Tag: program instructor

About Program Instructor | Amber

Amber was born and raised in Wisconsin, where time at her grandparents’ tree farm in the Northwoods sparked an early love for play, exploration, and the outdoors. While studying Psychology, Education, and Studio Art, Amber discovered a passion for travel. She also fell in love with experiential learning and connecting with people from different walks of life. After college, Amber spent several years living and working abroad in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. These international experiences shaped her curiosity and deepened her belief in the power of stepping outside the familiar.

Amber’s work has taken her from therapeutic wilderness environments and international gap programs to higher education. She has supported students in settings ranging from Spiritual and Religious Life at a Midwest liberal arts college to Colorado School of Mines, an engineering university. Amber is also a certified Women’s Guidance Facilitator and facilitates women’s circles, creating spaces for connection, reflection, and self-discovery.

Amber believes some of life’s most transformative moments happen when we step into the unknown and create space to explore. She is passionate about helping young women build confidence, cultivate curiosity, and discover what they’re capable of. In her spare time, Amber loves yoga, cozy coffee shops, wandering to new places, and spending time outside. She is especially excited to return to Australia as part of the Rooted Life Adventures team and looks forward to helping students create a meaningful, joyful, and adventurous home-away-from-home.

Welcome to the Rooted Life Adventures team, Amber!

You can read more about the program here, and follow our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA

About Program Instructor | Jo Young

Jo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with seven years of experience supporting young adults in mental health and wellness settings, including two years in wilderness therapy. Jo is passionate about helping people grow through new experiences, challenges, and time spent outdoors, and she believes the world is vast and full of opportunities for connection and discovery.

Travel and cultural exchange have played a significant role in her life. A love for travel began in Australia while studying abroad during undergrad. This joy deepened during her Peace Corps service in Eswatini, and has continued as she has explored more than 32 countries. Jo is currently traveling across the United States by road before departing for New Zealand.

Outside of work, our newest team member at RLA enjoys yoga, hot springs, watercolor painting, spending time with her aussiedoodle, Harlow. As well as pack rafting with her kayak whenever she can! Jo is also training for her first triathlon.

Jo is excited to support students during their time in New Zealand and to help create an experience rooted in adventure, connection, and personal growth.

Trainings & skills:

• BA in Social Work
• MA in Social Work
• 300hr Yoga Teacher Training
• Qualified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic/mindfulness practices

Welcome to the team, Jo. We’re so happy to have you join us! You can read more about the program here.

Follow our adventures Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA

About Program Instructor | Chris Davies

Born in Auckland, and now living in the South Island of NZ, Chris is always on the hunt for the next adventure. A background in Physical Education, Outdoor Adventure & Exercise Science has propelled Chris into many exciting jobs and experiences. Whether it be chasing waves & snow on a two year working holiday in B.C. Canada or driving 3000km across India in a 3-wheeled tuk-tuk. Chris also spent three summers kayaking in the fjords on New Zealand’s largest national park! There’s no doubt he has spent his adulthood creating experiences that are worth writing home about.

Whenever he gets the chance, Chris is off trying to have fun in the outdoors. His first loves of surfing and snowboarding have led to a plethora of other hobbies including tramping, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, ski touring and sailing. He’ll tell you his dream isn’t to be an expert at one thing, but to be mediocre at as many things as possible.

Wherever the great outdoors meet adventure, conservation and education, Chris is all about it. Personally, believing that the way for humans to protect the planet is to get out there, explore, and foster a connection with the earth and each other. Chris loves working this space where different passions collide. Having jobs as a park ranger, camp counsellor, sea kayak guide, gap year instructor, ski hill slope safety and tree planter have kept his cup full over the years.

Trainings & skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, Exercise & Sports Science
• Certificate in Outdoor Adventure Education (Level 4)
• Wilderness First Responder
• Marine VHF Operator’s Certificate
• Pool Lifeguard Practicing Certificate & American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

So, kia ora, Chris! We’re delighted to welcome you to the Rooted Life Adventures whanau and look forward to having you as a Program Instructor on our New Zealand program! You can read more about the program here.

Follow our adventures Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA

About Program Instructor | Jamilah Touré

Jamilah Touré grew up in Colorado, shaped by her parents and the landscape of the Rocky Mountains. Spending her childhood outdoors sparked an early interest in protecting the environment and sharing its value with others. She went on to earn a bachelor degree in environmental studies and geography, followed by a master’s degree focused on regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems.

Between her studies, Jamilah worked as a whitewater river guide, a regenerative agriculture fellow, and a lift operator in Winter Park, Colorado. She believes strongly in nature’s ability to support healing and in our capacity to grow alongside it. Through her work, she has developed skills to help people draw lessons from the natural world, strengthen their sense of self, and build resilience within their communities.

