Meet Your Luxury Expedition Cruise Team

Nadia Eckhardt

Cruise Director

Nadia's passion for travel was born after embarking on her first expedition to Indonesia, the South Pacific and the Amazon. Upon setting foot on the Southern Ocean's South Georgia, she was hooked on expedition travel, and has since served as an A&K Cruise Director and Expedition Leader. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Nadia has travelled to over 160 countries on all seven continents, and returns to her Washington home when not at sea.

Sally Escanilla

Assistant Cruise Director

Cruising among the stunning fjords of New Zealand, a chance encounter led to an invitation for Sally to join a small Russian vessel heading to the Ross Sea of Antarctica. Working with A&K since 2001, she has since returned to the White Continent's awesome splendor some 100 times and explored other pristine destinations from the Amazon River to the High Arctic. Originally from England, Sally immigrated "down under" to New Zealand's South Island, where she now resides.

Paul Carter

Cruise Director

Even at the young age of 15, Paul knew he wanted to travel the world. Graduating with a hotel and catering management degree, he pursued a career at sea, working as an officer both in the United Kingdom and the Caribbean before becoming an assistant purser in 1983. Paul has since visited all seven continents and more than 120 countries, and loves to meet others who share his passion for exploring the world.

Geraldine “JD” Massyn

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver, Tour Manager

Sailing with A&K since 1991, JD brings more than 30 years of experience in expedition cruising, where she brings her own unique brand of enthusiasm in the roles of Expedition Leader, cruise director, dive master and naturalist. She is a confident powerboat skipper and yacht master, and the recipient of prestigious awards for her courageous and selfless bravery at sea, including Sea Rescue South Africa. JD has travelled to every continent as well as the world’s most remote islands, spends several months a year sailing the Seychelles archipelago and calls South Africa home.

Maartje Ruijgt

Assistant Cruise Director

Raised by the sea in the Netherlands, Maartje was quick to realize there was more to the world than the small country she called home. At the age of 14, she began seizing every opportunity to explore, which eventually led her to Central America, South America, and Asia, where she worked and lived for several years. She has since travelled to every continent and finds great pleasure in sharing her passion and curiosity for exploration on expedition.

Suzana Machado D'Oliveira

Expedition Director

Exploring with A&K since 1992, Suzana has greeted the shores of extraordinary locales that include Japan, the Amazon and Antarctica, which she has visited upward of 200 times. An agile leader who has served as cruise director, expedition leader and naturalist guide, she is also A&K's representative to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which champions the practice of safe and environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica. Suzana is a native of Brazil, where she studied history at Rio de Janeiro's Catholic University.

Dr. Marco Favero

Expedition Leader

Affiliated with the National University of Mar del Plata in Argentina, Marco enjoys voyaging and lecturing aboard expedition vessels to the polar regions. He currently serves as Executive Secretary on the Advisory Committee for the Agreement on Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). Along with researching ornithology and marine biology - as well as studying the relationships between the demography of seabirds and climate change - Marco is devoted to seabird conservation initiatives.

Juan José “JJ” Apestegui

Assistant Expedition Leader

Raised in a country town among the coffee fields of Costa Rica's Central Valley, JJ's lifelong fascination with nature called him from his work in the hotel business to a passionate career as a naturalist and guide. Travelling throughout America, Europe, Africa and the polar regions, he has lectured and led groups in many destinations since 1991. With a soft spot for birds, JJ is as fluent in natural history as he is in many different languages.

Steffen Graupner

Expedition Leader

Born in Germany in 1972, Steffen became a fully trained precision mechanic before studying a slew of advanced sciences, including astrophysics and applied geophysics. Having explored everywhere from South America and Russia to Indonesia and the high mountains of Central Asia, he has worked as a public speaker, travel journalist, photographer and polar guide. When not trekking up the side of a mountain, Steffen enjoys sports, photography, literature, kayaking and spending time with his daughter.

Brad Climpson

Expedition Leader

Born in Sydney, Australia, Brad earned a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and zoology at James Cook University, Townsville. His love for the underwater world brought him aboard expedition ships and to destinations that include Melanesia, Polynesia, the Maldives, Antarctica and the Kimberley. An accomplished scuba diver, Brad lives in North Queensland near the Great Barrier Reef and has developed an intimate knowledge of reef systems. His experience with Australia’s Aboriginal cultures has also provided meaningful insights into how indigenous cultures interact with their natural environment.

Eric Brossier

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

An ocean engineer and captain, Eric has been supporting Arctic research expeditions from his family-crewed yacht since 2000. His work includes surveying sea ice, diving to collect algae, and creating relationships with Inuit communities. Eric completed the first circumnavigation of the Arctic via the Northeast Passage in 2003 and is the author of Vagabond: Une Famille, la Banquise et Des Rêves (Vagabond: One Family, Sea Ice and Dreams). When not at sea, he resides near Brest, France.

Susan Adie

Expedition Leader

Born in upstate New York, Susan graduated from Cornell University with dual major in environmental science and education. In 1989, her love of the sea led her to expedition ships, where she has since served as Expedition Leader and lecturer, leading groups such as the National Geographic Society (USA), Smithsonian Institution and The Explorers Club. Throughout her career, Susan has been a voice for wilderness areas and polar environments and has presented public lectures in communities around the USA. For the past 25 years, she has been involved in the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and is the current Chair for the Field Operation Committee working with expedition staff worldwide to develop guidelines for visitors to Antarctica. She has also worked on numerous committees for the Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) organization.

Dr. Tim “T.H.” Baughman

History Lecturer

The author of 10 books on the polar regions, Tim's scholarly publications illuminate human interaction in both Antarctica and the Arctic. An instructor of European history for 30 years, he is a professor emeritus from the University of Central Oklahoma and currently teaches at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Leading travellers around the world for 25 years, Tim shares a scholar's rigor and a storyteller's images to bring the past to life.

