Our Team

Avid historian and climber, Ben’s love of history began during his high school years. His passion for history led to an MA in Social and Industrial history and a PHD in Australian history. For many years, Ben was an academic specialising in polar, colonial and working class history in the History Department at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales.

An active researcher, Ben is published extensively in Australian and international historical journals. His book Class and Colonialism in Antarctic Exploration, 1750– 1920 (Pickering & Chatto, 2014) is a study of Antarctic exploration ‘from below’, focusing on the sailors, sealers, whalers, cooks, mechanics, engineers, stokers and radio operators, who were all necessary in bringing the upperclass 'hero explorers' to the continent and supporting their expeditions. He is currently writing A History of the Southern Ocean (forthcoming, Routledge 2018), gazing out on his subject matter from Bruny Island, Tasmania, where he lives.

When not writing, Ben engages in his other lifelong passions for exploring wild places. Ben has pioneered climbs in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, Greenland and North Wales and he is currently developing new rock climbing routes in the Bruny Island area.

Graeme was working in electronic engineering and IT when he landed a job at the Australian Antarctic Division and fell in love with the great white continent. After 20 years of service, he sought a chance to explore beyond the Australian sector on Antarctic expeditions. With 30 years' experience living and working in the polar regions, including guiding on over 100 expeditions, Graeme has a unique blend of knowledge and experience that is hard to match. His favourite destination is Greenland, for its immense scale and the fact that it is so far from the usual tourist trail.

Graeme loves life at sea as there is always the chance of something unexpected happening and thrives on passing on all he’s learnt from fellow researchers. He believes that the more you understand an environment, the more you can appreciate it. On expeditions, he encourages expeditioners to sit quietly and take the time to watch everything going on around them, so they can remember the experience that much better.

Alasdair is a Sydney-based painter, writer and historian, who has enjoyed a love of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean spanning more than 30 years.

Alasdair’s contact with the region began on the 1983 Heard Island Expedition – his first big adventure – in which he played a supporting role in the second only ascent of 3000-metre Big Ben, the active volcano that dominates the island. Two voyages with the Australian Antarctic Division's Humanities Program followed in the next couple of years.

In the late 1990s, Alasdair was the artist and photographer for two Mawson’s Huts Foundation summer conservation expeditions to Cape Denison, then in 1999 Alasdair staged Mawson’s Antarctica: A view from the huts, a major exhibition of his Antarctic paintings and photographs. In 2000, Alasdair curated the Australian High Commission to Canada's photographic exhibition, '… that sweep of savage splendour': A Century of Australians in Antarctica.

Alasdair has published three books with Antarctic themes: Mawson’s Huts: An Antarctic Expedition Journal (1999); Antarctica: that sweep of savage splendour (collected writings – editor 2011); and a biography of the renowned polar photographer Frank Hurley: A photographer’s life (2004). His other books include Grand Obsessions: The life and work of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, winner of the 2011 National Biography Award.

Away from Antarctica, Alasdair writes regularly for Australian Geographic and his research and creative interests range over architecture and design, natural history, and the history of exploration.

Alasdair has worked as a lecturer on tourist voyages to Antarctica since 2005, and has been a keen member of Aurora Expeditions’ Antarctic expedition team since 2012.

Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj is a glaciologist, geologist, astronomy enthusiast and visiting professor of environmental science at Colorado College in the United States.

Ulyana has always been drawn to adventure and science. Her PhD in geological sciences took her deep into the Nepali Himalaya, where she was the lead researcher for the Black Ice Project. She investigated contributions to ice mass loss on debris-covered glaciers, particularly in the Khumbu valley (Everest region). Ulyana went on to complete a post-doc at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, where she looked at how black carbon impacted snow and ice melt on Baffin Island in the Arctic.

Ulyana is especially passionate about science education and outreach. After completing her PhD, she launched an adventure and citizen science initiative called Science in the Wild, aimed at getting people outdoors, thinking like scientists and helping to collect scientific data while on expedition with her in the field. She has also worked with Girls on Ice, a program that takes teenage girls into the wilderness to do small scientific projects. Many of the participants have never set foot on a  mountain. Ulyana is also a member of a citizen science program called Project PoSSUM (polar suborbital science in the upper mesosphere), aimed at educating the public about the upper atmosphere, at the edge of space.

In 2016, Ulyana was chosen as mission commander for an on-the-ground deep space mission with NASA, and was chosen as one of 120 semifinalists (from a pool of 18,354 applicants) for NASA’s 2017 astronaut class.

Ulyana is a keen mountaineer and has climbed Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mont Blanc in the French Alps, Aconcagua (Argentina), Ojos del Salado (Chile), Lobuche East (Nepal) and peaks around Colorado. She also has experience working on an icebreaker in Antarctica and ice caving and climbing in Svalbard. Ulyana is excited to join the team and share the beauty of the geological and glacial landscapes we travel to!

Part outdoor experiential educator and part field biologist, Joselyn began her global education and travel feats at the age of 13. Since then, she has studied field biology in Tanzania and Ecuador, monitored brown bears in Alaska, worked with endangered birds in the forests of Hawaii, taught rock climbing and backpacking in North Carolina, surveyed rare plants in Texas, been employed as a chef and boat driver in the Adirondacks of New York, worked as a biologist and interpretive ranger at a variety of U.S. National Parks, trained in helicopter operations over Maui and deployed as a wildland firefighter in the western United States.

After earning a Master’s degree in Botany, this eclectic background helped her land a job working in support of the US Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. She went on to spend several seasons on the ice, including two winters at the South Pole where she for a time, the world’s most southerly farmer! After volunteering to give several local tours for both the station community as well as visiting expedition cruise ships, it was a natural step to join the ship-based expedition world as a way to merge her passion for education and desire to experience more of Antarctica - and really the rest of the globe.

