Renata grew up among the woods and lakes of Wisconsin, where early mornings outside and a restless curiosity set her course. She graduated from Colorado College with a major in Environmental Science and minor in African Studies, focused on the link between wild places and the people who live alongside them. A semester studying wildlife biology in Tanzania solidified her path, grounding her in fieldwork and setting the direction for a career at the intersection of travel, science and conservation.

Early in her career, she discovered a strength for building programs from the ground up—especially those that bring travelers into extraordinary environments and inspire them to protect what they’re seeing. Before joining Earthwatch Expeditions, she spent more than a decade at Natural Habitat Adventures, leading expedition programs across Alaska, Canada and the polar regions. She built and ran complex operations with precision, managing logistics and guest experience at a high level across some of the most demanding environments on the planet.

Now Managing Director of Earthwatch Expeditions, Renata leads a global portfolio that places travelers alongside scientists, contributing directly to research in the field. She has broadened the scope of these programs and opened more opportunities for discovery as participants take part in hands-on field research—collecting data, supporting ongoing studies and working in close collaboration with scientists. Her perspective is shaped by time in the field, from kayaking with belugas in Churchill to watching lions hunt at dusk in Tanzania, and by a deep belief that the best way to protect the planet’s wildest places is through understanding them.