The Zicasso team

Our Team

With spectacular service and innovative technology and always in alignment with our Culture of Excellence, we at Zicasso work together to connect our travelers to the best travel specialists in the world. We’re a diverse team of talented individuals from across the country and the globe who speak many languages and have traveled to the far corners of the planet. From the enchanting deserts of Atacama to the pristine shores of Zanzibar, our collective expertise permeates everything we do.

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Brian Tan

Founder & CEO

Brian Tan

Founder & CEO

Lucky me! My job allows me to explore my big passions: travel, food, photography, and wildlife. I love the adventure of discovery when I travel. For food, my favorite destinations are Italy and Malaysia, where I grew up. Most of all, I love African safaris--the wildlife and scenery create a photographer’s paradise!

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Yuchun Ku

Founder & COO

Yuchun Ku

Founder & COO

Having traveled to over 60 countries, I treasure the moments that I am immersed in the wonder of nature, cute wildlife included. I love forming a genuine connection with local people and life, whether it be following a leopard and her cubs in Botswana to discovering a Tibetan monk’s life journey.

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Alli Ross

Traveler Care Specialist

Alli Ross

Traveler Care Specialist

Growing up with five siblings adopted from the United States, Peru and Korea, I have always had the desire to learn about other cultures. Now based in Denver, I have a true passion for travel. In my years spent as a flight attendant, my husband and I explored the various corners of the world, and we are just getting started. When we are not traveling, you can find me snuggling with my pups, reading good books and always planning my next adventure!

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Ariel Zaniratto

Senior Product Manager

Ariel Zaniratto

Senior Product Manager

Born and raised in Argentina, I reflect the multicultural nature of the country. I have a clear Italian influence with my connection to food and family; I studied in a German school, went to a Dutch university, and like Argentinian Tango music—although I’m still learning the steps. Traveling has opened my horizons, and walking around new cities and getting lost is one of my favorite things

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Benjamin Snoha

Staff Engineer

Benjamin Snoha

Staff Engineer

Also known as the Snoha Constrictor, I am a Developer known for often programming with a Rubik’s cube in hand. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, I moved to Denver in 2014 to pursue a degree in Computer Science from the University of Denver. After graduation, I began working at Zicasso and have never looked back!

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Brennen Bull

Engineering Manager

Brennen Bull

Engineering Manager

I grew up in the Southeast and spent most of my time climbing in the mountains of North Carolina. I've traveled all over the U.S. for climbing, had plenty of adventures, and made many awesome friends along the way. Now I have my roots in Colorado, where I can get into the mountains almost every weekend.

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Camila Schinca Nigro

Traveler Care Specialist

Camila Schinca Nigro

Traveler Care Specialist

A born-and-bred Buenos Aires local, I am fueled by a relentless love for travel. When I'm not dreaming up adventures, I'm in the kitchen baking up a storm for my loved ones or diving into stories from every corner of the literary world. And when the engines roar on the Formula 1 track, you'll catch me cheering passionately in front of the TV, an avid enthusiast of the racing world.

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Carolina Nemer

Traveler Care Support Specialist

Carolina Nemer

Traveler Care Support Specialist

I’m a Brazilian native with a heart set on global exploration. Guided by my Italian and Lebanese heritage, I love immersing myself in diverse cultures and enriching experiences. I'm a vegetarian and animal rights advocate, dedicated to fostering a more compassionate world. You can find me learning new languages, savoring a good read with a cup of coffee, or cheering on my favorite Formula 1 team.

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Charlotte Taylor

Partnerships Manager

Charlotte Taylor

Partnerships Manager

Originally from the U.K my passion for travel started as early as I can remember with my main aim being to live in Spain. Straight after leaving school I started a successful career in the travel industry to help my dream become a reality. Nearly five years ago, I relocated to Southern Spain with my young daughter and the rest is history! In my spare time, you will find me by the beach with a jug of Sangria and Gambas Pil-Pil looking out at the glorious Mediterranean Ocean!