When not somewhere far afield with expedition work, back in the U.S, Joselyn spends most of her time in the Big Bend region of far western Texas where she enjoys guiding, botanising, and watching and listening to life go by in the Chihuahuan Desert from the porch of her off-grid, fancy camping home.

Joselyn is passionate about learning more about the world around her, and sharing that passion with others-- hoping to inspire a broader appreciation for, and understanding of, the fascinating world we live in.

Language: Portuguese (Native), English (Fluent), Spanish (Fluent), French (Limited)

What began as an 8-year-old with a love for whales and dolphins led Dani to dedicate her life to the research and conservation of marine life. Born and raised in Brazil, she graduated with a degree in Marine Biology and a Master's degree in Biological Oceanography before diving into whale research for the next 12 years. After specialising in the study of Humpback Whales’ migratory dynamics of between Antarctica and Brazil, Dani felt inspired go beyond her expectations and share her knowledge.

She began work as a full-time Expedition Guide and Naturalist on ships all over the world, journeying from the warm tropics to the icy polar regions. What she loves about expedition travel is how every voyage is unique and there is always a possibility of something remarkable happening anytime, day or night.

Venturing out to sea as a Sea Cadet during her teens, Heidi then left home to work as a deckhand on a schooner on the west coast of her native Canada. Further travels to Bermuda and Canada’s west coast ignited a keen interest in the natural world.

Following her passion, Heidi worked on wilderness adventure boats to put herself through a Marine Biology degree at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. She has been enthusiastically interpreting the natural world ever since.

Heidi was a founding director of the Marine Education and Research Society and assisted with Humpback and Minke Whale research in British Columbia. She has also run a research vessel for Raincoast Conservation Society working on many projects including a large baseline study of marine mammals and sea birds.

Heidi now lives in Tasmania where she spends her free time hiking in the wild and remote regions and volunteering with the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

Stephen was born and raised mostly in Australia, but his fascination for travel and other cultures came after spending a few years in Fiji at a young age. A degree in surveying took him to the south east China Sea before extensive worldwide travels led him to settle in Canada. Having grown up in and around boats he later made a lifestyle change into marine wilderness tourism which has satisfied his fascination for wildlife and enjoyment of sharing it with others.

Since 1996, Stephen has operated a wide variety of vessels from 92' schooners on multi day wilderness tours and extensive research trips in a small ferry doing short mountain lake cruises. He has spent many seasons in Antarctica and the Arctic occupying various roles, always sharing his knowledge and love for the environment with expeditioners and the Expedition Team alike.

Sailing is Stephen's lifelong passion and pastime, and he and his wife have completed two Pacific Ocean crossings. On their return journey to Australia, they had the chance to explore many of the Pacific's marine mammals and endemic shorebirds. Stephen and his wife settled in Tasmania and are enjoying exploring the island state's rich wilderness by foot, kayak and bicycle. They also spend time care-taking remote properties for the National Park Service.

A professional adventure guide and intermittent resident of the Blue Mountains, Nina has been drawn to the polar regions since her first otherworldly experience of the midnight sun in 2002. Since then she has spent time in far northern Canada, the Himalayas, the Alps and deserts in America and Australia, always seeking out quiet, wild corners to explore. These experiences have instilled in her a deep respect for the balance of systems in the natural world.

Nina spent four years at university studying everything from literature and politics to science, Chinese medicine, psychology and French before graduating with a BA and an appreciation for good storytelling. She also trained as an outdoor guide, getting most excited about roped adventures, rescues and wilderness first aid.

Nina has worked as a canyoning guide and climbing instructor in the Blue Mountains, first aider and volunteer manager on events in the Simpson Desert, and as a guide and lecturer in Antarctica. She feels immensely privileged to travel to these places and shares her passions for the natural world, human stories and adventure with all the wonderful people she meets.

Nina is the author of Antarctica, published by Australian Geographic in September 2020.

Read some of Nina's articles here:

• Are There Polar Bears in Antarctica? No - find out why.
• 10 Fun Facts About Antarctica
• How Cold is Antarctica?
• Is Antarctica a desert? YES. Find out why
• Do People Live in Antarctica?
• Why Are There No Penguins in The Arctic?
• How To Get To Antarctica?
• What Animals Live in Antarctica?
• Who Owns Antarctica?

Jack’s passion for the wilderness was sparked during an Aurora Expeditions Scotland voyage, which explored the Hebrides and Orkney and Shetland Islands. Further travels through the spectacular fjords of Norway, Svalbard in the High Arctic, and to the ecological wonder of the Galápagos Islands only reaffirmed his passion for the ocean and wild places. A keen outdoor enthusiast, Jack trekked to Nepal’s Everest Base Camp at 14. In addition to trekking, he also counts competing in ocean swims, surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding and backcountry skiing among his hobbies.

Jack has worked alongside our Product Team since 2013, helping with the onboard development of new vessels, while spending as much time as he can at sea as part of our experienced Expedition Team. Jack is always eager to explore, experience new adventures and share his love of remote places. During an expedition, Jack loves being at the mercy of Mother Nature, and never knowing what the next moment will bring or when the next wildlife encounter will be. The ice may come in or wind may pick up, forcing the team to adapt to ‘Plan B’, ‘Plan C’ or even ‘Plan D’ on a single morning, so you never know what incredible experience is in store.

On expeditions, he encourages expeditioners to look up from their cameras and take in special moments to develop a connection to these places and make the memories of them all the more special.

Languages: German (Native), English  (Fluent), French (Fluent)

Annette is a marine biologist who specialises in whales, penguins and open ocean ecosystems. She holds a PhD in behavioural ecology of king penguins at the Subantarctic islands of South Georgia, Kerguelen and Crozet, and has worked on protected areas for macaroni penguins with the British Antarctic Survey, BirdLife International and CNRS France.

Annette has 15 years of experience as a whale watching guide and advisor for underwater film and photography teams in the Azores and Patagonia. As a guest lecturer for marine biology and sustainability with Heidelberg University in Germany, Annette now regularly takes students to the Azores for first-hand experience of the open ocean and to gain close experience with whales and dolphins, sharks, manta rays and seabirds.

