Meet Our Team
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More like a family than a team, most Earth Lodge employees live on-site or minutes away, in the small aldea (village) of El Hato. All of the men who work the property farming, landscaping, and doing maintenance work, as well as all of the women who work in the kitchen or cleaning, live in the village along with many generations of their families. Historically the El Hato area was occupied by one large finca with centralized employee housing on-site. After the finca dispersed and parceled off the land to various parties, the area which housed the employees became today’s village of El Hato.
Caitlin Natasha
The visionary and heart behind the newest chapter of Earth Lodge, Caitlin Natasha’s background in international marketing in the fitness industry and her personal passion for all things wellness create a recipe for innovation when it comes to Earth Lodge. Caitlin Natasha’s background in wellness is diverse – ask her about her 20+ years of teaching and practicing yoga, martial arts, ecstatic dance, aerial arts, crossfit, and more when you meet her!
Jade
Originally from Italy, Jade has a passion for discovering the world around her near and far, good conversations, and a variety of art forms including water painting and crochet. Born into the hospitality industry, she grew up helping at her family-run restaurant in Italy before leaving the nest to explore the world, eventually falling in love with Guatemala. Ask her about wine pairings!
Eric
With a background in Mayan permaculture and culinary arts, Chef Eric brings a tropical twist and an innovative spirit to the menu at Earth Lodge. He lovingly mentors the women who have worked in the Earth Lodge kitchen for years, teaching them new techniques and recipes and expanding their professional and culinary horizons. Chef Eric, his pup Naya, and kitty Freya are a part of the Earth Lodge family and when he’s not in the kitchen he can be spotted taking breaks playing fetch in the grassy fields, tending the vegetable gardens, or enjoying the sunset. Ask him about his green thumb!
Lorenz
Originally from Germany, Lorenz was first a part time volunteer carpenter, who fell in love with a lovely Guatemalan reception volunteer, and is now a happily ever after story. Lorenz now manages the men who work tirelessly at Earth Lodge, overseeing the organic avocado farm, landscaping, maintenance, and building of new facilities. Under his management the entire resort was remodeled and two new cabins built! Be sure to keep an eye out for what exciting projects Lorenz has up his sleeve next!
Nancy
Nancy, sister of our other Sous Chef Marta, grew up learning to cook from her mother in their small family home in the village of El Hato. Nancy enjoys making traditional Guatemalan dishes at home and has also been teaching herself the art of making cakes! She isn’t using any videos or recipes – she’s teaching herself through trial and error! She enjoys working in silence when she’s baking at home, and one of her favorite cakes to make is tres leches.
Marta
Marta, sister of our other Sous Chef Nancy, grew up learning to cook from her mother in their small family home in the village of El Hato. Before joining the Earth Lodge family, Marta worked for private families preparing traditional Guatemalan dishes – which she likes to make with a “twist”! She enjoys learning new recipes and ways of preparing food alongside Chef Eric – to date her favorite new food that she has learned to prepare is the various types of homemade hummus!