Casey Hanisko (she/her) is the owner of Casey Hanisko LLC, an executive coaching and consulting business dedicated to helping women + purpose-driven travel executives be confident leaders, build profitable businesses and create healthy teams. She is the former president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and has been an executive in the travel industry for over twenty-five years, spending 14 years at Zegrahm Expeditions, an outbound tour operator that operated education and conservation-focused tours around the globe. She is a speaker, workshop facilitator, writer, ICF ACC certified coach, and certified in delivering Everything DiSCTM and EQi.20 assessments. Trained in Brene Brown’s Dare to LeadTM, Moe Carrick’s Leading People ProgramTM (LPP), and the Pacific Institute’s Mindsetting for Well-Being and Performance, she uses these tools in her coaching and consulting approach. Casey believes in the power of values first, intentional leadership, with a strong mix of strategic planning. Casey coaches owners, leaders, and executives at SME tour operators, travel agencies, non-profits, and travel tech start-ups. A resident of Seattle, Washington, Casey explores the Pacific Northwest with her family and dogs, hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and adventuring. When not out and about or working with clients, she is an avid reader and dedicates time to a local non-profit, Washington Women's Foundation.

Vincie Ho, Ph.D. (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of RISE Travel Institute, an award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to create a more just and equitable world through travel education. She also serves as a faculty member at Antioch University, teaching human rights for their graduate programs in humane education. A disruptor, nonprofit leader, seasoned educator and woman immigrant of color with a hearing disability, Vincie is dedicated to driving systems change and fostering a community of conscious travelers through creating space for critical and intersectional conversations on social, animal and environmental justices in travel and beyond. Vincie has been featured in the New York Times for her insights on sustainable travel. In recognition of her impactful work, she was nominated by industry peers and honored on TravelPulse's prestigious List of Most Influential Women in Travel for 2024.

Amanda Kendle (she/her) is the host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, a show aiming to encourage travel-lovers to be more mindful in their travels and covering topics like the personal benefits of travel, sustainability, ecotourism and the impact of travel on destinations. She lives in Perth, Western Australia and has spent time living and working in Asia and Europe. She also runs a social media and blogging consultancy business, offering training and coaching to small businesses and creatives.

Alex Wehrle (she/her) is the Owner, Chief Experience Officer, and Senior Guide at Good Trip Adventures, where she oversees company-wide operations and leads sales strategy for the growing Southwest region. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation and is Masters-level certified in Leave No Trace, grounding her work in responsible recreation and environmental stewardship. Alex began her career as a Recreation Therapist, where she witnessed how time in nature can build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. That foundation continues to guide her commitment to inclusive, sustainable travel and climate-conscious practices. Her leadership centers on expanding access to outdoor spaces and ensuring that marginalized communities feel seen, welcomed, and empowered in nature. Alex continues to guide multi-day adventures in Utah’s national parks, a role she loves for the connection it creates with people and place. When she’s not in the field, you’ll likely find her on a sunrise hike, road bike, or Pilates mat—always stopping to admire wildflowers and birds, with globemallow and the indigo bunting currently topping her favorites list.

Hyungjoon Jin (he/they) is an educator and curriculum developer whose work centers on justice, sustainability, and compassionate global citizenship. They support homeschool students through Global Village School, helping young people explore progressive education grounded in peace, equity, and ecological awareness. As part of the Institute for Humane Education, Hyungjoon is developing a course that brings the Solutionary Framework into practice, empowering both formal and informal educators to address systemic issues through critical thinking and action. Deeply committed to reimagining education and wellness, they are also creating an off-grid retreat and learning center in Guatemala that challenges the exploitative practices of the mainstream fitness and wellness industry. With a passion for ethical travel and a belief in its power to expand worldviews, Hyungjoon draws from their own international experiences to inspire thoughtful, responsible engagement with the world. Their work invites learners to become agents of meaningful change, both locally and globally.

Erin (she/her) is a Toronto based travel writer, content creator, and host of the Curious Tourism podcast. She has spent time living in Italy and the Netherlands, experiences that shaped her interest in responsible and sustainable travel. Her work explores the realities of tourism, looking at both its benefits and the challenges it can create for local communities, heritage, culture, and environments. Erin also has a focus on educating travelers to think more critically about the impact of their travels, and showing them how to travel more responsibly. Through her blog, social channels, and podcast, Erin shares perspectives and conversations that encourage more thoughtful, ethical travel. On Curious Tourism, she speaks with researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners about the complex realities of tourism and how travel can be more sustainable in practice.

Christine Winebrenner Irick (she/her) is the founder of Lotus Sojourns and host of the award-winning Soul of Travel Podcast. Recognized as one of 2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel by Travel Pulse, Christine designs transformational journeys for women, partnering with local social impact projects and gender equity initiatives. Lotus Sojourns fosters meaningful connections and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality, quality education, climate action, and good health and well-being. Her Soul of Travel Podcast celebrates women transforming the travel industry by sharing their compelling stories and exploring how mindful travel inspires personal growth and global change. In 2022, Wanderful honored her podcast with the Bessie Award for its dedication to empowering and representing women. Christine’s 25+ year career has solidified her belief in travel as a catalyst for self-discovery and global understanding. She has a Master of Tourism Administration from George Washington University, specializing in Sustainable Destination Management and Event Planning, and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Montana. A girl mom, yogi, and avid reader, Christine blends her studies in Ayurveda, yoga, and Reiki with her passion for travel to create journeys that inspire women to connect deeply with themselves and the world. Whether exploring Montana’s mountains or recording conversations for her podcast, Christine is driven by a mission to empower women to live vibrant lives and embrace their value as members of a global community.