Besides her work as a scientist and lecturer, Annette is collaborating with international education institutions to pass on her passion for the oceans and raise awareness of the fragility of the sea and its inhabitants.

Annette currently lives between Cambridge (UK), Heidelberg (Germany) and the Azores, where she works on sustainable fisheries, whale foraging behaviour and educating the next generation.

Carol’s passion for archaeology began with rescue excavations of medieval English towns, ports, churches and castles. After receiving a Masters degree in Archaeology and History from the University of Glasgow, she continued this work with investigation of some of the great medieval abbeys, palaces and gardens of England. In 1988 she returned to her native Scotland, and since then has lived and worked amongst the windswept islands of the Outer Hebrides, with field researches focused on ‘the archaeology of survival’ - the study of remote communities and deserted places.

Until 2012, Carol also worked for the National Trust for Scotland as archaeologist for St Kilda, helping to understand and preserve the unique heritage of this World Heritage site.

She also travels worldwide and in the polar regions as a guide and lecturer on expedition ships, including to Svalbard, Greenland and extensively to Antarctica, where she has found a second home under canvas on the ice cap.

Chris grew up amongst the mountains, forests, rivers and coast of his beloved New Zealand; hiking, climbing and skiing in the Southern Alps and travelling around in boats. After studying protected area management in New Zealand and a post-graduate degree in Australia, Chris has taught natural resource management at a First Nation tertiary college in the Northern Territory. After returning to New Zealand, he had an ecological restoration business; worked for the New Zealand Department of Conservation; and for a decade was a manager and environmental advocate with a prominent New Zealand conservation NGO.

Chris has spent the last four years as a guide, lecturer and Zodiac driver in the Arctic (Russian Far East), New Zealand and Australian Subantarctic Islands, and in Antarctica. He loves sharing his passion for wildlife and wild places, botany, nature conservation and history.

When not on ships, Chris does remote field work with the New Zealand Department of Conservation and works as a hiking guide around the South Island. He has also worked as a volunteer in Nepal, Bangladesh and the Philippines.

Jonathan’s passion for nature and the great outdoors stems from adventures roaming the bushlands of Adelaide Hills in Australia as a young man. His extensive knowledge of polar history, geography and ecology, combined with firsthand experience and expertise garnered during the writing of his many books on polar subjects.

Jonathan has had many experiences scuba diving, hiking and rock climbing which led to scaling
the faces of the legendary Mount Arapiles and Moonarie to mountaineering in New Zealand. Then spending the next decade “living to climb”, from the world’s highest peaks to more remote mountains, then shifting to decades of polar expeditions and adventures in Antarctica.

Cape Dennison, Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica, where Douglas Mawson’s built his famous Huts in 1911.

Advice: “Be Flexible!”The weather and ice conditions can vary greatly, often going from one extreme to the other changing plans, activities, or destinations. All part of the adventure of Antarctica!

Ian has worked as a wildlife filmmaker for over 30 years, mostly for the BBC Natural History Unit based in Bristol. In that time, he’s filmed on many of the big David Attenborough series such as Life In The Freezer, Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Frozen Planet and have won a BAFTA for Life In The Freezer and two prime time EMMYs for Blue Planet and Human Planet.

During that time, Ian has lived, worked and camped for long periods in remote wildernesses, from northern and eastern Greenland, Ellesmere Island, the Antarctic Peninsula, Siberia and the Subantarctic islands of South Georgia and Marion Island.

He’s swum with huge brown bears in British Columbia and been chased by a musk ox in Greenland. He has howled with wolves in Montana, snorkelled with thousands of sockeye salmon in the icy rivers of Alaska and walked through a mine field in Afghanistan.

Ten years ago Ian moved to Cornwall with his wife Anne and opened The Wild Studio, Cornwall where they exhibit and sell Ian’s panoramic wildlife pictures.

“I try to capture the sense of space and grandeur in a landscape and yet bring a feeling of intimacy with the wild creatures that I photograph. My films and photographs come from a lifelong love affair with the natural world. But as the wild places come under increasing threat, I’m constantly reminded how fragile nature is, and with that comes a new wonder for its ephemeral beauty which I do my best to bring to my images“.

Haining hails from China but has grown up in many places. He loves outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking, and enjoys reading adventure stories since childhood.

He joined Chinese Antarctica Research Expedition (CHINARE) in 2004 and stayed at Zhongshan station (69°22’S) for one winter season and two summer seasons doing science research. His science projects include Upper Atmosphere Research, Geomagnetic and Sea Ice research. During the Antarctic winter days, he enjoyed observing emperor penguins, Weddell seals and skuas as well as camping and hiking in Larsemann Hills. He then got E.E. Master’s degree and joined multinational companies to pursue a business career.

He is a world traveller and particularly loves glaciers and the aurora borealis. Since 2016, Haining began to work part-time as a polar guide in Antarctica and Arctic regions. Haining has a publishing workshop focusing on polar books translation and publishing. He also provides consulting services to local tour agencies.

Haining is joining Aurora Expeditions' new ship, M/V Greg Mortimer during its maiden season in Antarctica in a role of a cultural guide to assist our Mandarin speaking guests in discovering the wonders of the Frozen Continent.

