The Collective

Areas of expertise: Trip Leader, Filmography, Storytelling, Program Design 

Regional Specialist: East & West Africa, Central & South America, South Asia

Fun Fact: Jigar has interviewed the world-famous zoologist and activist Jane Goodall!

Jigar Ganatra is an award-winning Indian-Tanzanian visionary filmmaker whose eco-philosophical documentaries challenge humanity to rethink our connection to nature. With a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling and a thirst for truth, Jigar has traveled extensively as a guide, educator, and artist. He has worked with Indigenous communities in the East African Savannah, the lush Amazon Rainforest, and the towering peaks of the Himalayas, sharing his passion for storytelling and preserving cultural richness.

As the founder of the African School of Storytelling (AFRISOS), Jigar is dedicated to empowering the next generation of filmmakers and photographers in Africa, providing mentorship and learning opportunities to help them develop their craft and share their own unique perspectives with the world.

Areas of expertise: Adventure Travel, Facilitation & Training  

Regional Specialists: South & Southeast Asia, East & North Africa

Fun Fact: They run a travel cafe in Pune as a rest stop for adventure-seeking souls!

Kay and Raj are avid adventurers with a passion for responsible travel. It was this shared interest that led to their first encounter at a wilderness first responder course. Ever since, they have explored the globe together, sharing their passion with each other and many others.

With over a decade's worth of experience guiding and facilitating educational and cultural immersion programs in South and Southeast Asia, they’ve honed their skills in creating unforgettable travel experiences. From the remote regions of the Himalayas to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the breathtaking landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, Kay and Raj have led expeditions that inspire and transform.

Their commitment to sustainable travel and community engagement ensures that each journey leaves a positive impact on both travelers and local communities.

Areas of expertise: Growth Marketing, Brand Strategy, Community Building 

Fun Fact: Sam is Queen of thrifting shiny objects!

As the Founder & Chief Strategist @ The #Impactivists, Sam & her team help brands authentically connect their purpose to their people. Sam works with organizations of all kinds to strategically plan, develop, and manage their brand identities.

A social scientist trapped in a marketer’s body, Sam has 15+ years of experience building brands through strategic marketing initiatives that highlight authentic, human connections and emphasize the importance of relationship-building. Her goal is to help vibey brands build loyal, engaged brand-centered communities through digital & social marketing, partnerships & collaboration, Public Relations, and grassroots marketing efforts.

As a neurodiverse female, Sam’s passionate about empowering everyone -- regardless of identity -- to embrace their truest selves and support one another in their professional, creative, & personal life journeys.

Areas of expertise: Slow Travel, Cycling, Trip Leader, Storytelling, Entrepreneurship

Regional Specialist: South Asia

Fun Fact: He has cycled 3,300 km across India!

Himanshu is the CEO and Director of Delhi By Cycle, a visionary entrepreneur, and a leading voice in sustainable, slow travel. After a brief background in finance, a life-changing 3,300 km cycling expedition across India pivoted his path toward human connection, storytelling, and ethical exploration. Under his leadership, DBC has expanded its soulful footprint far beyond Delhi's city borders, bringing its unique flavor of slow tourism to historic regions like Agra, Jaipur, and Mysore.

Beyond DBC, Himanshu is the founder of Gyan Yatra, a sustainable travel company dedicated to ethical, non-commercialized "wisdom journeys" across the Himalayas and Central India. Driven by a desire to give back, he also channeled DBC’s revenue and profits to launch @publicmobilityproject: a non-profit organization actively working to redesign urban spaces and make Indian cities safer, greener, and friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Areas of expertise: Permaculture Farming, Environmental Sustainability, Trip Leader

Regional Specialist: Southeast Asia

Quote: “I want to show people that we can live well, eat well, and stay cool — naturally”

Sokha has spent his entire life rooted in agriculture, and today, he is channeling that lifelong passion into a visionary two-hectare organic permaculture farm located just a short distance from the ancient 12th-century Banteay Chhmar temple complex.

For Sokha, farming is much more than a livelihood—it is a living classroom. He has transformed his land into an educational hub to demonstrate how sustainable, traditional Khmer farming techniques combined with modern permaculture can solve pressing environmental challenges. His goal is simple yet profound: to show his neighbors and global visitors alike how mindful land stewardship can build a resilient, self-sufficient village.

Sokha is a fierce protector of both his local environment and cultural heritage simultaneously, one organic seedling and one community lesson at a time.

Areas of expertise: Trip Leader, Educational Program Design, Facilitation & Training 

Regional Specialist: East & West Africa

Fun Fact: Samira has held the world’s smallest chameleon, the brookesia, while in Madagascar!

Samira Matan is an East African-Canadian human-centered designer and researcher with an interdisciplinary background in health sciences, sociocultural anthropology, and design. She has worked in the international development and social impact space for over 8 years.
As a lifelong learner, Samira is committed to using human and planet-centered design, innovation, and her love of travel to connect with different communities, solve complex challenges, and create a more inclusive and equitable world. Fuelled by curiosity, Samira has lived, worked, and traveled to over 36 countries, 19 in Africa. She likes sunshine, laughing until she cries, and good food. Samira was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and is based in Dakar, Sénégal. 

Areas of expertise: Trip Leader, Marketing & Communications 

Regional Specialist: Southeast Asia, Europe

Fun Fact: Caroline has performed in musical theater productions all over the world!

Caroline is a seasoned travel professional with a passion for storytelling and adventure. Her journey in the travel industry began with a transformative experience hiking through Peru, which ignited her love for group travel. Since then, Caroline has amassed a wealth of experience in various facets of the industry, from on-the-ground facilitation to behind-the-scenes operations. After extensive travels throughout Southeast Asia, she has found a second home in Cambodia, where she has gained invaluable insights into the region's culture, customs, and sustainable tourism practices.

As a dedicated mentor, Caroline brings her personal and professional experiences to guide others. She has a talent for fostering meaningful connections and creating sustainable partnerships, both within her team and with external stakeholders. Her expertise in communications, outreach, and participant support ensures that every traveler has a seamless and enriching experience.

Areas of Expertise: Storytelling, Brand & Marketing Strategy, Experience Design 
Regional Specialist: South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand

Fun Fact: Michelle has lived nomadically for over 10 years, traveling to 40+ countries and living across 4 continents.

Michelle Yastremsky is a Ukrainian-American storyteller, strategist, and founder of Sistra, a platform rooted in women’s leadership, cultural heritage, conscious entrepreneurship, and collective growth. Her favorite Russian word is pochemuchka, someone who asks a lot of questions, which says a lot about how she moves through the world.

A lifelong daydreamer and storyteller who knew she wanted to travel the world by age 10, Michelle has always been drawn to questions of identity, place, belonging, and what gets passed down through culture.

Her perspective has been shaped by years of living abroad, volunteering, and learning from women-led collectives, artisan workshops, and community-rooted makers, spaces where skills are shared, cultural knowledge is preserved, and collaboration becomes creative power.