Former professional athlete and operations leader brings unique experience to purpose-driven student travel organisation.

Camps International, the global social enterprise transforming student travel through ethical expeditions and community impact, has appointed Cassie Rochel as General Manager of its newly launched US operations.

Cassie brings a unique blend of leadership, teamwork and international experience to her new role. She has built her career leading large-scale operations, managing multi-department teams, driving consistent growth, and developing strong talent pipelines. Her background also includes entrepreneurial and client-focused roles, where she strengthened partnerships and expanded market presence.

Cassie’s leadership foundation was shaped by her career as a professional women’s basketball player, competing internationally in Romania, Hungary, Greece, Australia, and Japan. As a former Team Captain for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Women’s Basketball program, she earned a full Division I scholarship and represented the U.S. as the starting center in Japan. Her basketball career instilled resilience, cross-cultural collaboration, and a passion for motivating others — qualities that continue to define her leadership style today.

“Camps International is entering an exciting new chapter in the US, and Cassie’s combination of global perspective, leadership experience and people-focused approach makes her the perfect fit to lead this growth.” – Matt Lacey, COO, Impact Travel Group parent company of Camps International. “Cassie’s background in building teams, navigating international environments, and inspiring young people aligns seamlessly with our mission to empower the next generation through purposeful travel.”

In her new role, Cassie will oversee Camps International USA’s expansion, building partnerships with schools and educators to introduce students to ethical expeditions that combine adventure with meaningful service. Camps International currently operates permanent, locally run camps in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where students contribute to community development and conservation projects.

“Fueled by adventure and a passion for making a difference, I’m proud to be part of launching Camps International in the US.  As a Minnesota native with a deep commitment to empowering young people, I’m excited to work alongside an inspiring team to create transformative travel experiences that not only shape students’ lives but also drive meaningful, sustainable change in communities around the world. My experiences on and off the court taught me the power of resilience, teamwork and global connection — values that I believe Camps delivers to every student traveler.” – Cassie Rochel, General Manager, Camps International USA