王海宁，探险队员。海宁来自中国大陆，在多个城市生活。从小喜爱各类户外活动包括徒步，皮划艇以及阅读探险故事。2004年加入中国南极考察队，在南纬69度的中山站连度过一个冬季两个夏季进行科学考察，独立负责高空大气物理观测，并参与地磁观测和海冰观测。在南极冬天的日子里，海宁的业余爱好是观察帝企鹅，威德尔海豹和贼鸥，并热衷于在拉斯曼丘陵地带进行露营和徒步探险。在取得电子工程硕士之后，他加入国际公司追寻商业职业发展。海宁一直热爱环球旅行，尤其热爱冰川和极光。从2016年起，他开始成为南极和北极的极地向导。2018年初海宁拥有自己的专注极地书籍引进与翻译的图书工作室，并为国内的旅行公司提供极地咨询顾问。

Whether he’s on white-water rafting adventures in the American West or skiing the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, guiding outdoors has always felt natural to Jeff. He maintains the highest level of safety in the Arctic as a Firearms Master for polar bears. Jeff thrives off the demand for constant vigilance and counts his binoculars as being a more important tool than even his rifle. He is honoured to take expeditioners right to the heart of nature in the polar regions, to help them gain a truly new perspective. After a lifetime of work in different outdoor industries, he still loves learning from and exploring with fellow Expedition Team members.

His favourite destination  is Svalbard, specifically a fjord named Hornsund. This fjord has everything from bird cliffs to magnificent glaciers to towering mountain peaks and is a hot spot for polar bear sightings in southern Svalbard.

On expeditions, Jeff likes to offer this advice: "Get out on deck! I know it’s a lovely ship but get outside! The scenery, the wildlife, what you came here for is outside of those doors."

Scott Portelli is an international award-winning wildlife, nature and underwater photographer. He’s a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and is regarded as a leading professional in his field. Scott has spent thousands of hours in remote locations across the globe filming and photographing nature, wildlife, the underwater environment and wild places.

Scott has spent over a decade working in the polar regions with a focus on Antarctica, the Subantarctic and Artic regions, producing a unique portfolio of fine art photography that showcases the intricate environment and its intriguing inhabitants. Working in extreme conditions, Scott’s photography provides a rarely seen glimpse above and below the surface in some of the harshest places on the planet.

As a professional nature, wildlife, underwater and aerial photographer, Scott spends a lot of time travelling the world to remote destinations in search of some of the most amazing creatures on the planet. For Scott, it is about the journey, bringing an idea to life by capturing a moment in time or by evoking an emotion. Each image has a unique story that is usually a very intimate moment that Scott may have shared with the subject.

“To create interesting concepts, it sometimes involves me immersing myself in an environment in order to research the location, subject matter and what opportunities may present themselves. I once spent two months on the back of a snow mobile in Baffin Island, Canadian Arctic in minus 37 degrees just to do a reconnaissance of the region for a series of photos I wanted to produce. In the end, I love what I do and I love sharing the natural world through photography.”

Scott was awarded at the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year in London in 2016, announced National Winner of the Sony World Photography Awards 2016 and Winner at Travel Photographer of the Year 2015. More recently, he was awarded winner in the Animal Behaviour Category at the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year ANZANG 2017, winner in the Underwater Category of the Asferico International Nature Photography Awards 2018 and runner up in the Behaviour Category at Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019. His conservation documentary also took out two awards at the prestigious French Underwater Film Festival in Marseille.

Scott's other notable awards include:

• 3^rd Prize - National Geographic Travel Photo Contest - Nature Category 2019
• Winner - 13^th Annual Black & White Spider Awards 2018
• Highly Honoured - Nature's Best, Windland Smith Rice International Awards 2018
• Winner - Sony World Photography Awards 2016

An accredited licensed RPAS/UAV Pilot, Scott has worked on aerial projects for some of Australia’s most sought-after tourism destinations.

Scott runs photography workshops and lectures to show enthusiasts and experts alike the best way to get the most out of their photography. On his Polar tours he specialises in Nature & Wildlife photography bringing the best tips and techniques for photographing in challenging locations.

As a Korean adoptee growing up in rural NSW, Matt has always been fascinated with the mountains and remote destinations featured in his parents' National Geographic magazines. Following university, he set off on multiple trekking expeditions across South America. Armed with a small point and shoot camera, Matt fell in love with exploring and photographing the natural world. Shortly after returning home, he then set off on a 3.5-year journey around the world, working across various vocations, all the while taking more and more photos.

In 2017, Matt embarked on a project for Olympus Australia across Central Asia and has been since working closely alongside them as an Official Ambassador. What he loves most about photography is the incredible locations you get to document and the amazing people you meet along the way. Sharing in those 'Wow' moments amplifies the experience in a way no other vocation can compare

As a child growing up in the 80s, Pia was fascinated by film and the power of images. Today, she still loves the role photography can play in creating awareness and inspiring social change. She asked for her first camera at age 9, started taking photography classes in high school and went on to study a degree in Audio-Visual Production and Photography. After graduating, Pia started her global education, travelling everywhere from Patagonia to Sri Lanka to the polar regions, working as a portrait and documentary photographer.

She has spent the last decade sharing the technical and creative photographic tips she has learned with travellers. For the past five years, she has tilted her practice to more collaborative and sustainable projects in areas of human rights issues, working for NGOs like UNICEF. 

Michael is a Freelance Travel Photographer and was born on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where his love for photography and the environment was ignited at an early age. Michael has worked with a number of global clients, with his images being used in various forms of media.

Michael's love of travelling has seen him explore seven continents and over 50 countries, naturally with a camera in hand. He specialises in landscape and wildlife photography with a particular interest in photographing the Polar Regions.

Michael believes that there is no greater travel experience than exploring the remote Polar Regions, and loves getting off the beaten track with a small group of like-minded passengers aboard the Polar Pioneer. He especially enjoys sharing his passion for photography and assisting others to capture images of these incredible scenes.

Michael also has a Bachelor of Science and is a Director of one of Australia's leading Environmental Consultancies, delivering innovative and practical environmental management solutions for a wide variety of clients.

With a passion for exploring the world and capturing its beauty through his lens, Jamie is a talented Writer and Photographer hailing from Scotland. He has visited all seven continents and over 50 countries, and earned the 2020 Consumer Travel Writer of the Year award. Jamie’s work has been featured in prestigious publications including the New York Times, Sunday Times, Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, Outside and Financial Times. He has journeyed to Antarctica eight times, spent a week in Svalbard while a horror film was being shot, and has stories to tell from just about everywhere in between. His favourite destination so far is South Georgia for its extraordinary history and unpredictable nature.

