Travel Consultants

Jennifer Leska

VP

800 323 7308 ext. 300
[email protected]

Sparking Jennifer’s love affair with immersive, global travel were studies abroad, followed by years spent teaching English as a second language to Japanese school children. This passion eventually led her to the role of Vice President of Reservation Sales at A&K in October 2006. Jennifer has explored the world extensively from Africa to Southeast Asia, Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean and Asia, and she enjoys sharing travel stories with anyone who will listen.

Sue Jaeger

Manager

800 323 7308 ext. 305
[email protected]

Travel chose Sue — not the other way around. It all began when she was a switchboard operator at a Hawaiian tour company in 1972. Upon joining A&K as Manager of Small Group Journeys in 1997, Sue’s dedication and enthusiasm was clear. She relies on her expert, intimate knowledge of Africa, Europe and the Middle East — and her management expertise — to ensure guests’ complete comfort and enrichment.

Stephanie Papaioannou

VP

800 323 7308 ext. 109
[email protected]

As a child I was so lucky to benefit from my parents' love of travel. They took us all over the world, and the exposure to so many different cultures, food and experiences established travel as my lifelong passion. I'm very privileged to have travelled to all seven continents and more than 110 countries, many in the employ of Abercrombie & Kent. I have cruised the Danube and Nile Rivers, seen the grand cities of Europe, visited Antarctica, Peru, Chile and East Africa and stayed in accommodations ranging from a simple tent to the most luxurious five-star resort.

While many of my experiences have been adventure-based, my all-time favorite moments include practicing tai chi at dawn with a local master on a remote section of the Great Wall; following in Alexander the Great's footsteps in Persepolis with a Rhodes Scholar who brought the city to life; watching the African sun paint a stunning sunset across the Serengeti to the serenade of a nearby lion; and kayaking on Nahuel Haupi Lake at midnight during a full moon in Argentina, amid absolute silence.

I strongly believe that travel has the power to change people. It has changed me time and again and I am happiest when creating experiences for our guests that leave them with unique, lifelong memories.

Vickie Manuel

Director

800 323 7308 ext. 322
[email protected]

I have been a proud member of the Abercrombie & Kent team for nearly 19 years, and I am passionate about travel. I love to experience new destinations and find it tremendously rewarding to plan memorable journeys for our guests.

I have explored many amazing countries, but my fondest memories are of learning about the culture in Indochina and China. I am impressed with the warm hospitality of the Thai people and the pride of local Cambodians in their temples in Siem Reap. I cherished the experience of offering alms to the monks of Luang Prabang before sunrise as the monastery bells rang in the background. Magical is what comes to mind after experiencing safaris both in Tanzania and Botswana. Some of my other journeys have included a fascinating look at India’s palaces and forts, hiking to a monastery in Bhutan and admiring incredible scenery in Australia and New Zealand. And I love offering the richness of these experiences to my clients.

Wendy Molina

Manager

800 323 7308, ext. 314
[email protected]

My passion for travel started at a young age and since that time I have throughout the industry before coming to A&K. I have had the privilege to travel and visit over 26 countries, and I enjoy immersing myself in different cultures, learning about a country's history and meeting new people.

Some of my favorite and most memorable travel experiences include enjoying a private concert under the stars in Ephesus, Turkey; taking a humbling private tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel; standing on the Mitad del Mundo equator line in Ecuador; viewing tulip season while river cruising between Amsterdam and Brussels; and my personal favorite: drinking coffee on my grandparents' plantain farm overlooking the valley in Puerto Rico.

Ashley Giampoli

800 323 7308 ext. 357
[email protected]

After catching the travel bug on a family vacation to Australia at age 14, Ashley went on to visit 40 countries and all seven continents — making seven journeys to Africa alone. Whether she’s exploring El Salvador, Cambodia or Antarctica, Ashley is always looking for ways to further her knowledge about other cultures. As an enthused A&K Travel Consultant, her goal is to give each one of her guests the most awe-inspiring and memorable journey imaginable.

Carol Dinucci

800 323 7308 ext. 352
[email protected]

Joining A&K in 2010, Taylor’s extensive expertise as a Travel Consultant is enhanced by firsthand experiences in Kenya, South Africa, Costa Rica and parts of Europe. Recalling an early passion for travel imparted by her mother — a travel agency owner and one-time A&K traveller — she is dedicated to service excellence. Thanks to her deep knowledge of A&K’s destinations, Taylor conveys invaluable insight to guests embarking on Luxury Small Group Journeys.

