ABOUT PIF

PIF’s philosophy when participating in active travel, outdoor adventure and volunteering abroad is Safety first, Fun second.  To ensure the safety of our Sojourners, our leaders and guides have been certified in Wilderness First Response, or equivalent within their home country, through programs like the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Jodi Nelson

Founder

For the past twelve years, Jodi Nelson has had a successful career in the film and television industry in both Minneapolis and Los Angeles. As a line producer managing relationships, coordinating logistics and maximizing resources, Jodi knows how to make things happen.

A habitual world traveler, SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder and WMI wilderness First Aid graduate, Jodi has been to such places as Kenya, Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico. While experiences of volunteering abroad and active travel were stimulating in their own way, each cultural experience seemed to be lacking what the other could provide. Jodi wanted an all-encompassing adventure travel experience that would give back to others, yet still satisfy her need for outdoor adventure.

In January of 2007, Jodi decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of launching an adventure travel company. PLAY it Forward Adventures is a new concept in travel, merging outdoor adventures with volunteering abroad. The mission is to facilitate life changing connections and empower people around the world.

Jodi believes that donating money to a cause is not the same as building a school in Tanzania. Lifting weights is not the same as biking the coffee plantations of Guatemala. PLAY it Forward offers emotionally charged, all-encompassing adventure travel experiences that make memories and impressions to last a lifetime.

Nicole Williams

Executive Assistant

Nicole “Nikki” Williams is no armchair traveler when it comes to new adventures.  Studying abroad three times while attending Gustavus Adolphus in Minnesota, Nikki left her mark in Ireland, Namibia and Australia in just under three years.  Not only does she value a degree in higher education, but also sees the value in experiential learning across the globe.

After working as a teacher  for one year after college, Nikki realized that teaching was only one of her greatest passions in life.  She enrolled at Minneapolis Business College to explore the possibility of combining education with her other passion for travel and hospitality.

It was there that she connected with PLAY it Forward Adventures completing a 2-month externship to complete her business degree.  Nikki immediately jumped onto the Guatemala team to prepare for her new position with PIF.  In summer 2009 she traded her graduation ceremony for a jungle adventure in Peru followed by a scouting trip to the adventure capital of Costa Rica.

Proving her dedication to world learning through international travel and service to others, Nikki’s title went from Intern to Executive Assistant in a matter of months.  She is now a critical part of day-to-day operations for PLAY it Forward Adventures, establishing her role within the international adventure travel and volunteer vacation arena.

Christian Gilbert

Tour Leader

Christian Gilbert, a middle school Geography teacher by trade, is dedicated to educating people of all ages about the world and motivating people to reach new heights in their lives.  For the past decade Christian has been teaching, coaching and instructing the kids of Waconia, Minnesota in a wide variety of activities.  Gilbert, as he is known to most, is driven by new experiences and sharing his knowledge with others.  Gilbert is an avid traveler who specializes in paddle sports and high altitude mountain environments.  His current “lofty” aspiration is to stand atop the highest point on each of the seven world continents and integrate these mountaineering adventures into an online learning environment for k-12 students of Minnesota and beyond.  One of Gilberts greatest accomplishments is reaching the summit of Mt. Aconcagua in December 2008, the highest peak in both the Western and Southern hemisphere.  Gilbert holds certifications in Wilderness First Response and with the American Canoe Association.

Melanie Sorensen

Tour Leader

Melanie Sorensen is an Interpretive Naturalist at the Minnesota Zoo where she has worked since 1998.  Currently developing and teaching the Zoo’s educational programs, she was recently named one of 20 in the country as an Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader.  Certified as a Wilderness First Responder, Melanie also guides educational zoo trips for high school students to Costa Rica, Belize, Kenya and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota.

Melanie sets travel as a high priority in her life.  This was exemplified when she took a one year sabbitcal from her Naturalist job to volunteer for a series of animal conservation and environmental education programs located in Mongolia, Kenya, Fiji and Costa Rica.

Staying active in her personal life, Melanie enjoys rock climbing, long distance running, canoeing, SCUBA diving, cross-country skiing, kayaking, snow shoeing, biking and downhill skiing.  She is an active volunteer for World Relief, People Serving People and the Big Brother Big Sister organization.  Her most recent accomplishment is completing her Masters degree in Environmental Education and Natural Sciences at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Mateo Hartell

Tour Guide – Guatemala

It’s been nearly ten years since Mateo Hartell packed up his truck and moved to Antigua, Guatemala. Born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina mountain country, his passion for outdoor adventure and cycling has led him to his profession as an entrepreneur and outdoor adventure guide.

Since 1998, Mateo has made a successful living out of doing what he loves. Not only does he guide tours, but also hires, trains and employs local Guatemalans to do the same. Active adventure under his leadership has included biking in Guatemala and Equador, diving in Colombia, and climbing/trekking in Bolivia.

A WMA accredited Wilderness First Responder, Mateo’s goal is to provide safe, well organized tours through the back country of Guatemala offering one-of-a-kind, off-road experiences for travelers. Operating an average of 475 tours in Guatemala with over 2200 satisfied customers annually, Mateo thrives on the idea of total strangers coming together to explore the unknown.

Providing a better overall understanding of Guatemalan culture is what Mateo strives for on every adventure.

Innocent Lyimo

Tour Guide – Kilimanjaro

From mountaineering, kayaking, canoeing, and technical rock and ice climbing, Innocent Lyimo is a man of outdoor adventure.  Climbing extensively in Africa and North America, his lifelong dream is to one day climb Mount Everest.  Born, raised and schooled on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, Innocent first reached the summit at the tender age of 16.

With over a decade experience as a mountain and safari guide, Innocent has acquired extensive class and field training from Arusha Professional Guides school, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School based in Lander -Wyoming), WMI (Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS), and a diploma with TTU ( Tourism Training Unit) of Tanzania in cooperation with the government of Nederland.  Innocent now divides his time between Tanzania and Minnesota where he’s partnered with PLAY it Forward Adventures to provide an all-encompassing Tanzanian experience.

Dolly Beaver

Tour Guide – Peru Amazon

Dolly Beaver was born in Peru’s Amazon region and is dedicated to assisting the native Amazonian communities with economic, educational and medical needs.  Along with her husband, Paul, Dolly started a non-profit organization, supported by their Jungle Lodge, to provide care and support for traditional native values through adventure travel and volunteering abroad.

There have been many accomplishments among the children supported by Dolly’s organization:  restoration of sight for one girl, the ability to walk for another, restoration of hearing and speech for a young boy, and reconstruction of a digestive system for another.  These are just a few ways of the ways that Dolly has made a difference.

Her organization has also founded a clinic, paid and trained former hunters to become rangers, and set up an artisania workshop to provide scholarships for some 36 children annually.

Dolly has long been an advocate for the needs of the native communities and especially the needs of women and children.  Sharing the traditions and needs of this region is her contribution to our PLAY it Forward adventure.

Santiago Carrasco

Tour Guide – Peru Machu Picchu

Santiago was born and raised in Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, and has been guiding for over 15 years. Not only is he an expert guide in Cusco and Machu Picchu, but also does a lot of trekking in the mountain ranges of Vilcanota and Vilcabamba.  His experience includes trekking passes over 15 thousand feet including the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu among other remote Inca sites.

A mestizo of mixed Inca and Spanish blood, Santiago holds a doctorate in tourism from San Antonio Abad University (the oldest University in the Americas). He speaks Spanish and Quechua, his native languages, and is fluent in English.  Being an authority on local culture, archeology and ecotourism, Santiago brings his passion for Peru to every PLAY it Forward adventure.