Staff | Travel for Teens

Patricia Maloney, President, is a master’s level Occupational Therapist with a business background. She has cumulatively spent years in Europe, especially in Paris, much of which has been with teens. She knows the city like a native and continually searches for unique and authentic additions to our trips. She will lead two private school trips to Paris and the South of France. She and husband, Frank, an astrophysicist and D-Day expert, have traveled extensively with teenagers throughout Europe.

Mary Anne Hawrylak (pronounced Har-lak), Trip Director, is an Occupational Therapist with extensive experience with teens. A skilled executive, she brings invaluable assets to our trips.

Ned Clark, Vice President and Program Director, is a graduate of Union college, speaks French and Greek and has led most of the TFT trips. A passionate photographer and avid scuba diver, Ned leads our marketing team and often travels to conduct trip research. Ned is married to Trip Director Kate Clark.

Johnny Perkins handles our website and Internet marketing. Fluent in Spanish, he has spent nearly 4 years living, volunteering, studying and traveling in Mexico, Central and South America and Spain. Johnny is an accomplished guitarist and loves to lead impromptu music sessions on the trips. Johnny is a veteran of our trips to Europe, Central and South America.

Nic Emery, who works for TFT in Italy, holds both a BA in International Studies and an MA in Italian Studies from Middlebury College. A veteran TFT leader, Nic’s passion for photography, Italian culture, food, and history is contagious, offering students a true insider’s look at life in Italy. Nic is also an accomplished photographer, with his work licensed through Getty Images.

Trish Baker, Flight and Logistics Coordinator, has traveled through Ireland, Paris, the UK, and Italy. She also studied in Dublin and Northern Ireland, helping a school for disadvantaged kids, to which she still sends books. Trish especially enjoys speaking with parents and helping families prepare for trips. While not on a trip or in the office, Trish is a serious ceramic artist and animal lover.

Tabatha Gordon works full time at TFT Headquarters on Sales and Marketing. She is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and is currently working on her masters of occupational therapy at Misericordia University. When not at work, Tabatha enjoys volunteering with several local animal rescue groups.

Natalia von Sonn of Burbank, California, graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts in 2011 and majored in Anthropology and minored in Ethnomusicology. While studying abroad in Athens, Greece, she interned with Fair Trade Hellas and tutored English. This is Natalia’s third year working with TFT and her first year as our full time Flights Coordinator. Look for her in Greece in 2012!

Brian Pierce, a former student at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, has been the Artistic Director with Travel for Teens for the past 5 years. He has studied graphic design and applied his knowledge in the professional world for more then 10 years. Brian’s hard work shows in our beautiful brochure!

Pascal Zytomirski, our Paris partner since 2003, is a native Parisian with an MBA from Babson College in Boston (1992). His knowledge and understanding of Paris, French culture, and his native’s access to hidden Paris bring a unique dimension to the Travel for Teens program, allowing our participants access available ONLY on our trips. Pascal has deep connections to the fashion industry in Paris.

Karin Maynard, who is fluent in Spanish, spent her childhood summers in Galicia, Spain, her grandfather’s birthplace. In addition, she lived and worked in Santiago de Compostela, where she tutored medical students at the prestigious university. Karin holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dan Logue, an avid traveler and certified lifeguard, has spent 19 years at summer camps where he has been Senior Staff, Head of the Waterfront and Head of the CIT program. Dan graduated from Penn State with a Masters of Education in Counseling. He is a School Counselor and Head Soccer Coach at the Preparatory Charter High School in Philadelphia.

Isaac Kotsopolous of Toronto, Ontario has extensive experience working with teenagers as a high school soccer and basketball coach, and has worked with many different youth organizations and leadership camps. He has spent nearly a year traveling through Mexico and Central America, a year living in Australia, and has traveled throughout Canada and the Northeast USA. Isaac will be back for his third summer with TFT in 2012; look for him in Central America and Europe.