Always funny and invariably poignant, make time hear some of Jamie’s tales on your expedition, and learn a trick or two on capturing your best photos in his photography lectures.

Adrian is a world-renowned action and adventure photographer who specialises in photographing the wildlife and landscapes of the polar regions while being immersed in the planet’s most precious and provocative environments. His commercial work has been used by a host of travel, sport, lifestyle and expedition publications across the globe, and he has consistently worked with the athletes on the World Surf Tour and UCI World Cycling events.

Adrian is committed to assisting others develop the confidence to succeed at their passions through his high-performance strategy consulting company. He is currently working on a book that will explores the inner journey to fulfilling your full potential.

When not working, you can find Adrian watching a Liverpool Football Club match, sailing a yacht to an undisclosed destination, swimming laps or trying to discover which tequila accompanies the world’s best fish taco.   

Edwin is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a passion for all activities based on, in and under water.

He’s an Australian currently living in Arizona, USA.

Edwin is an experienced polar ice diver, he holds many diving certifications with several agencies, including: Divemaster, Master Scuba Diver, deep diver and extended range river, rescue diver, gas blender, Trimix, DPV, and emergency oxygen provider. Edwin has been a certified diver since 1986 and has dived in the polar regions with Aurora Expeditions aboard the Polar Pioneer, where his love affair with the polar regions started.

Outside his passion for water activities, Edwin is also a helicopter pilot and an entrepreneur. He has successfully started and managed several start-up companies from inception to multinational status. Edwin has a Master’s degree in Management from Macquarie University in Sydney and has worked in the commercial lighting industry for over 30 years.

Alex was born and raised in Northern California, an area wilder and closer to nature (and colder!) than most imagine. Since he could hold his head up, he was seated in a kayak, eventually beginning to lead tours off the rough and rocky Santa Cruz coastline after graduating from the University of California.

Spending his entire youth climbing and skiing the Sierra’s, surfing, kayaking and boating off the coast, and travelling the world with his parents led him comfortably into a life of guiding. His education in earth sciences at the university inspired an environmentalist attitude, as well as a research-based approach to science and learning. Working among scientists and leading experts has allowed him to make friends with and learn from some of the brightest and enthusiastic members of the industry since the start, and inspired a passion for the birdlife and lichen ecology of the polar regions.

After beginning work with a world-class surf kayaker in Santa Cruz, Alex has travelled the world, continuously challenging himself in and out of a kayak. Guiding month long kayak trips in the Patagonian Fiords, paddling the deceivingly tricky and frigid waters of the Pacific Northwest, and providing hands-on logistical support for whole-season scientific field trips in the High Arctic, among others have provided lessons and experience in leadership and wilderness conduct.

Although these skills are useful for guiding work in polar regions, they also transfer well to Alex’s personal life. When not guiding, he can be found climbing, paddling, skiing and fishing around the Lofoten Islands which he calls home.

Growing up on the South Coast of NSW, the coastline and its beaches were always a second home to Eamon. He would explore the coastline either kayaking, snorkelling, or surfing during ocean swim events. Eamon bought his first kayak with a friend at the age of 13 years old and has had more than one type or another ever since.

The canyons and cliffs of the Blue Mountains soon called to him and a long love of climbing and bushwalking followed. The amazing people he met in the mountains would shape what he wanted to do and become in life.

Eamon transferred from electronics tech industry to outdoor guiding in 1994, and he has been involved in outdoor education, guiding, training, instructing and assessing people in a variety of adventurous pursuits and first aid courses ever since.

He is truly rewarded seeing people enjoy new activities, experience different cultures, and be affected by beautiful natural environments. For years Eamon has lead student teams to Peru, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, NZ, Fiji and Nepal. These expeditions encourage the students to grow in independence, resilience and awareness.

For the last 10 years, he has also been working as a sea kayaking guide in Fiji and beyond. Back at home he continues to guide, teach and share his love of the outdoors with adult and student groups.

His passion for languages, travel and adventure has made for a wealth of great memories and stories.

Growing up in Moscow with adventure-loving parents, Ivan was kayaking and hiking by age six! He accompanied his parents on all kinds of outdoor adventures, from kayaking through the wild Kamchatka peninsula to hiking in Nepal and Turkey. After studying hospitality management for several years, he finally decided to follow his true passion and has been working as a Kayak Guide for the last five years in some of the most wild and remote places on earth.

Ivan's extensive experience kayaking, along with his contagious energy and enthusiasm, combine to make him a huge asset to our Expedition Team who relishes helping expeditioners develop their skills while having unforgettable experiences in the beautiful destinations we visit. He believes that the polar regions attract special people, and relishes helping expeditioners test their limits!

Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Fluent)

Liz has been an explorer since before she can remember. Whether in the mountains, on the water, in the city or just her backyard her curiosity constantly led her off the beaten path and into great adventures. Coming from a long line of seafarers and pirates she has always been naturally drawn to the ocean. She has explored the world’s most remote corners and coastlines by sea kayak.

A professional guide since 2003, Liz works in expedition development, instruction and programs for expedition ships, schools and organisations. She can’t wait to get out amongst the polar waters with our expeditioners in 2022.

Peter's career has taken him down several unusual paths, from a stint in the military, to Civil Engineering, to working on TV survival shows, and to life in a Tanzanian National Park working for a well-known wildlife conservation trust. But he now spends his winters heli-skiing as one of the head guides for Bella Coola Helisports and at several backcountry ski-touring lodges. In the fall he spends much of his time guiding guests to view grizzly bears in the Bella Coola valley.

