Home Team

John has been devoted to the Adventure Travel business for nearly 30 years, and for the last two decades has been solely dedicated to Polar travel, specifically to Antarctica.

He is the co-founder and still owner-operator of Polar Latitudes, a boutique US-based company that has, throughout its history, been uniquely focused on creating teams and operations with a dual mission of providing a once-in-a-lifetime passenger experience, while going above and beyond the traditional “leave no trace” mandate for this fragile yet critical part of the world. John believes it is his responsibility to leave the Antarctic environment better, and his passengers more enlightened, for having made the journey. Polar Latitudes was the first company to make Citizen Science a part of every voyage, and this year, will be adding a marine studies lab onboard, just two examples of John’s commitment to better understanding and caring for the continent he calls his second home.

John represents Polar Latitudes in the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and serves as Chairman of the Industry Exec Committee.

In 20 years of providing hotel and catering services to the expedition cruise industry, Erich Graf and his team at Signum Hotel Operations have gained an industry-wide reputation as the leading supplier of quality hospitality. From offices in Austria and Western Australia, Signum provides superior global hotel operations and management services with a can-do attitude and a hands-on approach. Polar Latitudes is thrilled to have Signum as its key partner in this critical aspect to any polar voyage.

Pat was Canada’s first Antarctic Expedition Leader during the 1993-94 season, a time when there were only 7 member companies in IAATO. Pat went on to become VP of Operations for Marine Expeditions, with over seven vessels under charter operating expeditions worldwide. He then joined Quark Expeditions as President and CEO until transitioning to a director role in 2011.

Pat is passionate about the Polar regions and believes strongly that properly managed, environmentally sensitive tourism will ultimately lead to better stewardship of these incredible wildernesses. Pat is actively involved with both IAATO and AECO and leads our purpose initiatives including local community engagement and environmental audits.

In addition to expedition cruising, Pat has also worked extensively in the global education sector. He has degrees from the London School of Economics, The University of Toronto, and the University of Western Ontario. Pat has worked on all seven continents, sailed the world’s five oceans, and speaks three languages.

Silver medalist in the 2017 World Guide Awards, Hayley has spent 13 years adventuring in Antarctica, and still feels privileged to walk amongst the penguins, float on a sea of bergy bits, or await the surface of a Humpback while surrounded by glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountain peaks. Hayley’s motto is, “Live your dreams, follow your passions.”

In BC, Canada, Hayley keeps in the company of Orca and Humpback whales, Grizzly and Black bears. She relishes in the Polar bear and Beluga whale capital of the world working as a guide in Churchill, Manitoba.  Originally from the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, she now calls Vancouver Island home.  In her spare time, Hayley likes to take extended sea kayaking adventures around Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. She once attempted the world’s first solo sea kayak journey around South Georgia Island to help raise awareness for the Albatross, about which a book and documentary were made.

Hayley looks forward to sharing with you her passion, admiration and respect for this polar region. It will change you. Are you ready?

Erin has over 15 years of experience working in different segments of the travel industry, from an agent booking discount travel for students to an IT specialist for various major luxury tour operators, and many jobs in between. In her role as VP of Administration, Erin is responsible for promoting and maintaining an effective workflow within and between departments, to ensure the overall forward progress of the company’s higher-level goals by actively managing the efficiency of day-to-day processes.

With an extensive amount of hours logged traveling to almost every corner of the world, Erin brings a balance of technical skill, efficiency, and a true understanding of, and respect for, the guest experience.

Tim has been in the travel industry for over 20 years with 10 years dedicated exclusively to the Polar regions. Having successfully led both sales and client services teams, he brings his experience and dedication for the region to every situation, and truly understands what makes Polar Latitudes unique.

When he’s not assisting partners and guests, you’ll find Tim traveling anywhere and everywhere, from 5-star river cruises in Europe to pop-up tents in Tanzania – he’s game to get out and see the world! Tim has been to over 65 counties and managed to go to all 7 continents in an 8-month period. He looks forward to helping others make that dream a reality with a visit to the 7th continent!