Rob Caskie

History Lecturer

Born in South Africa, Rob began as a photographic safari guide and wildlife filmmaker in Botswana’s Okavango Delta before launching his career as a professional speaker and cultural guide. A master storyteller, Rob has since lectured around the world and on numerous expeditions. His gripping renditions of tales that include Shackleton’s Endurance Expedition, the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift reveal the powerful lessons to be learned from the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit.

Russell Potter

History Lecturer

Known internationally for his books and lectures regarding Franklin’s lost expedition of 1845, Russell has been visiting historic sites since 2005. His blog, Visions of the North, has become a touchstone for Franklin buffs around the world, and in 2017, he accompanied Sir Michael Palin as he retraced Franklin’s route in preparation for his upcoming book Erebus: The Story of a Ship. Russell is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and teaches at Rhode Island College.

Dr. Mark Brazil

Natural History Lecturer

A resident of Hokkaido, Japan, Mark was born and educated in England and Scotland, earning a degree in biology and a Ph.D. for his work on Icelandic avian ecology and behavior. The author of several books, his career has encompassed ornithological research, natural history consultancy for TV and radio, guiding naturalists and wildlife photographers to all continents, and serving as professor of biodiversity and conservation at Rakuno Gakuen University near Sapporo.

Larry Hobbs

Marine Mammal Lecturer

A biologist and lecturer for over 45 years, Larry has served as director of the Marine Mammal Tagging Office in Washington, D.C., and as a principal research scientist at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle. A photographer and teacher as well, he leads traditional wilderness rites of passage and vision quests, and writes about how a systemically thinking human species could live sustainably on this planet. A proud father and grandfather, Larry lives in Washington state.

Sabina Leader Mense

Marine Mammal Lecturer

A marine biologist, Sabina has travelled the world promoting awareness of the marine environment for three decades. Investigating diverse, colorful habitats, she has examined primitive fish endocrinology, cetacean feeding behavior, invertebrate ecology and seaweed culture. At home on Cortes Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands, Sabina is an environmental consultant and educator, and a dedicated community advisor and volunteer.

Dr. Nikita Ovsyanikov

Marine Mammal Lecturer

A recognized authority on polar bears and Arctic foxes, Nikita is a zoologist with a Ph.D. in biology from Moscow State University and a specialty in animal behavior, population ecology and conservation. He has served as deputy director of sciences for Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve, published numerous papers and books, and spent most of his life studying polar bears in the High Arctic. Nikita’s film Polar Bears: Life on the Field of Bones is his unique account of a full season with the bears on Herald Island.

Pierre Richard

Marine Mammal Lecturer

A long-time Arctic marine mammal researcher, Pierre is focused on the conservation and susntainable use of the beluga and narwhal populations of the Canadian Arctic. He is known in Nunavut as "Pieri, angutikutaq qilalugalerei" — “the tall man who knows about belugas and narwhals” — and is the author of several books on the marine mammals of Canada and the Arctic. Pierre has served as a guide on numerous expeditions and most enjoys being out on the ships' decks and on Zodiacs, where he invites you to join him in spotting marine mammals and birds.

John Kernan

Marine Mammal Lecturer

Born and raised in San Francisco, John brings more than 30 years of expedition cruising experience as a naturalist, lecturer and Expedition Leader. He holds a bachelor of science in biology and zoology from Humboldt State University and is a passionate educator who loves to share his experiences as a marine biologist, birder, botanist, astronomer, geographer and geologist. A native of San Francisco, he resides in San Rafael and enjoys writing and photography.

Luciana Motta

Marine Mammal Lecturer

After earning her master’s degree in aquatic biology, Luciana joined conservation efforts to preserve dolphins in Argentina and the US. Having earned her PhD in ecology, she went on to work as a biologist, environmental interpreter, naturalist, lecturer, guide and Assistant Expedition Leader onboard Antarctic cruises. In between Antarctic seasons, she enjoys leading African safaris, diving, snowboarding and running amid the mountains of her Patagonian home.

Mike Hammill

Marine Mammal Lecturer

Formerly a research scientist with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Mike has spent nearly 40 years working in Arctic and Eastern Canada, southeastern Greenland and Svalbard. An expert on the seals of the northern hemisphere, he has participated in international review panels on marine mammal management and provided briefings to parliamentary and senate committees. Mike now mentors young scientists and spends his free time watching marine mammals from his boat.

Dr. Garry Stenson

Marine Mammals Lecturer

Garry recently retired from the Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, where he was a senior scientist carrying out research on the ecology of marine mammals in the North Atlantic and adjacent Arctic waters. He has authored or coauthored over 200 scientific papers, addressing questions about the abundance and status of marine mammal populations, how they use their habitat, factors influencing vital rates, and the impact of climate change on marine mammals, particularly seals. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Memorial University, St. John’s.

Dr. Patricia Silva

Ornithology Lecturer

Born in Mercedes, Uruguay, Patricia received her doctoral degree at the National University of Mar del Plata in Argentina, where she continues her research today. In addition to sharing her enthusiasm as an ornithologist and artist on voyages from South America to the South Pacific, she has participated in over a dozen Antarctic research expeditions and is the current editor of the IAATO Save the Albatross Campaign newsletter.

Rich Pagen

Ornithology Lecturer

It was in the tide pools and forests of his native New York that Rich first became enthralled with the natural world. Beginning a career in conservation biology that steered him from loon nests in Alaska to army ants in the Amazon, he was drawn back to the sea to teach marine science. Since 2004, he has lectured aboard small expedition ships en route to such destinations as the Arctic and Antarctica. When not at sea, Rich resides in Minneapolis.

