JAIMIE SPETSERIS

The University of Georgia, B.A., Journalism, Public Relations (minor in Spanish)

While at the University of Georgia, Jaimie studied abroad in Cádiz, Spain, and traveled around Europe for a summer. After college, she worked for an advertising agency in Atlanta, Georgia, until her desire to travel, speak Spanish, and teach English took her to Bogotá, Colombia, where she lived for a year, and explored South America. Jaimie continued to travel through Central America where she volunteered at a sustainable eco-ranch in Costa Rica and a beach lodge with a turtle hatchery in Nicaragua. Once back stateside, Jaimie moved to the San Bernardino mountains in Southern California where she worked as an instructor at an outdoor science school, eventually becoming a coordinator and a Wilderness First Responder certified medic. Jaimie’s other experience includes leading a Student Conservation Crew in the Blueridge Parkway and working at summer camps. Jaimie’s passion to adventure abroad has taken her to Queenstown, New Zealand, where she now works at a law firm supporting the resource management team and exploring the breathtaking outdoors in her free time. Jaime has led Putney’s community service programs to Costa Rica and Ecuador.

TOPHER STEPHENS

University of North Carolina in Asheville, B.S., Biology

Topher fell in love with international travel at age 16, during a yearlong exchange program to Costa Rica. Returning home to North Carolina, he attended UNC Asheville where he focused on Appalachian ecology and worked guiding backpacking and whitewater rafting expeditions. After graduating he embarked on a yearlong journey to study ecological sustainability and to volunteer on  farms and permaculture projects across India, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific. Following his multifarious passions, he has taught in an Integral Model school, co-founded a banjo building business, toured in a professional dance troupe, built a tiny house, and led six gap semester programs to India, Southeast Asia, South America, and Central America. He currently studies and teaches contemplative nature connection and mindfulness education. Topher is proficient in Spanish.