About Ecoventura

Ecoventura has carefully selected only the most knowledgeable, competent and hospitable captains, guides and crew in the region. You are in good hands with our captains at the wheel. They have years of experience in high-tonnage vessels in the Navy or Merchant Marine and are well-versed in passenger safety, International Safety Management codes, and first aid. Our English-speaking, licensed naturalists are experts in their field, able to provide all the information you want to know about the wonders you will see during your Galápagos adventure. Several crew members have been working with Ecoventura since Day One, and all of our team works together as a cohesive unit, going out of its way to ensure our guests have an impeccable experience on board.

Corporate

Santiago Dunn

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

Born and raised in Guayaquil, Santiago studied finance at Boston College before earning a master’s from Montreal’s Concordia University. He’s an eco-warrior as he is an active member of the Charles Darwin Foundation and Ecuador’s National Council of the WWF. His contributions to conservation led Rainforest Alliance to name him an Individual Sustainable Standard-Setter in 2005. He’s now back in Guayaquil, where he lives with his wife and four sons.

Gabriela Loaiza

F&B Manager

Gabriela is responsible of planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating the operation of the Ecoventura´s Food and Beverage department. Gabriela has ten years of experience as food and beverage manager in well-known establishments in Guayaquil.
Jonathan Ogilvie

Quality & Marketing Manager

Jonathan fell head over heels in love with the Galapagos Islands during his first voyage in 2005. Since graduating he has worked for some of Europe’s most prestigious tour operators, and before joining ecoventura Jonathan worked an adviser to the Ecuadorian Minister of Tourism.
Sebastian Bravo

Quito Airport Coordinator

I am a happy person and committed to the assigned responsibilities. I love music and in my free time I play the drums. Giving service with excellence is one of my greatest virtues
Purchasing Courier Department
Amy Lesh

Galápagos Sky Sales and Marketing Manager

Based in Jupiter, Florida, Amy oversees the daily operations of our luxury live-aboard dive vessel, the Galápagos Sky. She is a master scuba trainer with more than 20 years of experience in the field, and she has a number of advanced certifications. As a dedicated ocean and beach conservationist, she organizes regular clean-ups, and enjoys educating divers about marine ecosystems.
Paulina Cevallos

Galápagos Network Reservations Manager

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, with her Ecuadorian parents, Paulina studied tourism and work as a tourist guide in Ecuador and joined Galapagos Network in 1999. Nearly three decades on, she’s a complete island expert and works with Ecoventura passengers to plan their journeys to the archipelago.
Doris Welsh

Vice President and Director of Sales & Marketing

Since her first trip to the Galápagos in 1986, Doris has made the pilgrimage more than 30 times. Based on the Florida Keys, she has a passion for ecotourism, which arose during a summer abroad in Costa Rica—where she also picked up Spanish. She’s an avid birder, snorkeler and boater, and enjoys growing orchids.
Elena Cordova

Sales Associate

Since 2010, Elena has been collaborating with the Ecoventura sales department, based in Quito. She has a diverse background in hospitality administration, guest services, and sales. Outside of the office, she spends time with her daughter, going to the movies, riding bicycles, walking the dogs and relaxing at home.
Lourdes “Luly” Mena

Sales Manager

Luly has been working with Ecoventura since 1993, when she was drawn to the company’s mission to provide excellent service while fostering an appreciation for the Galapagos Islands. Before joining the company, she studied advertising and PR, and worked as a ship administrator and French translator. She spends weekends at her family farm outside of Quito, and loves to spoil her two English spaniels.
Jorge Lombeida

Guayaquil Airport Coordinator

With more than two decades experience working with airlines and tourism operations, Jorge accompanies travelers on the flight from Guayaquil to the Galápagos. He studied hotel management in Switzerland, and is a global citizen at heart. Jorge is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian, and also speaks some Dutch.
Accounting Department

Since 1991, Renzo Luque has been managing the accounting department at Ecoventura. His team consists of Jimmy Reinoso, Pamela Pinto, Hugo Inga, and Angie Asencio.
Johanna Leon

Personnel Assistant

Working with the human resources department to build and maintain Ecoventura’s team of industry experts, Johanna considers human capital the key to any successful organization.
Rocio Larco

Personnel Manager

Rocio is responsible for building Ecoventura’s team, searching Ecuador and beyond for the most talented and qualified crew members and guides. Her background in business administration and human resources makes her especially adept in this position.
Juan Pablo Bastidas

IT Systems Coordinator

Juan Pablo is responsible for everything in Ecoventura’s state-of-the-art IT Department. An expert on all things computer-related, he’s also a lover of soccer and music.
Maria Fernanda Benites

Reservations Specialist

Calling with questions about your upcoming expedition with Ecoventura? You may very well find yourself on the phone with Maria Fernanda—her forte is customer service, as well as communications and public relations expert, based in our home office.
Alexandra Cardenas

Quality Control and Environment

Guayaquil-based Alexandra works to make Ecoventura’s operations increasingly sustainable. She doubles as a diving guide and an expert in administration of natural resources and ecotourism.
Jorge Jurado

Chief Engineer

Jorge has three decades of experience with everything from container ships to passenger ships and tourism motor yachts. He has been with Ecoventura since 2011.
Juan Carlos Leon

Operations Department Assistant

Juan Carlos is responsible for securing certifications and paperwork from the Maritime Authorities and Galápagos National Park. An avid sportsman, he plays soccer and tennis, loves surfing, and practices martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu every day.
Rafael Albuja

Operations Manager

A former Ecoventura captain on both Eric and Galapagos Sky, Rafael is now in charge of managing the entire Ecoventura enterprise. He has expertise in both the mechanics of our vessels and the business of our company, making him uniquely positioned to monitor our operations.
Luisa Perez

Administrative Assistant

Guayaquil-born Luisa worked with the city’s airport and tourism chamber prior to joining the Ecoventura team in August of 2017. She assists both executive president Santiago Dunn and CFO Daniel Plaza, and can often be found enjoying outdoor activities.
Mariuxi Medina

Hotel Manager

At 18 years old, Mariuxi began her long career in the Hospitality business. She studied “Hospitality and Tourism Management” at the Catholic University of Guayaquil, and then she obtained her second diploma in “Culinary Arts” at the University of Guayaquil. She then worked for the best hotels in Guayaquil, taking different positions until becoming part of the Ecoventura in 2019.

Meet Guides & Crew

WORLDWIDE SALES AND RESERVATION OFFICE: GALAPAGOS NETWORK

5805 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 160 Miami FL USA
Telephone: (305) 262-6264
Toll-free: (800) 633-7972 USA & Canada
Facsimile: (305) 262-9609
info@galapagosnetwork.com

If you are en route to Ecuador and need assistance or have an emergency during your trip after office hours, please contact us.

After hours email:
help@ecoventura.com

24/7 telephone
+593 98-502-5615 (Quito)

24/7 telephone
+593 96-977-2721 (Guayaquil)

ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS: ECOVENTURA

Km 1.5 Via Samborondón
Edificio Samborondón Business Center, Torre A Piso 3
Guayaquil – Ecuador
Telephone: +5934-283-9390 (M-F 9-5)
Facsimile: +5934-283-9019