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Experts in socially responsible luxury travel. We design travel experiences that support conservation and local communities without skimping on comfort.

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Behind the scenes

Meet the Elevate Destinations Team

Dominique Callimanopulos

Founder and President

Dominique founded Elevate Destinations in 2005. She brings a background in anthropology and psychology and extensive experience in non-profit work to her business. Growing up, Dominique witnessed the disparity between travelers and local communities and has spent her career at Elevate building bridges between the two. As the founder of one of the first travel companies investing in sustainability, she is appreciated as a thought leader and innovator in the industry.

Meaningful travel experience:
Living in Laikipia, in Northern Kenya for two months during a severe drought

What’s next on her wish list:
Japan, Tasmania, Vietnam

Katherine Redington

Vice President of Social Impact Journeys and Business Development

Katherine holds a Masters in International Education & Development from Columbia University and is certified by United Nations World Tourism Organization in Sustainable Practices for Tourism and Development. She uses this training to plan extraordinary trips in some of the most challenging areas of the globe.

Meaningful travel experience:
Seeing the tourism industry protect the environment and communities in Bonito, Brazil

What’s next on her wish list:
Alaska, Bhutan, and Croatia

Lana Byal

Vice President of Private Travel Sales and Product Development

Lana is passionate about conservation and culture, Lana has spent many years working abroad, traveling, and studying the natural world and its wildlife. One trip to Africa propelled her into the world of African safaris and meaningful, adventure travel, and she’s been working in the field ever since!

Meaningful travel experience:
A short, but powerful experience living in a small community in the Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat India

What’s next on her wish list:
Bhutan and Madagascar

Emily Jump

Director, Private Travel Operations

Emily holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Washington, and a Masters in Public Health from Boston University. She has traveled extensively in Latin America and Asia, and is driven by a voracious curiosity to understand people, their stories, and the places they call home.

Meaningful travel experience:
Dancing in a festival and joining a wedding in Chinchero, Peru

What’s next on her wish list:
Oaxaca, Chile and Tanzania

Niamh Bayliss

Private Travel Sales and Operations Associate

Niamh holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College and completed a fellowship year backpacking around the world solo while studying reforestation and environmental education after graduation. She is passionate about sustainability and meaningful travel that leaves a positive impact.

Meaningful travel experience:
Spending her birthday on motorcycle and foot in the beautiful farms, mountains, and villages of Northern Vietnam during a monsoon

What’s next on her wish list:
Bhutan, Norway, Chile, and returning to Australia

Bethany Betzler

Destination and Sustainability Consultant

Bethany has traveled extensively around Asia while developing travel experiences that emphasize hyper-local cultures and community. Prior to working in travel, she helped non-profit organizations develop place-making initiatives in revitalizing cities. She is happiest when she is active outside and loves any chance to join a human-powered adventure across the mountains or sea.

Meaningful travel experience:
An extended stay in a Bhutanese village during a snowstorm

What’s next on her wish list:
Greenland, Canada, and returning to Japan

Dana Droller

Director, Social Impact Journeys

Prior to joining the Elevate Destinations team, Dana lived in Tanzania for four years while working at a secondary school for at-risk girls. Her travel experiences all over the world have shaped who she is. Dana is passionate about supporting others to have similarly transformative experiences.

Meaningful travel experience:
Exploring rural Tanzanian villages on motorcycles (boda boda) with her students

What’s next on her wish list:
Colombia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and India

Abbey Coughlan

Associate Director, Social Impact Journeys

Abbey holds a B.A. in International Business and has sought out adventurous experiences all across the world. Having worked in Tanzania for two years in the nonprofit industry, Abbey is dedicated to making the intersection of travel and social impact work as meaningful as possible.

Meaningful travel experience:
Hiking through the colorful markets, farms, and villages within the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania.

What’s next on her wish list:
Namibia and Brazil

Fiona Mokry

Manager of Social Impact Journeys

Fiona holds a B.A. in International Affairs & Sociology, and her passion for travel and meaningful adventure has led to years of living, working, and traveling abroad. Dedicated to connecting her interest in nonprofit work with a lifelong love of travel, Fiona is inspired by opportunities to create and share social impact travel experiences.

Meaningful travel experience:
Experiencing the unconditional kindness of families in rural Vietnam during a cross-country motorbike trip.

What’s next on her wish list:
Brazil, Uruguay, Tanzania, and Jordan

Erik Edwards

Manager of Social Impact Journeys

Erik holds a M.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Studies and has experience as a professional adventure guide for over 10 years. He specializes in creating safe and transformative outdoor experiences for young adults and is passionate about the power of adventure to challenge, inspire, and connect.

Meaningful travel experience:
Exploring the volcanoes and beaches of Costa Rica with his students.

What’s next on his wish list:
Chile, Iceland, Nepal, and Indonesia

Rebecca Cross Trainor

Manager of Social Impact Journeys

Rebecca has spent many years in adventure travel and tourism and believes we can create positive, impactful travel experiences wherever we are. Even while at home, she is passionate about being outdoors, respecting mother nature and has little time for shopping for anything but food.

Meaningful travel experience:
Rescuing sea turtle eggs from their predators on Mexico’s Pacific coast, and delivering painted rocks by children living with cancer as reminders to remain hopeful and inspired.

What’s next on her wish list:
Albania, Bhutan, Africa and returning to Japan

Kate Caprari

Creative Director

Kate designs the signature Elevate look and creates the visuals for our digital and print communications. She is passionate about design as a tool for social impact and gathers inspiration from around the world. In recent years, she has traveled to Kenya, Costa Rica, Patagonia, and the Galapagos Islands.

Meaningful travel experience:
Climbing Torres del Paine in Patagonia

What’s next on her wish list:
Alaska and Belize

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