Meet Our 2026 Philanthropy Committee
The Community Impact Fund is one of the most important ways we put our collective giving into action at The Conscious Travel Foundation, supporting grassroots organisations around the world that are using tourism to create positive change for their communities and environments.
Each year, two organisations are selected to receive three years of funding, alongside free membership of the Foundation and access to the knowledge, connections and support of our team and wider community.
Choosing those organisations is one of the Foundation's most important responsibilities. Every application represents a grassroots organisation working to improve lives through tourism, and selecting just two recipients means making difficult decisions. That's why, each year, we bring together a new Philanthropy Committee, drawing on expertise from across travel, conservation, philanthropy, grant-making and community development to independently assess the projects nominated by our community.
This year's committee reflects a real breadth of experience. We have hotel owners who have invested millions into local communities, conservationists protecting wildlife and ecosystems, philanthropists, travel entrepreneurs, impact specialists, marketers and experienced grant-makers. Together, they bring decades of experience supporting community-led initiatives across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond.
Philanthropy rooted in real-world experience
Several of our committee members have firsthand experience of designing and delivering philanthropic programmes through tourism.
Paul Salmon, Chairman and CEO of Rockhouse Hotel and Skylark Negril Beach Resort, co-founded the Rockhouse Foundation in Jamaica, which has invested more than $12 million USD in local education since 2004, including establishing Jamaica's first fully inclusive public school, where children with and without disabilities learn together. His experience demonstrates the transformative impact that sustained investment can have on the communities surrounding tourism businesses.
Sukeerti Raikwar, founder of Soulful Safaris and former India Programme Coordinator for A&K Philanthropy, has spent nearly two decades working at the intersection of tourism, philanthropy and community development. Her experience connecting grassroots organisations with responsible travel businesses offers valuable insight into what long-term, locally led impact looks like.
Tom McLoughlin, founder of north9, brings another perspective on embedding giving into business. Through the agency's 100% Vision, north9 donates all distributable profits to educational charities while also using its marketing expertise to strengthen the organisations it supports. His experience building an ambitious fundraising model within a commercial business adds valuable insight to the committee's discussions.
L-R: Tom McLoughlin, Sukeerti Raikwar, Paul Salmon
Understanding conservation and community-led tourism
Conservation, community development and tourism are deeply interconnected, and this year's committee brings extensive expertise across all three.
Suzanne Bayly, owner of Classic Portfolio and one of The Conscious Travel Foundation's founding mentors, has spent more than 30 years working alongside independent camps and lodges across Africa, developing a deep understanding of the conservation and community initiatives that help destinations thrive.
Returning committee members Milo Putnam, founder of wildlife education platform Laro and Communications Manager at Re:wild, and Quinn Meyer, founder of Crees Manu in the Peruvian Amazon, add further expertise in ethical wildlife tourism, conservation and sustainability, while Kim Bridgeman, Community & Partnerships Lead at Journeys With Purpose, works closely with conservation organisations and environmental innovators around the world, including through the company's role as an official Earthshot Prize Nominator.
Together, these perspectives help ensure the committee considers not only the immediate outcomes of a project, but its long-term environmental and community impact.
L-R: Suzanne Bayly, Milo Putnam, Quinn Meyer, Kim Bridgeman
Perspectives from across the travel industry
The committee also benefits from members working across different parts of the travel industry, bringing commercial, operational and communications expertise alongside their commitment to positive impact.
Jason Elliott, founder and Chief Experience Officer of TGG, combines nearly two decades in management consulting, hospitality and travel design, bringing a strategic lens to evaluating the potential and scalability of projects.
Jessie Brechin-Leman, Marketing Director at Jacada Travel, has helped shape the company's Positive Impact Collection and dedicated impact fund, and James Leet-Cook, Business Development Manager at DMC Hummingbird Travel, brings a personal passion for sustainability — an early champion of green operations at one of the UK’s leading tour operators.
L-R: Jason Elliott, Jessie Brechin-Leman, James Leet-Cook
Kath Hauge, Head of Sales at DMC member Nordfolk, has supported grassroots projects and community fundraising for many years, from projects across Africa to local initiatives in the UK, and brings both personal and professional experience of community engagement.
Representing PURE Life Experiences and This is Beyond are Serge Dive and Bella Carrington, who together bring a wealth of experience identifying and championing the people, ideas and organisations shaping the future of travel. As founder and CEO of This is Beyond and the visionary behind PURE Life Experiences, Serge has spent almost two decades building some of the industry's most influential communities, creating platforms that celebrate innovation, purpose and leadership. Through initiatives such as the PURE Awards, he has consistently championed individuals and projects demonstrating tourism's potential as a force for good. Alongside him, Bella Carrington has spent the past seven years developing thought leadership programmes across This is Beyond's global portfolio of events, working closely with founders, researchers, hoteliers and community leaders to shine a spotlight on grassroots initiatives and purpose-driven projects. Together, they bring a keen eye for recognising ideas with the potential to create lasting impact.
L-R: Kath Hauge, Bella Carrington, Serge Dive
Bringing different sides of the funding process together
One of the committee's greatest strengths is the diversity of experience around grant-making itself.
Returning member Audrey Scott, co-founder of Uncornered Market, has spent more than two decades working across tourism development, international development and community-led tourism, helping destinations and social enterprises create opportunities for local communities.
Jenny Teasdale brings an equally valuable perspective as Operations Director of Fundación Green Apple in Colombia, a recipient of the Community Impact Fund in 2025. Having experienced the Foundation's grant-making process from the recipient's perspective, she understands both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with long-term funding.
Dave Kartagener, President of Kartagener Associates Inc. and Director of the KAI Foundation, completes the returning group, drawing on extensive experience supporting healthcare and education initiatives in underserved communities around the world.
L-R: Audrey Scott, Dave Kartagener, Jenny Teasdale
What happens next?
Nominations are open until 30 September, after which committee members will independently review and verify projects, before announcing the successful recipients in March 2027.
We're grateful to every member of this year's Philanthropy Committee for contributing their time, expertise and thoughtful judgement to the process. If you'd like to learn more about the Community Impact Fund, Member Directed Giving or our wider philanthropy programme, we'd love to hear from you.