The Tourism Academy

Samantha Keene is a coach and certified educator and school administrator with over 15 years of experience in diverse educational settings. Her expertise is primarily in supporting schools with curriculum development and ensuring literacy achievement for early learners, having most recently worked with educators and school leaders throughout New York City. As a coach, Samantha supports adult learners in creating strategic goals for personal and professional growth. She has extensive training in Executive Functioning skill development, and a deep understanding of evidence-based behavior change methodologies. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Arts in International and Transcultural Studies from Columbia University and Advanced Certification in Education Leadership from Bank Street College. She currently lives in New York City with her partner, Roberto, and their two daughters.

Dr. Canny has nearly three decades of experience in higher education as a senior administrator as well as a faculty member. He is a faculty member at the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education in the Doctoral Programs for Organizational Change Leadership and Education Leadership. Dr. Canny has also taught at Stetson University and Grand Canyon University. Dr. Canny serves as Director of Higher Education Partnerships at nextSource, aligning the needs of contingent labor with tertiary. He was a Founding Director and Chief Innovation Officer for the Global Risk Mitigation Foundation, the only entity of its kind globally that administers large-scale development projects identifying the risk gaps that often occur when risks from pre-planning through outcomes are not looked at holistically and longitudinally. Previously, Dr. Canny served as Vice President for Program Management at CEA Study Abroad, as well as Dean of Global Education at Augsburg University, overseeing the nationally award-winning Center for Global Education and Experience. Other positions held include Stetson University, University of North Texas, New York University, Columbia University, and The Hetrick-Martin Institute. He presents globally on topics relating to international education; diversity, equity, and inclusion; adult learning; higher education trends and recommended practices; leadership; cultural transmission; risk assessment and mitigation; holistic large-scale program development and implementation; and gap analysis. Dr. Canny has been an invited delegate to the World Innovation Summit for Education, where he has presented multiple times. Dr. Canny was team-lead for opening US educational institutions in Argentina, China, Costa Rica, France, Ghana, Israel, Myanmar, Palestine, and the United Kingdom. He has overseen expansion of existing programs in Chile, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Spain, and Thailand as well as other countries. He received his B.F.A and M.A. from New York University, and his Doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Stephen Ekstrom is the embodiment of a passionate lifelong learner and a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, serving as the CEO and co-founder of the nonprofit Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org. With over 25 years of experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of tourism development and education, driven by his commitment to advancing the industry and fostering sustainable economies. Stephen's insatiable curiosity and love for knowledge have led him to be a proud nerd, constantly seeking to expand his expertise and share his insights with others. Alongside his faithful furry companions, Rudy and Marjorie, he embraces the digital nomad lifestyle, traversing the globe and immersing himself in diverse cultures. A dedicated advocate for continuous improvement, Stephen is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development, a member of Skal International, and holds prestigious certifications in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from USF and Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School.