Rob Karp, Founder & CEO

Rob Karp is the Founder and CEO of MilesAhead. He is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration (‘19). Rob was named one of Travel + Leisure’s International Rising Stars in 2017 and was named a finalist for Virtuoso’s Rising Star award in 2019. As a sophomore in high school, Rob founded MilesAhead, initially helping family and friends efficiently use their frequent flyer miles for plane tickets. Over time, MilesAhead has evolved into a full-scale luxury hospitality company that works with a discerning group of clients.

Rob is also passionate about and committed to giving back. MilesAhead is proud to work with Huru, an organization that provides young girls in Kenya with the opportunity to go to school. Together, MilesAhead and Huru are investing in the future of young girls’ education.

As Rob and his team travel the world, they continue to develop first-hand knowledge to thoughtfully advise their clients. Rob has been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, The Points Guy and The New York Post. He is following his dream to create unforgettable experiences of the highest quality and a leading luxury hospitality company.

Favorite travel experiences: Studying abroad in Florence, biking through the streets of Hoi An, going on safari in East Africa, and flying First Class on Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.

Can’t travel without: A good camera and an open appetite.

Claudia Esber, Manager of Collaboration & Planning

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Claudia made the big move to tackle the greatest concrete jungle of all time. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in 2016 with a degree in business, she decided to take her entrepreneurial attitude and out-of-the-box approach to another level. Having previously worked in events and planning, Claudia wanted to continue fueling her passion for great relationships and adding her personal touch to her work by following what her heart always wanted: travel. 

Collaborating and working with a great team of travelers has always been Claudia's go-to, and now it’s a part of her everyday job. In her downtime, she enjoys exploring New York's food scene and planning her next exotic getaway. We don't blame her, either. 

Travel tip: Bring a good camera with you. It may take that extra shoe space in your suitcase, but looking back on great quality photos helps you forever relive those memories! 

Fun fact: Being half Lebanese, the Middle East is one of the first places I ever traveled to as a young girl, and I have appreciated the food, culture and beauty of the country ever since.

Marty Doyle, Leisure Relationship Manager

Marty hails from South London (this makes him a Crystal Palace FC fan) and has an education in food and beverage service. He sailed his way to the US at the age of 18 as a cruise ship sommelier before heading to France, where he resided for more than a decade and built an extensive career in the incentive travel industry. He now lives near the Jersey Shore.

As a Leisure Relationship Manager, Marty is our clients’ resource for customized itinerary design, and he enjoys implementing best practices within the group to optimize our service levels.

Favorite travel experience: Seeing clients off in three hot-air balloons simultaneously for a sunrise game drive in the Serengeti. His favorite food memory is privatizing the Hotel de Ville restaurant near Lausanne, Switzerland.

Fun fact: Marty had a breakdance crew called Techno Rock.

Kristl Taylor, Trip Coordinator

A midwest native, Kristl has always had a passion to explore the world.  She enjoys every aspect of traveling, from planning to exploring. Kristl graduated Washburn University with a degree in history and then earned her Master’s in Instructional Leadership. After a fulfilling 15 years of teaching, Kristl is excited to return to the world of travel and share her love for planning, organizing and adventure.

Kristl is the trip coordinator for MilesAhead. She builds and manages the digital itineraries, organizes and oversees the client travel calendar, and updates and organizes the client profile data.

Favorite travel experience: Back-packing trip through South America at the age of 22, which changed her perspective of the world and on life forever

Travel tip: Immerse yourselves with the local scene wherever you go.

Sarah Harwick, Sales and Research Associate

Sarah spent her childhood in New Jersey but has moved around since. Finding a passion for travel from an early age, Sarah studied abroad twice — once in Rome and once in Johannesburg — during her time at Saint Joseph’s University. Immersing herself in new cultures, gaining fresh perspectives and meeting people from different backgrounds are a few reasons why travel is so important to her.

As the sales and research associate at MilesAhead, Sarah is responsible for working closely with the travel planning team to support and assist their research and supplier communications needs. She identifies, assesses, and compiles information requested by travel advisors. 

Favorite travel experience: Studying abroad in South Africa

Fun fact: Sarah has traveled to 35 states and driven across the country three times!

Eli Karp, Special Projects Intern

Born and raised in Westchester, New York, Eli is currently a rising senior at Northwestern University, studying journalism, legal studies and history. This is Eli's third tour at MilesAhead, having previously worked on the trip planning, concierge and VIP teams.

Eli’s core duties include building out MilesAhead's digital media presence and evaluating the company's standard operating procedures. Of course, he'll never shy away from researching a new destination or helping to plan an exciting itinerary.

Favorite travel experience: Watching a parade of elephants march just a few meters away in the Maasai Mara

Travel tip: Take lots of pictures. Don’t let them overtake the experience, but they'll help provide incredible memories even if they're not going to be framed.

Henry Kamp, Air Sales and Research Intern

Henry is a native New Yorker with travel experience across the globe. A graduate of Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, he has worked in one of Mumbai’s top hotels as well as some of America’s most famous museums. Henry is always looking to use what he’s learned from them.

As the air sales and research intern, Henry specializes in air travel but does a bit of everything, whether it’s finding a last-minute rental car or the perfect hotel.

Favorite travel experience: Riding down a slide on the Great Wall of China

Travel tip: Be brave. Too often people miss out on experiences abroad because they don’t want to go too far out of their comfort zone. It’s not everyday you’re in a foreign environment, and you need to take full advantage!

Jacob Stillman, Brand Development Intern

Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jacob is currently a rising senior at the University of Michigan studying sport management and economics. This is Jacob’s second role with MilesAhead, having previously worked with the VIP team.

As the brand development intern, Jacob works on the expansion, standardization and maintenance of the MilesAhead website, and making sure the company is well-represented on its digital platforms.

Favorite travel experience: A month-long trip to multiple Eastern European cities and Israel

Fun fact: Jacob is a huge Minnesota sports fan and enjoys rooting for his hometown Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and Wild.