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Chris Brewer

Vice President of Engineering

Chris Brewer

Vice President of Engineering

Growing up in Northern California, my earliest memories are of hiking through the redwoods and giant sequoias. After graduating from California State University Sacramento, I embarked on a career in technology that has allowed me to travel around the United States and abroad and do the thing I love the most: building amazing technology for amazing people.

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Christopher Pitman

Associate Marketing Manager

Christopher Pitman

Associate Marketing Manager

While you won’t find lions roaming the streets in a hurry, safari trips are a breeze growing up in South Africa. I’ve been fortunate to frequent the world’s best national parks and travel overseas with my family. After graduating, I switched gears from my advertising day job and started travel writing from a condo in Thailand. When I’m not traveling or writing about my travels, I’m flipping through comics, fiddling with music production software, and competitive gaming.

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Cindi Pouso

Partnerships Operations Analyst

Cindi Pouso

Partnerships Operations Analyst

Raised among the stunning landscapes of Ushuaia, Argentina, I inherited a profound passion for exploring the world from my parents. This inspired my study of International Relations, driven by a curiosity to understand global dynamics, which has deeply enriched my travels. When not traveling, you can find me practicing yoga, gardening, enjoying nature, and sharing delicious meals with family and friends.

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Denise Chambers

Visual Content Manager

Denise Chambers

Visual Content Manager

As a travel photographer, I've been fortunate to explore most of America's top cities as well as several international destinations. When I'm not traveling, I can be found hiking around Pikes Peak with my family or enjoying a bottle of wine with friends. Perpetually in search of new experiences, I am most at home somewhere I've never been.

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Doug Weissman

Content Manager

Doug Weissman

Content Manager

I took a year abroad in college to Florence, Italy, without ever having been out of the country before. I craved adventure, excitement, people, and above all else, food. I found it all, and I have been to 45 countries since. As someone with an overactive sense of fantasy, I always love when the world surpasses my imagination.

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Emiliana Martinez

Traveler Care Specialist

Emiliana Martinez

Traveler Care Specialist

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I have lived in Brazil since 2022. I have worked in New Zealand, Australia, and on several cruise ships. I am passionate about travel, words, and writing about my travel experiences. I find new places and new people endlessly fascinating. I also love hiking, rowing, the beach, and enjoying traditional Argentine "asado" with my family and friends.

Picture of Florencia Tagni

Florencia Tagni

Traveler Care Support Specialist

Florencia Tagni

Traveler Care Support Specialist

A Buenos Aires native with a passion for literature, I find inspiration and joy when exploring diverse worlds through books. An avid traveler at heart, my sense of adventure extends beyond the pages connecting me to places both real and imagined. If I’m not reading or traveling, I love spending time with my pets and family, or satisfying my curiosity about different cultures.

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Heike Wimmer

Partnerships Coordinator

Heike Wimmer

Partnerships Coordinator

As Zicasso’s first born and bred Costa Rican, I grew up spending time in the country's north pacific beaches. After a college degree, 2 jobs, and a focus on Japanese studies, Japan became my new home…for a year. Since returning to Costa Rica, I daydream of my next destination and focus on things that bring me joy, like miso ramen, hiking, fresh snow, and new perspectives.

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Jessica Ming

Project Manager

Jessica Ming

Project Manager

I am a Bay Area native who loves all things Disney! My lifelong dream is to visit all Disney parks, and so far, I have visited seven of the twelve around the world. One of my most memorable travel destinations is Tokyo, Japan, as I am fascinated by their diverse culture and food.

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Jonatan Menin

Technical Project Manager

Jonatan Menin

Technical Project Manager

I grew up in the western part of Buenos Aires and spent three and a half years in Washington, D.C. savoring the diverse flavors of life. I have the culinary passion of an Italian, the conversational spirit of an Argentine, and am living the dream with my partner and our guinea pigs (the fluffiest and most adorable roommates imaginable). My tastes are unapologetically rooted in the '90s.