Adam Walleyn

Assistant Expedition Leader

Born and raised in the Canadian prairies, Adam has sailed on voyages from the high Arctic to the Ross Sea, and across every continent in between. He is a naturalist at heart, and has assisted in research and conservation efforts for some of the world's most critically endangered species, including the spoon-billed sandpiper and kakapo. Visiting the Arctic every summer since he was a teenager, Adam possesses an intimate knowledge of the wildlife, people and history of the region.

Dr. Pepper Trail

Ornithology Lecturer

Pepper has travelled the world studying the ecology, behavior and conservation of birds. For over 20 years, he served as the forensic ornithologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. His work combatting illegal wildlife trade has earned him the title of "the Sherlock Holmes of bird crime." An expert photographer and writer, his work has appeared in Science, National Geographic and other leading journals. His knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humor enrich the experience of every guest on board.

Dr. Jason F. Hicks

Geology Lecturer

A research associate at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science focused on sedimentology, Jason has voyaged to both polar regions for more than three decades, and has engaged in geology expeditions from the Canadian Arctic to the Russian Far East. Beyond his work, Jason is an avid taildragger pilot, owns a ham radio license and has "entirely too many motorcycles." Spending quality time with his young son has severely impacted his activities in all the above.

Dr. James McClintock

Climate Ecology Lecturer

A native of California and the endowed university professor of polar and marine biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jim is a noted climate change expert whose research frequently takes him to the White Continent. Author of nearly 300 research publications and four books, he has joined A&K for over a dozen Antarctic expeditions. In 2018, he was awarded the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Inaugural Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Education and Communication. Jim and his research collaborators have also conducted drug discovery research and have discovered an anti-cancer (melanoma) compound in an Antarctic marine invertebrate. In 1989, a point of land in Antarctica’s Ross Sea was named in his honor by the U.S. Board of Geographic Names.

Dr. Daria Nikitina

Geology Lecturer

Born in Russia, Daria earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from Moscow State University - with a specialty in geomorphology and volcanology - and is a geology professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Focused on environmental changes of coastal and fluvial systems, she engages her students in research along the coasts of the U.S., South America and Russia. Her current focus of study has her surveying global sea level changes in response to climate change.

Dr. Henry Pollack

Geology Lecturer

An adventurer who has lectured on voyages from the Chilean Fjords to Antarctica, Henry is a professor emeritus of geophysics at the University of Michigan. He has served on many advisory panels, provided briefings about climate change to Congress and the White House, and is a member of the training faculty of Al Gore's Climate Reality Project. Author of Uncertain Science ... Uncertain World and A World Without Ice, his most recent research focuses on global warming.

Dr. David Dallmeyer

GEOLOGY LECTURER

An emeritus professor of geology at the University of Georgia, David has served as lecturer, naturalist and expedition leader on polar expedition cruises for 20 years. He has directed research expeditions from Antarctica and Greenland to Chile and Peru, served as director of a United Nations (UNESCO) project, and followed his studies of plate tectonics and mountain building to every continent. David is the author of several books, including a popular introductory geology textbook in its sixth edition.

Wayne Ranney

Geology Lecturer

Wayne acquired a master’s degree in geology from Northern Arizona University before embarking on numerous shipboard expeditions around the globe. His adventures have brought him to the North Pole several times by Russian icebreaker and on 30 expeditions to Antarctica — the first of which saw him stationed at the McMurdo and South Pole stations as a member of the United States Antarctic Program. Wayne is the author of 10 books, has travelled to more than 85 countries, and enjoys photography and backpacking.

Margaret Bertulli

Archaeology & Culture Lecturer

Formerly an archaeologist with Parks Canada and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center in Yellowknife, Margaret has worked in the Canadian Arctic for more than 35 years. She has conducted archaeological surveys and excavations across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and directed a project to recover the remains of the 1845–48 Franklin Expedition on King William Island. Margaret was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2021 and is a co-founder of TAQQIQ, a charitable project supplying menstrual products to girls and women in Pond Inlet, Nunavut.

Mike Beedell

Northwest Passage Exploration Lecturer

A fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and named one of Canada's 100 greatest explorers, Mike has completed extensive expeditions in the Arctic over the course of four decades. He completed a five-month dogsled journey as well as a four-month kayak circumnavigation of Bylot Island, and sailed a Hobie Cat through the Northwest Passage, which was sponsored by National Geographic. Mike is the author of the Canadian bestseller, The Magnetic North.

Dagmar Hagen

Botany Lecturer

Growing up near a fjord on Norway's coast, Dagmar became interested in the relationships between land use, society and nature. A Ph.D. in restoration ecology positioned her at the forefront of efforts to develop ecological restoration as a tool in Norwegian landscape management. Now a senior scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Dagmar enjoys giving tourist groups a glimpse into what she calls "the fascination and beauty of the overwhelming Arctic landscapes and ecosystems."

Simon Rickard

Japanese Gardens Lecturer

Simon is a passionate Australian gardener and plantsman. He has worked as head gardener at two of Australia's iconic gardens, Heronswood and the Garden of St Erth, and as the kitchen gardener at a much-loved restaurant in country Victoria. Today, Simon runs his own gardening design consultancy, writes books and cultivates a musical career as a baroque bassoon player.

Mike Stevens

Musician & Speaker

A native of Ontario, "Harmonica Mike" credits the sounds of Motown coming from across the border in Detroit, Michigan, as one of his most powerful influences. From traditional bluegrass to free jazz, he showcases unique harmonica skills, has performed over 300 shows on the Grand Ole Opry stage and has released nine albums. In 2002, Mike founded ArtsCan Circle, a nonprofit organization dedicated to linking creative artists with indigenous, at-risk youth in Canada.

