Meet Your Guides

Robin has been leading international tours for more than 25 years – and has traveled with her groups to six continents, adventuring alongside them to the summits of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Machu Picchu, to the jungles of Guatemala – to the outback of Australia – and to the city streets of Lisbon and Prague. With more than 35 countries under her belt, she feels just as comfortable trekking a mountain trail as she does dancing on a Paris rooftop. Robin began traveling as a professor at West Virginia State University, where she led student film making trips, including to the United Arab Emirates, where she helped establish a partnership with the University of Sharjah. She has now led a total of 12 trips to the UAE, offering many Americans their first -ever Middle Eastern experience. She calls Dubai her “favorite place on Earth” and considers it a second home. She also took the first group of West Virginians to Havana, Cuba, after educational travel from the U.S. became legal. She has since led 8 trips to Cuba, helping Americans travel safely and legally to this beautiful country. Broughton Adventures provides support for the Cuban people by bringing donations of medicines, clothing and toys to orphanages in Havana each year. Robin has a Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication with a research focus in international communication and served as a professor at West Virginia State University from 1991-2024. She hosted a number of international students in her home over the years, guest lectured at universities in other countries including the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Charles University in Prague, and co-sponsored a global conference in the Middle East. After early retirement, she now devotes her time to Broughton Adventures. A former state-champion mountain bike racer and adventure triathlete, Robin has authored two books on mountain biking in West Virginia and has written for a multitude of travel and tourism magazines. She is proud of the fact that she has ridden a bike on every continent except Antartica. Robin married her husband, soulmate, and fellow world-traveler Ron in November 2024. They live in Charleston, WV, with their three dogs – and when not traveling enjoy mountain biking and golfing. Both of Robin’s kids have traveled extensively with her over the years. Her son Tristan, 29, is a national champion downhill racer who works alongside her as the company’s Social Media Manager. Robin’s daughter Keatan, 25, is an architect who boasts the ultimate symbol of her world travels - a spine-tattoo of all of her favorite skylines from around the world.

Lisa is on a lifelong path of personal inquiry about what it means to be well and is passionate about helping others to live with more compassion, ease, love, joy, and magic ✨! She has a creative and adventurous spirit and spends much of her free time on art, music, being active out in nature, and traveling. She has lived abroad: in South Korea for over 5 years teaching English at an after-school program and at Sungkyunkwan University, one of the top universities in Seoul; in New Zealand for 5 months traveling solo in a van she bought off the side of the road; and in rural southern France for 4 months at La Muse: ˜an Artists & Writers Retreat. She has also traveled abroad to over 15 countries including Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Korea, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, BVI... She’s traveled within the U.S. as well, including a 2+ month road trip across the country living in a van and living on a boat across from NYC for 4 years taking multiple offshore overnight trips off the coast. She teaches and practices yoga,mindfulness and self-compassion, retreats, and is an avid runner, swimmer, biker, and hiker. Her hiking experience includes summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). Lisa has a Master’s in English with a concentration in creative writing. She is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher through UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness and a trained teacher of Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities (SCHC). She co-developed an 8-week course titled In this Body: An Embodied Approach to Awareness Practices and is trained to teach the Mindful Behavior Change (MBC) course developed at the CHA Center for Mindfulness and Compassion (CMC). She earned a certificate on health and nutrition from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and is a Kripalu certified yoga instructor. She is also a certified desire and pleasure embodiment coach through VITA™ Coaching. Lisa directed programs and community engagement for the CHA Center for Mindfulness and Compassion from 2018 to 2023. Prior to joining the Center, she was the Director of Programs and Engagement for the Society for Organizational Learning (SoL), Director of Eastern Region for the National Teen Leadership Program(NTLP), and an English Instructor at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea. She also worked in community relations at WGBH and conference coordination and circulation management at Pegasus Communications, Inc.

Kris has been traveling internationally for more than 40 years. For the last 20 years, Kris has sharpened his skills in a number of endurance disciplines including long distance trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, road and trail racing and backcountry backpacking. From high summits in the Andes to the fortresses of southern France, Turkish mosques, bazaars and ruins to jungles of South America, Kris is energized by travel, different cultures and physical challenges. His greatest challenge is single parenting. In his spare time, Kris practices law.

