Mick Duck
Tour Manager
Mick is the Tour Manager in Australia and a native Aussie. In 2007, he began working with ISV as the Tour Manager after travelling the world and living and working in many countries. He wants to be able to help people experience the best of Australia, and along with our Tour Leaders he is happy that we get to help you experience our amazing country after all of your hard work on your volunteer project. With the vast knowledge of Australia the ISV Tour Leaders will make your experience not only fun but also educational.
Monica Brockmyre
ISV Australia Project Coordinator
Monica first joined the ISV team in 2005 as a Project Leader in Australia during northern hemisphere summer holidays and has since led a variety of projects around the country. She now resides in Sydney and manages ISV's projects in Australia. Originally from upstate New York, Monica has obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre, a Master's Degree in Secondary Education, has served as an Environmental Protection volunteer for the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa, and has taught students from pre-school through university levels. Monica thoroughly enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee and being outdoors in general and appreciates how practicing yoga, sharing meals with loved ones, reading, learning new languages and traveling enhance her life.
Hollie Davis
International Recruitment Coordinator
Hollie has extensive background in the retail travel industry and started with ISV in 2008 as a Campus Recruiter. Through that position, she had the opportunity of traveling throughout the USA and UK promoting the incredible ISV programs to university students. Hollie now works as ISV's International Recruitment Coordinator and her time is split between the California and Sydney, Australia offices working on recruitment and marketing initiatives to promote the ISV program to potential volunteers. Hollie grew up in Melbourne, Australia but has spent the majority of her adult life pursuing her passion for travel. Hollieís other passions are the outdoors, wildlife and live music.
Pablo Trejos
ISV Costa Rica Project Logistics Coordinator
Pablo started with ISV in September 2010, as the Project Logistics Coordinator in his native land of Costa Rica. Pablo obtained a Diploma’s Degree in Agro-ecotourism at TEC (Technical Institute of Costa Rica), a Bachelor’s Degree in Ecological Tourism at the University of Costa Rica, and a Master‘s Degree in Business Administration, emphasis under International Commerce at FUNDEPOS Alma Mater University. He has plenty of experience as a volunteer himself, doing work all over the country to help with conservation and community efforts. Pablo wants to help people experience the best of Costa Rica while supporting local initiatives. Although Pablo enjoys most sports, he has more than a passing interest in triathlons.
Wagner Quirós
ISV Costa Rica Project Director
Wagner has been employed as the ISV Project Director in his native Costa Rica since late 2003. Prior to his work with ISV, Wagner worked as the sea turtle program sub-director for Asociación ANAI in Costa Rica, and was part of the team which won the prestigious U.N. Equator Prize in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. Wagner's passion is conservation and research of sea turtles as well as looking for ways to provide small communities across Costa Rica with opportunities for responsible development alternatives. Wagner has a B.Sc. in Marine Biology at the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica and his hobbies include soccer, swimming, travel and spending his free time on the beach (usually looking for nesting turtles).
Ana Patricia Quesada
ISV Costa Rica Tour Director
Ana Patricia Quesada began with ISV as Tour Coordinator in her native Costa Rica in the spring of 2004 and now also oversees the administration of the ISV office there. Ana Patricia studied tourism at UACA University, a private Costa Rican University, and has 19 years experience working with the best tourism and eco-tourism providers in Costa Rica. She studied English as a Second Language in Washington, D.C. and has traveled extensively within the USA, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East and South East Asia. Ana Patricia is an avid runner and competes in half-marathons near her home. She also enjoys music and (Latin) dancing.
David Deminico
ISV Program Coordinator
David began working with ISV in 2009 as a Project Leader in Thailand and returned in 2010 to lead projects in Ecuador. He completed his MA from Middlebury College in Spanish Linguistics and Literature and has since worked as a language instructor, translator and educator in a number of different capacities around the world. He is an avid musician and enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and more recently, surfing. David is passionate about sustainable development through childrenís educational programs in the Dominican Republic, and loves exploring the natural and cultural beauty of his new Caribbean residence.
Adolfo Ramirez
ISV DR Tour Director
Adolfo Ramirez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Adolfo began working for ISV in the summer of 2005 as a Tour Leader and has since led approximately 30 ISV student groups. His current role with ISV combines Tour Leading and assisting in the set-up and coordination of projects and tours. Adolfo has led cycling and hiking excursions up to the highest elevation in the Caribbean and has also led groups of volunteers to help Haitian refugees. He is passionate about his country, and he is a proud father of a young boy.
Rick Webb
ISV Program Director
Rick Webb joined ISV as a Tour Leader in Australia in 2005. Since that time, Rick has gone on to lead tours in New Zealand and Thailand, coordinated Tour Leader training for international staff and led volunteer projects in Australia. Rick is currently Director of the ISV Program in Eastern Europe. Originally from Australia, Rick completed a Degree in Forest Science from the Australian National University, and studied towards a B.A in Photography. He has worked in Australia coordinating conservation work with landholders, and has considerable experience in remote area bushwalking guiding. Although Rick enjoys most activities, he has more than a passing interest in rockclimbing, nature photography and the outdoors.
