INTRODUCING OUR philanthropy committee for 2024
We are excited to introduce the dynamic and knowledgeable members of The Conscious Travel Foundation’s Philanthropy Committee for our 2024 grant cycle. Comprising members, mentors, and friends of the Foundation, this change-making group brings invaluable hands-on experience, as well as deep expertise in grant-making and fundraising.
Using our award-winning framework, the Committee will be tasked with selecting two more impactful projects to receive this year’s Community Impact Fund — a three-year grant of £24,000 and essential networking support through our membership. With such an inspiring team onboard, we’re excited to begin reviewing the incredible nominations put forward by our community.
SIMON LONDON
Producer
UK
Simon is an award-winning producer, presenter and broadcaster, having held top roles at Fremantle and the BBC, and in 2014 co-founded KidRated.com, a family review site. An advocate for diversity and social mobility, Simon has given talks at Google, Guardian Panels and presented on BBC Radio London.
In his spare time Simon co-hosts the edutaining podcast Funny Old World alongside sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman, and has been a contributor at PURE and We Are Africa. He also serves on the board of LIFT and The National Trust SE Regional Advisory Group.
JESSAMY GOULD
Grants Director, Treebeard Trust
UK
We are delighted to welcome back Jessamy Gould, who brings 18 years of experience in the social sector to The Conscious Travel Foundation’s Philanthropy Committee for the second year running. As Grants Director at Treebeard Trust, she oversees the Trust’s strategic grant programme, managing a portfolio of over 35 partners.
Jessamy is deeply committed to fostering trust-based, impact-driven partnerships with a range of funders, philanthropists, and impact investors. With a focus on governance, external communications, and strategic planning, Jessamy plays a key role in ensuring the Trust’s funding supports meaningful, long-term social change.
KUBA NOWAK
Film Maker and Community Builder
UK
Kuba is a London-based Polish-Canadian filmmaker, photographer, community builder and artist. Kuba is able to access the deepest layers of human experiences, with great sensitivity. Never intrusive, the camera takes you on a journey of deep connections, emotions and understanding. With a BSc in Human Biology and a passionate curiosity for storytelling, psychology and behaviour change, Kuba explores concepts of community, belonging, and gender with the potential for collective healing.
Through his varied work, Kuba has collaborated with some of the world’s most iconic brands, creating visceral, emotive and immersive films that cut deeper and stay longer. The film ‘Changing Worlds in The Atlas Mountains’ (Bouteco) about girls’ education (Education For All Morocco) premiered at PURE in 2019, and Kuba co-created and delivered “Redefining Philanthropy: Finding Ways to Make Your Money Have an Impact” alongside Portia at the 2024 PURE Life Experiences Open House.
EMILY SCHULMAN
Social Impact Leader
USA
Emily has been in the social impact and travel spaces for the last 12+ years, most recently as the COO of Iconic Adventures, where she helped build out their donor travel portfolio, working with conservation organisations such as The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, and WWF. Prior to that, she worked in social impact consulting and fundraising.
Portia Hart
Founder, Blue Apple Beach & Green Apple
Colombia
Portia is the founder of Blue Apple Beach on the Colombian island of Tierra Bomba and Townhouse Cartagena, a boutique hotel that prioritises community engagement and employee development. Her commitment to sustainability and community-based tourism led her to establish the Green Apple Foundation in 2017, a not-for-profit social enterprise focuses on using trash to create job opportunities while promoting recycling and sustainability.
Since its inception, the Green Apple Foundation has diverted over 51,000 kg of waste from landfill and built two sorting centres from recycled materials.
As a mentor for The Conscious Travel Foundation, Portia helped to create and deliver our impactful session “Redefining Philanthropy: Finding Ways to Make Your Money Have an Impact” at the 2024 PURE Life Experiences Open House.
DUNCAN GROSSART
Founder, Journeys With Purpose
UK
Duncan Grossart is the Founder and Managing Director of Journeys With Purpose, the world’s leading impact travel organisation and the highest-scoring travel B Corp, and member of The Conscious Travel Foundation. With a mission to inspire action for the protection, conservation, and restoration of the natural world, JWP lead immersive travel experiences that connect participants with global conservation efforts.