Kristine Bakke Westergaard

Botany Lecturer

Exploring the high Arctic since 2002, Kristine possesses a PhD in Arctic botany from the University of Tromsø (Norway) and has lead botanical expeditions everywhere from Svalbard to Alaska. She calls Trondheim home and serves as a research scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Kristine is also especially passionate about the conservation of vulnerable Arctic flora and an active member of groups that include the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Aya Louisa McDonald

Culture Lecturer

A professor of art history at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Aya’s research and writing focus primarily on the traditional and contemporary arts of Japan, with a special interest in the intersection of art and war. Her publications have appeared in the University of Westminster’s Journal of War and Culture Studies and essay collection Art and War in Japan and Its Empire 1931-1960, which she also co-edited. She is currently working on a monograph on the Franco-Japanese artist Foujita Tsugouharu (1886-1968).

Richard Chartres (Lord Chartres)

Culture Lecturer

Richard is a life peer in the House of Lords with a particular interest in history and the environment. He studied at Trinity College Cambridge, where he is now an honorary fellow, and taught at the International School in Seville and London’s Gresham College. Richard served as Bishop of London and Dean of Her Majesty's Chapels Royal; he is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and an Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund. He lives with his wife, Caroline, and family in Wiltshire.

Marjorie Williams

Culture Lecturer

Over the course of a forty-year career at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Marjorie has lectured extensively and curated numerous exhibitions on Japanese, Chinese and Korean art. She has served as a study leader for many organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution’s Study Abroad Program, and has designed and lectured on trips to Japan for Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art. She is particularly interested in the cross-cultural influences between Eastern and Western art.

Bart Pigram

Cultural Lecturer

Bart developed his passion for merging indigenous oral histories and language with western documentation while serving as a curator and cultural development project officer at Nyamba Buru Yawuru, where he contributed to award-winning projects that include the Jetty to Jetty Heritage Trail. A Yawuru man of Western Australia’s Broome, he envisions a culturally, environmentally and economically sustainable future for his people and other Indigenous communities. Bart is the owner operator of Narlijia Experiences Broome.

Elena Ikonorova

Culture Lecturer

Hailing from a military family in the U.S.S.R., Elena graduated from the Belarusian National Technical University with a master’s degree in engineering. Since then, she has devoted her time to studying Russian history from a fresh point of view and lecturing on Russian history, art and culture. Elena resides in Austria with her husband, where she indulges in her love of winter sports and caring for rescued wild animals.

Lykke Geisler Yakaboylu

Culture Lecturer

With family ties to Greenland’s west coast, Lykke’s passion for authentic local traditions only grew during her 20-year career at the Greenland Tourism Board. Her desire to authentically share Greenland with visitors led her to create a unique guiding company focused on the landscapes and villages she holds dear. While her home is in Denmark, Lykke frequently returns to Greenland to spend time with extended family in Nuuk and to share her love of the country with guests ranging from active adventurers to scientists.

Photo by Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland

Dr. Reed Scherer

Micropaleontology & Paleoclimate Lecturer

A distinguished research professor of geology at Northern Illinois University, Reed uses microscopic fossil diatoms (algae) to address fundamental questions regarding Antarctic ice sheet history and dynamics. In numerous expeditions over more than three decades, he’s drilled through the ice sheet and into the ocean floor and explored records of climate change in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. He holds a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University.

Pavel Palazhchenko

Guest Speaker

Graduating from the Maurice Thorez Institute of Foreign Languages in Moscow in 1972, Pavel has published articles on arms control, international politics and U.S.-Russian relations. The primary English interpreter for Mikhail Gorbachev, Pavel is one of the leading interpreters of his time, having participated in every U.S.-Soviet summit meeting leading to the end of the Cold War. Today, he continues to work as a freelance interpreter at international conferences and for major international organizations.

Lech Wałęsa

Guest Speaker

After graduating from vocational school, Lech worked as a car mechanic, served in the army and later worked in Gdansk Shipyard as an electrician. When Poland’s communist regime rose to power, his path changed after demonstrators were killed by police. Lech became actively engaged in public affairs, taking part in the work of the Strike Committee and Free Trade Unions, where he was responsible for organizing workers and educating laborers on their rights. Lech’s commitment was ultimately recognized by the global community in 1983, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Alex Pancoe

Explorer in Residence

Upon summitting Alaska’s Denali in June 2019, Alex achieved what very few have: the Explorers Grand Slam. It was his recovery from a brain tumor diagnosis at 18 that inspired him to climb the seven tallest peaks, with the goal of raising a million dollars for the hospital where he had received care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. Alex lives in Chicago and is currently training to climb an “eight-thousander” — one of only 14 mountains in the world that exceed 8,000 meters above sea level.

Massimo Tarenghi

Guest Speaker

Massimo graduated with a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Milan in 1970. During his European Space Research Organization fellowship at Steward Observatory in Tucson, he made infrared wavelength observations of galaxies, redshift observations of radio galaxies and headed a collaborative study of the Hercules supercluster. Owing to his central role in development of the Paranal Observatory and the ALMA Observatory in his 40 years at ESO, Massimo was awarded the 2013 Tycho Brahe Prize by the European Astronomical Society.

Fiann Paul

Explorer In Residence

An accomplished artist, explorer and athlete, Fiann was introduced to ocean rowing in 2007 while working for the Chiparamba Foundation in Zambia. The most record-breaking explorer and the most decorated Guinness World Record holder within one discipline of sport, he has lectured about the psychological aspects of ultra-endurance sports since 2017. As part of his daily training regimen, Fiann enjoys a personalized outdoor workout to stay in peak physical condition.