Maja Burazer
Maja Burazer is a native Croatian who grew up in the capital Zagreb. After studying Educational Science at the University of Zagreb, Maja spent 5 years as a volunteer at Refugium Ursorum Kuterevo where she functioned as volunteer coordinator, wildlife educator, hiking guide, and animal caretaker. Living in harmony with nature is a tradition of Croatia. In her free time, she spends time in the forest tracking bears and listening to nature.Ecuador
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Kattia LeMarie
ISV Ecuador Project Coordinator
Kattia Lemarie, started working with ISV as a Project Leader in 2008, her experience working with communities and in educational projects, as well as her traveling experience helped her achieve excellent results. She is an Ecuadorian that loves her country and wishes to contribute to its improvement. She studied Cultural Administration and Social Sciences, loves to travel and enjoys nature.
Jorge Ruiz
ISV Ecuador Office Manager
Jorge Ruiz is originally from Colombia. He is a computer technician and international personal trainer. He loves working with ISV because of ISV's mission. He started working with ISV in 2007 as part of the Ecuador office staff and is passionate about volunteerism. Jorge's favorite hobbies are mountain biking, weight lifting, and doing his part to take care of the earth.
Daniel Fernandez
ISV Ecuador Tour Manager
Daniel is a Costa Rican who was raised in the rural mountain areas north of Heredia. Growing up, Daniel had great opportunities to explore nature in what is today one of the country's largest national parks. This led him to appreciate nature at a very young age. In 1998, Daniel started working as a Nature Interpretation Guide in Costa Rica and Panama. In 2006, he joined ISV as a Tour Leader for the Costa Rica program. After two years in Costa Rica, Daniel led ISV Adventure Tour groups in Ecuador as well. Daniel began his role as the Ecuador Tour Manager in November 2010, a position that is leading him to new challenges and great rewards. He is very excited to be a part of creating the ISV experience for all of our participants. During his free time, Daniel explores nature, reads and enjoys trying to surf.
Liana Middeldorp
New Zealand Project Manager
Liana began working with ISV in February 2010 as the New Zealand Project Manager. She has extensive experience in New Zealand conservation through completing a Post-graduate Diploma in Biosecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Psychology. She has worked for local government in biosecurity enforcement, community-led and government-led conservation projects and assisting local community conservation groups. Through her role at ISV, Liana hopes to encourage more people to live sustainably and care for the environment. Born in New Zealand with a multicultural heritage from Croatia, Holland and Western Europe, Liana has always been interested in travel, meeting people from different cultures, learning new languages and promoting environmental awareness. Liana has traveled at length throughout New Zealand, and Eastern and Western Europe. In her spare time Liana enjoys tramping, being outdoors, socializing, dancing, and gardening.
Kirsty Prior
New Zealand & Fiji Tour Operations Manager
Kirsty is the Operations Manager for New Zealand and Fiji. She first joined ISV in 2009 as a Tour Leader in her home country, Australia, before heading to S.E. Asia to lead tours in Thailand and community based projects in Vietnam and help set-up ISV’S Ancient Cambodia Excursion. Kirsty has worked in the tourism industry for the past eight years, traveling to over thirty-five countries for work and play. She is now based in Auckland, New Zealand and is just a stone’s throw from Fiji. Kirsty is excited to show ISV students these two gorgeous countries. Just for a challenge, she is also fitting in her Post-graduate studies in Education between surfing, traveling and work!
Shona Hore
South Africa Country Coordinator
Shona’s upbringing comes from rural agriculture in the deep south of New Zealand. Her professional experiences are varied, including a Diploma in Professional Photography, a Medic in the Territorial (Reserves) Army, a Youth Worker/Ranger for the Department of Conservation and a Tramping (hiking)/Wilderness Guide in New Zealand. In 2008, Shona joined ISV's New Zealand team as a Project and Tour Leader, and has been overseeing the growing Southern Africa program since its inception in 2009. Shona's passions are photography, art, tramping (hiking), conservation, and of course, travel. Shona has traveled extensively throughout the world, with Antarctica being the only continent she is yet to visit.
Danielle Bunn
South Africa Project Manager
Danielle grew up in Swindon, United Kingdom, and has recently immigrated to Cape Town, South Africa after discovering it ten years ago on a family holiday. In that time, she completed a Travel & Tourism college course, received her B.A (Hons) in Adventure Tourism Management and became a qualified PADI SCUBA Diver and power boat driver. Danielle has backpacked South East Asia, Brazil and Morocco, cruised around the Caribbean and has snowboarded throughout Europe. The last four years have been spent in the Offshore Renewable Energy sector where she learned many skills and a great understanding of how we can look after the planet using wind power. Danielle’s passions include travelling, camping, walking with her Labradoodle named Jackson, surfing, cycling and enjoying everything South Africa has to offer!
