Meet the Team: Ia Iakobashvili
Partnerships Manager, TCT Georgia
Ia’s love for the outdoors started early during her childhood in Chiatura, Georgia, but it wasn’t until she volunteered with the TCT in 2019 that she realized it could be more than just a hobby. From swinging tools as a trail crew member to leading international teams and launching the first regional conservation corps program in the Caucasus, she’s played a key role in shaping outdoor opportunities for young people in the region. Managing local volunteer programs came with its challenges, but seeing first-time campers grow into confident outdoor enthusiasts made it all worth it.
Now based in Seattle, Ia is diving into GIS and spatial analysis while exploring Washington’s mountains and forests with her husband. When she’s not hiking, biking, or slacklining, she’s behind the camera, capturing landscapes and moments. And while her childhood dream of becoming a volcanologist didn’t pan out (turns out, the Caucasus isn’t big on lava), she’s found plenty of ways to stay adventurous.
In Ia’s Words:
Why did you want to join the TCT?
I’ve always enjoyed nature-related activities, but when choosing my career, I didn’t know much about professions focused on the environment and nature. Volunteering made me realize how much I liked this field, and I started looking for opportunities to study something different. TCT sparked my interest in applying for my master’s degree and helped me come to serve at EarthCorps.
Favorite part/section of the TCT:
I have so many memories connected to Zeskho: it’s where I met amazing people from all over the world, learned a lot, and made unforgettable memories. We used to joke that if you hadn’t experienced Zeskho, you hadn’t truly experienced TCT Georgia. Plus, Zeskho is absolutely stunning. Every time I visit, I’m still amazed by the beauty that surrounds me there.
Favorite place in the Caucasus:
My favorite place in the Caucasus is our house and garden in my village in Upper Imereti. I can just sit on the balcony, enjoy the beautiful view, eat fresh veggies and fruits from our garden, and be spoiled by delicious food prepared by my parents.
Memorable Moment:
Our team is spread across the region, so while we plan the entire program, we don’t often get to spend time together. And let me tell you, they’re amazing people! Our partner, the United States Forest Service, have hosted us on study tours that gave us the chance to gather most of our team. During one of these tours, we went on a road trip through Arizona and California. It was a great way to bond with everyone in a more casual setting, without the pressures of job responsibilities.
What is special about the TCT? Why should people hike the trail?
As someone from the Caucasus, I see the TCT not just as a route, but also as a way to bring unique opportunities to young people and local communities. Many of our program participants (including me) have made valuable connections that helped them travel, learn, or pursue new studies or life experiences. The TCT passes through small villages, which creates opportunities for additional income for locals.
And of course, the diverse landscape and culture in our region are incredible – one day you’re exploring the rocky landscapes of Armenia, and the next day, you are in Svaneti, standing next to massive glacial mountains, listening to a unique Georgian polyphonic song. Then, the following day, you’re walking through high-altitude pastures in Azerbaijan, enjoying gada. It is all accompanied with hospitality.
