The people behind every journey
Meet Our Team
Passionate educators, experienced travelers, and dedicated professionals — all working to make your student's experience unforgettable.
We Make Student Travel Exceptional
At ETSI, we believe our team is the best in the business — and we love what we do. Our staff shares a passion for educational travel that inspires learning beyond the classroom.
Many of our team members are former teachers, group leaders who have traveled with us, or parents of former student travelers. Their personal experience ensures every tour is thoughtfully designed and expertly supported.
We are committed to providing life-changing travel experiences for students while ensuring the process is stress-free for educators and chaperones. Our goal is for every adult on the trip to enjoy the journey just as much as the students. And of course, safety is our top priority.
Our Team
President
Katie Callahan
Growing up in a house with the founders of ETSI, Katie's passion for student travel began early. She joined the ETSI team in 1998 and quickly became a leader in developing new student tours, supervising staff, and managing overall operations. Today, as President of ETSI, Katie brings a strong vision for the future — expanding opportunities for students to learn through travel and explore the world beyond the classroom. When she's not designing unforgettable travel experiences, Katie enjoys cooking, staying active, and spending time with her family.
"We believe the most meaningful lessons often happen beyond the classroom. Every journey is an opportunity for students to discover new perspectives, build confidence, and create memories that will shape who they become. At ETSI, we're passionate about making those experiences possible."
Vice President
Julie Sabala
As the daughter of ETSI's founders, Julie has been part of the student travel industry from the very beginning. Inspired by a lifelong passion for educational travel, performing arts, and history, she is dedicated to helping students experience the world through unforgettable learning adventures. Along with planning and coordinating tours, Julie oversees the financial operations at ETSI, ensuring every trip is managed with care and attention to detail. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her children, horseback riding, playing pickleball, and — of course — exploring new destinations whenever she can.
"There's something truly special about watching students share their talents beyond the classroom. Performing arts travel gives them the opportunity to grow as musicians, gain confidence, and discover the joy of connecting with new audiences. These are the experiences that inspire students and create memories that last a lifetime."
Founders
Judi & Dennis Tichenor
Judi and Dennis launched ETSI in 1988 with a vision to provide customizable high-quality educational travel experiences for students. With more than three decades of combined expertise in education, leadership development, and student tours, they built ETSI into a trusted leader in safe, well-organized youth travel programs. Now retired, they enjoy traveling the world at their own pace, spending time with great friends, and creating unforgettable memories with their four grandchildren. Their legacy of inspiring students through travel continues to shape every tour ETSI offers today.
"It isn't just the history or the science. It is all of it. Students come back more mature, more assured of themselves, more excited about studying than before they left. Seeing the world from different perspectives — it's something you can't undo. Their minds are opened forever." Judi Tichenor
Our Dedicated Team
At ETSI, we believe it takes a village to build world-class educational tours for students. Our expert team includes former teachers, experienced travel professionals, service providers, and parents who have firsthand experience traveling with ETSI programs. Every team member is carefully vetted to ensure they bring the professionalism, destination knowledge, and passion needed to support educators, inspire students, and deliver safe, seamless youth travel.
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Ready to Plan Your Next Adventure?
Join our ETSI travel family--It is never too early to start planning!
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