United Planet Team

Dave Santulli - Founder and Executive Director

Why United Planet?  Besides my family, of course, there is no greater joy than meeting the people of this world, experiencing their fascinating cultures, and working together beyond borders, to make a positive difference.

"To lead is to serve."

Read more about Dave...

From: United States 

Theresa Higgs - Vice President of Global Operations

Working at United Planet is a chance to learn, grow and explore!

"The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit." - Wade Davis

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From: United States 

 

Jonathan Hass -  Director of Human Resources

I am honored and inspired to be part of such a progressive and important organization. United Planet has grown so much in recent years; I am eager to see us make an even greater impact in promoting cross-cultural understanding and changing lives!

"The matter of international relations is very subtle and exquisite." - Vladimir Zhirnovsky

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From: United States 

Kristen Brandt - Director of Marketing and Communications

I've always believed that everything and everyone on this earth is interconnected.  My experiences traveling abroad, meeting new people and learning about different cultures have only strengthened this belief. I'm proud to be part of the team at United Planet, working to inspire and facilitate cross-cultural exploration and encouraging people to become part of a global community through meaningful work.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa

From: United States 

Li Jia - International Programs Manager

United Planet provides me a great opportunity to see different cultures from different aspects. Not only to help me to learn work in an American environment, but also to help me to achieve personal goals.

“Experience is never limited and it is never complete; it is an immense sensibility, a kind of huge spider-web of the finest silken threads suspended in the chamber of consciousness, and catching every air-bone particle in its issue.” - Henry James

Caitlin Ferrarini - International Programs Manager

From: United States 

Emilie Chagnon - Controller

Working for United planet makes me confident that the world could be better. It helps us to open our heart to the world and appreciate cultural differences. Working for United Planet is such a big challenge and it is very exciting to participate to make a world more united.

From: Canada 

Tyler Quattlebaum - Sales Manager

United Planet provides exciting opportunities to break out of the day-to-day doldrums of life and make a long-lasting impact on our global community. There is no better way to enact change than by gaining new perspectives and making a personal difference in the lives of others.

From: United States 

Leo Hu - Web Administrator and Developer

Working at United Planet has allowed me to gain new perspectives on other cultures, and the world has become a much more fascinating place.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius

From: Taiwan 

Maren Peterson - Senior Project Coordinator, Groups and Partnerships

I believe intercultural interaction is the best way to break down barriers between people.  I am happy to be part of an organization that helps those who want to volunteer abroad – not only to donate their time and talents but also to be immersed in a new culture and community.

“If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.” - Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk

From: United States

Sandy Trinh - Senior Marketing Coordinator

Experiencing other cultures opens up our minds and hearts, and volunteering abroad helps us begin to realize the hardships others endure, to understand how we can help, and to appreciate our own blessings.  I am excited to be a part of an organization so appreciative and curious about different cultures and am excited to learn more!

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." –Theodore Roosevelt

Cora Zhang - Enrollment Coordinator

United Planet is a wonderful place to work, to learn and to enjoy.

“三人行必有我师焉” (There's always someone to learn from.) - Confucius

From: China 

Gloria Barretto - Long Term Coordinator

I believe that by experiencing other cultures, we are gaining a mutual respect and appreciation for one another, subsequently generating a positive global impact. Working at United Planet has taught me that by being globally minded, and through education and understanding, we can create a better world.

“It is in all of us to defy expectations, to go into the world and to be brave.” – Mae Chevrette

From: United States 

Robert Smith - IT Coordinator

At my time at United Planet, I will do my best to develop stronger interpersonal and intercultural connections with those in the places around me. I will learn and develop my own practices and skills using the 7 core values as a guide. I respect the different ways those around me vibrantly live and influence the cultures and world around them...

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” – Henri-Frederic Amiel

From: United States 

Having had wonderful opportunities to study abroad, volunteer, and advocate for cultural and religious understanding, I am excited to be a part of United Planet’s work of helping build a worldwide community and supporting communities around the world.

"Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge." - Abraham Joshua Heschel

From: United States 

From talking to a professor in Spain to a Massai Warrior in Tanzania, the ability to interact with people across the world is what truly makes me thrive. Working at United Planet enables me to make an impact in the lives of others.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - Abraham Joshua Heschel

From: United States 

My experiences traveling and living abroad have helped me to change, learn, and grow in countless ways. I am passionate about encouraging others to take advantage of similar opportunities and open their minds to appreciating other cultures. I am very excited to work with an organization as proactive as United Planet.

"Find life experiences and swallow them whole. Travel. Meet many people. Go down some dead ends and explore dark alleys. Try everything. Exhaust yourself in the glorious pursuit of life." - Lawrence K. Fish

From: United States 

The world is an amazing place filled with interesting people and unique experiences. I am so thrilled to be a part of the United Planet team because every day I help connect people to all this diverse world has to offer. I have been fortunate enough to travel to many different countries and I just want others to experience the beauty foreign cultures have to offer.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it solely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the earth all one’s lifetime." – Mark Twain

From: United States 

In our fast-paced everyday lives we can sometimes forget the grandeur of the world we live in. I am proud to be a part of an organization that opens our eyes to communities all over the world and allows us to appreciate all that we have and all that there is yet to be explored.

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth." - Rumi

From: United States 

It's really exciting to work for United Planet. International immersion and volunteer work is priceless; to help people find their project and plan for their adventure of a lifetime is extremely rewarding and fun.

"Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain

From: United States 

Being born in the US to Latino parents, and having studied several languages, I have come to understand the value of intercultural exchanges. The knowledge gained from others who have lived in a world other than your own is priceless, and one of the best ways to access that knowledge is through cultural immersion. I believe in what United Planet does and what it stands for, and I am happy to assist in the goal of bringing the people of our world together.

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible'!" - Audrey Hepburn

From: United States 

Someone once said that traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. And if the traveling involves selflessly helping others, I believe that makes you the richest person in the world. Therefore I am really glad I got the opportunity to work with United Planet as everyday I am in touch with people who share the same belief and we help them to make it come true.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

From: Slovakia 

My belief in the mission of United Planet is the main reason why I decided to apply and why I am so excited to be interning here today. Coming from a multi-cultural background and having an interest in travelling and international relations, I am thrilled to be able to use my knowledge to hopefully encourage others to change their perspective of the world. I was blessed with the opportunity to Study in Madrid, Spain, and am very grateful to be able to help others to go abroad and to gain a connection to another culture as I did. 

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." -Buddha

From: United States 

Working for United planet is a unique opportunity I have to collaborate with a team on the perpetual challenge of cross-cultural understanding. We join our forces to obtain the global unification among the people of the world and I’m really happy to be part of this project. Supporting the communities in need and promoting social development of different cultures is not just a dream. Together we can.

"Happiness is only real when shared" – Chris Mc Candless

From: France 

From: Thailand

Yaw Gyamfi - Ghana

Yaw studied at the Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute and have a B.A in Political Science from the University of Ghana and an M.A in International Education from the SIT Graduate Institute, Brattleboro, Vermont.He also spent a number of years volunteering in different towns and villages in support of developmental projects in Ghana. I welcome volunteers to come and explore the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality!

"Sharing Ghana with the rest of the world has been a passion of mine since childhood. My passion for Ghana is fueled by how much I learn every time I share my country with others."

Caiya with her two daughters Deiji (her English name is Judy) and Dechok (her English name is Olivia) is there to assist and help United Planet volunteers. They will accompany volunteers throughout their stay and act as translators. Deiji studied at The North University for Ethnics (English) and now she is a teacher. Dechok is studying at the Qinghai Ethnic University (English).

Manfred's background is in general physics and technology management. He has been living in Peru since 2003. He truly loves coordinating the volunteer programs, cultural activities, excursions, Spanish lessons, family stays and more through United Planet.

Apart from Untied Planet, Raj is involved in socialtours.com (the Founder Director) and socialtreks.com, in Nepal River Conservation Trust as Board member, in Joy Foundation Nepal as Life Member (honourary), KEEP Nepal (life member) and Namaste Nepal (board member).

From:Nepal

Marlo Mora - Guatemala

Marlo has been working with United Planet for 8 years. She works at a local school and she holds a Master’s degree in Education. She says that people of Guatemala are very service-orientated since it is taught that being active in your community is a moral obligation. She says that although United Planet helps her to coordinate volunteers at the local women’s shelter, she has been involved in service since she can remember. She is clever, sweet, accommodating, and cannot wait to meet future volunteers!

From: Guatemala

Pablo Proano - Ecuador

Pablo is from Quito, Ecuador where he has years of experience working with international students and volunteers through Spanish language schools and academic exchange programs. He has been United Planet's Ecuador Country Coordinator since 2005.

"As United Planet's Coordinator in Ecuador, I have strengthened my communication with national and international volunteers. In addition, I have gained a great deal of experience organizing and promoting cultural activities and academic trips, and supporting volunteers in their adjusting processes to a new environment and with their Spanish learning skills."

From: Ecuador

Paul Fischer - Chile

Paul is a high school teacher and university professor in Santiago, Chile and he obtained a B.A. Degree from Duke University and an M.A. Degree in History from the University of Denver. He has operated his own trade-related business in Chile and worked for the U. S. Foreign & Commercial Service at the American Embassy in Santiago. Paul also spent several years in Africa with the Peace Corps. He currently lives in the Lo Barnechea sector of Santiago with his wife and their three children.

From: United States

Por Meng - Cambodia

Por was born in Kom Pong Cham Province in Cambodia. He worked in the hotel industry for over 9 years before joining United Planet. "I feel very happy to promote the mission of United Planet in its mission of cross-cultural understanding, especially Cambodia Culture. I want all people know about the Angkor temple Cambodia and more."

From:Cambodia 

Hannah is the General Manager at United Through Sport Foundation, and is perfectly placed to manage the volunteer program, having been a volunteer herself back in 2005 (she never went home). Originally from the UK, Hannah has a great balance between understanding western expectations mixed with knowledge of the local context after running programs in South Africa for 6 years.

From: United Kingdom

Nick is the Director and Founder of the United Through Sport Foundation, which partners with United Planet in South Africa. United Through Sport is a non-profit organization focused on development through sport, under which the volunteer program operates. Nick is half English half South African, was born and studied in the UK (at Cardiff University) before returning to the land of his father in 2005 to set-up United Through Sport.

Melanie & Mihail - Romania

Melanie Tanase and her husband Mihail, coordinate our volunteers in Romania and the two of them and their family manage the orphanage in Valea Plopului. They have been accepting United Planet volunteers for their organization since 2005.

Alisele (Ali) Alfredi - Tanzania

Alisele (Ali) Alfredi is the Country Coordinator for United Planet Tanzania. In this role, she provides logistical support for volunteers, project sites, and host families. She was born and raised in Dar es Salaam. Attending boarding schools helped her to understand more about and get involved in volunteering. She is also a professional peer educator. Ali enjoys meeting people from different cultures, as well as learning new things, travelling and reading.