Cody Soukup

800 323 7308 ext. 371
[email protected]

From childhood, Cody’s love of distant lands was clear — so much so he spent hours poring over travel literature at his local bookstore. Today, whether he is meeting the Maasai in Kenya or tracking gorillas in Uganda, his thoughtful perspective reflects firsthand experience. As a valued Travel Consultant, Cody matches guests to their perfect African journey, using his expertise to imbue travels with authentic experiences.

Donna Herzog

800 323 7308 ext. 370
[email protected]

As a young adult, Donna traveled to 40 of the 50 United States — experiences that sparked her love of history and religion, as well as her desire to learn about other cultures. Now a Travel Consultant for 10 years, Donna’s dream came true. Joining A&K in 2007, she uses her time spent in places from Egypt to Wales, Tanzania, Antarctica, Mongolia and beyond to offer guests incomparable, seamless travel experiences imbued with peace of mind.

Geralyn Garavan

800 323 7308 ext. 323
[email protected]

An A&K Travel Consultant since 2011, Geralyn relies on her deep, firsthand encounters in locales from Japan and Kenya to Israel and Ireland. When helping guests choose the perfect Small Group Journey, her unparalleled attention to detail is unmistakable. Each and every day, Geralyn ensures guests embark on seamless, luxurious travels.

Joseph Gay

800 323 7308 ext. 391
[email protected]

The son of a U.S. Air Force veteran, Joseph’s proficiency in worldwide travel is honed from a lifetime of explorations from Papua New Guinea to parts of Africa, India, the Artic and Europe. Known for his positive outlook and his ability to turn travel dreams into realities, Joseph boasts a collective 33 years of travel industry know-how and has served as an A&K Travel Consultant since 2005.

Lauren DiSandro

800 323 7308 ext. 536
[email protected]

A one-time barista, Lauren saved money post-high school in order to partake in foreign-language studies in Germany. Having ignited her passion for travel, she went on to explore many far-flung destinations, among them Antarctica, parts of South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. She joined A&K in 2001, where — as a Travel Consultant — she fuses her in-depth, personal knowledge with a commitment to ensuring guest satisfaction throughout every Small Group Journey.

Lisa Haney

800 323 7308 ext. 555
[email protected]

Inspired early in life by a love of art and international cuisine, Lisa – a classically trained chef – has travelled throughout Africa, Europe, South America and Antarctica. As one of the managers of the Small Group Journeys department, her goal is to instill her knowledge resulting from extensive, firsthand experience in A&K’s global destinations and provide support to the benefit of the Small Group Journey team.

Mandy Marron

800 323 7308 ext. 395
[email protected]

Enthused by family road trips during her youth, Mandy went on to embark on her first international travels. Branching out to parts of Europe and Africa, as well as Myanmar, India, Japan and the Galápagos, she became an A&K Travel Consultant in 2006. Today, she shares her insight and enthusiasm every day, providing a level of service that lets guests enjoy their destinations to the fullest.

Megan Tregler

800 323 7308 ext. 350
[email protected]

As a lifelong learner, Megan firmly believes the best path to knowledge is through firsthand experiences. Upon joining A&K in 2011, she quickly moved into the role of Travel Consultant, using her personal adventures in Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Kenya and Eastern Europe as a benchmark when advising guests. Each day, her passion and rich knowledge of Small Group Journeys ensures travellers discover destinations fully — complete with memorable and immersive encounters.

Emma Assenga

800 323 7308 ext. 349
[email protected]

I grew up in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro (the highest in Africa) and I remember telling myself when I was a child that one day I would climb this mountain. Little did I know that I would achieve my goal during high school.

My love for travel started when I worked for A&K in Tanzania in 1995. It was to the northern circuit to get firsthand knowledge of what A&K offers in Tanzania. When I moved back to the United States, it was an easy choice for me to come to A&K here; I am going into my 12th year and still loving it.

I have travelled extensively in Africa, the Middle East and South America. My personal travel includes Europe. My goal each day is to give A&K guests their perfect dream vacation.

Alex Vose

800 323 7308 ext. 345
[email protected]

Since I was a child I've been fascinated with cultures and histories of the world. Although I grew up in the United States, my Peruvian mother taught me to appreciate the world's different cultures. When I was five years old I took my first overseas trip to Peru. More recently, I had the chance to live in Peru, improve my Spanish and learn about my ancestors.