Kate Clark holds a BA from La Salle University and an M. Ed from Gratz College. A full time teacher, Kate spent five summers as a lifeguard on the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol in New Jersey. Kate is returning for her sixth summer in 2012. She is married TFT Vice President, Ned Clark

Steven Williams hails from Australia, mate. He holds a degree in Education from the University of South Australia and a degree in Creative Arts from Flinders University. His experience working as a camp counselor together with his Aussie charm make him one of our best-loved staff. Steve will be leading our Australia and New Zealand trip this summer.

Graham Renfro is a graduate of the University of North Carolina with a degree in French Language and Literature. Fluent in French, Graham is an avid traveler and soccer player/coach and has spent time studying abroad in Paris and backpacking around Europe. Look for Graham in France this summer.

Fjodor Dukaj, fluent in French, Italian, and Albanian, is originally from Albania. Fjodor has an MA in Education and teaches high school physics while coaching boys’ soccer in Worcester, MA. Look for him leading our Europe trips this summer.

Chris Nasser, a native of Sydney, Australia, is a graduate of the University of New South Wales. Chris is an accomplished businessman who manages his family businesses when not joining TFT for summer travel. He is returning for his sixth summer in 2012.

Damien Nasser is a native of Sydney, Australia and a veteran TFT counselor and photographer. Well known for his charisma, balanced approach to fun and education, Damien has led virtually every Travel For Teens trip. Damien has traveled extensively on throughout every continent except for Antarctica.

Stefania Berutti of Florence, Italy, will return to TFT for her third summer in 2012. Educated in both Italy and Greece, Stefania works as a freelance archaeologist all over Europe. She is fluent in Italian, English, Greek, and French.

Ruby Jenkins has a degree in Art History with a minor in Italian Studies from Truman State University in Missouri. She spent a year in Florence, Italy, studying art history, Italian, and archaeology. A former TFT participant, Ruby returns for her sixth summer and first year as a Trip Leader. Look for Ruby on the road this winter at camp fairs and school visits.

Ryan Maloney, an Engineering Physics major at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, returns for his seventh Travel For Teens summer in 2012. He has done most TFT trips in Europe and Australia, and is also adept at leading private family trips.

Sebastian Maurici, hailing from Sydney, Australia, has traveled extensively throughout Australia, Europe, Asia, the USA, and Africa. Seb has worked with teens both in Australia and South Africa during a GAP year as a Boarder Master at Kearsney College in Durban. He'll join TFT for his second summer in 2012 as a Trip Leader and will represent TFT at camp fairs and school visits in Asia and Europe.

Teddy Zug, a native Pennsylvanian, graduated from Colorado College with a degree in History. An avid traveler, having lived abroad in Australia and Italy, Teddy has risen through the ranks of TFT from participant to Trip Leader! Over the years, he has developed a true love for Italy, where he will join us in 2012.

Will Bossio holds a degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is employed at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Will is also an Eagle Scout and will be back with TFT for his second year in 2012. Look for Will on our Backpacking trips.

Matt Pimental holds a master’s degree in Education from Temple University and currently teaches Middle School in Philadelphia. A seasoned TFT staff member, he has previously led many of our European trips, but will probably lead trips somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere for 2012.

Fernanda Rodriguez of Montevideo, Uruguay, joins us this year on our Discover Europe, Spain & Portugal II and Madrid, Mallorca and Barcelona Language trips. A graduate of the Universidad Catolica del Uruguay, Fernanda has spent years traveling throughout South America and Europe, and has experience leading groups of teenagers in her native country. Her ebullient personality and permanent smile will make her a fantastic addition to our team!

Mateal Lovaas holds a BA in International Studies from Middlebury College and is studying for a MFA in Creative Writing and Environment at Iowa State University. She has taught English, history, and drama at the middle, high school, and college levels. Mateal has traveled to or lived in over 40 countries, including semesters in France, Cameroon, and Bolivia, as well as four years residing in South Africa. Mateal has a passion for fiction, photography, cooking, languages, scuba-diving, Buddhism, and yoga.

Jon Bolick of Hickory, North Carolina attends the prestigious International Business School of the University of South Carolina, where he was awarded an academic scholarship. A former participant, he returns for his fourth summer with TFT in the role of Senior Counselor.