Trainings:

• Wilderness First Responder
• Swift Water Rescue
• 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training

We’re thrilled to welcome Jamilah as a Program Instructor on our Costa Rica Summer Program. We know she will bring fun and upbeat energy to the team! You can read more about the program here.

Follow our adventures Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA

About NZ Program Instructor | Liam Trevena

Liam grew up in Perth, Western Australia, where his childhood was shaped by camping, fishing, and endless days exploring the outdoors. Adventure has always been a part of his life. Over the years he has travelled extensively across and around Australia, Europe, Asia and North America, and spent time discovering New Zealand’s South Island.

Moving to New Zealand in 2024 was a chance for Liam to grow and take on new challenges. Since arriving, he has trained to be an outdoor guide through Pure Exploration NZ and also worked with AJ Hackett Bungy NZ and at Coronet Peak Ski Fields. He has immersed himself in the adventure culture of Queenstown. On weekends you’ll find him out climbing, tramping, skiing, or paragliding — chasing the mountains in every season.

Mentorship is a driving force for Liam, and when he isn’t on program with Rooted Life Adventures or outdoor guiding elsewhere, he is working towards joining Land Search and Rescue (LANDSAR) where he can support the wider community. Liam has learnt a lot on his own journey of growth, making him a great mentor for others who are defining and working towards their own goals.

Trainings:

• NZOIA Rock Leader
• NZOIA Bush Leader
• Outdoor First Aid Qualified

We’re thrilled to welcome Liam as a Program Instructor. We know he will bring his passion, resilience, and adventurous spirit to the team. You can read more about the program here.

Follow our adventures Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA

About Program Leader Sarah Fillerup

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Program Leader Sarah is a curious traveler. She’s a psychology graduate with a minor in philosophy from Colorado Mesa University. Grounded, people-focused, and fluent in both Spanish and English, she brings a thoughtful and adventurous spirit to everything she does.

Sarah’s deep connection to the outdoors has been a guiding force in her life. Whether camping under the stars, mountain biking in the desert, canyoneering through Moab, or rafting down winding rivers, she has always found nature to be her greatest teacher. These experiences have shaped her approach to challenges. Sarah meets them with curiosity and a touch of grit. It was in these moments with nature that she realised she was destined to be a Program Leader.

While at Colorado Mesa University, Sarah competed as a collegiate swimmer for five years. Her time as an athlete instilled in her a strong sense of consistency, mental resilience, and the value of showing up fully, even when it’s tough. These lessons continue to influence her personal and professional life.

Sarah has traveled to over 15 countries and spent a month in Cairo, Egypt, where she gained a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of life beyond familiar surroundings. For her, adventure and growth have always gone hand-in-hand.

Sarah is thrilled to be part of Rooted Life Adventures, where she helps facilitate experiences that challenge individuals, foster meaningful connections, and inspire people to rediscover who they are at their core.

We’re thrilled to have Sarah as part of our core team here at Rooted Life Adventures as Program Leader. Find out more about the rest of our team here.

Follow our adventures Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA

About Operations Director Mechi

Born and raised in Argentina, Mechi has worked around the world, calling New Zealand home for over 13 years. With a deep love for adventure and logistics, she’s confident in her career as a well-established Operations Director. Mechi ensures every Rooted Life Adventures program runs seamlessly.

Mechi’s background in hotel management laid the foundation for her expertise in hospitality and operations. But it was her passion for international education that led her into the world of student travel. Before joining Rooted Life Adventures as Operations Director, she spent years managing traditional gap year programs. Mechi planned and booked 70-day itineraries across more than 15 countries, helping hundreds of students navigate transformative travel experiences. She was managing programs in multiple different continents when COVID 19 brought the world to a halt in 2020, and managed to return students home safely to their families. There’s no doubt she has handled every possible student crisis with ease and managed complex safety and risk protocols. Mechi brings extensive international program management experience to the team.

What she does on program

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Mechi offers a warm, global perspective and a meticulous eye for detail. Mechi has years of experience guiding students through diverse cultures. She deeply understands the complexities of traveling safely, ethically, and respectfully across different countries. Mechi lives on-site at each program location as a Program Leader and ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. An avid hiker and snowboarder, Mechi loves sharing the beauty of New Zealand and curating unforgettable travel experiences. She’s delighted she gets to do this through her role as Operations Director at Rooted Life Adventures.

If you’re thinking about extending your adventure with a family trip, Mechi is the ultimate planner to help design your dream itinerary.

We’re thrilled to have Mechi as part of our core team here at Rooted Life Adventures as Operations Director. Find out more about the rest of our team here.

Follow our adventures Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

#RLALife #TeamRLA