Dr. Shirley Campbell

Culture Lecturer

A graduate and research fellow from the Australian National University, Shirley has dedicated much of her life to understanding the world’s numerous cultures, with a particular interest in Australia, Melanesia and the Pacific. She has led guests around England and Western Europe, lived among the indigenous people in Papua New Guinea, and lectured at Dartmouth College, the University of New Hampshire and the Australian National University in Canberra. Among her many accomplishments, Shirley wrote The Art of Kula, a book recounting her research and experiences in the Trobriand Islands.

Luca Zavagno

Culture Lecturer

A graduate of the University of Venice, Luca went on to obtain his Ph.D. in history from the University of Birmingham. A scholar through and through, he was twice awarded the Dumbarton Oaks summer fellowship along with the prestigious Stanley J. Seeger fellowship from Princeton University. Today, Luca works as an Associate Professor of Byzantine Studies at Bilkent University in Turkey, where he recently completed his third monograph, Beyond the Periphery: The Byzantine Insular World Between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.

Leslie Qammaniq

Culture Lecturer

Born in Pond Inlet in the northernmost Canadian territory of Nunavut, Leslie was raised experiencing the traditional Inuit lifestyle she proudly carries forward today. Passionate about the innovative arts and culture-based teachings practiced by her community for centuries, and generous in sharing the mysteries and wonders of life in the Arctic, she is a true ambassador dedicated to educating people about her unique way of living. Leslie currently resides Edinburgh Scotland.

Dr. Christian Haas

Polar Sea Ice Lecturer

An accomplished professor and research scientist, Christian is focused on the role of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice in climate, ecological and human systems. He has been involved in more than 30 field campaigns in the Arctic and 12 research projects in Antarctica; his numerous achievements include sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Christian is a Helmholtz Professor for Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Geophysics and Remote Sensing at the University of Bremen and the Alfred Wegner Institute for Polar and Marine Research, both in Germany, as well as an adjunct professor at York University, Toronto.

Filitsa Bouzioti

Culture Lecturer

With a bachelor's degree in Greek Archaeology and History from Athens University, Filitsa is also a graduate and former instructor at the Athens School for Licensed Tourist Guides. She has travelled extensively throughout Greece and guides in Greek, English and French languages. More recently, her lectures focus on her passion for ancient Greece, archaeology and Greek mythology.

Commander Susan Kilrain

Astronaut, Navy Test Pilot & Aerospace Engineer

A distinguished Navy test pilot and aerospace engineer, Susan is the youngest person and one of only three women to pilot the space shuttle. An avid photographer, astronomer and world traveller, she is currently a consultant and motivational speaker, specializing in encouraging young women and underprivileged teens to excel in STEM careers. She and her family reside on the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC.

Frances A. Ulmer

Arctic Relations and Climate Lecturer

A longtime resident of Alaska, Frances has served more than 30 years in public service with appointments that include Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (2011–2020) and Lieutenant Governor of Alaska (1994­–2002), when she became the first woman elected to office in the state. Frances is the former Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage and has served on numerous boards, including the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and as Chair of the National Parks Conservation Association Board. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center and currently chairs the Nature Conservancy’s Global Board of Directors.

Nellie Nilsen

Botany Lecturer

With a master’s degree in botany and plant biology, Nellie is a teaching assistant of biology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in her hometown of Trondheim, Norway, where she also serves as a museum lecturer for elementary and middle school children. She’s participated in fieldwork and multiple research projects in Svalbard, where she also shot scenes for her BBC YouTube series, “From Plant to Planet.” True to her Northern Norwegian heritage, Nellie enjoys spending her free time knitting and crocheting.

Dr. Ron Wixman

Cultural Geography Lecturer

A professor of cultural and political geography at the University of Oregon, Ron has studied the ethnic cultures of the Baltic region as well as the rise of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union as multi-ethnic states. He has been featured on various TV and radio programs and served as a consultant with many governments, including the U.S. Department of State, CIA and Pentagon on ethnic conflict in the former USSR and Balkans. Ron is also the author of numerous journal articles and several books, including Peoples of the USSR: An Ethnographic Handbook.

Dr. April Burt

Conservation Science Lecturer

With a focus on island ecosystems and a doctorate from the University of Oxford, April’s studies have included turtle and seabird population dynamics, coral population genetics and barriers to frontline conservation efforts. She worked for eight years in conservation management in the southwest Indian Ocean, where she served as the science coordinator of Aldabra Atoll. She also co-led the Aldabra Clean-Up Project, an international collaboration to clean plastic pollution from the coast, for which she was awarded a Wings World Quest flag carrier fellowship celebrating women in science and exploration.

Anna Lena Ekeblad

Cultural Lecturer

Born and raised in southern Sweden, Anna has been living and working as a guide, historian and naturalist in Svalbard since 1995. She served for 14 years at the Svalbard Museum, where she shared her fascination for Arctic history at the official Svalbard guide course. She resides in Longyearbyen with her family and enjoys sharing a backyard with polar bears and reindeer, though she is especially enthralled by the frozen Arctic landscape and the aurora borealis on long dark Polar nights.

Rick Sammon

Photo Enrichment Coach

An award-winning photographer and Canon Explorer of Light, Rick is a prolific image maker with more than 40 years of experience spanning nearly 100 countries. Dividing his time between creating images and leading photo tours and workshops, his mission is to make digital photography creative, exciting and rewarding for all. Rick has authored over 40 books, including his most recent, Photo Therapy Motivation and Wisdom: Discovering the Power of Pictures. He has been sailing with A&K since 2016.