While studying History and International Studies at Illinois State University, I spent a semester abroad in Uppsala, Sweden, and was able to travel through Europe by train. This experience taught me that there is no better way to learn the history and culture of a place than by immersing yourself in it.

Working at Abercrombie & Kent gives me the opportunity to share my passion for travel with my clients. I look forward to talking to them about the wonders of Africa and the Middle East and preparing them for an incredible journey.

Julie Larson

800 323 7308 ext. 364
[email protected]

My interest in travel started at an early age: Each summer my parents took us to a region of the United States, Canada or Mexico. We’d choose a town or city in that region as our home base, and then spend the next three months exploring the country. In particular, I remember Satillo, Mexico, which we used as our base for exploring the country from top to bottom. Later my older brother had a job that took him all over the world and I would visit him wherever he went: Kenya, Thailand and Panama, to name a few. Every destination was a chance to learn and experience.

Since coming to A&K I’ve continued to explore the world in my role as a Senior Travel Consultant. I’ve visited Peru and climbed to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, kayaked on the Zambezi River in Zambia and rode camels on a desert safari in Morocco. Wherever I go, I bring back as much knowledge as I can for my clients, so they can enjoy their experiences as much as I love mine.

Hilary Hamilton

800 653 7215 ext. 544
hh[email protected]

Adept at booking travel anywhere in the world, Hilary joined A&K in 2007, and her long list of countries visited range from England and India to China and Antarctica — in fact, she has set foot on all seven continents. A true globetrotter, she specializes in creating journeys with an eye to exploring the region’s history, wildlife and culinary traditions. For Hilary, travel is a way to foster a greater understanding of the world — “it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself.”

Natalie Powell

800 323 7308 ext. 359
[email protected]

A Tailor Made Travel Consultant since 2011, Natalie is an expert in creating journeys that perfectly match her guests’ interests and style. Natalie loves the sense of adventure that comes with exploring new places, which makes planning travel to Africa — where every day is its own unique adventure — that much more rewarding for her.

Shealah Agraz

800 323 7308 ext. 331
[email protected]

I decided 12 years ago to work in the travel industry when I realized how much fun it was planning my own vacations and meeting people from around the worId.

I am fortunate to have travelled to France, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Russia, Alaska, Chile, Argentina, Antarctica and Tanzania. Helping my clients complete their trips of a lifetime makes my travel wish list longer. Sharing my adventures and learning from my clients every day makes my job very rewarding at Abercrombie & Kent.

Liz Huffman

800 323 7308 ext. 394
[email protected]

My first trip overseas was in fourth grade when my family moved to Malaysia for a year. The experience opened my eyes to different people, places and cultures, and instilled in me a life-long desire to see the world. In the following years I jumped at every opportunity to travel - from an au pair job in Europe to an archaeology dig in Israel.

My love of travel and other cultures led me to a degree in history/social science and then a job with a non-profit organization. But travel called, and I joined the A&K team. As a Senior Travel Consultant, I look forward to sharing my passion for history, culture and travel with my clients.

Ashley Finnen

800 323 7308 ext. 367
[email protected]

Growing up listening to my grandmother and hearing all her tales of the exotic places that she had visited in her lifetime first piqued my interest in travel and made me believe that "anywhere is possible and nowhere is too far." Since then, I always have been interested to learn more about different cultures and places.

In college, I studied interior design, yet found I enjoyed researching certain cultural concepts more than actually designing. That is when I knew travel was my calling. The excitement of discovering something new fuelled my passion to go out and explore. Shortly after graduation, I started with A&K, employed in the Tailor Made Africa, Asia, and South Pacific department.

I look forward to helping you plan your own trip of a lifetime; wherever it may take you. In doing so, I hope I can share my passion for travel.

Carman Shah

Manager

800 323 7308 ext. 340
[email protected]

“The possibilities for fantastic experiences with A&K are endless,” says Carman, who finds it especially rewarding to arrange once-in-a-lifetime travel tailored to the interests of A&K guests. Some of her own unforgettable moments include participating in a prayer ceremony in India, watching hundreds of elephants cross Botswana’s Chobe River and marveling at the gorgeous landscape of Alaska after a glacier landing near Denali. Carman’s love of travel began way back with family road trips and has evolved into a thirst for exploring the world. But while the destinations may be bigger and farther away, she says, “the excitement and anticipation and feelings of adventure never change.”

