SPROUT PEOPLE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Julie Milkie
Co-founder, Executive Director, Program Leader
M.A.Ed. School Counseling, Intervention Specialist
Julie is a co-founder of The Sprout Experience and a special education teacher in a public school district. She has extensive experience leading international student travel programs and is a certified SCUBA diver. Her past destinations have included Trinidad & Tobago, Kenya, Galapagos Islands, Bonaire, Australia, Portugal and the Azore Islands, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Switzerland, England, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, and locations across the U.S. Julie was also a trip leader for the Maasai Music Project.
Daniel Grigson
Co-founder, Executive Director, Program Leader
M.S.Ed. Environmental Science, Herpetologist
Daniel is a co-founder of The Sprout Experience and a certified teacher. He has extensive experience leading international student travel programs and is a certified Advanced SCUBA diver. His past destinations have included Kenya, Galapagos Islands, Bonaire, Tanzania, Mexico, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and locations across the U.S. Daniel founded a national award winning Environmental Club in 2007, and the Maasai Music Project in 2009.
Paige Dawson
Director, Program Leader, Internship Coordinator
B.A. in Sustainability, Anthropology M.A. Candidate
Paige has been part of The Sprout Experience for over 10 years. Starting out as a student participant, Paige traveled to Kenya with the Maasai Music Project on two expeditions (2012, 2014), which inspired her to continue her work with Sprout and pursue a career in sustainability. Along with serving on the Board of Directors, Paige serves as Sprout's Internship Coordinator. Her past destinations have included Kenya, French Polynesia, India, Trinidad & Tobago, England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Mexico, and locations across the U.S.
Dr. Akini Adija
Director, Program Leader
M.D. Pediatric Medicine
Akini Adija is a pediatrician in the Cleveland area. She and her daughter became interested in Sprout when they were in search of an immersive travel educational program. In 2022, Akini became a board member and had her first Sprout Family experience that summer when she and her daughter accompanied them to Kenya. Other interests include hiking, museums and attending the Cleveland orchestra.
James Curtis
Director
M.B.A. International Business
Jim has been a board member since 2020. His two daughters have enjoyed multiple trips with The Sprout Experience including Kenya and Trinidad/Tobago. Seeing how these experiences influenced their lives, he is honored to help shape the direction of the Sprout Experience. Jim is married to Roberta Curtis and both are native to Northeast Ohio. He holds a senior leadership position with a local insurance company. His past non-profit experience was in a regional leadership role with a national college organization. In his spare time, Jim can be found hiking and backpacking in National Parks, the Appalachian Trail, and New England.
PROGRAM LEADERS
Todd Milkie
Program Leader
B.A. in Secondary English Education, M.A. in Literacy
Todd is a teacher and coach with over 30 years of experience in public school education. He has been a Sprout Program Leader to Kenya, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Florida Everglades and looks forward to many more adventures around the world with Sprout! In his spare time, Todd enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends.
Melinda Grigson
Program Leader
Ernst & Young
Melinda was a Leader on two Maasai Music Project expeditions to Kenya, Africa. She continues to work closely with Sprout.
Jacob Milkie
Program Leader
B.S. International Studies, Environmental Education
Jacob’s travels with Sprout sparked an interest in community-based conservation education that continues to this day. As a result, he has completed extensive research on land loss and urban development as it specifically relates to the Maasai and continues to study and speak about plastic pollution in our oceans. He has traveled to Kenya, Trinidad & Tobago, Bonaire, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Portugal & the Azore Islands as well as throughout the United States. He has co-lead programs in Florida, and Trinidad & Tobago. Jacob is a Master Certified SCUBA diver. As our newest team member, when not with Sprout he can be found hiking, kayaking, and diving and planning ideas for our next Sprout adventures!
Erin Lynch
Program Leader
B.A. in Education
Erin is a certified language arts and history teacher, currently pursuing a Master’s degree. She was a co-leader in Kenya. In her words: “it was life changing. Our experience working with the Maasai tribe and researchers expanded my view of the world in numerous ways, and I can now share that knowledge with my students. My favorite part of the program was playing soccer and interacting with the students at a school in Kajiado. I am so grateful to have been a part of this program and for the people I met along the way because of Sprout.“
Jason Fraley
Program Leader
Cleveland State University, Film and Media
My experiences with Sprout are an inspiration. We aren't just reading some facts from a textbook but we are there in person, hands on, learning from leading experts in their fields. That's the kind of learning that sticks with you for life.
Angela Campo
Program Leader
Speech Therapy
Angela has been a Leader for Snake Road and Florida Everglades
Raeley Maxwell
Program Leader
Studies Wildlife Resources Management, Hocking College
Raeley first traveled with Sprout in 2016 to The Galapagos Islands. Raeley’s interest in wildlife and natural resources was enhanced by her traveling experiences. To her, being a part of Sprout is a phenomenal exploration that everyone should attempt. With Sprout, she has also been to Bonaire (where she was SCUBA certified), Trinidad & Tobago, and a Leader on the Florida Everglades program.
SPROUT INTERNS
Bethany Smith
Social Media and Marketing
Bowling Green
I’m from the small town of Monroeville in Northeast Ohio, about an hour west of Cleveland. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Bowling Green State University. I just graduated in April so I am excited to start this new chapter of my life. One of my favorite things to do is to find new and exciting places to walk. I discovered my love of walking during the pandemic lockdown and I also found that there are so many interesting trails near where I live. That is a little bit about me. I am thankful for this opportunity and excited to see where it takes me.
Cecily Grigson
Social Media
Sprout School
Cecily has been on many Sprout programs, including Kenya and Snake Road.
Christianne Wittbrodt
Social Media and Marketing
San Diego State
I’ve always held a passion for experiencing the world in any way I can. I have been fortunate enough to travel the world, which has allowed me to immerse myself in other cultures as well as have once in a lifetime experiences! I was born in raised in San Diego, which means I spend practically every weekend at the beach. When I’m not relaxing on the sand with my friends, I am volunteering for various beach cleanups and restoration/conservation projects! I hope to further my involvement in conservation efforts by attending graduate school in the future!
Kristen Gould
Sustainability
University of Kentucky
My experiences with Sprout in Bonaire and Trinidad have guided me towards my studies in environmental sustainability at the University of Kentucky. Interning with Sprout provided hands on learning, leadership experience, and real life exposure to my field.
Serena Contreras
Natural Resource Management
Ohio State
I majored in Natural Resource Management with a specialization in Parks and Recreation and Visitor Services! I am very passionate about outdoor recreation and having fun outside! My primary focus for my life and career is environmental education. I want to create meaningful life experiences for youth and inspire preservation and conservation method for years to come! I am beyond appreciative to be a part of Sprout and cannot wait to experience more time with them.
SPROUT ALUMNI
Raeley
Brooke
Jason
Brooke
Serena
Angela
Akini
Finley
Stephanie
Will
Todd
Baby Turtle