Michelle Valberg

Photo Enrichment Coach & Nikon Ambassador

An award-winning photographer and author of four books, Michelle has travelled to every continent to capture stories with her camera for more than 30 years. Celebrated for her work in the north, she is a Canadian Nikon Ambassador, a Canadian Geographic Photographer-in-Residence and a fellow of both the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and Explorers Club. Michelle is also the founder of Project North, a nonprofit organization creating opportunities for youth in the Canadian Arctic. She recently represented Canada at the 2022 World Photographic Cup and was awarded a gold medal, and her images have appeared on Canadian coins and postage stamps.

Kiliii Yuyan

Photographer

Fascinated by the relationship between humans and the natural world, Kiliii developed wilderness survival skills in extreme environments. On assignment, he has escaped collapsing sea ice, weathered botulism from fermented whale blood and explored some of the farthest reaches of the world. An award-winning feature photographer for National Geographic, Kiliii works to revitalize northern indigenous cultures by building traditional kayaks. He can be found across the circumpolar Arctic much of the year, taking a deep dive into the wilderness and remote communities of the polar regions.

Andrew Coleman

Photo Coach

Andrew has travelled extensively throughout the world’s seven continents in search of amazing wildlife and landscapes, from Alaska, the Galápagos and Yellowstone National Park to Cuba, Borneo, and the spellbinding Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. A contributor to National Geographic and National Geographic Image Collection, he has an insatiable appetite for the wild and, through his photographs, captures the extraordinary beauty of the natural world. Dedicated to his craft, Andrew leads comprehensive workshops that teach the fundamentals of photography.

Mark Edward Harris

Photo Enrichment Coach

After graduating with a master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles, Mark’s photography career took him from doing stills for The Merv Griffin Show to assignments in more than 100 countries. His award-winning work has appeared in numerous publications, including LIFE and The New York Times. He is also the author of The Way of the Japanese Bath, North Korea and most recently The People of the Forest, which focuses on orangutans.

Renato Granieri

Photo Enrichment Coach

Born and raised in Alghero, Sardinia, Renato’s passion for wildlife and nature photography has drawn him to more than 70 countries, though he finds the beauty of polar landscapes to be the most thrilling. An award-winning photographer, Renato has been featured in numerous publications, regularly contributes to the BBC and was most recently awarded Bird Photographer of the Year 2021. He is dedicated to conservation and regularly photographs the chimpanzees of Sierra Leone’s Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary to help raise awareness. When not leading photography tours, Renato resides in London.

Richard Harker

Photo Enrichment Coach

A lifelong photography enthusiast, Richard has been photographing professionally since the 1980s, and his images have been featured in more than a dozen books in five languages. Inspired by underwater, wildlife and landscape motifs, he's captured exotic locales from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ross Sea. An equipment agnostic, Richard is equally comfortable using state-of-the-art digital SLRs and 19th-century, large-format field cameras.

Kristin Wornson

Young Explorer's Guide

Kristin's love of marine science began when she researched the foraging habits of the extraordinary nudibranch at the University of California. After inspiring stints abroad, she served as a research assistant in the Amazon, introduced children to the wonders of the ocean at the Catalina Island Marine Institute and paid her first visit to the astonishing White Continent in 2005, which has drawn her back countless times with A&K.

Jeff Manker

Young Explorer's Guide

Throughout his childhood, Jeff climbed, backpacked and kayaked the mountains, deserts and seashores of the western U.S., and that same passion inspires him today in his work as an educator. He currently teaches marine and environmental science as well as the only high school ornithology course in California, which he developed himself. Serving in educational roles on expeditions to Antarctica, Costa Rica, Midway Island and Alaska, Jeff also travels extensively with his wife, Anne.

Haley Saxe

Young Explorer's Guide

While earning a degree from the University of North Carolina, Haley spent a formative semester studying marine ecology in the Galápagos Islands, which inspired her to pursue a career in marine research and conservation. She has worked as a research assistant and marine mammal observer in the Gulf of Maine, and has served as an educator for aquariums and whale watches across the U.S. Haley is thrilled to share her love of the world’s oceans with our Young Explorers.

Cobus Kilian

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver, Tour Manager

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Cobus has travelled and worked in remote destinations that include the polar realms of Antarctica and the Arctic and the rainforests of Borneo. As a yacht master, he has sailed the Indian Ocean and spends three months of every year sailing the Seychelles archipelago. Beyond serving as a naturalist, Cobus is a private pilot, outdoor survival specialist and competent powerboat skipper. He always returns to his beloved African bush, exploring his native South Africa and Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where he serves as a field guide.

Russ Manning

Naturalists & Zodiac Drivers

Born in Sussex, Russ joined the British Royal Marine Commandos on his 17th birthday. Serving for 15 years, he journeyed on to the beautiful South Orkneys, working as boatman, travel guide and winter base commander, earning him the Polar Medal. Since 1990, he has embarked upon expedition vessels as a Zodiac driver and naturalist. When not in the polar latitudes, Russ operates a lifeguard search and rescue patrol boat out of Brighton Marina, England.

Agustín Ullmann

Naturalists & Zodiac Drivers

Born in Buenos Aires, Agustín has worked in natural environments since 1995, starting as an environmental education guide for youths before serving as a park ranger in Argentina. An expert in outdoor education, he specializes in Antarctic ecosystems, has sailed on many vessels and has covered many Expedition Team positions. Beyond his love for the outdoors, he has a fondness for art and languages, and lives in Buenos Aires with his wife and three children.

Peter Clement

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver

Born and raised on a sheep ranch in the Falkland Islands, Peter is intimately familiar with the landscapes of the Southern Ocean. He began working on expedition ships in 1978 and has been voyaging with A&K since 1992, exploring every corner of nearby Antarctica, as far north as the Arctic and other remarkable locales, including the Russian Arctic, China and the Galápagos. Peter resides in New York with his wife, also an A&K naturalist guide.

