Meet Our Team

Living in Cusco, Peru as a young girl, Mery Calderon saw travelers come and go on an exciting vacation, but felt something was missing. Kuoda was founded on her belief that every visitor should have an ultra-personalized, unique travel experience. Every single guest is treated with the utmost care and respect, becoming a part of the Kuoda Travel family the moment you reach out to plan your trip. Mery welcomes every traveler with the same love she feels for her own children, because she truly believes that while you explore South America, you should be welcomed by a warm community of friendly faces. Mery will always be here to answer questions about your journey, or just to chat!

Lisbeth works closely with each of her team members to create a perfectly balanced itinerary. Cusquenian by birth, she enjoys traveling in the company of her young daughter, exploring nature with long walks to catch stunning Peruvian sunsets. An artist at heart, she loves to dance, and was even a cast member of Dance of the Qosqo Center of Native Art! In her free time she enjoys making all kinds of confectionery, researching environmental conservation efforts, and collaborating with the youth reading project in her neighborhood.

Thomas is careful with every design decision to ensure you receive the perfect itinerary and experience full relaxation on your journey. Born and raised in the UK, Tom traveled across Europe, Asia and all of South America before settling in Peru. He loves nature, particularly birds, and is passionate about the wonders of the Peruvian countryside. If wildlife exploration is on your bucket list, be sure to ask him for a few expert tips. Thomas is dedicated to environmental conservation, history, and photography. He spends his free time playing sports or taking his children for a spin on his motorbike!

Nadia keeps Kuoda running smoothly, providing flawless support to the sales team. She loves working for a company so utterly devoted to delivering joyful memories while providing sustainable support to local communities and the environment. Hailing from a large Cusqueñan family, Nadia has over fifteen years of experience in the industry. She began her career in accounting, attended the Tupac Amaru Institute of Tourism, and worked with some of the region’s most prestigious institutions before joining the Kuoda team. Nadia spends every moment possible with her two beautiful children, and can’t wait to introduce you to her beautiful country of Peru!

Molly works with you one-on-one to ensure that your trip to South America meets every expectation; be it an adventurous journey, a relaxing romantic getaway, or an eye-opening cultural encounter. Having a background in ethnomusicology and teaching English as a foreign language, she is especially savvy about connecting you to local culture and folklore! Molly was born in the big apple of New York City before moving at a young age to a small college town in Massachusetts. Nowadays she has found her second home in Peru after first studying in Quito, Ecuador then living and teaching in both the Amazonian city of Iquitos and Cusco. On a typical Saturday she can be found swimming laps in the olympic-sized pool of Pisac, cuddling with her cat Jupiter, or belting out jazz tunes from the Monasterio Hotel bar.

Theresa will partner with you to create your dream vacation, whether your interests lie in adventure, romance, history, food, pushing yourself to the limit, or relaxing with the perfect craft beer! Originally from Minnesota, Theresa has always loved to travel- from the pyramids of Egypt to the windmills of Mykonos, but she came to Cusco two years ago, something stuck, and she’s been here ever since. In her free time, you’ll find her playing volleyball or trying interesting restaurants during the week, or exploring as much as she can during the weekends… always taking time to find a place with a nice view and good company to relax.

I will be working with you to create the perfect itinerary just for you. Having traveled all over the world myself, I think that this is the greatest gift you can give yourself, friends and family and should never be compromised on. I came to South America over 13 years ago and fell in love. I have made Peru my second home, adoring all it has to offer, the amazing nature, wildlife, of course all the delicious food and rich history. I love being active, exploring off beaten treks, hiking, playing sports and most of all spending time with my two boys and husband. We are big foodies, whether that means cooking up a delicious meal at home or going out.

Edgar has extensive experience in the travel industry and takes great care in ensuring that all details of your trip are executed in a professional manner. An outgoing person with a passion for sports, tattoos, culture, and travel, Edgar is always available for a phone call to chat about his favorite moments from his many journeys.

Jason is one of the smiling faces waiting to greet you at the Cusco airport. While you are at your destination, he will ensure a seamless trip as you explore the beauty of South America. He is on call and available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When he is not taking care of his Kuoda guests, he can be found strolling through the emblematic streets of Cusco or exploring the surrounding areas on his bicycle. Travelers often feel welcomed by his immediately friendly energy. Jason is the guy to turn to for advice, tips, and fun suggestions of things to do during any down time you may have.

David is in charge of making sure your itinerary is logistically seamless, and that all of your trains, flights, and transportation are fully taken care of. It is his pleasure to ensure the best possible transportation reservations, so you can sit back and enjoy your stay.

A native-born citizen of Cusco, David is a naturally curious person and he enjoys traveling to discover and learn about the world around him. David is passionate about the history of the ancient Incas, and enjoys researching the culture of this powerful civilization in his spare time!Operations Supervisor

A world traveler and enthusiastic marketer. Her adventure in the realm of digital marketing has been an incredible journey. She was born in Argentina and her professional path has led her to various corners of the world, granting her an extensive view of international marketing trends and strategies. Currently rooted in Lima, Peru, she’s captivated by the local culture and the beauty of the Pacific waves.

Cleydy is in charge of Kuoda’s social responsibility efforts, helping to champion and develop the ethical, environmentally-conscious, and community-oriented sides of our services. Born and raised in Cusco, she especially enjoys working to help others and be a positive force in the community. She is a genuinely happy person, always striving to learn something new, especially about new people and cultures in her travels.