On her first voyage to Antarctica 20 years ago, Chris immediately fell in love with the lure of polar expedition cruising and decided to make it her new career. Chris brought a high-tech savvy to her new passion and in 2007 was named Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist for polar cruising.

From a base in Northern California, Chris continues to set the standard for product knowledge in the industry. Whether sales, customer service, or information technology, her background in software development, technical expertise and keen attention to detail make her a huge asset to the Polar Latitudes team and ensure a flawless booking procedure for our partners.

Lana has worked in the Polar industry for over a decade, introducing Antarctica into developing markets and developing new business.  She values the strong relationships she’s made with Travel Partners from all over the world.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Lana came to the United States at 19 to attend college.  She promised her mother she would only stay for four years, but, like with us all, life happened!  Her first job in the US saw her organizing trips to Alaska for adults with disabilities, which led to her decision to pursue a career in travel.

An Aromatherapy enthusiast, Lana spends her leisure time making soaps and natural body butters for friends and family.

Conny has been an outdoors person all of her life growing up at the feet of the German Alps. Having spent her childhood skiing and mountaineering in local regions it was the crucial adventures across the neighboring borders that indoctrinated her great love of travel. This deep passion led Conny abroad at the youthful age of 16 where she would complete her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business in the U.S. and Hong Kong respectively. From there, Conny has followed a successful career in Sales & Marketing within international luxury hotels, living and working in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Conny’s enthusiasm and passion for Antarctica was born after embarking on her first expedition cruise, aboard our very own Hebridean Sky.  As a member of our Sales team, partners will love her bubbly personality, abundant energy, and commitment to the partner relationships she builds.

Dr Shawna Laursen grew up in Barrow, Alaska, and has degrees in both Marine Biology and Psychology. Before medical school, Shawna worked as a Marine Biologist in Prince William Sound, Alaska. She completed medical school and residency training at the University of Washington, with specialty training in Emergency, Addiction, and Family Medicine. She is currently practicing full time Emergency Medicine in Washington State.

When not in the ER, she enjoys participating in a variety of activities…hiking, SCUBA diving, kayaking, traveling, and reading. Working with Polar Latitudes has allowed Shawna to combine her love of medicine, marine life, and adventure.

Every Polar Latitudes voyage has a currently-practicing and English-speaking doctor experienced in Emergency medicine. Medical services are available 24 hours a day, and a doctor accompanies passengers on all shore landings.

Filomena has over 15 years of experience in the travel industry, specializing in custom adventures to Patagonia, South America, and Antarctica. A social butterfly and foodie at heart, Filomena loves meeting new people as she travels the world taking food tours and cooking classes. Her infectious personality and fun-loving spirit shine through everything she does.  Filomena is fluent in Portuguese and conversant in Spanish, and her happy place is anywhere that has an ocean.  She is ready to help you plan your next Antarctic adventure!

Janice has been in the Travel industry for over 18 years. After obtaining her degree in Travel & Tourism, she began her career as a travel consultant, continuing to grow in the industry as a branch manager and most recently a trainer for a major home based travel agency. Janice loves exploring new places and meeting new people, locally and internationally. With her passion for travel, she is thrilled at the opportunity to help you and your clients book a life-changing trip to Antarctica.

Born and raised in Pakistan, Muhammad has always had a curiosity about the world. His travels took him from Islamabad to Bahrain to Abu Dhabi before he ultimately settled in Chile – a place he immediately felt right at home. After working as an Administrator in the hospitality industry in Santiago for two years, Muhammad embarked on his journey in the Antarctic travel industry, making it his new career. After working for six years in the Clients & Services Department with a local Antarctic cruise provider, he is excited to be a part of the Polar Latitudes family.

With a passion for writing and tourism marketing, Kristy found herself working in polar tourism and fell in love with the polar regions. She loves discovering the fascinating stories about the history, wildlife and experiences that Antarctica has to offer and sharing them with our dedicated Polar Latitudes followers on social media.