Richard Escanilla

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver

Raised in Manila, Philippines, Richard joined up as a seafarer to see the world. On one particular sailing as a crew member within the hotel department of an expedition ship, he travelled to Antarctica and caught his first dose of polar fever. Richard has since voyaged throughout the Pacific, and now resides in New Zealand, where he pursues his love of the ocean as a sea kayak guide in Abel Tasman National Park.

Helen Ahern

Naturalists & Zodiac Driver

Born and raised in New Zealand, Helen brings a passion for discovering and interpreting the world’s natural environments. Cruising with A&K since 2014 and deeply experienced in educational leadership, she has served as naturalist guide, cruise director and concierge on many expeditions, exploring regions that include Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Arctic, Antarctica and Subantarctic Islands. When not at sea, Helen enjoys paragliding, mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits that speak to her adventurous spirit.

Meghan Kelly

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver

A Southern California native raised amid the region’s desert landscapes, Meghan joined the Peace Corps in Fiji before embarking on a career in expedition cruising. She’s travelled throughout the Pacific and its islands, Antarctica, and the Arctic — the last of which she finds especially captivating for its unique biodiversity. A recent recipient of a dual master’s degree in environmental science in policy and business administration, she is also an active advocate for the conservation of these remarkable habitats.

Rachel Morgan

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver

With a degree in cartography and geography, Rachel started out as custodian of the Royal Geographical Society’s photographic collection before serving at the British Antarctic Survey’s first female wintering field assistant at Rothera Station. Immersed in Antarctica ever since, she established the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and enjoys work as a naturalist on expedition ships. She sits on the UK Antarctic Place-names Committee and is a member of the Antarctic Club. Rachel lives on the Welsh border with her family.

Frederique Olivier

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver

An accomplished scientist, photographer and filmmaker, Frederique’s career encapsulates a passion for the marine world. She has worked as a scientific diver in the Great Barrier Reef and explored Ningaloo reef, the Kimberley and the remote Solomons Islands for two years from aboard her own yacht. “Fred” is an avid polar specialist with nearly two decades of experience in Antarctica, where she also filmed emperor penguins for the award-winning BBC series Planet Earth. She enjoys expeditions in inaccessible places, and creating imagery that supports conservation and awareness of our precious planet.

Juan Pablo Seco Pon

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Juan moved to a farm in Northern Argentina, where he spent his time birdwatching and sailing while attending school. An active scientist, he has published dozens of papers on seabird ecology and conservation in specialized scientific journals and offers professional assistance to applicants of the National Observer Program, which supports observer programs around the country. Juan also serves as a naturalist, lecturer and Zodiac driver aboard Antarctic cruise ships during the austral summer.

John Wright

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Growing up near Birmingham, England, John’s passion for mountaineering led him to join the British Antarctic Survey as a field guide, where he overwintered at Halley VI Research Station and conducted field operations on the Polar Plateau. He has taught outdoor activities, guided cruise ships in both polar regions, and climbed and skied across Europe, New Zealand, Greenland, Svalbard and Southeast Asia. When not adventuring, John lives with his wife, dogs and geese on a rural property near Merrickville in Ontario, Canada.

Dr. John Buchanan

Naturalist & Zodiac Driver

Retired professor and former director of the environmental science program at Eastern Washington University, Dr. John Buchanan spent the past 34 years teaching sedimentology, hydrogeology and geomorphology. Fascinated by all things geological, he has participated in expeditions funded by the National Geographic Society, where he mapped the longest caves in Central America. Passionate about outdoor exploration, John also enjoys sharing his experiences as a mountaineer, private pilot and amateur astronomer.

Andre Van Zyl

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Born in Southern Rhodesia, Andre grew up in the African bushveld, where he worked as a trails ranger in Kruger National Park for 22 years. A mammal behavioral expert and a lover of the natural sciences, he specializes in dangerous game species such as polar bears. Andre resides in Belgium with his wife and son.

Silvia Furtwängler

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Born and raised in Cologne, Silvia’s passion for dog sledding, photography and the outdoors has led her on numerous adventures through the far north. A dog sled musher for more than 30 years, she has participated in the Yukon Quest, crossed the Hardangervidda with her dog team and won the 2014 Volga Quest in Russia. She’s the author of several books about her experiences, including her most recent book, Mein größtes Rennen. Silvia lives with her family in a wilderness in Norway.

Mike Messick

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Born in the U.S. and raised in Switzerland, Mike’s career in expedition travel began as summer job that would turn into a full-time career upon graduating in 1985 from Skidmore College with a degree in biology and psychology. A member of the prestigious Explorers Club, he has conducted research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and holds a scuba instructor certificate from the National Association of Underwater Instructors as well as a U.S Coast Guard captains license. Mike lives in Salt Lake City and spends his free time traveling the globe.

David Reid

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, David has participated in more than 300 Arctic and Antarctic expeditions and projects, including 18 successful expeditions through the Northwest Passage. He has travelled thousands of miles by dog sled, ski, snowmobile, boat, kayak, ship and foot; recently, he became the first person to cross Baffin Island by fat tire bike. A native of Scotland, David has lived in the Arctic and now resides in Burnstown, Ontario.

Mike “Murf” Murphy

Naturalist Guide & Diver Master

Born and raised on the Isle of Wight, “Murf” followed a five-year marine engineer apprenticeship and five consecutive cruises around the world with an 11-year career as a deep-sea commercial diver. He later purchased a 60-foot charter vessel and sailed the inland waters of British Columbia. Murf has since spent many years at sea as a cruise director and expedition leader from Antarctica to the South Pacific and beyond. He also leads dive trips worldwide and has dived in almost every sea, including the waters of the Arctic and Antarctic as well as 80-plus South Pacific Islands.

