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Meet our team

Our amazing staff are what keep things humming and they will be on-hand to support you on your expedition.

Expedition team

One of the things that makes Raleigh International so special is that we have full-time staff in all the countries where we work. They are dedicated, resourceful and totally committed to ensuring they deliver the best Raleigh Expedition, every single time.

Lucy, Managing Director

As the Managing Director, I lead our marketing, recruitment and pre-departure teams and work closely with our Country Directors and Expedition Delivery teams. My professional background is deeply rooted in the not-for-profit sector and so leading an organisation that prioritises youth leadership and volunteering at its core, and whose values resonate with my own, is a source of great pride. This role is more than a professional commitment for me; as a mother to a 12-year-old boy, it holds deep personal significance. I’m half Spanish and so speak the language. I love to dance, read crime novels, enjoy the sea and mountains and go to the arcade with my son!

Ella, Expedition Experience Manager

As the Expedition Experience Manager, I oversee the customer expedition experience from start to finish. Working closely with our Operational delivery teams, and Raleigh management team to standardise systems, processes, and ultimately delivering the Raleigh Magic. I also support managing our health and safety and incident management systems. I have been on Expedition to Costa Rica in 2016 as a Venturer, and worked at Raleigh within the Volunteer Journey and Recruitment teams over the last 4 years. I am passionate about supporting young people to create impact. I also aim to do this in my personal life through being an active junior volleyball coach, as well as training and competing myself in my free time.

Bruce, Recruitment Manager

I oversee Venturer Recruitment, being born and raised in Costa Rica I have a profound passion for conservation, community development, and adventure. With a rich Raleigh background, I’ve actively contributed to three separate Expeditions, first as a Venturer Manager, and later as a Logistics Coordinator. Beyond my professional pursuits, I dedicate time to martial arts and parenting, balancing my commitment to both personal growth and community betterment.

Helen, Head of Marketing

I work alongside our Communications and Recruitment teams to spread the word about Raleigh International Expeditions and inspire as many people to take this life-changing step as possible. After going on a Raleigh International Expedition in 2003, I’ve been working (mostly) in the world of youth and adventure travel ever since. My favourite saying is: ‘We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us’. My favourite things are my daughter, doing anything outdoorsy with friends, yoga and dancing.

Alison, Venturer Expedition Specialist

I am one of the first in-person points of contact (unless you’ve met Jacob at an event). I review applications and use all sorts of platforms, live chat, emails, calls, teams, WhatsApp to help anyone interested find the right programme for them and guide them into becoming apart of our Raleigh Alumni family. I have a degree in Geography and International Development and have taken part in a similar programme to Raleigh in 2016 in Uganda. I have a background of working in the charity sector and lived in Iceland for a year supporting the Red Cross. I love love love warm weather and have backpacked across South America and South Africa. In my spare time you’ll find me hunting down the sun (I know-hard work living in the UK).

Shona, Venturer Manager Expedition Specialist

I support the Venturer Managers (those 25+) with the application and assessment process to join our Expeditions. I am a Raleigh Alumni, having been to Nicaragua with ICS and Raleigh International in 2017. I qualified as a teacher in 2021 and from this I am passionate about equal opportunities assessments so all participants have a fair chance. In my spare time, you’ll either find me in the gym or on a walk with my dog Bert.

Sherrilynn, Volunteer Coordinator – South Africa and UK

I oversee our Venturers and Venturer managers who go to the UK and South Africa. Having grown up in South Africa my whole life I have always wanted to make a positive change where I live. With a background in safety and events co-ordination I have a passion for management and helping our Venturers and Venturer managers to get ready for their adventure with a purpose.

Candice, Volunteer Coordinator – Costa Rica

I am in charge of communications and support to our Venturers and Venturer managers taking part in our Costa Rica Expeditions. I’ve never been on a Raleigh Expedition but do come from a background of logistics and event management, which helps in my role to support our Venturers in the best way I can. In my spare time, I am either hanging out with my motorcycle club, reading or cheering for my favourite sports/racing teams.

Ignacio (Nacho), Country Director

As an Environmental Lawyer, Nacho brings extensive expertise in public policy, climate change, and ecotourism – and is also an alumni! Nacho leads the development of Raleigh Costa Rica and is responsible for the general management of the organisation. 

