About Ecoventura

Ecoventura has carefully selected only the most knowledgeable, competent and hospitable captains, concierges, 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.

Vanessa Pinoargote

Chief Financial Officer

Vanessa's 13 years of experience in the cruise industry is a testament to her passion and dedication. She was born and raised in Esmeraldas, but she relocated to Guayaquil at the age of 18 to study. She has an Accounting and Auditing Bachelor's at the ESPOL and a Master's degree in Finance from USFQ.

Doris Welsh

SVP, 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.
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.
Amy Lionetti

Sales and Marketing Manager - Galapagos Sky

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

Reservation 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.
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.
BELEN BENAVIDES

Reservation Specialist

Graduated with honors in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, she has successfully carried out her previous jobs where she gained experience in the hospitality industry. She is a very committed person with a high sense of organization. Fluent in English, she also speaks Portuguese and French. She is in charge of assisting clients and travel agencies prior to the Galapagos adventure.
Maria Fernanda Benites

Reservation 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.
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.
Sebastian Bravo

Quito Airport Coordinator

Sebastian is a happy person and committed to the assigned responsibilities. He loves music and in his free time he plays the drums. Giving service with excellence is one of his greatest virtues.
PETER TIGRERO

Hotel Manager

Peter has been in the hotelier industry for more than 18 years. He is a very dedicated person, striving to fulfill his clients expectations with a strong understanding of the personalizing and customizing the guest experience. He joined Ecoventura in 2023.
Daniela Muñoz

Marketing Manager

Daniela studied Tourism and Hotel Management at Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo in Guayaquil. In 2017, she achieved her Master's Degree in International Tourism Management in Barcelona, Spain. Joining Ecoventura in 2018 as a Concierge for the Origin, Theory, and Evolve cruises, she developed a deep passion for life onboard and the wonders of Galapagos, eventually becoming the Marketing Manager in 2023. Daniela enjoys photography, snorkeling and creating content for social media.
Gabriela Loaiza

Food & Beverage 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.
LEONARDO DASSUM

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Joined Ecoventura in 2023. Born and raised in Guayaquil, he studied Finance and Entrepeneurship at University of Tampa, Florida. His passion for numbers and desire for new opportunites brought him to join the Ecoventura´s team where now he is responsable in delivering sustainable long-term growth in South and Central America as it expands into new destinations and assets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KAREM CUMBE

MARINE PROJECTS

Karem has 15 years of experience in the marine industry. Born and raised in Guayaquil, graduated in Marine Engineering and has a certification in Project Management in Tecnológico de Monterrey. She was involved in the project management and engineering of the Ecoventura´s Evolve Cruise on 2022. Today, she is directing the development of new marine projects.
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.
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.
Diana Marcillo

PERSONNEL ASSISTANT

Born and raised in Guayaquil, Diana, 29 years old, has a great career in the human resources area, always seeking the well-being of the Ecoventura group and the staff that are part of this great family.
Financial Department

Since 2022, Vanessa Pinoargote has been managing the financial department at Ecoventura. His team consists of Carlos Saenz, Jimmy Reinoso, Hugo Inga, Pamela Pinto, Helen Villavicencio, Angelica Villalta and Angie Asencio.
Purchasing Courier Department
Daniel Andino

IT Systems Coordinator

Daniel is responsible for everything in Ecoventura’s state-of-the-art IT Department. An expert on all things computer-related.
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 executive president Santiago Dunn and can often be found enjoying outdoor activities.

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