Anthony Graves

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Anthony grew up on the south shore of Long Island, where a keen interest in conservation was born and led to multiple degrees in environmental studies and science as well as a career in environmental protection. He has since worked as a naturalist on expeditions to the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Central America, South America, and the Indian Ocean; he’s also transited the Panama Canal fifteen times. Anthony serves on the boards for two environmental non-profits and lives on Long Island with his wife, who he met on a cruise in the Sea of Cortez, and his two sons.

George Lake

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Inspired from a young age by world-travelling grandparents, George became a certified diver at the age of 14 and worked for many years as a commercial diver, assistant dive instructor, and sailor aboard charter vessels. He retired in 2006 from a career in computer network security and cryptography and returned to a life of travel, guiding adventure-seeking travellers on all seven continents.

Tom Hiney

Naturalist & Scuba Guide

Tom’s career as a naturalist was sparked in the countryside of England observing the wildlife that visited his childhood garden. Tom went on to work as a scuba and free-diving instructor in Mexico, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Croatia, and acquired advanced degrees in ecology and environmental impacts and aspects. He managed the renowned Cousin Island Special Reserve in the Seychelles and, for the last seven years, has worked on expedition ships all over the world. When not exploring, Tom makes his home in Australia, where he runs a reef-safe sunscreen company.

Osi Shahaf

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Travel and adventure beckoned Osi at an early age, leading her from her childhood home in Birmingham, England, to a three-month stay in Israel, where she volunteered at a kibbutz. As an adult, after a successful career in banking, Osi returned to her true calling, embarking on some two dozen Arctic voyages and more than 120 journeys to Antarctica. A keen naturalist, she is also a dedicated historian of polar explorers, male and female alike. Osi and her husband in live in rural Canada, just north of Toronto.

Ronny Marie

Naturalist Guide & Zodiac Driver

Ronny was born in the Seychelles in 1981. His interest in nature conservation began in the year 2010, when he left his career in sports to work with Seychelles National Park Authority as a marine park ranger, participating in many environmental projects and workshops in Seychelles and abroad. In 2013 he worked as a forestry ranger, and from 2016 to 2019 he served as the head ranger on Aldabra Atoll, where he took part in different various programs and assisted Ph.D. students and researchers in their field work. Today, he works part-time as a naturalist on board expedition cruises in the Indian Ocean region and loves to share his knowledge with guests.

Riëtte Botes

Shore Excursion Manager

A Johannesburg, South Africa resident, Riëtte previously worked in management positions on various cruise ships, which included serving as shop manager on A&K's 'Explorer' in 2002. She has experienced over 100 countries on all seven continents, and has organized tours in exotic ports all over the world. A seasoned veteran, her work has brought her full circle to A&K, where her ship career began.

Lynne Greig

Assistant Tour Manager

Known for her cheery personality and abundant energy, Lynne's enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the globe. Since 1995, she has travelled from Antarctica to the Arctic, through Africa and the Indian Ocean, Russia, the South Pacific, Australia, and Japan, voyaging aboard expedition vessels ranging from Russian icebreakers to Australian catamarans. When not at sea, Lynne returns home to South Africa.

Dean Hattingh

Young Explorer's Guide

Dean studied dramatic art in England before returning to his native South Africa to teach drama and direct children's theater. Now living in Australia, he has devoted many years on cruise ships coordinating programs for young travellers. On voyages with A&K, Dean's unmistakable zest for life and talents as a performer shine through while engaging the creativity and curiosity of our youngest explorers.

Alicia Rojas

Tour Manager

Exploring with A&K since 2009, Alicia has accompanied guests through the magnificent landscapes that define Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Australia. Passionate about nature, she spent many years learning in the outdoors, where she would hike, ride horses and scout for birds. When not at sea on expedition, Alicia dedicates her time to developing her outdoor education skills and furthering her knowledge of native flora and fauna.

Arthur Diaz

Tour Manager

Arthur was born and raised in Northern California and pursued a career in business management and tourism. Passionate about sailing the globe and exploring new cultures and natural wonders, he has visited more than ninety countries and loves sharing his remarkable experiences with others. When he’s not venturing to new parts of the world, Arthur enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family.

Lisa Wurzrainer

Tour Manager

Since 1993, Lisa has brought her passion for fostering a global mentality to her work aboard expedition vessels in over 100 countries and on all seven continents in roles that include Tour Manager, Cruise Director and Expedition Leader. She holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado College and a M.A. in international studies from the University of Washington. In her free time, she narrates and produces audiobooks and enjoys adventures in the great outdoors.

Dr. Susan B. M. Langley

Tour Manager

Susan is an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities, where she teaches underwater archaeology and the history and anthropology of piracy. Lecturing internationally on topics ranging from beekeeping to textile technology, she has taught at UNESCO’s Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization and serves as Maryland’s State Underwater Archaeologist. Susan is a master scuba diving instructor and leads paddling tours at the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.

Kelsey Simmons

Tour Manager

Kelsey has travelled to all seven continents and over 90 countries as an expedition leader since beginning her travel career in 2013. She has led curious adventurers through the countries surrounding the Adriatic, Baltic and Mediterranean seas, in addition to Australia, the South Pacific, Central and South America, parts of Southeast Asia, Europe and Northern Africa. The Arctic and the Antarctic are also very special places to Kelsey, having operated trips to these breathtaking destinations every year since she began leading expeditions. Kelsey’s friendly nature and attention to detail make her a great leader in the field. Outside of travel, Kelsey enjoys “island life” on Whidbey Island and spends much of her time on interior design projects.