Originally a media professional, Kristy is always keen to learn new skills and try something new. She has worked as a tour guide, TV host, bartender, event, and radio producer before finding her passion for PR and Communications. Kristy is an avid scuba diver with a deep love of wildlife. She enjoys travel, skiing and hiking around her home base in British Columbia, Canada.

Mariela was born and raised in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and the main gateway to Antarctica. Growing up immersed in stories of legendary explorers like Nordenskjøld and the local hero José María Sobral, she developed an unshakable dream of venturing even further south.

Her childhood unfolded amidst the rugged beauty of Tierra del Fuego, far from city life, where the towering mountains shaped her love for the outdoors. Winter sports became second nature, and she mastered a variety of disciplines, including Nordic skiing, splitboarding, biathlon, skijoring, mushing, and ice skating. Mariela’s passion and skill in biathlon led her to compete in the Biathlon World Championships and participate in numerous international competitions, giving her the chance to explore the world.

In the summer months, Mariela’s adventurous spirit takes her to the mountains and beyond, where she enjoys camping, hiking, paddling, kitesurfing, and climbing. Her first season in Antarctica in 2014 marked the beginning of a new chapter, and since then, both the Northern and Southern polar regions have become a regular part of her life.

Now based in Ushuaia with her family, Mariela splits her time between her home and the Antarctic season. With extensive experience in the polar travel industry—both onboard and behind the scenes—she has taken on the role of Operations Manager South America. Known for her warm, service-oriented approach, Mariela will greet you at your pre-embarkation briefing and serve as your dedicated point of contact throughout your journey south.

Since 2003, Mani has built her career as a designer and web developer, collaborating with leading brands in the Adventure Travel industry and beyond. A graduate of The Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington D.C., she brings a fine artist’s eye to every project. A lifelong lover of nature and the outdoors, she finds inspiration in the stunning landscapes of Northern California, where she lives, hikes, camps, and photographs.

Mani joined Polar Latitudes in 2023 and still can’t quite believe her luck—spending her days immersed in breathtaking imagery, thoughtful design, and the challenge of simplifying information for adventurers around the world. Even better, she gets to do it alongside the most amazing team she’s ever worked with.

After taking her first voyages to the Polar regions in 2025, Mani fell completely in love—and can’t wait to go back.

Originally from Denmark and now residing in China, Anders is the General Manager of the Albatros Travel Office in Beijing. He is responsible for marketing, sales and the daily management of Albatros Groups operations in Greater China.

In 2006, Anders took to the road as a guide for Albatros Travel, being the first to run back to back Beijing – New Delhi road and train trips over the Tibetan Plateau. This evolved into a passion for remote areas and in time, Greenland, Svalbard and the Antarctic Peninsula were added to Anders ‘another day at the office’ locations.

Anders has a M.A in Chinese from Aarhus University, a B.A in Philosophy from the University of Southern Denmark and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (HD 1) from Aarhus University. In his spare time, he enjoys running and spending time with his family.

Originally from Nuuk, Greenland. Been living in Denmark since 2004. Have always worked within the tourist industry.

Started as receptionist at Greenlandic tourism, travel consultant in few different companies in Greenland and Denmark, flying as cabin crew for 13 years, and now employed as Product Coordinator at Albatros Arctic Circle and Albatros Expeditions.

Appreciating family time with my little family, loves to travel, loves to experiencing local food and cultures, loves the nature and is always up for new experiences.

With over 20 years in the travel industry, I’ve got the skills to lead teams, drive sales, and build great relationships. I understand what customers need and how to create win-win partnerships. My ‘can do’ attitude and flexibility have helped me succeed in growing sales regions and working with cruise lines, airlines, and tourism boards.

My passion for travel and exploring new places has taken me around the world, including living overseas in Qatar for the last three years. Now based in the UK, I continue to embrace new challenges and opportunities with developing assigned sales regions for Albatros Expeditions.

