Our Team
The KAI team is passionate about travel, and of course about our partners around the world. We are here to provide you with the necessary tools to make you a ‘rock star’ in the industry. Give us a shout to learn how we can help you, and get to know our people and our portfolio.
Dave Kartagener, President - Hoboken, NJ
“Travel is like hot sauce; once you’ve had it, life seems bland without it.”
Having grown up in the industry, Dave has always had a passion for travel. He went on his first safari at the age of seven and has been exploring the world ever since, having now visited more than 50 countries. Since joining KAI as Marketing Manager in 2010, he has focused on building the KAI brand and fine-tuning our award-winning collection, while improving internal processes and operations. Some of Dave’s favorite things to do while traveling include meeting locals at neighborhood restaurants and enjoying live sporting events – both while sampling native beer, wine and spirits of course!
Email me at: david@kainyc.com
Evan Trippel, Sales Manager - Toronto, ON
“Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times.”
Born and raised in Atlantic Canada, Evan initially pursued a career in international development with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. However, he quickly discovered his passion for the travel industry and spent years as a Safari Specialist. Utilizing his vast knowledge of the continent, he assisted clients in creating luxury travel experiences throughout the African continent before joining the KAI team. Evan has traveled extensively throughout five continents, gaining a deep appreciation and understanding of different cultures and environments. When not traveling, Evan enjoys ice skating, gardening, rock climbing, reading, motorcycling, and camping.
Email me at: evan@kainyc.com
Adam Szymanski, Sales Manager—Asia - Denver, CO
“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”
Adam joined us from a very non-traditional path, having started his career as an Operation Room Nurse. After a year of working in healthcare, he made the leap into what he loves most: travel. He has been fortunate enough to visit 81 countries across six continents throughout his lifetime, and he brings this knowledge and experience to the table. He began in travel as a Safari Specialist, before moving to the rep/marketing side of the business, managing the sales outreach, marketing, communications and social media efforts for clients from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Adam brings a proven ability to drive bookings, create awareness, and build relationships to his work on behalf of our portfolio. In his spare time, it’s likely that you’ll find him traveling the world looking for his next adventure, working in his garden/raising his houseplants, discovering new, hidden restaurants, or doing anything outdoors.
Email me at: adam@kainyc.com
Dan Fincham, Sales Manager, Africa - Chicago, IL
“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa, for he has so much to look forward to.” - Rich Mullins
Dan was born in Zimbabwe and discovered a passion for wildlife and the great African bushveld at a young age. With the incredible privilege of working at some of South Africa's top safari lodges for 13 years, he now resides in Chicago with his wife, ready for his next adventure. Dan is eager to extend his enthusiasm and expertise to even more people and foster a deeper appreciation for Africa’s wonders. "I believe there's no better feeling than setting foot on the African continent. I hope to inspire people to explore all corners of Africa, contributing to the conservation of these incredible wildlife sanctuaries and the deeply interconnected development of surrounding communities." Aside from his extensive guiding experience, Dan is a passionate photography guide with his work published in the Daily Mail. His dedication extends beyond capturing moments, aiming to showcase the beauty of Africa while advocating for the preservation of its wildlife and purposeful community impact.
Email me at: dan@kainyc.com
Brandon Appel, Sales Manager - Portland, OR
“The worst beer I ever had, was the best beer I ever had.”
Born in Philadelphia and now residing in the Pacific Northwest, Brandon has always had a passion for travel. Through several international trips, study aboard experiences and various positions in the international travel space, Brandon brings his knowledge and passion for hospitality and travel to all that he does. His love for creating memorable experiences and building relationships helps him connect with those who share in these passions.
Brandon loves spending time with his wife, friends and family, and often when he isn't traveling for work, he is traveling for pleasure. He loves meeting new people, experiencing their culture and hearing their stories, because "experiencing humanity is one of the best parts about travel and only makes us better people". From trying a new restaurant or hidden bar, to a local brewery/winery, skiing, hiking or just hanging around, Brandon is racking up experiences and frequent flyer miles. His philosophy when traveling, "sometimes you need to stray from the path to find your way"
Email me at: brandon@kainyc.com
Elizabeth Parra, Sales Support Manager - Philadelphia, PA
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” - Anita Desai
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Ellie’s first job out of college was working on a cruise line. Getting to see the ocean every morning and meeting new people from around the world while in her early 20s sparked her desire to explore unfamiliar places and have new experiences across the globe. After spending the first 15 years of her career working in the performing arts and in the nonprofit sector, she now fuses her creative spirit and love for people with her passion for travel in her role at KAI. When not working, Ellie enjoys a dance with a libation in hand, eating her way through a city, listening to live music, and hiking as high as she can.
Email me at: elizabeth@kainyc.com
Meet the Founders:
Henry Kartagener, Chairman
“It certainly doesn’t seem rationale to say you don’t like a destination unless you have been there. Get out and travel.”
Henry’s interest in the travel industry started as an airline employee back in 1971 and he has been involved in the promotion of tourism to this day. After working for several airlines over 24 years, he launched KAI in 1995. “Watching the development of KAI into a market leader in the marketing & sales representation space was something I always considered my greatest achievement. However, I can now state with great certainty that my best decision in a lifetime of work was bringing my son David into KAI. He has taken KAI to the next level with new ideas and a far greater vision while building a first class team!”
Email me at: henry@kainyc.com
Claire Kartagener, Chief Financial Officer
“Like anything else in life, you and your family need to unplug every once in a while.
Go. Travel. Enjoy one another!”
Claire co-founded KAI with Henry in 1995 and currently serves as our CFO. She held various positions in the industry prior to starting KAI. She has been an avid traveler her entire life and counts her many trips to Africa and exploring India as some of her favorite travel experiences. In addition to travel, she also enjoys reading and spending time with her family, including five beautiful grandchildren.
Email me at: claire@kainyc.com