We Are AESU
Guided by Passion, Inspired by Discovery
In addition to our Baltimore, MD headquarters, AESU has partner offices located worldwide in England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Costa Rica, and Asia. Our additional staff of tour directors are young, multi-lingual, and carefully selected from major European universities.
They are professional, insightful, and ready to show you spots only locals would know. It takes a dedicated team of travel experts to share the transformative power of international travel and make sure you have the time of your life.
Our Baltimore Team
Fritz Satran
President
Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, Fritz founded AESU in 1977 to inspire global understanding through travel. He’s led countless high-quality tours for top universities and groups worldwide. Guided by a belief in purposeful travel, Fritz creates unique, seamless experiences and enjoys skiing, swimming, and exploring world history.
Lisabeth Berquist-Satran
Executive Director
Lisabeth, a founding member of AESU since 1977, met Fritz while on a European student exchange program, where their shared passion for travel inspired them to start the company. She continues to explore the world, inspiring others to do the same. In her free time, Lisabeth enjoys yoga, dancing, and beach sunsets.
Vera Ingram
Executive Director
Born and raised in Germany, Vera moved to the U.S. to work for the German Embassy and Lufthansa before joining AESU in 2000. She partners with universities on alumni travel programs and loves seeing how journeys transform travelers. Her favorite place is always her next destination, meeting inspiring people along the way.
Maggie Stephens
Director of Group Sales
Maggie has been with AESU since 2002. Originally from Ireland, she has lived in England, Ireland, and the U.S., eventually settling in Baltimore. She enjoys working with alumni partners, connecting with travelers, and joining tours. Someday, she hopes to explore the U.S. in an RV with her pup, Gus.
Sue Donovan
Reservations Manager
Sue joined AESU in 2021 with over 25 years of travel experience. She began as a tour guide and contract negotiator for Swiss Travel, later working for American Airlines and serving as Terminal Services Director for Menzies at BWI, overseeing operations for British Airways, Aer Lingus, Ghana Airways, and more.
Joseph Faura
Senior Graphic Designer
Joseph Faura is an artist, designer, and educator passionate about design and discovery. Working across UX, print, web, and information graphics, he blends creativity with human-centered design. Inspired by travel, Joseph creates experiences that connect people, spark curiosity, and leave lasting impressions, showing how great design and exploration go hand in hand.
Karoline Bowman
Director of Development
Karoline joined AESU in 1996 and is now Director of Development. She creates customized travel experiences for study abroad programs and musical groups. She loves planning special events, from oceanfront dinners on the French Riviera to private evenings at the Tate Britain. Outside of work, she enjoys life near the Chesapeake Bay with her family.
Meghan Mercer
Social Media Manager
Meghan creates and manages AESU’s social media calendar, sharing the excitement of travel across Facebook and Instagram. She also runs university campaigns to promote AESU trips and special offers. Outside of work, Meghan loves snowboarding, reading, and spending time with her daughter, cat, and two huskies.
Gus
Office Pup
Gus is AESU’s beloved office pup, adopted by Maggie in 2014. He loves making the rounds for pets, enjoying snacks from Fritz, lounging in sunny spots, and occasionally going wild over bubble wrap. Always entertaining, Gus brings smiles to the office every day—his motto: “I solemnly swear I am up to no good!”
You
Want to join the AESU team?
Are you an enthusiastic, dedicated, fun person with a real passion for travel and sharing your knowledge with others? Combine your love of travel with an exciting career opportunity at AESU Travel. We are looking for people who are passionate about travel, are innovative thinkers, and genuinely care about helping others discover the world.
Learn more