And yes, I can probably navigate an airport blindfolded and have a suitcase packed in under 10 minutes – just don’t ask me to fold a map! When I’m not working or traveling, you’ll find me enjoying the company of my beloved dog, gigging with my wife or on the side of a rugby pitch with my son.

Derek grew up in Dublin but has lived in Bali, Hong Kong, Montreal, and now Copenhagen. He has a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism from Aalborg University, he is particularly interested in the relationship between aviation and tourism.

Since a visit to the Northwest Territories of Canada, Derek has developed a strong interest in polar/Arctic regions and the challenges of tourism in this remote and relatively unexplored part of the world.

Outside work, he loves getting to know his new home in Copenhagen and trying to learn the Danish language. Travel is naturally a big passion of his, visiting Greenland was a trip of a lifetime, and next on his bucket list is a trip to Hawaii. New Zealand is somewhere he would love to return to within the next few years.

Dominika is from Slovakia but has called Denmark home for 7 years, initially moving there for studies. With a background in tourism, she has worked in various roles within the industry and recently completed her master’s in sustainable tourism development.

In her free time, she enjoys baking and working on different DIY projects, and being active, especially biking and roller skating. She has a passion for travel, finding inspiration in the diversity of people and places. Her passion for traveling and sustainability were the main reasons for joining Albatros Expeditions.

Born in Italy and raised between Rome and London, Giorgio has always had a deeply rooted interest in travelling and cultural exploration.

After his Double Master’s Degree in International Business and Management, his career has always been on the move, building his marketing resume in Germany, Italy, England, and Denmark, where he now fully resides.

Outside work, Giorgio still cultivates the interests he developed during his European career: from collecting Roman coins and Japanese prints, to cycling, jogging and kayaking.

Guadalupe comes from Mendoza and has been working in tourism and hospitality for over 20 years. For the last 10 years her focus has been the extreme regions of our planet. She has extensively travelled in Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, the North West Passage and the geographic North Pole. She loves the nesting Black Browed Albatros of the Falklands and can´t get enough of encounters with Polar Bears. She´s based in Ushuaia and there will welcome all our Antarctic guests.

The interaction with other cultures fascinates her and spending time with fellow passengers onboard is an exciting part of her job. Being in the industry for so many years, she´s very excited about joining Albatros where she´ll bring her best to facilitate port operations.

She is an avid hiker and her favorite place to hike is Torres del Paine.

Janina, originally from Hamburg, Germany, is an experienced professional in the cruise industry with over a decade of experience. Her journey has taken her through various roles with different cruise lines, some specializing in worldwide expeditions, while others focused on polar regions.

With a diverse background, Janina has served as a Product Manager, Destination Manager on the corporate side, as well as a Tour Leader onboard numerous voyages. Her academic achievements include both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Tourism Management, underscoring her deep-rooted knowledge and expertise in the industry.

Janina’s passion for exploration and adventure was sparked in her early twenties when she embarked on a globe-trotting adventure with nothing but her backpack. Despite her extensive travels, her passion for visiting far remote places remains as strong as ever. The allure of expedition cruising lies in the opportunity to uncover the hidden treasures of our planet. She believes there is an abundance of beauty and wonder waiting to be explored, making each voyage a truly magical experience.

At her current role a as Product Manager at Albatros Expeditions, Janina is dedicated to designing and organizing new and exciting itineraries, splitting her time between Copenhagen and her hometown, Hamburg. Outside the office she can usually be found in her garden, biking, hiking or attending music festivals. Driven by her curiosity and wanderlust, Janina continues to seek out new experiences and destinations, embodying a true spirit of adventure in both her personal and professional life.

Originally from Germany, Johanna moved to Denmark after turning 18 to work as an Au Pair. She fell in love with the city of Copenhagen and decided to stay for her Bachelor studies in Marketing. Afterwards, Johanna did her Master’s in Tourism because the idea of marketing a tourist destination or a travel product has always fascinated her.