He also guides rock climbing and sea-kayaking trips. Born in Montreal, and having lived and guided for many years in Europe, the lure of endless white-capped mountains and the pristine Pacific Ocean enticed Peter to British Columbia where he can live his passions everyday and share his love of wild untouched places with others. He spends every possible moment exploring and adventuring in the backcountry on skis, in a kayak, trail running, climbing or surfing.

Peter is always up for a new adventure, the more remote, the better. His down to earth, relaxed demeanour and wealth of experience make him a great companion in the mountains or on the sea. Peter loves practicing his Spanish.

He is certified through the British Canoe Union as a 5-star sea kayak Leader and through the SKGABC as a Level 3 guide. He has guided trips all over Canada, Scotland, Norway and Iceland.

Gabby Bruce describes her experience of first sitting in a sea kayak in 2015 while studying adventure tourism in New Zealand. She loved participating in this course which set her up with adventure guide training across a wide variety of disciplines including river/sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bushcraft and snow sports, setting me on my course of adventure guiding and travel. Her passion for Kayaking is truly infectious, and she inspires all those who paddle with her.

Tarn works year round in the outdoors of NZ and is qualified as an IFMGA Mountain and Ski guide. Since visiting Antarctica for the first time in 1994 he has returned over 15 times and admits to being completely addicted.

He is based in Queenstown NZ, his home of 25 years. Tarn spends the winter months heli skiing and ski touring and during the long South Island Summers he guides and works on film and television productions as a safety officer. He is also contracted as the Crew Chief for the local Air Ambulance service and volunteers for the local Alpine Cliff Rescue Team.

In his spare time, Tarn gets out on his mountain bike or skis as much as possible to explore his home patch in the beautiful southern lakes of the South Island.

Jane is an IFMGA qualified mountain and ski guide based in the South Island of New Zealand. She began trawling around the mountains during her time at Otago University, where mountain huts were an excellent substitute for lecture theatres.

Prior to guiding full time she worked a number of years in outdoor related industries including ski patrolling in NZ and the USA; as an outdoor instructor in Scotland and for Outward Bound NZ, and as part of the Aoraki Rescue Team based in Mount Cook Village, New Zealand.

During a 5 year nomadic work-travel stint around the globe she spent three months in a tent living at Patriot Hills, in the Antarctic Interior. Her memory numbed by the cold, she went back for a second season, and visited the South Pole with a crew of astronauts.

She speaks Japanese, has a side line interest in Plant Based Nutrition, and finds the simplicity and awe of life in the mountains a very fulfilling and humbling place to be.

Michael is an experienced CEO with more than 25 years of experience successfully building and managing global international sports brands including Nike, Hurley, O’Neill and Surf Hardware International. His passion for the outdoors, the environment and surfing make for a great fit culturally with Aurora as well as his extensive global experience marketing to adventure focused consumers.

When Carolyn hit the backpacker trail straight out of high school it was the start of a 10-year adventure that saw her swim in the Dead Sea, sail down the Nile in a Felucca, and complete her Australian pilgrimage to Gallipoli in Turkey. The travel bug certainly bit hard: she's now traversed all seven continents, often with her UK husband and kids in tow.

Based on Sydney's northern beaches, Carolyn spent a decade overseeing the HR function at Surf Life Saving NSW before joining Aurora Expeditions. She's a true 'people person' who thrives on developing meaningful relationships and helping others succeed and grow. She's the person who ensures your expedition team is highly skilled, supremely qualified and dedicated to creating magical moments.

David has always had a passion for travel and learning from experience. After graduating from the University of Montreal’s business school, he moved to China for a year to gain experience in Operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. After returning to Canada, he was introduced to expedition travel and spent the next 11 years working for a polar expedition operator promoting this unique type of travel to adventurous travellers and the trade community. In 2022, David completed his Master of Business Administration at Canada's Ivey Business School, and learnt the importance of implementing purpose into his career. Understanding the power of positive impact that tourism can promote, David is excited to be working for Aurora – a pioneer and global leader in sustainable expedition travel – as our Global Head of Sales.

Before embarking on her journey with Aurora Expeditions, Kris navigated the seas of travel with a trailblazing spirit. Having held executive-level positions in various sectors of the cruise industry, her career path encompassed various leadership roles as Vice President of Sales at luxury yacht/expedition companies and other prestigious cruise lines, where she forged valuable partnerships and spearheaded innovative strategic sales and marketing initiatives.

Kris is guided by "The Golden Rule" in her leadership approach: "treat others as you wish to be treated". Kris anchors her life in Dallas, TX, while her New Jersey roots infuse her with passion, resilience, and determination. A dedicated mother to daughters Bryn and Layne, she finds joy in her role as "Kiki" to grandson Grayson.

Together with her husband, Frank, Kris is fueled by a shared passion for adventure travel. Whether she's mountain biking through rugged landscapes, immersed in a captivating book, or indulging in well-deserved "Netflix and chill" days, Kris embraces life with boundless enthusiasm and a thirst for new experiences.

Andrew joins AE Expeditions with over 15 years of experience in sales-focused roles within the travel industry, including eight years with Intrepid Group. His deep passion for sustainability and responsible travel led him to join AE Expeditions, inspired by our recent B Corp accreditation and sustainability initiatives.

Outside of work, Andrew is a dedicated explorer, always eager to venture off the beaten track and immerse himself in new cultures. He can often be found in a Spanish city, savouring the food and wine culture. Andrew also loves to explore closer to home and enjoys wandering the picturesque landscapes of the English countryside, particularly in the Peak District and New Forest, accompanied by his loyal French bulldog, George.

With a career spanning more than 30 years in the global travel and cruise industry – including leading brands such as Cunard, Ponant, Lindblad Expeditions, Orion and Oceania Cruises – Steve brings a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to Aurora Expeditions.

Travel is Steve's absolute passion, especially expedition cruising and he cannot wait to work closely with Aurora Expeditions’ loyal trade partners on our new expedition itineraries and remote destinations.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Sasha embarked on a transformative journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, immersing herself in a six-month exploration of culture and community. Upon returning to Australia, Sasha pursued her passion for global development, earning a Masters in International Development.