Jörg Schlettwein
Southern Africa Tour Manager
Jörg is originally from Namibia, in Southern Africa, but has lived most of his life in Cape Town, South Africa. Jörg was originally an ISV Tour Leader, which gave him the opportunity to travel throughout his most favourite continent. After living and working in London for two and a half years, Jörg decided to return to Cape Town at which time he started working for ISV as the Southern Africa Tour Manager. During this time, Jörg has lead participants on ISV’s South Africa Adventure Tour and the Wild Africa Excursion; he is very excited about the 2012 season! Jörg is passionate about travel and photography, with a particular focus on wildlife and people.Thailand
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Chad Allen
ISV Thailand Program Director
Originally, from Florida, Chad first joined ISV in 2005 while he was still attending graduate school at Florida State University. He came on as a project leader in Australia, bringing with him a background in environmental studies and geography and a two-year stint in the U.S. Peace Corps where he served as a Natural Resource Management Volunteer in the Philippines. In 2007, Chad moved to Oregon where he worked for the State as a Natural Resource Specialist and an adjunct professor of Geography for a year and a half before returning to work with ISV in the fall of 2008 as a project leader in Thailand. In early 2009, Chad went to South Africa as a project leader and then returned to Thailand as the Program Director. Chad now lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand with his wife Jessy and his daughter Lydian, who was born in September 2011. He enjoys the laid-back lifestyle, food, and loves having the opportunity to work with so many inspiring people throughout Thailand.
Dee Totrakool
Thailand Project Coordinator
Dee is originally from Chiang Mai and started working with ISV in May 2007 as a project leader. She has led nearly 30 projects in both conservation, community development and children based projects throughout Thailand. In 2008, Dee took on the role as ISV Thailand's Project Coordinator. She still enjoys being in the field and leading projects, but also loves the challenge of finding new projects, coordinating and planning existing projects and working with ISV at the grass roots level to bring about positive change in Thailand. Dee earned a master's degree in Environmental Studies and a bachelor degree in Thai Studies from Chiang Mai University, Thailand. Prior to joining ISV, Dee spent three years working at Chiang Mai University as researcher, a part time lecturer and research fellow on Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development Program at Harvard University. Her research focused on the politics of ethnic minorities in SEA, upland livelihood and prophylaxis to prevent perinatal HIV in Thailand. In her free time, Dee enjoys being outdoors, traveling, cycling, scuba diving, climbing mountains and slowly learning to fly a small airplane.
Meteeya Jaidee
Thailand Tour Coordinator
May was born and grew up in the countryside of Northern Thailand. She says that her rural roots and family background have all had influences on her earthy character. At the age of 16, she had a chance to guide a foreigner in her small home town which inspired her to become a tour guide and also to learn to speak English more fluently. In addition to becoming fluent in English, May also earned a bachelor degree in French from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and is currently taking classes in Spanish. Prior joining ISV, May spent one year working as a Thai cooking instructor in Chiang Mai and three years as a tour guide focusing on cultural and eco-tourism around the North of Thailand. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, planting, making postcards and learning new languages. One of her dreams is being able to teach Thai kids to speak English. May started working with ISV in 2007 as a local trekking tour guide and in April 2008, became an ISV tour leader. After two years as an ISV Adventure Tour Leader and 21 Tours later, May took a position as ISV Adventure Tour coordinator. She now splits her time and enjoys both working in the ISV Thailand office and leading groups in the field. Through her role with ISV, May hopes to encourage more people to travel responsibly and care for the environment.
Kristen Kirchen
ISV Campus Marketing Coordinator
Kristen started with ISV as a Campus Recruiter, where she traveled throughout the USA, Australia and New Zealand promoting ISV programs to university students. Kristen now leads ISV teams of Student Reps as Campus Marketing Coordinator. As part of the Student Rep team, Kristen assists former ISV Volunteers in promoting ISV in their own communities. Kristen grew up around the sunny beaches of Southern California. She earned a B.A. in History from California State University Long Beach, followed by a Master's degree in Medieval History at King's College in London, UK. Her greatest passion is travel, which has taken her to amazing places around the world. Aside from traveling, Kristen enjoys reading, music, cooking and any outdoor activity from snowboarding to deep sea fishing!
Renee Romero
International Recruitment Coordinator
Renee started with ISV in the summer of 2008 and since then she has fulfilled a variety of roles within the ISV USA office including working in Student Care and the Finance Department. Renee now spends her time in ISV's marketing department as an International Recruitment Coordinator; hiring, training and coordinating ISV's team of International Recruitment Staff. Renee grew up in Southern California where she completed her BA in Communications from California State University Fullerton in 2008. Renee's passions are cooking (satisfying her massive sweet tooth), indoor soccer, hiking and anything to get her outside in the warm California sun.ISV's ONLINE COMMUNITY
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Skilled Trips for Vet, Medical and Biology Students
ISV is excited to launch 3 amazing trips designed for students and professionals with specific skills and interests. These projects will be running on selected dates throughout both Nov-Feb programs in 2012-2013 and May-Sept in 2013. Vet project with elephants in Thailand Medical and nursing projects in South Africa Sea Turtle Research in Costa [...]
Visit Botswana and Zambia as part of the ISV Wild Africa Excursion!
