James Townsend Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, CA, US

Marketing copywriter for Terra Education's five subsidiary adventure and educational travel brands, including Global Leadership Adventures, Summer Springboard, Beyond Sports, Teen Travel Network, and Discover Corps.

Los Angeles, California, United States

Directing staff and program of over 200 students on an on campus immersive pre-college program at UCLA.

• Enhanced user engagement by optimizing posting guidelines based on data-driven trends
• Drive website traffic by introducing interactive activities and stories that aligned with promoted content
• Develop and manage social media strategy across six high-reach Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Create and curate content aimed at effectively engaging over half a million users
• Author impactful articles and other copy to bolster brand identity and engage our target audience

My photojournalism work has been seen in a wide variety of publications and programming, including The New York Times, CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, CBS’s 60 Minutes, MSNBC, ABC, the BBC, and more. Other photography work includes work for The ONE Campaign, Global Leadership Adventures, Putney Student Travel, The Trek, and The Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Maui County, Hawaii, United States

• Directed a high-performing team of five in executing daily operations of a ten-week Sea Turtle Conservation Program, benefiting around one hundred students
• Streamlined logistics and swiftly resolved scheduling challenges to enhance the overall student experience
• Crafted and delivered a comprehensive leadership curriculum with a focus on cultural competence, global citizenship, equity, and personal development
• Forged and strengthened relationships with local partners, vendors, and caterers, and expanded partnership with a local Hawaiian conservation organization for upcoming initiatives

Iceland

Helped pilot Putney Student Travel's first-ever season of College Gap programming, leading the month-long "Renewable Energy & Climate Leadership Under the Northern Lights" trip in Iceland.

Castleton, Vermont, United States

Seminar instructor for Social Justice & Policy for Change, and Journalism seminars, at a specially adapted pre-college summer program for high school students during the COVID-19 health crisis. Taught classes, facilitated activities, helped maintain health, safety, and responsible movement protocols.

Asia, Africa, Europe, North America

• Facilitated two semester-long gap programs traveling to seven countries in five months, and mentoring college students in a program designed to introduce participants to global career opportunities and life skills
• Orchestrated logistics, travel arrangements, and vendor relationships while managing a budget in excess of $50,000 to ensure seamless program execution
• Oversaw independent projects where students pursued a skill and educational program of their choice and planned solo travel in Europe for two weeksLeading in: Cambodia, Thailand, India, Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech.

Morocco

Trip Leader in Morocco, working with the Atlas Cultural Foundation and local community members to learn about restoring historic architecture using traditional methods, trekking in the High Atlas Mountains, studying Moroccan Arabic and Tamazight language, and living in an Amazigh community.

The American South: Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi.

Trip Leader for topic-themed "The American South: Spotlight on Social Justice" trip, alongside a New York Times journalist, touring the American South focusing on race, gender, ability, politics, access and local socioeconomics, tracing the origins of social justice issues and history of the civil rights movement, while meeting with activists, lawyers.

Tanzania

Trip Leader for month-long service and cultural exchange trips in rural Tanzania, curating and arranging language instruction, history lessons, cultural activities, and empowering students to pursue and implement independent research projects and community-partnered activities.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Outdoor adventure guide for award-winning after-school and experiential education provider working to bridge the opportunity gap in lower income Southern California schools leading wide variety of experiences, such as kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, backcountry camping, leadership, teambuilding programs, managing and maintaining equipment.

Tanzania

Program Leader for 10+ open enrollment and private group trips in Tanzania over two years, including one spring semester, focusing on cultural exchange, rural development, community service, education, safari and adventure travel.

Burbank, California

Directed by Jeff Tremaine for ESPN Films. Performed archival, academic and historical research work for use on screen. Assembled wrap binders and deliverables, cleared rights, maintained releases, and photo editing.

Claryville, NY

Teen Adventure Travel Trip Leader running community service and adventure trips from West Virginia to Maine, working with equipment and activity vendors, service partners like Habitat for Humanity and the National Parks System, facilitating travel, schedules, meal plans, budgets, and transportation.

Washington DC

Assisted in writing press releases, editorials, and blog contributions. Circulated internal news clips. Managed media contacts, prepared and maintained media circulation and impression figures.

Salisbury, Maryland

Led a team of staff writers in publishing the front page news section of our newspaper. Wrote, reviewed and edited articles for weekly publication according to proper AP style. Researched and pitched story ideas for staff writers, updated WordPress and social media sites.

Salisbury, MD

Consulted students and faculty with various technology, software and computer related issues

Boulder Creek, California, United States

Environmental Science Camp and Summer Camp counselor, managed rock wall instruction for kids 8-13 years old.

Developed organizational and customer service skills