In both her professional endeavors and personal life, she champions conversations on the intricacies of pressing global issues – from the climate crisis to biodiversity loss and pollution. Sasha believes in educating and creating positive change at every level, be it individual, business, or governmental.

Outside of work Sasha finds solace on the serene south coast, disconnecting from the hustle, gathering around a crackling fire with friends, indulging in the joy of swimming, and losing herself in the pages of a good book.

Born in France on the shores of the Mediterranean and growing up in North Queensland, Sandrine has always had a deep love of the ocean and wild places. Studying Marine Biology & Zoology and Antarctic Sciences she has a deep respect for the environment and loves to share her passion for conservation.

After teaching in secondary schools for 15 years she discovered the world of expedition cruising in 2014 working as an Expedition Leader in remote areas such as Borneo, Indonesia, PNG, Melanesia and the Kimberley in the tropics to the Subantarctic Islands and Antarctica in the south. As Expedition Teams Recruitment Manager she is responsible for recruiting the most passionate, motivated and talented people for the Expedition teams on board the Aurora fleet. At home Sandrine enjoys stand-up paddleboarding, yoga and spending time with her children, dogs and horses.

Svet’s passion for travel developed at a young age via her interest in history, culture, and learning foreign languages. Svet loves honing her language skills and picking up the basics in each new destination and is driven by the potential of whatever tasty food is waiting around the corner, often letting the search for a specific dish guide her daily itinerary.

Svet has been lucky enough to work in travel PR for more than a decade, with experience promoting travel to places including New South Wales, the USA, Peru, Los Cabos, Germany, and now Aurora's voyages to the world's wild and remote destinations.

Svet is proud to be part of a company that has curiosity, adventure and responsible travel at its core and loves working with media partners globally to help tell the story of the transformational experiences that Aurora Expeditions offers its passengers.

Tomas was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Ecology he underwent a winter in Antarctica at the Polish Research Base of Henry Arctowski, as part of his PhD. Scholarship.

Since 1993 he has been involved in the Expedition Cruising industry, leading expeditions, on board various vessels, bound to Antarctica, the Arctic, Amazon River, as well as Iceland and Greenland. His broad experience in these areas has seen him lead the field in operations, itineraries and logistics for premium expedition cruise companies around the world.

During his career, Tomas has also supported as well as managed logistics for several Antarctic Research Bases as well as provided assistance to the Antarctic Heritage Trust, and the South Georgia Heritage Trust, in between others.

In his free time he enjoys sailing his yacht in the River Plate, rowing, playing tennis and cooking for friends.

Andy’s passion for exploration and travel was ignited in his teenage years during school trips to China and Washington D.C. Experiencing new and different cultures left him eager to explore more of the world.

Since leaving school Andy has worked in a variety of roles in Hospitality and Tourism, from managing restaurants across the world to spending over a decade in luxury travel agencies and tour operators in the UK.

One of Andy's core values is sustainability, which attracted him to Aurora Expeditions. In addition to helping Aurora become the global leader in sustainable expedition travel, he continues to work within the wider travel industry to share and develop ways to improve sustainability across the industry.

Outside of work, Andy loves getting out of London to go hiking and enjoying a meal with friends in the bustling city's ever-changing restaurant scene.

Katie has firsthand experience of remote nature travel, having worked onboard cruise ships sailing around the Arctic to destinations like Greenland and Iceland. This sparked an appreciation for experiencing the natural world at its most pristine. Her passion for sustainability, and doing what we can to protect these natural destinations aligns with Aurora's values of respectful exploration and discovery.

Katie brings a keen drive to grow Aurora’s market share within the UK and an understanding extensive lead generation skills from her varied travel industry experience, including work with tour operators, a small ship startup and onboard cruise ships.

Karen's passion for travel started early in life. When she left school, her first job was working in a boarding school high up in the mountain town of Crans-Montana, Switzerland. This started her love affair with mountains, travelling and adventure.

Since then, she worked for British Airways for over 15 years in various roles – mainly within corporate communications and the London Gatwick press office. After leaving British Airways, Karen lived in Virginia, USA with her family for 4 years. Returning back to the UK, Karen then worked for a Canadian luxury train operator, before joining Aurora Expeditions.

Karen's motto is ‘I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list!’

Karen has four children, and her parental advice amounts to ‘ travel – go and see the world!’

When not travelling or working, you can find Karen clay shooting, paddle boarding along the River Wey, horse riding in the Surrey Hills, or just walking and enjoying the beautiful countryside she is lucky to call home.

With 24 years of Travel experience, Travis Graham has successfully and consistently risen to the top of all aspects of the travel industry. After successfully studying business travel Travis went on to be a high achiever in retail travel, leading successful teams before becoming a national airfare expert solving ticketing problems for major retail chains and Multinational Airlines. Seeing opportunities in the online sector Travis went on to successfully integrate booking engines into the marketplace. With a passion for Adventure Travel and expedition cruising Travis has travelled to all seven continents while successfully growing business in this competitive arena.

Along with a successful career in travel Travis’ strong work ethic and desire to succeed has allowed him to also work as a landscaper, farm hand, electrical labourer and professional driver for international film crews to increase his support of his family.

He enjoys challenges and has strong family values and spends as much time underwater as a Divemaster or on top water skiing as possible in his free time. As a keen gardener and bush walker he can be found cooking up a storm out of his own garden or foraged foods.

Alex caught the travel bug from a very early age. Growing up in Belgium, her family made the most of being so close to everywhere and took her on numerous holidays. She was instantly hooked and up to this day, still spends her life looking forward to her next trip.

She lived a few years in the UK where she studied Tourism and had a stint with PR – she loves her puns!

She then spent the next few years working for Club Med in the UK Head office, as well as a few months in one of their resorts in France, putting together conferences and incentives and sometimes escorting groups around the world.