Osman, Operations Manager

Osman is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Raleigh Expeditions in Costa Rica and is responsible for the health and safety of all programmes. 

Hanz, Operations Manager

Hanz is a professional in the Political Science and International Relations fields. He is responsible for overseeing projects related to community and infrastructure, cultural exchange, and delivering an excellent learning experience.

Fabi, Operations Coordinator

As Expedition Operations Coordinator she manages the events (trainings, changeovers, ENDEX) as well as the leading the Venturer Managers and supporting the Duty Manager rota, dealing with emergencies or crisis.

Danita, Community Liaison

Danita is a local from Cabecar indigenous territory who joined the team as a Community Outreach intern to support and provide his knowledge from the areas to enhance the cultural exchange experience and events for community projects in Costa Rica.

Pedro, Operations Coordinator

Pedro was a volunteer at Raleigh Nicaragua for the ICS program back in 2016. He leads the logistics of the advanced team to ensure the correct implementation of projects and programs.

Stacey, Country Director
Stacey leads the development of Raleigh South Africa and is responsible for the organisation’s general management. South African born and bred, Stacey has extensive experience in volunteer travel.

Jason, Expedition Manager
Jason has been involved in outdoor adventure and conservation since 2008, working as a white water rafting guide, a field guide and ranger. He has worked all over Africa and the UK on conservation projects, most recently leading volunteer projects in Zanzibar. He is passionate about protecting the environment, uplifting local communities and adventure.

Harriet, Operations Coordinator
Harriet studied International Development at university, fuelling her passion for sustainable development. She has since worked in event and project coordinator roles, as well as working with volunteers on projects in Zanzibar. She has seen first hand the impact of Raleigh Expeditions as a volunteer with Raleigh in India and Borneo.

Gareth, Operations Coordinator
After studying a Bachelor of Heritage and Cultural Science at the University of Pretoria, Gareth followed his passion to create a positive impact on the lives of people and animals. He has worked on community and environmental projects, and as an adventure guide for groups travelling Southern Africa.

Shadreck, Guide
Shadreck is an Outward Bound Instructor and a professional tour guide, has been working with youth development programs since from 1995. He was involved with Raleigh international as a venturer in Belize 1998. He is passionate about working with young people and interacting with people of different cultures.

Katie, Conservation Guide
Born in the UK, Katie has volunteered around the world, but her heart lies here in South Africa. With a background in ecology and conservation, Katie combined those skills with training as a field guide. She has a passion for nature and the environment, and believes education about our natural world can benefit everyone.

Sakhile, Trek Guide

Born in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa Sakhile has been working as as adventure guide since 2014, doing abseiling, canoeing, rock climbing, team building and leadership. In 2017 he became a rope access technician and from 2018 started freelancing, doing mountain guiding and rope access work. Sakhile is a very energetic person who loves physical activity, working with and meeting new people.

Lucius, Trek Guide

Lucius has been guiding for 4 years now in the mountainous region of the Blyde River Canyon. Specialising in mountain walking and cultural guiding, Lucius has a great passion for outdoor experiences and exploring South Africa’s Biodiversity.

Selina, Conservation Guide

Selina is a conservation Scientist as well as a trained South African field guide, leading safaris from both vehicle and on foot. She has been working in the wildlife conservation sector across various volunteer and student projects since 2015.

Lucy, Operations Assistant

Lucy is deeply passionate about the environment, animals and outdoor activities. she holds several adventure training qualifications alongside military training in leadership and navigation. After completing a Biosciences degree focused on animals and ecology she then decided to backpack across Africa, eventually becoming a venturer with Raleigh International in South Africa. Now a proud member of the team.

Simon, Operations Assistant

Simon is a highly organised office administrator with 3 years experience, he’s also had 2 years in IT system support and 4 years in a general manager position. Simon is skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously – he is passionate about working alongside and developing young people.

Need more information about Expedition?

Consultation call

Whether you have a specific question or want to discuss which Expedition is right for you, schedule a call with a member of the team at a time convenient to you. 

Join an info event

On our monthly online info events, we’ll tell you all about Expedition. Have your questions answered, meet other volunteers and find out what Expedition is really like from an alumni.

Download a guide

Find out all about Raleigh International and Expedition in our helpful information guide.