LANCE FINKBEINER
Lance Finkbeiner has a passion for teaching, adventuring and people. With 25 years of teaching experience and 15 years of coaching experience, he is a seasoned professional, yet he is the very definition of “young at heart.”
Lance graduated from South Dakota State University with a BS in Geography and History. He received his Masters Degree in International Studies from the University of Denver. Lance taught high school social studies for 15 years, ten of which were at Aspen High School. For 9 years, he taught all subjects to the junior high at Anastasis Academy in Littleton, CO. Lance has experience teaching internationally as well: in El Salvador, he taught and coached at an international school; and in Hong Kong, he was hired as a private teacher, and as part of the curriculum, he planned and led excursions throughout Southeast Asia. Throughout his tenure as an educator, he received accolades as Teacher of the Year (Aspen School District) and Coach of the Year (Colorado). During his time at Aspen High School, Lance founded Action in Africa, a nonprofit focused on serving, empowering, and educating the youth of Uganda.
Lance has ventured to all corners of the globe, individually and as a group leader. His experiences leading groups internationally (Guatemala, Ukraine, Uganda) and domestically (Cataract Canyon, Black Hills and throughout Colorado) throughout his extensive teaching career spurred his desire to create an educational travel business. Thus, Simply Venture was born. Lance loves teaching outside the box and sharing the world, be it though service, adventure or cultural immersion.
SASCHA FINKBEINER
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
This quote resonates with Sascha, because travel lends her opportunity to reflect, adventure and explore -- all of which makes her truly feel alive. Sascha brings her passion for supporting nonprofits, travel, and group development to Simply Venture.
She earned BS degrees in English and Speech Communication from the University of South Dakota and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Colorado Denver. She served as the Executive Director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, spearheading an organizational and financial turnaround, which resulted in being awarded the South Dakota “Community of the Year.” As the first Executive Director of the downtown revitalization at Beautiful Downtown Lewiston, she successfully built a solid, successful organization from ground zero, earning “Nonprofit of the Year” during her tenure. Her skillset and background in directing community development nonprofits keep our ship on the right course, organizationally and financially.
Currently, she enjoys volunteering with organizations that work to curb human trafficking and reading to kindergarteners. Sascha has backpacked solo across Europe; led service trips to Costa Rica, Guatemala and Uganda; and carted toddlers across Spain, Nicaragua and Cuba.