DeVere Kutscher (he/him) is a senior public affairs and communications executive with a passion for storytelling, coalition building, and community engagement. He brings a global perspective to his work, having lived, studied, and worked in Europe, Central America, and the Middle East. DeVere has held leadership roles in mission-driven organizations, including as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and most recently as Vice President at BiasSync, where he led public engagement efforts and built strategic partnerships to mitigate unconscious bias in American workplaces. His career has focused on advancing equity, inclusive policy, and public-private collaboration to expand opportunities for Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant communities among others. A lifelong advocate for cross-cultural communication, international understanding, and small business empowerment, DeVere is honored to support Rise Travel Institute’s mission. He lives near Washington, D.C. with his husband and their son, and they enjoy exploring the world together. DeVere holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from Davidson College.

Inemesit “Ine” Williams (she/her) brings over two decades of international education experience to the RISE Travel Institute's Board of Directors. Her global perspective was shaped through living in Mexico as a teenager, studying abroad in Canada and Central America, working in China, and meeting people and learning various languages at home and during travels in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Transitioning from the science sector in 2004, Ine has led internationalization efforts in program advising, study abroad & exchange programs, and cultural programming. She entered the nonprofit sector and co-founded and co-chaired the Climate Action for International Educators (CANIE) Climate Justice Working Group (2020-2023), completed Climate Reality Leadership Corps training and mentor programs, and currently co-facilitates Carbon Literacy Certification at In Good Company. She also co-founded an educational consulting and vacation rental business in 2024. Splitting time between Arizona and North Carolina, Ine finds calm and balance in nature and is eager to integrate her various passions and experiences with RISE Travel Institute.

Hazleena Hashim (she/her) is a tech strategist with a deep commitment to sustainable travel, equity, and systems-level change. With over a decade in the travel industry, she advises mission-driven organizations at the intersection of technology, regenerative tourism, and climate resilience. Hazleena brings a strong foundation in engineering and information systems, holding a degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s in Business Information Systems. Her expertise lies in designing tech-enabled strategies that drive innovation while centering justice and sustainability. She has served on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) advisory boards for a city in Boulder County and the University of Colorado Boulder, and volunteers as Strategy Officer for Rewildology. Originally from Malaysia and now based in Colorado, Hazleena is passionate about transforming the travel industry into a force for good — one that regenerates ecosystems, uplifts marginalized communities, and builds collective climate resilience.

Laurie Penn Moyer (she/her) is a brand strategist and communications leader who works at the intersection of purpose-driven storytelling, sustainability, and social impact. Through her consulting practice, she partners with nonprofits, tourism organizations, and mission-driven companies to develop brand strategies and campaigns that inspire meaningful engagement and positive change. Her work has included initiatives related to responsible tourism, cultural storytelling, and global citizenship. Laurie holds a graduate degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, where she developed a strong foundation in global business and cross-cultural collaboration. Laurie believes travel can be a powerful force for global understanding when approached with respect for cultural heritage, local communities, and the natural environment. She serves on the Board of Directors of the RISE Travel Institute, supporting its mission to advance ethical, equitable, and sustainable travel through education.

Jonny Bierman is an award-winning travel journalist, marketing strategist, and founder of Eco Escape Travel Marketing + Storytelling Solutions, a Canadian agency specializing in sustainable tourism communications and performance-based digital marketing. With nearly a decade of experience in values-based destination marketing across hospitality, DMOs, adventure tourism, and 2SLGBTQIA+ travel, Jonny and his team bridge the gap between what tourism brands are doing and what travellers hear — turning verified impact into bookings, loyalty, and revenue. His journalism credentials include regular bylines in Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, BBC, Canadian Geographic, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet, where he has co-authored the two most recent British Columbia and Canadian Rockies guidebooks. In December 2025, he was nominated for Regenerative Travel's Impact Awards as Storyteller of the Year, and was recently awarded for sustainability in travel journalism by the Travel Media Association of Canada.

Mary Pat Champeau (she/her) is the director of graduate programs at the Institute for Humane Education, and faculty at Antioch University New England. She has lived and worked in the US, France, Niger, Indonesia, and Thailand has learned firsthand the profound power of education to bring about change at all levels of global society, and to promote social justice, animal protection, and environmental sustainability. What better way to educate than to help others use their passion for travel to connect and improve the world? A leader in the solutionary movement, Mary Pat has joined RISE Travel Institute for all the ways in which RISE helps bring passion and purpose together in service of elevating the role of travel, and the traveler, in bringing about longterm, sustainable change.