James Carr of Redding, California joins us this year on our Madrid, Mallorca and Barcelona Language trip. A graduate of Willamette University, James has traveled throughout Europe, spent 2 years in the Peace Corps in Bolivia, and recently finished an 8 month trip to Vietnam and Cambodia where he traveled and taught English.

Max Steen, from Red Bank, NJ, graduates in 2012 with a double major in Music Business and Sound Engineering at the University of New Haven. Having traveled with TFT as a participant , then a CIT, then a Junior Counselor, he will join us for his seventh year serving as a Senior Counselor.

Giulia Laveto is a native of Verona, Italy and has a degree in Educational Science from the University of Verona. She is passionate about cooking and photography, skills that are certainly enhanced by her love of traveling! Giulia will be back with TFT for her second summer in 2012.

Lauren White holds a MSN degree from Yale University and a BA from the University of California, San Diego, and currently works as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She has traveled all over Western Europe, North and Central America, Southeast Asia, and studied abroad in Italy in 2004. She’s back for her second year with TFT in 2012!

Allison Vila, our office assistant, spent the first 14 years of her life in France before moving to the United States with her family. When not helping out in the office, Allison is a student at West Chester University where she is a Languages major. Fluent in French, holding dual citizenship, Allison will be a Junior Counselor in Paris this year.

Lucien Sobaru, from New Jersey, is a Business major at the University of Connecticut. He speaks English and Romanian, loves to travel, and has been with TFT for five summers. He’ll be back in 2012 for as a Senior Counselor after working his way up from a participant, CIT and Junior Counselor.

Hunt Odom, from Suffolk, VA and a student at Clemson, is a pre-Business major. After traveling with us for two years as a participant and as a CIT, this year will be Hunt's third year as a Junior Counselor. He loves sports and traveling and is sure to be a fine addition to our staff. Hunt will be studying abroad in London during the spring 2012 semester.

Charlotte Greene, an aspiring professional photographer, is a junior at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut majoring in psychology. She will join us for her second year as a Junior Counselor. The editor of photography at her school newspaper, Charlotte is a veteran of Southern Africa Photography and community service programs. You may also see her in France this summer practicing her French.

Lindsay Lipovich, originally from Easton, Connecticut, will be joining us for her seventh year with TFT! A sophomore at Penn State, Lindsay is majoring in photojournalism with a minor in biology. Lindsay has traveled throughout the world extensively, and even lived in Tokyo, Japan for some time!

Alex Pommer, from Warren, NJ, is double majoring in International Affairs and Geography at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. Alex has traveled extensively around the world and has studied abroad in France and Spain. He is returning for his second year as a Junior Counselor and fifth year in total with TFT.

Gwen Moore, from Winchester, MA, traveled with TFT as a participant before becoming a CIT and a Junior Counselor. She is majoring in International Affairs at Tufts University and loves skiing, horseback riding, dance, photography and scuba diving.

Kelsey Simmons, from Warwick, NY, comes back for her sixth year with TFT, this time as a Junior Counselor, after serving as a CIT and a participant. She’s a computer science/business major at Northeastern University and was recently inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Her interests include traveling, fashion, sewing, and dance – ballet, tap, and jazz.

Samantha Roy of East Hampton, Connecticut is graduating from the University of New Haven in 2012 with a double major in biotechnology and forensic biology. In summer 2011 she traveled to Amsterdam, Belgium, and Paris. Sam is looking forward to joining the TFT team as a Senior Counselor in the summer of 2012.

Harry Glendinning of Philadelphia, PA, is a sophomore at High Point University studying International Business and Spanish. A Junior Counselor on our Costa Rica trips, Harry speaks fluent Spanish, a product of having a Spanish teacher Mother and the year he lived in Mexico.

Derek Berggren, of East Lansing, Michigan, is studying Media Arts and Technology at Michigan State University. Derek has extensive experience in the field of travel photography and will be joining several of our photography trips in 2012.

Caitlin West, a student at Eckerd College and a TFT alum, is joining the team this year as a Junior Counselor. Caitlin is exceptionally well-traveled and has spent time living in France, New Zealand, and Switzerland.