare time, you will find her hiking or exploring a new corner of Australia.

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Cam came to Rustic in 2019 and has quickly established himself as a valuable team member. After gaining his degree in Journalism and Communication, Cam spent two years managing Contiki tours through Europe. Based in Melbourne, Cam’s diverse background gives him a unique skill set to support our Australian groups and his fun nature makes him an instant favorite with anyone he meets.

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Liam joined Rustic Pathways as a seasonal staff member in June 2018, leading Seven Wonders and group programs in Australia and SE Asia. He’s now splitting his time between leading programs in the field and supporting our outgoing groups in Australia. Hailing from Newcastle, north of Sydney, Liam played rugby professionally in Australia and Scotland for several years before transitioning into education.

Valeska is an accomplished high school teacher and sub-school coordinator who joined Rustic Pathways in 2014. With a bachelor in education and human movement from Deakin University, she is an exceptional operator who now manages finance and administration in our Australian office. Valeska’s warm, friendly personality makes her a pleasure to have on our team.

Living a fit and active outdoor lifestyle in Australia, Tracey is a passionate surfer who has competed internationally in the World Qualifying Series. Tracey taught in Aussie schools for nearly a decade and is committed to providing the best possible experience for Rustic participants by managing the administration and logistics for all programs throughout Australia.

Fiona’s love for Adventure and Sport led me to study a Degree in Physical Education & Outdoor Education. After leaving University she traveled extensively both overseas and within Australia and discovered the wonders of Travel. In 2018, she joined Rustic Pathways who have allowed her to combine her passion for Education, Adventure, young people and Travel. Now a parent of three teenage children who have traveled with their respective schools on Educational Travel programs, she has been able to witness first hand the benefits these amazing programs bring to young adults – independence, resilience, empathy, global thinking all of which makes for a kinder, stronger, more confident human being. She loves being a part of this change.

Sophie joined Rustic in 2016 to assist in our Victorian office. A former scholarship student of Toorak College and The Peninsula School, Sophie has a heart for people and is actively involved in volunteer work on a local and international level. She is an excellent administrator who works behind the scenes to prepare our school groups for travel.

Prior to Meme joining Rustic Pathways full-time in Australia this year, she has been working casually as a program leader and social media coordinator since 2014. She has led programs in Costa Rica, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Hailing from Arizona, Meme has now made the Gold Coast home and with her diverse background in marketing and trip leading, Meme is a great addition to the Australian Rustic family.

Liam comes from a small town in the Kimberley region called Halls Creek, where he was raised by his grandmother who is an important village elder. He joined Rustic Pathways in 2014 and since then has enjoyed program leading as an opportunity to travel and to learn more about Australia. He also likes learning about the countries and cultures of international students visiting Australia.

Alanah lives for adventure and is happiest when she is out of her comfort zone. From close encounters with Grizzly bears on her doorstep in Canada, diving with sharks in the Galapagos, trekking through the Sumatran jungle in search of tigers and orangutans and sand boarding down active volcanoes in Nicaragua there isn’t much she won’t do. Alanah was stung by the travel bug and has spent the last 4 years traveling and living in different cultures. You will never see her without a smile on her face because everyday is a day to be alive.

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