Our Team

Leslie Connors

Leslie grew up in the greatest state in the union, Tennessee. After completing a degree in Music Education, she can play Rocky Top on a few different instruments. As a child, Leslie used to don a coon skin hat and explore the fields surrounding her house with her trusty golden labrador, Dusty. That love of exploration and discovery, nurtured by her family, developed through the years. Now she has gone from Tennessee to Turkey, growing along the way in her understanding of the world and the people who live in it. View more of Leslie’s work at west2east.org.

Rebekah Harper

Rebekah loves claiming Birmingham, Alabama as her hometown, though she has learned that home can be anywhere. With half of her life spent in North Africa and Europe and the other half on the West Coast (USA) it can be said that she has grown adept at fitting in everywhere but belonging to nowhere. However, over the past couple of years Turkey has captivated her attention. She loves the adventure of exploring new places but even more so the people and stories she has come to cherish along the way.

Ginny Lou Henley

Ginny Lou grew up in Sweet Home Alabama, where the white puffs you see floating around are from cotton fields, not snow. After years of vocal training, including at the University of Louisville, her sweet southern drawl has been evened-out. However, all it takes is a conversation with her family or touching a hot pan on the stove for it to come flying back with all of its glory. While her family roots remain near and dear to her heart, Ginny Lou loves discovering new places and learning from the people she meets. View more of her work at west2east.org.

Hannah Huey

Hannah is a Kansas State University graduate who studied Journalism and Mass Communications. From growing up in Chiang Mai, Thailand, attending university in Kansas and traveling to various places in between, Hannah enjoys learning about new cultures and people. She is now pursuing a career that combines her passions of traveling, photography, and storytelling. View more of Hannah’s work at west2east.org and at her personal site.

Will Rockett

Will is a travel photographer who seeks to capture the heart of cultures and civilizations both past and present. Since graduating from Louisiana Tech University, his passion for world travel and photography have combined into a lifelong profession. Will’s work has been published in two books To the Saints in Asia Minor and Guardians of Civilization. View more of his work at willrockett.com.

Serena Swords

Hailing from California, Texas, and Oklahoma, Serena is a self-proclaimed “Calitexoman.” A unique combination, it matches her desire to accomplish the networking of various cultures, peoples, and businesses in a specialized and interdependent manner. Traveling connects her with inspiring people and delightful cultures, offering meaningful perspectives on life. She greatly enjoys exploring places and stories, competing in sports, dabbling in photography, as well as discovering quality questions and obscure Spotify artists. She hopes your life adventures are filled with purpose. View more of her personal and professional work.