World Trails Ambassadors
We are proud to announce the newest cohort of World Trails Ambassadors — emerging leaders from around the globe who are helping shape a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable future through trails. Selected through a competitive international process, these ambassadors represent the passion, innovation, and leadership needed to champion trails in their communities and worldwide.
This program exists to support communities, raise awareness of the importance of trails, and build capacity for impact by equipping the next generation of trail leaders with mentorship, global connections, and opportunities through the World Trails Network.
Why World Trails Ambassadors?
Youth, leaders of our future, constitute almost a fifth of the global population and are the custodians of the world’s biodiversity, and of our trail systems. As corridors of opportunity, trails are significant contributors to individual and community health, to rural livelihoods and economies. Trails are essential pathways to human-nature connection and psychological wellness. World Trails Network supports the next generation of trail leaders through the World Trails Ambassadors program.
2026 World Trails Ambassadors
Six World Trails Ambassadors have been selected as the 2026 cohort of emerging trail leaders.
The awards were given through a competitive selection process by the World Trails Network. This cohort of Ambassadors will have the opportunity to gather at the World Trails Conference in Perth, Australia in October 2026. This group of leaders, ages 20-35, represent communities across the world, including Costa Rica, Australia and Switzerland, Canada, Cameroon, the United Kingdom and Egypt, and Indonesia.
Meet the 2026-2028 World Trails Ambassadors
Ekuri Brian Akom – Cameroon
A sustainability advocate and researcher focused on biodiversity and environmental stewardship, Brian has dedicated his work to conservation, sustainable agriculture, reducing plastic waste through education campaigns and promoting access to education in rural areas of Cameroon. He is passionate about the trails of Mount Cameroon and committed to advancing their value and protection.
Lora Aziz – UK / Egypt
Lora’s work connects water, land, and belonging through a cross-cultural lens shaped by the UK and Egypt. Leading projects along the Saffron Trail, she brings together artists, communities, and climate leaders to reimagine access and stewardship. She champions trails as places of cultural connection, environmental understanding, and shared custodianship.
Brenden Blotnicky – Canada
As Manager of Network Development & Support with Trans Canada Trail, Brenden works with communities to strengthen and expand trail networks across Canada. A lifelong Nova Scotian, he combines professional expertise in environmental management with a personal love of running local trail corridors at sunrise.
Ipsilan “Ipsi” Castillo – Costa Rica
Raised in the Monteverde cloud forest, Ipsi’s love of nature began early and deepened through her journey along the Sendero Pacífico. She believes trails are bridges between landscapes and communities, helping restore ecosystems while creating opportunities for local people. Her vision centers on making nature accessible to all and ensuring communities are proud partners in the trail experience.
Ade Damayanti – Indonesia
She was honored with the Indoindians Extraordinary Women Awards 2026 in recognition of her work advancing grassroots sustainability initiatives and empowering young people across Indonesia through local action and global collaboration. With nine years of experience working across rural and remote communities in Indonesia, including living among diverse local communities in the Riau Islands, Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, South Central Timor, and Rote Island, Ade brings a deep understanding of trails as essential lifelines. From walking forest paths to crossing rivers between villages, she has seen firsthand how trails connect people to schools, water, livelihoods, and each other. She is committed to sharing these stories and advancing trails as safe, inclusive, and community-rooted spaces.
Chloe Vuilliomenet – Australia / Switzerland
From the alpine trails of Switzerland to the bushwalking paths of Western Australia, Chloe’s life has been shaped by outdoor adventure. As a tour guide, she creates welcoming experiences that help people of all backgrounds feel confident, curious, and connected on trails. She brings passion, communication, and global perspective to the cohort.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of the World Trails Ambassador program:
- Pan American Trails and the Margret and the H.A. Rey Fund.
- Sawyer
- World Trails Film Festival AVL
Interested in sponsoring the World Trails Ambassadors? Read the sponsorship package below to learn more or get in touch at info@worldtrailsnetwork.org.
Read the Impact Report
Meet the 2024-2026 World Trails Ambassadors
Kayla Jakobszen, Canada
A long-time lover of the outdoors and traveling, Kayla has worked for the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) as a summer trail ambassador for the past two summers and has developed her passion for environmental stewardship. She graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Windsor; during this time she worked for the local conservation authority in outreach and participated in a one semester exchange program in Wales. She also conducted research with the Coastal Research Group on rip currents in Prince Edward Island, analysis of a sandy revetment through QGIS georectification, and permit writing. In fall of 2023 she participated in the model UN conference in Washington DC and helped to establish a native seed garden at her university. In 2022 she discovered the Offa’s Dyke path on the border of England and Wales and completed her first solo trek. Kayla loves to travel and discover the people and places of the world; she is very excited to be a part of the WTN ambassador program to develop her skill set and meet others passionate about protecting the environment and trail systems.
Waldemar Justo, Brasil
Waldemar Justo is 33 years old, born in Parnaíba-PI, has a degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Piauí and a Masters in Development and Environment from UFPB. He has served as Head of the Sete Cidades National Park since 2017. He was invited to take over as head of the Sete Cidades National Park with the aim of improving and reinventing the unit’s public use structures. Recently, Waldemar transferred to the renovation of the administrative headquarters, hotel and visitor center. As our strategy to encourage visits to the unit, we implemented signage for long-distance trails and the Caminhos da Ibiapaba trail, connecting the Ubajara and Sete Cidades Parks.
Gunay Murshudova, Azerbaijan
Originally from Qusar, Azerbaijan, Gunay is deeply connected to the natural beauty of her homeland, having grown up just north of Baku. After earning a degree in finance, she pursued a career in HR spanning diverse industries like Mountain Resorts, Retail, and Construction. Despite finding success in corporate roles, her love for nature led her to become one of Azerbaijan’s first female mountain guides in 2017. This role not only allowed Gunay to share her passion for the outdoors with people from around the world but also sparked her interest in how hiking trails can impact communities economically and socially.
Inspired by iconic trails such as El Camino de Santiago and the Pacific Crest Trail, Gunay decided to shift her focus entirely to trail development and community impact in her home country. Since 2023, she has been serving as the Outreach Coordinator for the Caucasus Conservation Corps Program and as a member of the Transcaucasian Trail project in Azerbaijan. In these roles, she blends strategic planning, mapping expertise, and community engagement to drive sustainable trail development across the Caucasus region. Her aim is to empower local communities, ensuring that trail initiatives bring positive social, economic, and cultural benefits to the region.
Alaa El Hachem, Lebanon
Alaa is an entrepreneur with a passion for catalyzing positive change through sustainable initiatives. He has proven expertise in rural development, leveraging a background in sustainable tourism and forest management. He is also adept at orchestrating impactful events and promoting outdoor activities that foster community engagement and is committed to balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. He is excited to collaborate on innovative projects driving sustainable development and harmonizing nature and human activities.
Delphine Gimat, France
Since 2012, Delphine has focused on finding solutions to reduce the impacts of tourism on the local population and the environment while keeping the benefits of travel.
She has been working in different countries to gain international insights and expertise in cross-disciplinary fields related to the outdoors and tourism industries. Her holistic, action-orientated approach and background, allowed her to build an international community of like-minded people. Today alongside her personal research project, she supports organisations, destinations, start-ups, and businesses to move forward.
Delphine’s current project is to extend Visorando’s free participative library of walks, outdoor GPS, and community to English-speaking countries. She also mentors expats, independent travelers, and hikers with her extensive “from the field” knowledge of the outdoors and travel industries. She believes in collaboration, and an inspiring leadership to make a change.”
