A native of Atlanta, GA, Liza McLain discovered her love for the outdoors at a very young age, spending ample time in the North Georgia mountains with her family. As a teenager, she joined Moondance on the Pacific Northwest trip, an experience that sparked her passion for adventure travel and the transformative impact it can have on young people.

After earning a degree from the University of Georgia, Liza managed logistics for an event company in California before moving to Nashville to work full time for Moondance HQ. Over the next six years, she played a pivotal role in Moondance’s Operations department, overseeing both Domestic and International Operations while helping implement new systems and technology to support the company’s growing global programs. 

In 2023, Liza expanded her skill set by completing a Software Engineering program, deepening her expertise in technology and systems design. She returned to Moondance in 2024 to lead the company’s Operations and Technology initiatives and now serves as Chief Operating Officer, helping guide the organization’s day-to-day operations while supporting long-term strategic growth.

Drawing on both her operational experience and technical background, Liza works to strengthen the systems, teams, and partnerships that make Moondance’s trips possible. She remains passionate about creating meaningful experiences that inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection in young people around the world.

Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Sam Whitehurst studied Finance at Virginia Tech. While in college, Sam led the California trip for Moondance—an experience that forever changed his life's trajectory. He later joined Moondance HQ in the Operations department, where he worked for four seasons and led the Machu Picchu trip, the South Africa + Mozambique trip, and the final Mountains to Sea trip. Sam attributes his love for working with teens and sharing his passion for experiential travel to his early time at Moondance.

Following the pandemic, Sam pursued his passion for supporting teens’ mental health by working in a hospital on a pediatric and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit. He returned to Moondance in January 2024 to lead the Finance department and now serves as Chief Financial Officer. Over the past several seasons, Sam has overseen the company’s financial strategy and operations, helping guide Moondance’s continued growth while staying grounded in the values that first drew him to the community. He is grateful to continue to bring both his professional experience and personal passion to serve the Moondance community through work he deeply believes in.

Suzanne Hollis grew up in Atlanta and fostered her love for the outdoors, spending her summers fly fishing and hiking in Idaho with her family. As a student, she joined Moondance for several transformative summers, traveling to California, Cataract Canyon, South Africa, and Thailand- experiences that cemented her commitment to outdoor leadership and global exploration. She continued her pursuit of outdoor education by graduating from the Colorado Outward Bound School.

Suzanne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Environmental Science Quantitative Energy Systems. While at UNC, she directed a non-profit camp for young girls in STEM, led expeditions for the Carolina Outing Club, and worked with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to promote policy change in support of clean energy and clean equity.

After experiencing the profound impact of the Moondance mission as a student, Suzanne returned to the community as a trip leader, leading programs in Yellowstone, the Big Wild, and Kilimanjaro. She joined the Moondance HQ team full-time in 2022 and now serves as the Senior Director of Staffing. In this role, Suzanne oversees the recruitment, evaluation, and training of our Trip Leaders. She has played a pivotal role in evolving Moondance’s staffing operations, implementing data-driven performance systems and managing training strategies to ensure the highest standards of safety and culture. Suzanne remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of leaders who inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection in students.

Anna Brugh grew up in Richmond, VA, first experiencing Moondance as a student on Northern Lights. This trip fueled her love for adventure leading her to all her future endeavors including service in Cuba, a study exchange trip to China, studying abroad in Italy and more! She graduated from the University of South Carolina studying Retail Management and Marketing. At USC she worked for the University's Outdoor Recreation Department as Marketing Coordinator and Trip Leader. Loving the excitement of an adventure and sharing those moments with kids, Anna came back to lead our Pacific Northwest in 2021, Slovenia in 2022, Big Wild in 2023 and Yosemite in 2024. Anna started in HQ in 2023 and is thrilled to continue experiencing Moondance as the Director of Domestic Operations.

Banks Church is from Dothan, Alabama and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Master of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama. During school, Banks was able to discover her love for graphic design, branding, marketing, communications and advertising. She also discovered her desire for travel when she studied in Innsbruck, Austria and traveled across Europe in the summer of 2019. Banks has had many more travel experiences, including exploring Italy in 2023 with Moondance HQ, that have shown her the importance of understanding and respecting various cultures and the connection between different peoples. Banks thoroughly enjoys being the Brand Director and hopes to expand her horizons through experiencing Moondance.

Cleo Smith is a recent graduate from Sewanee: The University of the South with a degree in Religious Studies and hails from Littleton, Colorado. Cleo grew up with outdoor adventures as a part of her education while attending Colorado Academy and picked up massive passion and skill for adventure. Cleo played varsity lacrosse at Sewanee for her four years at school and served as the captain of the team her senior season. Additionally, she was elected President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, served on the Senior Leadership Board, acted as an Arcadian Ambassador, and gave campus tours through the University. After leading the Chamonix trip during the 2023 summer Cleo is thrilled to be joining HQ as Admissions Coordinator.

Originally from Ariton, Alabama, Hannah Wilson is a graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a degree in Communication with a minor in Counseling. Her passion for global connection and personal growth was sparked through transformative experiences abroad — first studying a summer in Greece, then serving as an International Intern with LeadAbroad in South Africa. Hannah joined the HQ team in 2023 and now serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions. She is passionate about helping others discover their own life-changing journeys and is excited to continue building meaningful connections through her work.

Sarah Collier hails from Memphis, Tennessee and is a two-time Moondance alum! Her experiences on the beaches of Fiji in 2016 and then on Mount Kilimanjaro in 2019 made a huge impact on her life. Sarah is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama where she majored in Marketing and was involved with a number of clubs and organizations like the Be the Match Campaign, Cryptocurrency Club, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She decided to live in Florence, Italy two summers ago to study abroad and immerse herself in European culture and then chose to lead Maui this summer. We are thrilled to have Sarah join us as Assistant Director of Admissions!