Working at Albatros Expeditions allows her to pursue her passion for tourism marketing, and she is delighted to work for a company that also prioritizes the sustainability aspect of travelling.

Besides visiting her family in Berlin often, Johanna likes to travel to new places worldwide, and she is also very passionate about all kinds of sports, especially football and ice hockey.

Originally from Warsaw, Poland. Karolina moved to Copenhagen in the summer of 2020 to do her master’s in advanced Migration Studies at The University of Copenhagen. After completing her education, she decided to settle in Denmark and attempt to learn Danish.

Karolina is experienced in hospitality and customer service. Having lived in Poland, France and currently Denmark, she enjoys working in an international environment, where cultural diversity is prevailing. She combines her pervious experiences from various backgrounds with newly gained skills and knowledge to provide unforgettable experiences to our guests.

She is passionate about travelling and cannot resist planning new trips every few months. On her bucket list we can find destinations such as: Japan, New Zealand, and South American countries. In her free time, she is learning Danish, baking, and doing sports.

Kia was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland with Danish parents, since the summer of 2023 she now lived in Copenhagen. She completed her education with a well-known Danish shipping company, where she gained a lot of knowledge in logistics. She then worked in various frontline positions in the social services sector. Today, she has chosen to return to the back office, especially to her long-standing passion for ships and the ocean.

To continuously learn and explore is what drives Kia, to travel to new destinations and discover new cultures. In her free time, she explores Copenhagen on her bicycle or in a kayak, getting to know it as her new home.

Originally from Aarhus, Jutland on the west part of Denmark, Lene is now a Copenhagen resident.

Lene has more than 20 years of experience working in the individual leisure and tourism industry with focus on building strong B2B relations, high customer service, sales and production. She joined the Expedition team in 2018.

Traveling has always been very important for Lene, who is constantly looking for new adventures. In her spare time, she loves all kinds of sports, a good book and time with friends and family.

Originally from Northern Germany, Lisa was born and raised by the sea. Having joined the team in 2025, she moved to Copenhagen particularly to work at Albatros Expeditions where she can apply her business knowledge to the shipping and tourism industry.

Before relocating to Denmark, Lisa pursued her passion for experiencing different cultures in the United States, Ireland, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, and Spain.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and staying active through running, sailing, biking, kickboxing, singing in a choir, and playing the piano. During her vacation days, she loves to go backpacking and seek adventures abroad.

Born and raised in Germany, Melissa spent a few years living in California and Florida in her young ages where she also fell in love with the tourism and cruise industry. Followed by that she was working onboard various cruise ships sailing the 7 seas, before she started a land-based career within the sales team of an international cruise company.

Now residing back in Germany, Melissa joined Albatros Expeditions in 2021 and is part of the international sales team. She is fluent in English, German and knows some French.

In her spare time Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring new destinations whenever possible, learning about other cultures as well being part of a local music orchestra in her hometown.

Our Business Development Manager specialised in the Asian markets. Rashidah organized and sold the first ever Singaporean chartered voyage to Antarctica. She has worked with large allotment groups from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Korea going to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Rashidah is the world’s first first female asian polar expedition leader certified by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. She has worked 8 full seasons leading a team of 20 expedition staff doing landings, zodiac crusings and hikes in the Arctic and Antarctic. Up to date, Rashidah has crossed the infamous Drake passage over 100 times.

Sebastian holds a master’s in Finance & Accounting from Copenhagen Business School and worked with Private Equity before returning to Albatros Expeditions. He spent almost three years in Greenland working in finance and in his spare time, he did a lot of small expedition adventures on his own boat.  He did a lot of hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing and fell in love with the Arctic.

In Albatros, he gets to work with numbers and interesting people, a fantastic product in a challenging industry in a family-owned company. What’s not to like?

He is married to Nana, and they live in Copenhagen with their toddler, Matheo who keeps them busy and happy. He tries to limit the number of hobbies but finds many outdoor activities interesting. In recent years, he immersed himself in fishing, hunting, and biking.

