Staff Spotlight: Jon Leighton

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Alumni Engagement Manager
Jon studied Graphic Design at DeMontfort University, Leicester. He traveled with GVI to the Seychelles terrestrial program in 2013 during his summer break. Since graduating in 2014 he has worked in software design before opting to move to Cape Town to work for GVI!

Jon - Alumni Engagement Manager at GVI

What is your favorite travel memory?

Waking up in a tin-roof shack on Curieuse, Island and trekking to watch the sunrise.

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

  • Underrated - Ireland
  • Overrated - Las Vegas

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe the biggest factor is offering fantastic 360 degree support to all of volunteers, allowing them to stay connected even when they've returned from their program.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Although I have only been here for short period so far, I feel I have grown to understand how to engage with people and keep them interested in what GVI does. This has really helped me in my role as the Alumni Engagement Manager as I am constantly getting in touch with our past volunteers.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

360 degree support, inspiring, one family, fun!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of our former Thailand interns and Greece U18 volunteers, Jade Clayson, has since traveled to SA to work for a wildlife reserve, then traveled to Plettenberg Bay to work on a Marine conservation project. After all of that, she is going to study conservation at university. I think it's safe to say that 2016 is a big year for Jade!