Looking for ‘a sunnier version of London’, she landed in Sydney and has not looked back since! After Translation studies, she missed travel too much and worked for a wholesaler promoting Europe and the South Pacific for over 5 years.

Ready for a new challenge, she joined the Aurora family in November 2017 and is very excited to tell everyone about our stunning and unique destinations!

When she is not at work, she loves to spend time catching up with friends, looking for unusual fun activities, or working out behind the ‘barre’!

Amelya has over 20 years' experience in the cruise industry. Growing up New Zealand she finished her Advanced Diploma in Travel Management before embarking on her journey in the travel industry. Working for a small cruise wholesaler, she was fortunate to start with her very first cruise aboard the legendary QE2 but later realised her passion to explore the world by sea can only be via an expedition.

Having worked for a number of cruise and expedition travel companies within the Sales teams, she shares her many stories of kayaking amongst the ice of Alaska, climbing to the top of King George Falls in Australia’s Kimberley or being mesmerised by comical penguins of the south. Amelya loves meeting new people and immersing herself into local cultures and even though worlds apart experiences, she fell in love
with the gorgeous kids of Papua New Guinea but also the big bright lights of New York City.

When she is not at work she loves to be outdoors – enjoying Waka Ama (outrigger canoeing), catching up with friends and family and cheering on the mighty All Blacks even though she has been living in Australia for nearly 20 years - she will always be a "Kiwi girl".

With over 35 years’ experience in the travel industry, Helen has a passion for exploring new destinations. Helen’s expertise spans across various facets of the travel industry including wholesale, retail and mobile based travel advisors.

When she’s not planning the next great adventure, Helen enjoys swimming, walking, seeing live bands and spending time with family and friends. She believes that travel is not just about seeing new places but about creating lasting memories.

Scott's love for travel was sparked during his childhood adventures in the back of a station wagon. Every vacation, his parents would pack up the car and drive him and his sister across the U.S., allowing him to explore 36 states by the time he turned 13.

In college, Scott knew he wanted to work in the travel industry, so he pursued a management degree in hospitality. After various roles in the airline industry, he found his true passion in expedition sales. Scott's first experience in expedition sales involved managing business development for multiple expedition travel brands. He fell in love with selling (and visiting) off-the-beaten-path destinations like the Amazon, Svalbard, Antarctica, Cuba, and the Galapagos. Later, his passion and knowledge grew in another expedition company, where he learned how to bring expeditions to life by sharing photographs and telling descriptive stories to travel advisors and future guests.

Scott's love and passion for expedition travel remain strong today. He aims to grow the expedition market by teaching guests how sustainability will not only save our planet but also enhance the beauty of these incredible destinations. He is committed to continuing his growth by learning about and visiting extraordinary places.

When not working, Scott loves spending time with his wife and soon-to-be adult children. His daughter will graduate from college by the end of this year, and his son is a sophomore in college. The family enjoys traveling, playing games, and attending concerts. Scott has a passion for kayaking and loves exploring new destinations by kayak. His favorite kayaking memory is paddling in the middle of an ice field near Svalbard.

Carmen’s interest in travel was sparked at a very young age by her father who would take her to the airport on weekends to watch planes take off and land. She spent hours dreaming of all the places those planes could take her. This passion for plane spotting continued until her early twenties, when she finally embarked on her own journeys.

A true adventurer at heart, Carmen has explored over 40 countries spanning all seven continents! A few of her favourite destinations include Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, Patagonia, Australia, and New Zealand. She’s worked in the travel industry for over two decades, spending the last several years in the exciting world of expedition travel.

When she’s not travelling (or planning her next trip) – she loves staying active by running, swimming, and walking. She’s climbed all 1776 steps (144 flights) of Toronto’s CN Tower in support of wildlife charities. She loves to bake and spend time with her family.

Bonnie grew up living in seven different countries and was bitten by the travel bug at an early age.  After graduating from Pepperdine University she went to work for a travel agency and has worked in the travel industry ever since.  Her vast experience includes working for British Airways, Virtuoso, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Brendan Vacations.  She thrives on cultural learning, experiential travel and discovering remote corners of the world.

After her first trip to Antarctica eight years ago she fell in love with expedition travel.  Some of her favorite destinations in addition to Antarctica include India, Borneo, Kenya, and Peru.  She is passionate about environmental sustainability and the Aurora Expeditions experience and commitment to responsible, respectful travel is aligned perfectly with her core values and goals.

When not traveling to exotic places she enjoys spending time outdoors and taking care of her rescue dogs.

Danna started her career in Polar Expeditions 10 years ago. She has been all over the polar regions by ship and on foot. She loves Antarctica and all its glory. She can talk endlessly about her experiences there, and her friends live vicariously through her expeditions. But Danna has a deep seeded passion and respect for the Arctic.

Growing up in the mountains of British Columbia Canada, and being close to the Arctic, she felt it was an easy reach. She spent her young adult years listening to Canadian folk singer Stan Rogers, who sang passionately about Canadian history, the Northwest Passage, and the Bluenose Ship. She says his baritone voice, and traditional songs, lead her to where she is today. She still gets goose bumps when she talks about the History of Franklin and how she feels when she stands on Beachy Island in the Canadian Arctic.

Danna has an arctic library that she uses for inspiration and exploration daily. She worked with a team of Explorers in 2014 to assist with the great find of the HMS Erebus. Her knowledge both past and present in the Canadian arctic is extensive.

Danna believes that sustainability, education, and passion are the most important part of travel. You must see it to believe it, and you must believe it to care. And to Care is to protect. Danna wants to explore and travel to many more remote places in the world. And she believes that traveling by ship is one of the best ways to do that.

During the last 25 years she has raised two children, hiking them around the mountains in BC, and living close to her large family. When they travel, she tells them “Check in with me, explore passionately, and don’t come home until you’re done” and she says they almost always listen to her.