A professor of Communications and Media Studies, Ali Ziyati earned his Ph.D. in Mass Communication (Ohio University) in 1995, Master of Arts in Telecommunications (Ohio University) in 1992, and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (Institut Superieur de journalisme, Rabat, Morocco) in 1987. He is currently Professor in the department of Communication and Media Studies at West Virginia State University where he teaches Public Relations, Social Media, Integrated Marketing Communication, Research Methods, etc. Prior to joining WVSU in the Fall of 2011, Ziyati was Associate Professor at Marietta College, Marietta, OH (2007-2011). He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication and Public Relations at Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He has also held teaching positions at the Institut Supérieur de l’Information et de la Communication (ISIC), the International Institute of Higher Education in Morocco (IIHEM) and the Institute of Languages and Communication Studies (ILCS) in Rabat, Morocco. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Ohio University. Ali likes to travel to places. He's been to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Cuba, Peru, and many other countries. He speaks Arabic, French, English, and Spanish.

With a passion for adventure and cross-cultural connection, Veronica brings over a decade of experience in experiential education and international travel to her role as a trip guide. She has trained and led environmental research teams in Shimoni, Kenya, and studied wildlife management and environmental science in both Kenya and Tanzania. Her work with Patagonia Study Abroad included preparing students for international immersion in Pucon, Chile, where she also supported on-site administration. Veronica’s other job is serving as the Executive Director for the Portable Sanitation Association International where she facilitates relationships globally to advocate for safe, clean sanitation for all. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Veronica spent time as a whitewater raft guide on the New River, WV, led high adventure and experiential education programs in New England with Morse Hill Adventure Camp and Nature’s Classroom, and developed an award-winning outdoor adventure camp for youth in southern WV. She loves creating safe and inclusive environments that allow individuals to challenge themselves and build relationships from unique shared experiences. Her travels have taken her to 12 countries and many adventures including rafting the Zambezi and bungee jumping in Zimbabwe and New Zealand. When she’s not traveling, you’ll find her trail running with her dog Otto, riding with her horse Theo, or tossing a disc in a game of ultimate frisbee. She knows just enough Spanish and Swahili to spark a good laugh—and maybe a new friendship.

With a passion for cultural connection and off-the-beaten-path adventure, Christopher brings years of experience leading groups through Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Known for his calm presence, logistical savvy, and deep curiosity about the world, Christopher helps travelers feel grounded and confident—whether navigating complex airports or exploring hidden gems in a new city. He’s CPR/First Aid certified, well-versed in international entry and visa protocols, and proficient in multiple languages. More than just a guide, Christopher acts as a bridge between cultures, ensuring each group feels supported, informed, and free to fully immerse themselves in the journey.

Rachel is a professor, writer and documentary filmmaker. Since 2007 she has led trips throughout Europe and Asia, including Japan, China, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Rachel’s favorite travel destination is Japan, where she says “you can visit an ancient world in temples and shrines and then buy almost anything you can dream of from a vending machine and have a robot deliver your food!” Rachel has a Ph.D. in Texts and Technology, specializing in Film Studies. She is co-author of the Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema, 2nd ed.

Kim is a Wildlife Educator with more than 25 years of experience. She has traveled extensively throughout her life with trips to Ecuador, Galapagos, Costa Rica and the Amazon rainforest.   She has a Master’s Biology, specializing in wildlife biology, from Marshall University.  She worked for Department of Environmental Protection for 19 years.  She was an outreach educator in all of her positions with DEP.   Kim has worked at the Claudia L Workman Wildlife Education Center at the Forks of Coal State Natural Area since it opened in 2021.  She has taught hundreds of class in wildlife education during her time at CLWWEC.   Kim has a son she has traveled with who is studying at WVU currently.   She shares her life with her partner Rob and their dog and cats.  In her off time she enjoys hiking, traveling kayaking and reading.

Tristan is an avid international traveler and an accomplished athlete, with many top 3 finishes in downhill, cross country and enduro racing. He was the 2018 enduro mountain biking national champion. He accomplished his first Mt. Kilimanjaro summit in 2021. He has a bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Health & Human Performance. Tristan worked in multiple marketing positions and did freelance videography work for several organizations including Red Bull, WWE, and the United Way before joining Broughton Adventures as social media director in 2024. He currently travels across the country racing in downhill races in the Cat 1 expert category with sponsorship from Elk City Cycles. He lives with his fiancé Jaclyn in Charleston, WV, where they enjoy biking, snowboarding and weightlifting.

Olivia is an upcoming sophomore at West Virginia University, studying Marketing with a minor in International Business. She recently studied abroad in Greece and plans to continue exploring new places around the world. With a strong interest in global experiences, she hopes to build a career that allows her to travel and connect with people from different cultures.