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Keith Munro

Vice President of Marketing

Keith Munro

Vice President of Marketing

I grew up in western Canada, spent some of my youth in Southeast Asia, and am now on my second stint in the USA having moved from Vancouver to Austin, TX with my family. I’ve been lucky enough to visit nearly 60 countries, work in diverse places, and enjoy so many enriching cultures. Leading brand and marketing is my professional interest, but travel is my passion!

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Lisa Turturici

Payments Specialist

Lisa Turturici

Payments Specialist

I've always said, "I work to travel." To me, there is nothing like exploring a new region. I'm enthusiastic about food, especially Italian food, architecture, and culture. I enjoy hiking, yoga, and spending time with my family and pets.

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Luis Alberto Alvarez

Marketing Specialist

Luis Alberto Alvarez

Marketing Specialist

I'm from Colombia, but I consider myself a citizen of the world. I love cultural diversity and am passionate about travel and food. I enjoy reading, yoga, meditation, and connecting with people through good conversation. I firmly believe the world is too vast not to be explored, enjoyed, and cared for. My favorite place is a beach and my favorite time of day is sunset.

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Lynsey Powell

Engineering Manager

Lynsey Powell

Engineering Manager

Growing up on the Puget Sound, I've traveled and lived in many different places before settling in Colorado, where I spent eight years having fun in the mountains before moving to Denver. I love combining creativity and math in programming and designing knitwear, especially if I can do so from abroad.

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Maciel Hernandez

Content Specialist

Maciel Hernandez

Content Specialist

I grew up exploring the beautiful mountains and beaches of Chile and now live near the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I love a good adventure, and my favorite experiences come from culture and nature. I love to capture my adventures through video and photos to relive the moments, which motivates me to travel and explore more.

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Marci-Beth Maple

Senior Traveler Care Manager

Marci-Beth Maple

Senior Traveler Care Manager

After years spent living abroad with my husband and sons, we are back in the USA with days full of football, soccer, paintball, hockey, and more. With 20 countries explored together, our travel list overflows with plans for our next trip always in motion. Time away is spent outside, reading great books and playing with our Icelandic Sheepdog, Tryggur.

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Maria Silva

Senior Traveler Care Specialist

Maria Silva

Senior Traveler Care Specialist

Born and raised in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, I've always enjoyed re-discovering my own hometown and traveling abroad. Having worked my whole life in the hospitality industry, this is my first job in the travel realm, and I absolutely love it! When I'm not traveling, I enjoy dancing, catching up with my childhood friends, and petting every dog I encounter.

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Naiana Frota

Traveler Care Specialist

Naiana Frota

Traveler Care Specialist

As a native of Brazil's Northeast coast, I love the ocean. I’ve visited 27 countries so far, partly when working on cruise ships. A decade abroad has given me incredible experiences: elephant encounters in Thailand, Prague's jazz scene, a tranquil hammock in Jericoacoara, exploring the streets of Shibuya, and stargazing while sailing the Great Barrier Reef. These adventures only added to my love for exploration.

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Nerissa Card

Content Specialist

Nerissa Card

Content Specialist

I am from South Africa, have a background in journalism, and am an animal lover who is always on the lookout for new adventures. Nothing is more exciting than hopping on a plane—aisle seat, please—to explore new and beautiful places, cultures, traditions, and food. I’m looking forward to these exciting experiences, and more, when I finally take my dream trip to Cuba.

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Nick Prendergast

Software Engineer II

Nick Prendergast

Software Engineer II

Hailing from the Southeast of the USA, I've traded southern charm for the faux Bavarian allure of Leavenworth, WA. I’ve spent most of my adult life traveling in the pursuit of climbing and trekking, and have explored everything from the European Alps to the limestone cliffs of Mexico. These days, you'll likely find me closer to home exploring the iconic volcanoes or swimming in an alpine lake here in the Pacific Northwest.

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Nicky Govender

Partnerships Manager

Nicky Govender

Partnerships Manager

Born in Sydney, Australia, I relocated to Barcelona in 2019 with my family to support my sons’ sporting careers. I have created my niche as a successful coach working with numerous sales teams in the hotel and tourism industry to improve sales strategies. I am a boxing enthusiast, passionate cook, reader, and traveler who has explored numerous European and Asian countries.

