Ian Robertson, Program Leader
Ian Robertson is the Dean of Work Emeritus at Warren Wilson College, where he began living and working in 1981. Ian started the Garden Program and taught Horticulture classes until 1988, when he accepted the role of Dean of Work. Ian retired in 2016, but has remained an close friend of the College and still resides on Cabin Hill with his wife Victoria. Ian has led a number of international experiences to locations in Africa, Chile, Dominican Republic, Malta and England (his country of birth). Ian completed his high school education in Hong Kong and holds a National Certificate of Agriculture from Staffordshire College of Agriculture. He served as a VSO volunteer in the Philippines. Ian lived in Malta for a year, and he frequently visits his sister Elaine who lives in Malta with her Maltese husband Joe.
Elaine Pirotta (née Robertson), In-Country Host
Elaine Pirotta is Ian’s sister, and she has assisted Ian with introducing international groups to Malta several times in the past. Elaine was born in England and was educated in Staffordshire and Malta, where her and Ian’s father worked for the British government. On returning to Malta in 1993, she joined the Malta Ramblers Association and has been a walks leader for over 30 years. Elaine has completed the around Malta walk once and with her brother Ian is just five miles short of a second circumnavigation of the island. Elaine’s husband Joe is Maltese, and they have two grown children. Joe is always excited to share his native Maltese perspective, and Elaine is a wonderful guide who is deeply connected to Maltese culture and history.
Anna Welton, Program Co-Leader
Anna Welton is the Senior Director of Communications and Program Development at Warren Wilson College, where she has worked for the past 10 years. She holds a Masters in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management from SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont. Anna’s first nine years at the College were spend directing Global Engagement, and she has helped plan and execute over 40 international courses during her tenure at the College. She herself has taught and led programs in many countries including Argentina, Peru, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, and Jordan. She has traveled independently to Malta in the past, and is completely taken with the landscape, people, food, and way of life. She looks forward to supporting this group as they build a close-knit community of travelers and take in all of the wonderful aspects of life in Malta.