Our Program Directors
Our Program Directors oversee Trek Relief’s initiatives, ensuring each program is thoughtfully developed and sustainably executed. They cultivate strong community partnerships, design impactful projects, and create immersive experiences that align with Trek Relief’s mission. Their leadership ensures that every expedition contributes to lasting, meaningful change.
As the Founder of Trek Relief, I am also the Program Director and Trip Leader for our Nepal program. What draws me back year after year is the connection I’ve built with the local community. Returning to the same place, seeing familiar faces, and being welcomed as a friend rather than a visitor is something I hold close.
I don’t just lead trips, I return to see friends and their families. There’s a deep sense of trust that grows over time, shaped by shared moments and the work we do together. I’ve watched children grow up, shared countless meals and stories, and seen the direct impact of our projects unfold year after year.
I take great pride in sharing Nepal’s culture and history with each group. Every decision made on the ground matters, and I see the results not only in the progress of our work but in the relationships we’ve built along the way. There’s a responsibility in leading these trips, one that extends beyond logistics and planning. It’s about respect, commitment, and leaving behind something meaningful.
Join us, and experience what it means to truly connect with a place, its people, and the work that brings us all together.
Candice Young
Program: Nepal
As the Program Director for Patagonia and a Trip Leader, it’s been my greatest pleasure to lead treks for all of our founding programs and guide participants through the wonder every year since Trek Relief was founded.
I love connecting people to the grandeur of nature, immersing ourselves deeply in our place within sacred ecology.
Within global community, together we dive deep into natural and cultural adventure through works of heart-filled service, vigorous trekking, and sharing nourishment. As a trip leader, I’m as much a participant enjoying the ride as I am an enabler for maximizing impact: by providing the opportunity for other individuals to be a collective part of the change.
Win-win-win.
Sarah Nguyen
Current Program: Patagonia
Previous Programs: Mongolia, Nepal
Julia Roca
Program: Mongolia
Born in California and raised on a coffee ranch in Colombia, my journey to becoming a Trip Leader for Trek Relief is as diverse as the landscapes I traverse.
Inspired by a transformative expedition to Nepal with Trek Relief in 2023, I was compelled to immerse myself in the organization's unique blend of adventure and humanitarianism.
With an extensive background in founding and managing nonprofits, I seamlessly merge my experience with my role as a freedive instructor, where my expertise in breathwork adds a unique dimension to my leadership.
Now, as the Program Director for Mongolia, I take on the responsibility of shaping and expanding the program, ensuring that each expedition fosters community empowerment, environmental conservation, and meaningful impact. Leading both in the field and behind the scenes allows me to create immersive, purpose-driven experiences that leave a lasting mark on both participants and the communities we serve.
Harmony Riveros
Program: Peru
I first joined Trek Relief on their Patagonia journey in 2023. I absolutely love Trek Relief’s mission and was inspired to create a program in Peru for 2024. Now, as the Program Director for Peru and a Trip Leader, I have the opportunity to shape and grow this program, ensuring that our work creates a lasting impact in the communities we support.
Peru inspired me to connect with nature in a way I never had, and I fell in love with the land and the culture. Bringing support and connected energy to this region of the world is something I am very much looking forward to.
Currently, I’m living in Mexico City, working remotely, learning Spanish, and creating a home. Leading my first Trek Relief trip in 2024 was an incredible experience, and I’m excited to build out the Peru program even further.
See you there!
Our Trip Leaders
Our Trip Leaders guide each trip on the ground, ensuring a well-organized and impactful experience. They lead volunteers through service projects, cultural immersion, and adventure, fostering connections that bridge participants with the communities we support.
Dr. Rob Williams
Programs: Nepal, Mongolia, Patagonia
I’ve served as an assistant trip leader for our pilot project in Mongolia, and a trip co-leader for scouting our pilot project in Chile’s Patagonia region, working on both projects with my irrepressible BOD colleague Sarah Nguyen.
Serving as a trip leader is so rewarding in three ways.
1) Being on the ground with Trek Relief gives me the opportunity to be an ambassador for an organization in which I deeply believe.
2) The camaraderie that comes with assembling and traveling with a Trek Relief team, too, is a wonderful chance to work and travel with other adventurers committed to good work, fun, and adventure.
3) Finally, being a trip leader creates opportunities to meet and work with remarkable individuals and organizations in other countries and from other cultures - creating “win-win” collaborative projects that enrich everyone involved and make the world a better place.
I encourage you to consider joining our Trek Relief community and consider, too, being a trip leader and work with us to expand Trek Relief’s mission and work.
#TravelWithPurpose!
Manuel Martinez
Program: Nepal
I first joined Trek Relief on our 2023 trip to Nepal, and the experience left a profound impact on me. Immersing myself in the projects, connecting with the local communities, and witnessing the direct impact of our work sparked something deep within me. I knew that this wasn’t just a one-time experience—it was the beginning of a much bigger journey.
The following year, I returned to Nepal—this time as a Trip Leader, eager to take on a more active role in guiding and supporting volunteers. These trips are not only meaningful but also incredibly fun and adventurous and very different from any regular trek. Whether we’re working on sustainability projects, building community connections, or sharing stories under the stars, I love bringing an element of excitement and discovery to every experience.
Being part of Trek Relief has shown me the power of purpose-driven travel and the incredible impact we can make when we come together with a shared mission. I can’t wait to continue this journey, leading more expeditions and expanding the ways we can support communities around the world.
Dan Halu
Program: Nepal
I embarked on my first trek with Trek Relief in March of 2017, and simply put, it has changed my life. Since then, I have been heavily involved with the organization, working to build and expand our operations to new heights. I have since been on four expeditions with the organization, the most recent one being my first Trip Leader experience. Every trip is something I'll keep with me forever; however, my Trip Leader experience in Langtang was exceptional in that it offered me a unique and more intimate way of participating in a trip.
I got an opportunity to be a champion and ambassador of Trek Relief while in Nepal, helping to build new connections and strengthen old ones. Getting a behind-the-scenes look helped me further appreciate the fantastic relationships we have built with these communities in Nepal.
Furthermore, being a Trip Leader helped me step into a new, exciting, yet challenging role, and it helped me grow in many ways. This was a unique experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves to have a good adventure.
Why did I want to be a trip leader?
My goal to heal the soul of the world began with an intimate group of volunteers that heightened and enlightened my perspective of life. After my experience in the Langtang Valley as a volunteer, I came to realize the amount of privilege I had and just how powerful and capable I am to change the world. I always had an admiration for people who actually sought and volunteered their skills and services to those in need; and after having the opportunity to experience that, I wanted to share this excitement and joy with everyone I loved. After being on the other end of the spectrum, I thought, “What better way is there to continuously effect change towards a better future than by fostering a new group of individuals to heal the soul of the world?” By this action, taking on the role of a trip leader, it’s not about the deed, it’s about the movement. In my lifetime, I may or may not be witness to the positive changes that I work so strongly for. But in knowing that I can contribute to paving the way for others taking on after me, I can only do what I can with what I have, and live life every moment as if it’s the last time I ever will.
What did I gain from my role?
From my role as a trip leader, I gained humility and new strengths as a leader. Coming into my role I had read a quote, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In other words, what is predictable is also preventable. The journey with my team was formidable; we encountered setbacks, miscommunication, and illness. But even through it all, we all carried the same passion. I came to my own understanding that leaders don’t wait to take action, they take steps to prevent negative outcomes. But when negative outcomes do occur, taking a step back to reevaluate and assess with the team allows everyone opportunity to lead. After all, my role is not just to lead, but to foster great leaders. I am grateful for my team and am humbled to be a part of their life journey.