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Olena Rudenko

Senior Partnerships Coordinator

Olena Rudenko

Senior Partnerships Coordinator

To follow my dreams, I embarked on a decade-long journey aboard cruise ships as a professional photographer and traveled to more countries than I ever thought possible. Today, I enjoy living in Ukraine and Serbia, calling both countries my home. And after all these years, travel remains my biggest passion as I chart a course towards new horizons.

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Ornella Bonanno

Traveler Care Specialist

Ornella Bonanno

Traveler Care Specialist

Travel is my greatest passion, and I thrive on sharing the excitement of discovering new places with others, especially with my little adventurer son. I am from the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, have traveled to over 65 countries, mostly as a flight attendant, and lived in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. When not traveling, I love adrenaline sports and savoring a delicious bite of heartwarming food.

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Rica Tsampra

HR Manager

Rica Tsampra

HR Manager

A Greek who now calls Austin, TX, home, where I live with my family of four. I’m a traveler at heart, and I’ve been lucky enough to explore over 20 countries and 25 US states thus far. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me spending time with my husband and our two boys! We love making memories together, and unless we are planning our next traveling adventure, we’ll probably be playing games inside or going on a bike ride outdoors.

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Satoko Kinoshita

Data Scientist in Engineering

Satoko Kinoshita

Data Scientist in Engineering

Travel to Europe, North and South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia opened my eyes to different cultures. As much as I enjoy traveling, I love numbers even more and work to reveal the trends of travels with data to help our travelers have the best vacations.

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Shonté Williams

Social Media Specialist

Shonté Williams

Social Media Specialist

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, my love for travel has always been a driving force. I've visited numerous destinations “for work” and dream of revisiting them as a tourist. As a mom to a curious 6-year-old boy, I’m constantly rediscovering the world’s wonders through his eyes. My top vacation recommendation is lounging on a secluded island, completely unplugged.

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Stacey Sullivan

Vice President of Partnerships

Stacey Sullivan

Vice President of Partnerships

Growing up in California, early travels meant backcountry camping and fly fishing trips. These adventures, combined with trips abroad, ignited a search for authentic experiences around the world. After 12 years of working in travel, I still revel in the thrill of arriving for the first time in a completely foreign place!

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Stephen Durkin

Traveler Care Specialist

Stephen Durkin

Traveler Care Specialist

Born and raised in Boston, MA, I'm now growing some roots in Denver, CO. I've been lucky enough to bounce around the globe to over 40 countries and 49 of 50 states here in the USA! Diving into new cultures and destinations overflows my cup with the good stuff. Outside of traveling, I love spending time with my family, skiing, cooking, and transforming my apt into a full-blown jungle - I’m a big plant guy.

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Tom Skalka

Director of Traveler Care

Tom Skalka

Director of Traveler Care

Born and raised in Arizona, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the travel industry from a very young age. Working in luxury hotels for over a decade allowed me the opportunity to travel, meet amazing people, and have unique experiences. I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife and daughters, exploring the outdoors, and looking for that next fantastic destination to visit.

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Tâmara da Silva

Executive Assistant

Tâmara da Silva

Executive Assistant

Originally from Porto Alegre, Brazil, my passion for adventure blossomed when I traveled abroad during college. Since then, I've explored 7 countries, and my wanderlust continues to grow. I'm even more excited to discover new destinations, cultures, and cuisines with my curious daughter as an added travel partner. When not planning an adventure, I enjoy a churrasco gaúcho and a warm mate with loved ones.

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Ula Amaral

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Ula Amaral

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

I’m a Brazilian from the beautiful city of Belo Horizonte. There's nothing I cherish more than a fun-filled day spent with my family and friends. Having run my own company, I'm now lucky enough to combine my passions for travel and marketing. I embrace the life of a digital nomad with over 20 countries stamped in my passport, but Italy stands out as my all-time favorite.