Bruce Hancock
Founder, NARUNA BEYOND RETREATS
Bruce is a visionary leader with 32 years of expertise in transformative experiences, leadership development, and student growth. Dedicated to unlocking individual and team potential, Bruce designs immersive retreats and programs that transcend boundaries, delivering tangible results in organizational performance and personal growth. A global adventurer from New Zealand, Bruce’s background in Performance Psychology, Coaching, and Wellbeing enhances his hands-on approach. He is currently publishing “The Leader Within,” a book packed with life stories of leaders, and has previously published “The Kaleidoscope Model of Change.” Bruce’s commitment to professional and personal growth aligns seamlessly with organizations like Khiri Campus. A resident of Thailand for 23 years, Bruce is married with two children, a passionate runner, and a sports enthusiast.
Graham Harper
Director, Clickable Impact
Graham is a sustainable development expert with over 25 years of experience. He is currently a director at Clickable Impact and is responsible for leading consulting assignments for development clients such as GIZ, ADB, EU, and the UN. His focus is to create a unique perspective for learning and sustainability for national and destination-level tourism authorities.
In the past, Graham has held the position of Director of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and spent 13 years in the private sector developing sustainability and community-based educational tourism programs. He created for-profit, educational tourism development projects in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam, which have put hundreds of thousands of dollars annually into remote, rural communities through poverty alleviation, health, and infrastructure initiatives. These programs also directly supported high school, university, and corporate groups’ learning objectives. Graham previously was the Training and Research Manager at the Mekong Institute, supporting human capacity development projects throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and before that, he was a classroom teacher for 12 years at both the high school and university levels.
Graham is a true “coaching leader” who invests heavily in the professional development of his team members and clients.
Sam Korsmoe
Founder and Director, Yellowstone English/Environmental Studies Program International (YESPI)
Sam Korsmoe is an American from the state of Montana. He has lived and worked in Asia for nearly 28 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, an English teacher, teacher trainer, and writer in Taiwan, a teacher and writer in Shanghai, and as an entrepreneur, writer, teacher, and education consultant in Vietnam.
He is the founder and director of Yellowstone English/Environmental Studies Program International (YESPI), an American university accredited outdoor education program based in the Yellowstone region of the USA. He is also the founder and race director of the Greater Yellowstone Adventure Series, a seven-event, 10-race series also in the Yellowstone region of America. Sam has written extensively on business, culture, education, and sports for several publications. He has been interviewed numerous times by international media including the New York Times, CNN, BBC, Financial Times, Reuters, and other publications. He is well traveled in the region and can speak Vietnamese (fluent), Mandarin Chinese (survival), and the Philippine dialect of Chavacano (near fluency).
He is the author of three published books. Saigon Stories, an oral history of Vietnam, A World Gone Mad for Marathons, a nonfiction book on marathons and other sporting events, and Vietnam – Asia’s Rising Star, a recently published book about the future of Vietnam. He is the founder and lead instructor of the Saigon Writers Club, a club that hosts private and in-person creative writing classes and has published four (soon to be five) short story anthologies.
Sam has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Montana State University, a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Washington, and a TEFL certificate for teaching English as a Second Language. His Master’s thesis was on the renovation reforms (Doi Moi) of Vietnam.
Lauren Groves
With expertise in educational travel and responsible tourism, Lauren joins Khiri Campus’s Advisory Board. Her experience with GROUND Asia in fostering sustainable travel and community connections aligns perfectly with Khiri Campus’s mission. Lauren’s passion for immersive learning began with early travels and teaching English in China. Currently pursuing a degree in Responsible Tourism, she advises Khiri Campus on strategies for enriching student experiences while contributing positively to host communities.
Willem Niemeijer
CEO, YAANA Ventures
With over three decades of experience as the founder of destination management leader Khiri Travel, Willem advises Khiri Campus on issues of strategy and sustainability. From the beginning, Willem was committed to growing his business in a sustainable manner using responsible travel practices at the core of product development and operations. He strongly advocates that sustainability is no longer a luxury but an imperative in order to leave a world that is livable for our children. Willem is married and has two daughters. He speaks Dutch, English and Thai.
Follow Willem on Twitter: @WillemNiemeijer
Mark Remijan
CFO, YAANA Ventures
Mark grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, just one hour east of Chicago, USA. He attended MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Mark later went on to earn his MBA in Finance at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.
Mark has spent 30 years living in Southeast Asia, immersing himself in the various cultures. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines are places Mark proudly calls home. Fluency in English, Thai, Vietnamese, Khmer, Tagalog, Spanish and Arabic has helped develop his love and appreciation for travel and the riches of cultural exploration. Mark’s goal for his team is “Growth- in the fullest sense and to continue building a dynamic team while developing strong values, distinctive performance cultures and continuous innovation.”
