SEAN O’CONNOR

University of California, Santa Barbara, B.S., Geography; Georgetown University, M.A., Communication, Culture & Technology

While at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Sean studied the physical world through the lens of geography, which took him to the mountains of South Africa, the desert ecosystems of the American Southwest, and beyond. After graduating, Sean moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the National Geographic Society where he conducted research for the magazine, designed maps, and created interactive mapping technologies for use in classrooms. Sean also founded and helps direct a nonprofit organization called FUEL Youth, which builds schools in Liberia. Sean now works as a certified life and leadership coach, supporting people and businesses to create outstanding results in their lives and organizations. He hosts a radio show and podcast called Joy Riders that explores all the ways that joy is created in the world. Sean has led a National Geographic Student Expeditions program in Fiji.

HEATHER WEAS

Montana State University, B.A., Global Multicultural Studies and Francophone Studies

While at Montana State University, Heather focused on North African language and culture and studied abroad in Morocco and France. She worked for the Office of International Programs at Montana State, advising study-abroad students, and for a State Department program called the Middle Eastern Partnership Initiative, leading students from the MENA region around Montana. Heather received the Undergraduate Scholars Grant and returned to Morocco to research the effects of the Arab Spring on the indigenous Amazigh population in the High Atlas Mountains. Heather is EMT and Wilderness First Responder certified. She has united her passions for teaching and adventuring in the mountains by working as an outdoor educator in China, where she guides international schools on outdoor leadership programs. Heather is proficient in French and conversational in Arabic.