Originally from Romania of Hungarian ethnicity, Timea currently lives in Copenhagen and continues to work in the travel industry, which she is most passionate about.

To kick start her journey in tourism, she attained a bachelor’s in Cultural Tourism in Romania and after graduation started working as a Travel Consultant specialized in South-East Asian destinations. During this time, Timea has also been a tour leader in China and Japan and grew even more fond of Japanese culture. Soon after relocating to Denmark, she pursued a master’s in Sustainable Tourism Development at Aalborg University and became very interested in tourism workforce research.

Now working at Albatros Expeditions, she believes she found the perfect opportunity for her to learn about destinations she only heard great stories about and to work in a company that matches also with her values concerning sustainability.

In her free time Timea can be most probably found in a museum, hiking, or drawn into a Haruki Murakami book.

Steffan is originally from South Wales in the UK. He first went to the Arctic at the age of 17 and has been captivated ever since. Steffan organized his first expedition to East Greenland during his Geology degree at the University of Oxford, and went on to complete a Masters degree in Polar Studies (focusing on marine glacial geology) at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge. After completing his studies, he spent several seasons managing a small tour company in Ilulissat, Greenland, before starting to work on expedition ships. During his onboard career, he has spent several years total in the Arctic, Antarctic and everywhere in between as a Geology Lecturer, Assistant Expedition Leader, and Expedition Leader; Greenland and the wider Arctic remains his favorite destination. Steffan currently works as Product Manager at Albatros Expeditions, designing and organizing new and exciting itineraries, dividing his time between Copenhagen and his home in the wild west of Wales. Outside the office he can usually be found on the nearest beach, or in his kitchen attempting (sometimes even successfully) new culinary techniques. Whenever he can, he loves to be onboard expedition vessels reconnecting with his favorite destinations, onboard colleagues and guests, and interpreting the fascinating world of polar geology.

Born on the beautiful west coast of Denmark, Thomas has been fascinated by nature and the great outdoors since a young age. Originally an educated Journalist with a career as a Political Reporter, he also holds a degree in Outdoor Education and is a certified Kayak, Canoe, Climbing, and Ski Instructor.

Thomas used to live on the West Coast of Greenland for several years, guiding groups on the Ice Sheet and leading kayak tours along the coast, while also working as an Expedition Guide on ships in the Arctic and Antarctica. Today, he resides in Copenhagen where he is the Operations and Equipment Coordinator for Albatros Expeditions at the head office. He is also a part of the Albatros Adventure Marathon Team setting up thrilling races around the world.

When he isn’t in the office or onboard one of the Albatros Expedition ships, Thomas is travelling to discover exciting new places around the globe. Most of his spare time is spent on all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking, trail running and biking.

Originally from and currently residing in Copenhagen, Tina has a business education, but has been devoted to the travel industry since 1995. She started as a hotel receptionist, then worked for a large charter travel agency where she sat in several job functions: travel-consultant, sales-support, web-support & supervisor, and has been employed by Albatros Travel as a product coordinator in areas such as: Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Svalbard.

Tina loves to travel, to experience the world, tasting the local food and learning about each place’s culture and history. Recently, her focus has become exploring the Nordic Regions. In her spare time, Tina likes to be with her family, embark on other various projects, as well as all kinds of outdoor activities like cycling and hiking.

Originally from a suburb north of Copenhagen, close to the sea and forests, and currently residing in Copenhagen. Zenia has a Master’s degree in Communication and has been devoted to the travel industry since 2017 in different positions – travel consultant, product & quality, marketing, and legal compliance.

Zenia is very social and spends most of her time in the company of friends and family. She dreams of exploring even more of the world and appreciating learning about new cultures and experiencing different countries. Being active is very important to her and she is often to be found in a Crossfit box or on the climbing wall. She once completed a marathon on rollerblades in Berlin, and primarily uses her bike to get around.