Ari Nicholson grew up in Durham, North Carolina exploring the Southern forests and mountains. They attended college in Worcester, Massachusetts at Clark University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Social & Environmental Justice. They went on to earn a master’s degree at Clark University in Geography Information Science. They have extensive experience in Mesoamérica having lived in Mexico for two years working as an International Resident Assistant for Augsburg University Center for Global Education and Experience. They also have led several backpacking trips and day camps across the United States. When not leading trips, they like to pass time rock climbing, playing ultimate frisbee, or organizing for social justice causes.