Ann Becker (she/her/hers) has been a business owner throughout her career. Today she is dedicated to supporting and strengthening travel small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and leaders by forging strategic connections; contributing fresh perspectives; including and elevating diverse voices; and strengthening organizational capacity. Her quest to ensure that the travel industry puts connections among local hosts, small communities and visitors front and center responsibly is unwavering.

With more than three decades of experience in meeting/event management and strategy consulting combined with a passion for travel rooted in deep, mutually beneficial human encounters, Ann started Travel with Ann Costa Rica in 2005. She created and led more than 40 small group experiential trips in Costa Rica, neighboring countries and Chile for 15 years. 

Ann has a BA in Political Science from the University of Colorado and a MA in Science, Technology and Public Policy from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She received her Certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in spring 2020 and was thrilled to have been a participant in the RISE Travel Institute’s Pilot Program in Sustainability and Anti-Oppression in Travel in summer 2021. In early 2022, she became the Principal Strategic Advisor for RISE.

Ann lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago with her husband, David Muschler. Their two sons, Daniel and Steven, live in Chicago as well. “Go Cubs” is their family mantra.

Caitlin Graaf (she/her/hers) is a South African-American sustainable tourism researcher and consultant focused in issues of power and inequality in Africa's protected areas.

Presently, she holds positions as Board Vice President at the Impact Travel Alliance, Strategy & Engagement Manager at Imagine Scholar, Subject Matter Expert and Instructor in Community Development and Social Economic Development at GVI, and Postgraduate Research Fellow at the African Wildlife Economy Institute at Stellenbosch University. She earned her BA in Environmental Management at the University of South Africa, MA in Tourism, Environment & Development at King's College London, and Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School.

Caitlin joins RISE Travel Institute with a keen interest in education for sustainability and a passion for equipping young leaders with the tools they need to shape the future of tourism. 

Alissa Murray (they/them/theirs) is a writer, scientist, and activist. They serve as the Director, Program Operations at The Sustainability Laboratory, a nonprofit organization dedicated to tackling the urgent sustainability challenges facing the planet. Additionally, they are the founder, content creator, editor, and designer of a sustainable travel website, In Locamotion, which promotes social justice and sustainability while encouraging mutually beneficial travel experiences for the traveler, host community, and planet. Their interests include language learning, dancing, and, of course, traveling whenever possible. 

Eliza Raymond (she/her/hers) is the co-founder and director of operations for GOOD Travel, a New  Zealand-based social enterprise working globally to transform the tourism industry into a force for GOOD. Through trips, research and advocacy, GOOD Travel inspires and empowers travellers to have a positive impact on the places they visit.

With a Master of Tourism from the University of Otago in New Zealand, Eliza continues to be actively involved with tourism research and her work has been published in leading academic journals including the Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Eliza also teaches entrepreneurship, innovation and social change at the University for Peace established by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Genevieve Huneault (she/her/hers) is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Social Root Consulting, an award winning consulting collective that advises on ethical and sustainable development practices in BC, Canada. She also works with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada within the development department, Genevieve's work seeks to adapt the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals towards regenerative approaches for systemic change across Canada and globally.

Genevieve’s career is grounded in participatory-based community development, with an expertise in natural resource management, gender analysis, and regenerative tourism development. She has travelled to over 23 countries for both pleasure and work, which has provided her the opportunity to completing projects that focus on:

-Wildlife protection & economic growth in Western Africa
-gender analysis for outdoor recreation activities in rural northern BC
-tourism development training on Central Vancouver Island
-Regional and localized food security management on Vancouver Island

Genevieve's aptitude for leadership is demonstrated by her call to action to share knowledge with others, and build a community of courageous leaders. She is a seasoned guest speaker and conference presenter, and has had the pleasure of presenting to over 100 conferences and tourism events in the last decade. When Genevieve is not immersed in regenerative tourism development, you can find her traveling and experiencing community culture around the world and spending time with her husband and dog exploring the forests of Vancouver Island. 

