Want to know a bit more about how the KAI Foundation started, what it’s accomplished, and what the future holds? Watch this 20 minute presentation hosted by Chairman Henry Kartagener for additional info (recorded March 25th 2021).
ABOUT THE KAI FOUNDATION
November 20, 2015 - setting the foundation for the Foundation.
In 2015, The KAI Foundation was created with the goal of giving back to some of the communities that have given KAI and our travel partners so much over the years. The Foundation, headed by KAI Chairman Henry Kartagener, is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization fully funded by private donations.
Rosemary Chimwanga
Rosemary is our head nurse and is the lifeblood of the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward. Her hard work is what allows this project to be successful.
KAI Foundation Board of Directors
Henry Kartagener
Henry founded Kartagener Associates Inc. (KAI)
in 1995. Since then, he has been providing
comprehensive marketing and sales services to
airlines, cruise lines, game lodges, hotels, and
national tourism boards.
Henry has developed marketing plans that have
enabled destinations and properties to have greater reach without dramatically increasing marketing budgets. He has developed strategies that focus on relationship marketing.
Before establishing KAI, Henry served as the
Director of Marketing and Sales for South African
Airways for twelve years. His position covered the
North and Central American markets. Henry’s distinguished career is highlighted by his recognition by then Vice President Al Gore for Henry’s contribution to the USA-South Africa Conference on Democracy & Economic Development in Atlanta in 1994.
Earl Grossman
In over 25 years with WorldStrides, Earl Grossman has served in multiple capacities including finance, operations, and sales force development. His passion for expanding the company’s global footprint has grown into his current position as leader of our efforts to enter new markets and bring new products under the WorldStrides umbrella, and he takes personal pride in the fact that WorldStrides now operates programs in more than 100 countries.
Before joining WorldStrides in 1992, Earl was an investment banker in New York and Chicago. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. In the educational travel arena, he co-founded the Student Youth Travel Association and has served on the Board of Directors for the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). He was an owner of Accent Travel Group prior to its acquisition by WorldStrides
Earl is a member of the Boards of Directors for RecruitiFi.com, Tall Oaks Capital Management, Boston Duck Tours, the Park School and the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Virginia.
Lee Rappaport
Mr. Rappaport serves as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Van Eck Associates Corporation and its subsidiaries (“VanEck”). Prior to joining VanEck, Mr. Rappaport was a manager at KPMG LLP. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Rappaport received a BS in Accounting from University of Maryland, College Park.