The team at Anansi Travels is a diverse group, including individuals from the Ghanaian diaspora, local Ghanaian experts, and passionate allies. We are united by our dedication to showcasing Ghana's vibrant culture and supporting its growth. Our shared mission is to present Ghana in a new light and foster meaningful connections between visitors and the local community. We aim to support Ghana through both purpose and profit, ensuring that our efforts make a positive impact on the people and the country we cherish.
Harriet Browne, MPH, Founder and Operations Manager
Harriet Browne is a first-generation Ghanaian American with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Anthropology and African Studies from the University of Kansas and a Master of Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. She brings extensive experience across public health, social work, education, and international community development, both in the United States and abroad.
In her professional work, Harriet is deeply committed to community-centered and culturally responsive approaches to health and education. She has spent years leading and accompanying large groups of students and adults to Ghana for immersive cultural exchange and study abroad programs, guiding participants through meaningful engagement with Ghanaian history, culture, and everyday life.
Passionate about holistic well-being, Harriet is also a certified yoga teacher trained at Bliss Yoga in Accra, Ghana, where she weaves together wellness, mindfulness, and cultural connection.
Through Anansi Travels, Harriet is excited to share the richness of African cultures and to inspire others to explore, understand, and engage with the continent in thoughtful and meaningful ways.
Jareese Naylor, MPH, Operational Director
Jareese Naylor is a visionary public health practitioner with over 20 years of experience advancing health equity through research, policy, and program leadership. She has led international, national, state, and local initiatives focused on reducing health disparities and strengthening population health outcomes.
Committed to global health education and driven by a love for Africa, Jareese is passionate about exposing students to study abroad opportunities and immersive global health experiences that expand cultural competency and applied learning. She is excited to support Anansi Travels and its mission.
She actively fosters international partnerships and collaborative student exchange programs that advance global health practice, workforce development, and cross-cultural collaboration. With extensive expertise in strategic planning, partnership development, and large-scale program management, Jareese has successfully overseen multimillion-dollar portfolios, guided cross-sector collaborations, and shaped impactful, community-centered solutions. Her work bridges research, policy, practice, and global engagement to drive sustainable, measurable change.
Dr. Portia Owusu, Academic Director of Student Success
Dr. Portia Owusu serves as Anansi’s Academic Advisor, bringing a wealth of scholarly expertise and global educational leadership to the program. Her educational background spans the University of Kent, the University of York, and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Kansas.
She is currently an Assistant Professor of English at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on 20th and 21st century West African and African American narratives, particularly slavery, cultural philosophies, and history. Her publications include Spectres from the Past: Slavery and the Politics of "History" in West African and African-American Literature.
Born in Ghana and raised in London, England, Dr. Owusu brings a deep, lived understanding of diverse cultures. This unique perspective allows her to support students as they prepare for, adapt to, and reflect meaningfully on their experience in Ghana.
Karen Shaw, Program Coordinator
Karen is an Akron, Ohio native with over a decade of experience in providing quality childcare. Working in the childcare sector is much more than a career to her - it’s a lifestyle!
When she is with children, their safety and well-being are her main concern and priority. She is known for being attentive, patient, flexible, and loving to every child in her care.
On her first trip to Ghana, the people, the culture, and the food won Karen over immediately. Due to her remarkable attention to detail and organizational skills, Karen has successfully planned and organized several trips to Ghana. She is beyond excited to delve into Ghanaian life once more with AT’s next program participants.
Tanner Hammock MBA, Staff Accountant
Tanner brings seven years of experience working directly with students in higher education, along with five years of experience supporting small businesses. He earned his MBA from the University of Kentucky in 2014 and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Indianapolis.
Through his work with students, Tanner has developed a strong understanding of student development and how to support individuals as they navigate academic, personal, and career decisions in an increasingly global world.
Outside of work, Tanner enjoys traveling and has visited over 15 countries.
Hillary Chidsey MA, Enrollment Program Manager
A seasoned traveler and former study abroad participant, Hillary has spent the last six years studying and working within the international development sector. She received her MA in International Development and Commerce from the University of Kentucky in 2021 and has since held roles in Rwanda and in the Washington, DC area specializing in program management, stakeholder relations, and budgeting for US government funded projects including USAID, Dept of State, US Embassies, and the Millenium Challenge Corporation.
Due to her many travels around the continent in both personal and professional settings, Hillary brings a wealth of experience in applying for African visas (particularly Ghana!), managing expectations upon arrival, and understanding the right medications and vaccines.
She is always happy to walk through any point of the process with interested and accepted AT students and share her experiences. Her first experience in Ghana was through a volunteer teaching position based in Kumasi in 2014, but since then she has returned several times for vacation and internship opportunities as Ghana is one of those countries that gives you plenty of reasons to return.
Behwe Ghana, Lead Travel Guide Agency
Behwe Ghana is a travel company dedicated to curating unforgettable experiences across Ghana. The name “Behwe,” meaning “come and see” or “take a look,” reflects the company’s mission to personally guide travelers through Ghana’s most iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and culturally rich destinations.
As a trusted tour guide company, Behwe Ghana specializes in immersive, well-planned tours that bring Ghana’s history, culture, and natural beauty to life. Their vision is to promote tourism locally and internationally while positioning Ghana as the leading tourism destination in Africa. Through expertly guided experiences, Behwe Ghana creates meaningful cultural connections and offers a platform to share Africa’s heritage, values, and stories with the world.