Originally from Marietta, Ohio, Noah moved to Nashville in 2017 to attend Lipscomb University where he majored in Accounting. After earning his degree, Noah explored his interest in real estate as a Loan Officer and also worked in public accounting before joining the team at Moondance Adventures. As a Senior Finance Coordinator for Moondance, Noah is excited to combine his accounting and finance experience with his love for the outdoors and his passion for connecting with and investing in people. Noah’s love for nature and outdoor adventure was shaped by his childhood summers spent at church camp in Maine. Those summers had a great impact on his life and inspired him to stay connected to the outdoors and adventure travel. During college, Noah spent three months abroad in Chile hiking, camping, and adventuring. He has also worked in the outdoor retail industry developing his outdoor gear product knowledge. Noah is excited to continue growing in his career alongside the amazing people at Moondance!

Coleman Speir, originally from Montgomery, Alabama, is a recent graduate from the University of Alabama with a degree in Public Relations. A dedicated two-time Moondance alum, Coleman’s adventures began with impactful trips to Kilimanjaro in 2018 and Chamonix in 2019, sparking her deep passion for travel and exploration. During college, she was involved in many organizations, like the Crossing Points program, the Girl Scouts, and Operation Smiles.

In the summer of 2023, Coleman gained valuable experience working as a summer intern at Moondance HQ, reigniting her love for Moondance. This past summer, she came back and led our Maui trip. Now, Coleman is thrilled to continue her Moondance journey as an Admissions Coordinator, where she looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm and dedication to her new role.

Kate is a recent graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from Greensboro, North Carolina. Kate first joined the Moondance family as a student on our South Africa and Chamonix trips in 2018 and 2019. As a Trip Leader, she has led Maui (2022), Spain + Morocco (2023), Kilimanjaro (2024), and Big Wild (2024). During her college summers prior to leading for Moondance, Kate worked as a counselor at Camp Illahee in Brevard, NC. While at Clemson, she was involved in an array of organizations – ranging from the University Tour Guide Association, the Judicial Board, and the Panhellenic Association.  She is thrilled to be continuing her Moondance journey, this time in a full-time role as a Coordinator!

Caroline is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Entrepreneurship. During her time at UNC, Caroline joined the Women's Club Lacrosse Team, Panhellenic Association, and worked at a local bagel shop (where she actually met Hayes for the first time!). Caroline discovered her love for travel in 2022 during a summer internship in Barcelona, Spain where she had the opportunity to explore much more of Europe during her time there. In 2023, Caroline joined the Moondance family as a trip leader, when she led our Belize and Costa Rica trip. This past summer, Caroline traveled to South America to lead our Machu Picchu trip in Peru before arriving in Nashville to continue her time with Moondance. Caroline is so excited to join the full-time Moondance team as a Staffing Coordinator!

Jake is from Macon, Georgia, and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, along with minors in Supply Chain Management and Finance. At Auburn, Jake was actively involved on campus, participating in several campus organizations including Beat Bama Food Drive and War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen. Jake joined the Moondance family in the summer of 2023 when he led our South Africa + Mozambique trip. Jake returned in the summer of 2024 and led another successful trip to Albania, Montenegro + Greece. Now, he is thrilled to join Moondance as an Operations Coordinator, where he will bring his strong analytical skills and passion for adventure to the team!

Lucy is from Montgomery, AL and earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, and her Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Alabama. Outside the classroom, Lucy made a meaningful impact in the Tuscaloosa community as an afternoon preschool teacher, a YoungLife leader, and a mentor for first-grade students through the Al’s Pals program. She’s also a former counselor at Camp Ozark and worked as a Lil’ Wrangler at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming. Lucy brings an incredible ability to connect with others through her contagious energy, positivity, and joy. She thrived as a Moondance leader over the past three summers in Maui, Fiji, and Thailand, and we’re beyond excited to welcome her into her new role at HQ in Operations!

Porter is a recent graduate of Washington & Lee University with degrees in Environmental Economics and Sociology from Belvidere, TN, where he was a Johnson Scholar in Leadership and Integrity. His love for the outdoors began early, spending his youth exploring the woods and waters of rural Tennessee. He first joined the Moondance family in 2023 as Trip Leader in British Columbia before leading the Pacific Northwest (2024) and Northern Lights (2025) trips in the following summers. At W&L, Porter was engaged across campus—as a Team Lead for Student Consulting, Key Staff for the Outing Club, and a Steering Committee member for Kathekon, W&L's alumni outreach organization. Having experienced Moondance's impact from the field, he's excited to support the mission from a new angle and thrilled to join HQ as an Operations Coordinator!

Anna Balzli graduated from Mississippi State University with an undergraduate degree in International Business, double majoring in Marketing and Spanish, where she was also a member of the track and cross country teams. During her time at Mississippi State, Anna studied abroad in Spain, furthering her love for travel and language. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Florida. Outside of academics, Anna enjoys scuba diving, sailing, running, and reading. Additionally, she led two Moondance trips—South Africa in 2023 and Croatia in 2024. Anna joined HQ in 2025 as our Marketing and Staffing Coordinator!

Nelson, a University of Wisconsin graduate with a degree in Finance, is excited to step into a new role as Financial Coordinator at Moondance after two impactful summers as a trip leader- most recently in Madeira, and previously in Maui in 2024. Originally from Lake Geneva, WI, Nelson brings a unique blend of financial expertise and Moondance leadership experience to the team. After spending seven months traveling through countries like Japan and New Zealand, Nelson returns to Moondance with a broadened global perspective and a renewed commitment to the mission. His passion for adventure, attention to detail, and previous professional experience make him a perfect fit for this next chapter.