For over four years, he has worked closely with visionary leaders and communities to advance conservation projects and celebrate environmental stewardship. His dedication to responsible, purpose-driven travel makes him a key member of The Conscious Travel Foundation’s Philanthropy Committee for 2024, alongside his prestigious position on the selection committee for the 2024 Earthshot Prize.
DAVE KARTAGENER
President, KAI
USA
Dave Kartagener is the President of Kartagener Associates Inc (KAI), a dynamic sales and marketing representation company specialising in the promotion of top accommodation and experience providers in the exotics. Having visited Africa over sixty times since his first safari at age seven, Dave’s passion for exploration extends across Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
In 2015, he founded the KAI Foundation, a nonprofit focused on improving healthcare and education in under-resourced regions, including the construction of the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward in Zambia. Through his work with KAI and his foundation, Dave’s expertise at the intersection of adventure with philanthropy make him a valuable member of the committee.
CRIS NOGUEIRA
Founder, Cris Nogueira Travel
Brasil
Cris Nogueira is the founder of a boutique travel company affiliated with Embark Beyond, specialising in crafting authentic, transformative experiences for clients from Brazil, Argentina, the U.S., Portugal, and Spain. Passionate about quiet luxury and sustainable travel, Cris carefully curates eco-conscious accommodation and activities, avoiding cruise ships and animal captivity tourism.
A vocal advocate for slow and environmentally friendly travel, Cris regularly shares tips on her Instagram. She is also deeply involved in philanthropic work, supporting projects in the Amazon, including Refloresta and AARJ, which focus on environmental education and empowering indigenous communities through education and conservation efforts.
Jascivan Carvalho
Founder, Tropic
Ecuador
Jascivan is an innovative social entrepreneur in cultural and adventure tourism, a pioneer in indigenous community-based tourism in the Amazon and the Galapagos and the founder of Ecuador’s sustainable tourism incubator and network.
He believes that sustainable tourism consists of supporting and protecting the environment; non-intrusive support for local people and their communities; respect, support, preservation and promotion of distinct cultures; ethical treatment of business partners and clients; and a passion for providing visitors with exceptional experiences.
During his time at the helm of Tropic, he worked with the Amazon’s Huaorani people to create an award-winning ecolodge, providing the indigenous community the means to preserve their home and way of life while keeping oil in the ground. Huaorani Ecolodge has provided work for approximately 90 people while supporting an additional 250 family and community members. Jascivan believes that we can act today for a better tomorrow.
ZOE COX
Head of Sustainability, Amilla
Maldives
Zoe Cox is a dedicated marine biologist with a passion for ocean conservation and sustainability, based at the beautiful island resort of Amilla Maldives - a valued member of The Conscious Travel Foundation. Her expertise has been shaped by her work with sea turtles in the Indian Ocean, and she continues to broaden her knowledge across various areas of marine biology and sustainable management.
From her base at Amilla, Zoe is committed to promoting responsible practices in marine ecosystems while striving for a zero-waste lifestyle. Her work reflects a deep commitment to protecting the planet's oceans, making her an integral contributor when it comes to evaluating projects rooted in nature and conservation.
QUINN MEYER
Founder, Crees Manu
Peru
Quinn Meyer is a social anthropologist and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in sustainability, conservation, and travel. As the founder of Crees Manu, an experiential travel startup in the Amazon, Quinn aims to create immersive, impactful journeys that reconnect people with nature.
He also leads WildVenture XR, an impact-driven entertainment company promoting a deeper connection to the environment through transformative experiences. A passionate advocate for equality and diversity, Quinn mentors at Women in Travel CIC and serves as Treasurer on LATA’s sustainability committee, somehow finding some spare time to contribute to The Conscious Travel Foundation’s Philanthropy Committee this year!
Thank you to our Committee members for their time and valuable insights.
Our Philanthropy Committee is reviewed annually, with new members invited to join each year. As part of Foundation membership, all members are welcome to volunteer to serve on the Committee. If you’d like more information about the Committee or our philanthropy program, please feel free to email us.
