IAATO appoints new environmentalist

Friday, March 9th 2012 - 00:39 UTC

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Based in Mogale City, South Africa, Claudia will report to IAATO Operations Director, Dr. Kim Crosbie.

Providence, RI. - The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) yesterday announced the appointment of South African environmentalist Claudia “Clouds” Holgate to the part-time position of Environmental Operations Assistant.

“We welcome Claudia to the IAATO team, and the entire organization looks forward to benefiting from her considerable experience and background skills in furthering the Association’s core mission: to promote safe and environmentally responsible travel to the Antarctic,” noted IATTO Administrative Director Steve Wellmeier.

Holgate has worked in the environmental field for 15 years, including assignments as a program manager on an international water project for the United Nations and Greening the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

She also has experience working at all levels of government and ten years running an independent environmental consultancy as well as three years in academia lecturing on climatology and environmental management at Monash University, where she is still an Adjunct Research Associate in the School of Geosciences.

Claudia has a deep attachment to the Antarctic and has been working on expedition cruise ships, primarily in the Polar Regions, for the past five years having only just completed, earlier this week, a new season aboard Corinthian II on charter to Overseas Adventure Travel, carrying out duties as an expedition team lecturer and zodiac driver.

Claudia holds an MSc in geography and environmental science and a graduate certificate in Higher education, and has published in the fields of ecology, education and climate change.

In her spare time, Claudia works as a critical care paramedic, teaches courses in emergency Medicine and is the Vice President of the Johannesburg Branch of Soroptimist International, a professional women’s service organization.

By Nick Tozer - Buenos Aires