Marleen Lammers
Managing Director
Marleen (pronounced ‘Marlane’ – sensitive subject) started her career as a broadcasting journalist in the Netherlands, but was drawn to African adventure and moved to Zambia a decade ago. For several years, she developed and managed community and conservation volunteer projects in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, before moving into communications and marketing. She then moved onto managing fundraising and communications for Greenpop, a Cape Town-based environmental nonprofit, before starting Penda. Marleen is a keen photographer and passionate about the potential it has to inspire and drive positive change. She’s also a writer and has published children’s books in both South Africa and the UK.
Felicity Gratton
Sales Manager
Felicity started her career within the volunteer tourism industry following a life-changing travel experience in Zimbabwe. For several years, she worked as a destination specialist, sharing her own experience in Africa, and encouraging others to do the same. Felicity’s passion lies within the sustainable travel industry and fostering meaningful relationships, particularly in the field of wildlife conservation. She has been presented with a number of extraordinary photographic opportunities across Southern and Eastern Africa and is passionate about finding the perfect photographic opportunity for those looking to experience Africa.
Sam Turley
Product Manager
Sam is a conservationist, writer, educator, tour leader and award-winning photographer from the UK. Sam’s background in Zoology has helped to steer his photographic style which aims to engage, educate and inspire audiences while supporting sustainable conservation initiatives. Sam is also passionate about impactful photographic travel and aims to provide incredible experiences that also benefit local people, businesses and wildlife.
Talitha van der Waerden
Logistics & Bookings Manager
Talitha has a hugely varied CV; she’s worked as a tour leader in the Middle East, as a communications consultant, and a project manager developing recruitment and change management campaigns for big multinationals. In 2012, Talitha came to Cape Town on a sabbatical and never left. She took a break from her career in the Netherlands to travel, explore new places and use her skills for a good cause during a work placement with Greenpop. Three months turned into six, and eventually into a job coordinating events and experiences. Apart from being part of the Penda team, Talitha also runs Roots Interns, a company that places international interns with nonprofits and social enterprises around Africa.
Greg Bows
Co-Founder & Director
Greg has worked in African tourism and development for over a decade. Originally from the UK, Greg spent the past fifteen years in Africa, where he worked as a wildlife researcher and bush guide before co-founding and managing a number of tourism companies, including Africa & You, an award-winning tour operator, and African Impact, Africa’s leading voluntourims organisation. Greg also co-founded the African Impact Foundation, a conservation and community nonprofit. Greg has seen first-hand how travel has the potential to not only provide amazing experiences, but to also be a force of good. A few years ago, he won the IHIF Young Leader Award, which recognised his contributions to the travel industry. Greg recently co-founded Cultivate, a nonprofit supporting agricultural entrepreneurs in Africa.
Sarah Tebb
Head of Marketing
Sarah has worked in marketing across many different industries for the past 10 years and has found her true home in the travel sector. Helping people make bucket list trips a reality is what she loves about this industry and is always ready to share stories of her travel adventures to South America and Africa. When not putting her creative mind to use she can usually be found outside enjoying a walk, finishing a good book or digging around the garden.
