Sarah Katz

I’ve always loved being a beginner. I chose competitive volleyball as a kid because it was the sport I was worst at, worked for a moving company in high school because it seemed like the most daunting job I could find, and became an EMT after college because it absolutely terrified me. I’ve found that I’m at my best when I’m leaning into discomfort, trying something new, and building meaningful connections along the way.

Backpacking was another thing that once scared me. My first time camping was my freshman orientation trip at Yale, and while I wasn’t immediately sold on sleeping outside, I was struck by how different the friendships felt when they were built around a shared adventure. I started leading backpacking trips in college because I wanted more of those experiences, and in no time, I was hooked. After three summers leading for Overland – Maine Adventure, Iceland Expedition, and Teton Challenge – I feel so grateful for the incredible moments I got to share with new friends (and happy to say that tents no longer scare me!). My favorite part of each trip was watching my students and co-leaders surprise themselves, step up for each other, and become a team along the way.

As a Trip Planner, I’m excited to create the itineraries and experiences that make those moments possible. I love the challenge of taking a trip from an idea on a map to something real, thoughtful, and memorable, and I’m excited to get to do that work year-round.