Justine Abigail Yu (she/her/hers) is a communications and marketing strategist who has worked with organizations operating in North America, Central America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. Her expertise lies in growing enterprises from the ground up through strategic digital marketing, compelling storytelling, and genuine community engagement all through an anti-oppression lens. 

Justine currently serves as Wanderful's Communications Director. She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Living Hyphen, an emerging magazine that explores the experiences of hyphenated Canadians – that is, individuals who call Canada home but who have roots in often faraway places.

She and the publication have been featured on international, national, and local media outlets including NextShark, CTV National News, CBC Metro Morning, CBC Ontario Morning, and CityTV’s Breakfast Television, among other news outlets.

Justine Abigail is a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion – and ultimately, anti-oppression. Her mission is to stir the conscience and spur social change. 

Becca Balis is a human rights lawyer with expertise in global project management and international law. She is a consultant with the World Bank, implementing the Bank's sustainability projects and environmental and social frameworks across all investments. She previously lived and worked in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, West Africa, and the Caribbean, implementing international humanitarian and development projects and leading human rights risk assessments, with findings informing national strategies on sexual exploitation and abuse, anti-trafficking, child safety, indigenous rights, and gender equality and protection. She is an active board member of the International Migrants' Bill of Rights, promoting all migrants' human rights and the right to migration. 

Becca received the Pruckmayr Human Rights Award at Georgetown Law, where she received her JD, studied international relations and history at the University of Pennsylvania, and has earned certificates in sustainable tourism and sustainable finance and ESG. She believes that sustainable travel is a tool for empowerment and global understanding. Becca is perpetually behind on editing her photos and starts too many books that are in a precarious pile by her bed in Brooklyn, New York. 

Eva (she/her/hers) is a leader, innovator and adventuresome expert in the field of sustainable tourism. Her experience and broad range of skills span across 20+ years and include both undergraduate and graduate degrees in hospitality, tourism and travel; all facets of domestic and international operations and logistics for various global educational tours and programs, from program development and risk management protocols to sourcing new destinations and strategic partnerships across Europe. She is the Partner Manager for North America and Global Gear Brands for the Adventure Travel Trade Association and an Instructor of Adventure Tourism at Colorado State University.

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Having grown up in Stockholm, Sweden, Eva’s international explorations began early on: At nineteen years of age, on a quest for adventurous experiences, she waved her native Sweden goodbye from the deck of a 44’ sailboat, and never looked back. What ensued was, and continues to be, a life full of rich learning experiences that have included sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, volunteering at the first ever conference on ecotourism, crossing the Andes on horseback and living in the West Indies, Portugal and, since 1994, the U.S.A. Eva is based north of Boston, MA and loves anything and everything outdoors. 

John (he/him/his) is so excited to be a part of this organization. He was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York. He comes from a big family. He has four sisters and seven brothers but not all by the same Mother and Father. He has an MBA from D'Youville College and B.S in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College. Additionally, He is pursuing his second master's degree in Higher Education - Educational Leadership, which He will have some time in 2022. Also, he is near completion of his Graduate Certificate School Leadership which He will have by this December 2021. He loves to help people and make a difference in the community, and he is very passionate about that. He loves diversity and inclusion and enjoys connecting with people from all walks of life. He is a man with many hats, and therefore He has a lot of work experience in different fields. John interests are spending time in the park, fishing, basketball, family, working out.

Amy (she/her/hers), Founder and CEO of her own consulting company based in a tourist-driven community at Lake Anna, Virginia, has 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, engagement, community development, and organizational growth. A true marketer at heart, her love of travel, tourism, and community is reflected in her work with small lodging properties, community publications, local nonprofits, and chambers of commerce. At RISE Travel Institute she will be connecting future and current travelers with the educational resources to inspire responsible, impactful, sustainable, and ethical travel. When not working with amazing clients, speaking at conferences, or coaching professionals, you will find Amy out and about, exploring her own backyard or traveling the World! Living in a tourist destination also allows Amy to be a host and community ambassador for visiting family and friends.