Emma Impavido, Director of Educational Travel Programs

Emma Impavido was born in the UK, but has always been a European at heart. She spent 3 years as a child in Paris and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Emma holds a degree in Italian and French from Reading University, UK and a Masters degree in Art History from Warwick University, UK. Emma worked for six years for Britain’s leading cultural tour operator, Martin Randall Travel, organizing educational tours and music festivals in historic buildings along the Danube, Rhine, and most memorably, in Venice. In 2000 she moved to Washington DC. She worked at Smithsonian Journeys for just under a year before joining Academic Travel Abroad in April 2001 as a Program Manager. Over the past 20 years, Emma has developed a wide range of specialized Itineraries for discerning travelers, whether it be the design of Italian cars, following in the footsteps of Richard III, the Venice Film Festival, Art Dubai, Opera in New York , fashion and jewelry in Italy or culinary adventures with world renowned chefs. Affectionately referred to as “Ike” by her colleagues, for the way she has overseen a number of large scale projects, including the military precision that allowed 300 clients to attend the 75^th Anniversary Commemorations of D-Day. Emma thrives on deadlines and details. Emma currently oversees the development of programs around the world as ATA’s Director of Educational Travel Programs, working with our team of Program Managers to create compelling original itineraries, with DMCs to insure our high standards of operations are maintained throughout and with our partner organizations to maintain their brand integrity. Emma has recently become Co-Chair of ATA’s Green Committee and is committed to eliminating single use plastic on our tours and leading our clients to a more sustainable and greener world.