Elisabeth Sucharda

800 323 7308 ext. 319
[email protected]

Growing up, my family instilled in me a great appreciation for the character-building adventure and immeasurable education that travel provides. Each summer we would pile into our car and seek a new destination that captured our imaginations. Those trips remain the highlight of my childhood; I’ll never forget our journey across the heartland of America to the Grand Canyon and climbing sand dunes in the Badlands of South Dakota. Now, as an adult, I travel to places beyond the reach of our family station wagon.

My love of travel also nurtured a deep curiosity about other cultures, leading me to attain a Master’s degree in anthropology. I began working for A&K shortly after graduation and soon realized that planning travel was my calling. As a Senior Private Travel Consultant on our Private Travel team, I enjoy incorporating each of my clients’ unique interests into A&K’s already exquisite travel programs, to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Emily Kirk

800 323 7308 ext. 336
[email protected]

After spending a portion of my childhood in England, I became aware from a young age that the world is an immense and wondrous place. Since then, my curiosity has not ceased. While studying geography at the University of Arizona, I completed a study abroad program in Costa Rica, and this sparked my interest in world travel and languages. After graduation, I moved to South America in order to pursue my interest in world languages and cultures. Embracing the diversity of the people, places and traditions that the world has to offer-especially in Asia-is something that shapes you as an individual and is truly life changing. Since joining A&K in November 2011, I am dedicated to continuing to develop my own world knowledge, as well as contributing to other people's similar once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Linda Petrasek

800 323 7308 ext. 366
[email protected]

I’ve had a passion for travel for as long as I can remember, undoubtedly stemming from my parents’ love of our national parks. Their desire to expose us to the United States provided many family vacations over the years, each one fascinating and unique.
I firmly believe that travel should include exploration, relaxation, learning, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Some of my own once-in-a-lifetime experiences include swimming in the Amazon, dog sledding in Alaska, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, sleeping in an ice cave, and riding an elephant in Thailand. I look forward to using the knowledge I’ve gained travelling the world to help A&K guests create their own dream vacations!

Lindsey Matejak

800 323 7308 ext. 36
[email protected]

My family instilled in me a love of travel at a very young age — annual road trips around the U.S. with pop-up camper in tow remain some of my very best childhood memories. As I grew up, my longing to experience more distant lands led me to seek out study abroad, cultural immersion and volunteer programs throughout Europe, Brazil and Tanzania.
That passion for exploring new and exotic places didn’t abate as I started my first career, designing and managing special events. I loved the process of working with clients to create tailor made programs by taking an idea from concept through creation. But my annual vacations to new destinations didn’t seem to satiate my deeply engrained longing for unique adventures and cultural immersion. After a decade in the special events industry, my husband and I stepped into the unknown and backpacked around the world for nearly a year. From the backwaters of the Mekong Delta to the heart of the Himalayas, from staying with the Datoga tribe along the shores of Lake Eyasi to sleeping under the stars in Tayrona National Park, I experienced a crash course in world history, cultural customs, and socio-economic influences. Meanwhile, my faith in humanity was reaffirmed as I became the fortunate recipient of selfless hospitality, friendly curiosity, joyful celebration, and invaluable insight with each new country.
I returned from our journey with a deeper understanding of myself, as well as aspirations to thrive in a career within the travel industry. I quickly discovered that my extensive background in travel, coupled with a thorough understanding of client relations and creative program development, had unknowingly prepared me to be a Tailor Made Travel Consultant. Working at A&K offers me the opportunity to connect others to a world that possesses the power to expand perspectives, enrich lives, and reward curiosity. Allow me to handle the details so that you can sit back and enjoy the wonders of an A&K journey!

Lara Bontuyan

(630) 725-3400 Ext 326
[email protected]

As far back as Lara can remember, her avid traveller parents would explore the world with their children in tow. She credits them with instilling in her the desire to delve into different cultures and experience them to the fullest, from the food and traditions to the history and sights. Of all her travels, she especially grew to love Asia and its many fascinating, remote areas and less-frequented attractions, its astounding sights and breathtaking scenery. “There are little pockets of Asia and Australia that most people never see,” she says. “Every time I go, I discover something new and surprising and exciting. And I have the opportunity to share those surprises with our guests, and give them a once-in-a-lifetime journey filled with special moments, hidden gems and lasting memories.”