Meet Our Instructors

Kia ora whānau (hello family),

My journey has been one of discovery, service, and connection. Moving to New Zealand at 14, I fell in love with its stunning landscapes, sparking a lifelong passion for the outdoors and leading me to study Outdoor Recreation.

Serving in the New Zealand Army and earning a Civil Engineering degree then deepened my connection to humanitarian and development work. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams while immersing myself in diverse cultures across the Himalayas, the Middle East, and the Pacific. These experiences inspired me to complete a Master’s in International Development, focusing on sustainable development and women’s empowerment.

I’m passionate about sustainable travel, ensuring every journey fosters growth, cultural connection, and environmental respect. Whether hiking remote landscapes, sharing stories around a campfire, or collaborating with local communities, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone.

Together, let’s explore the world with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to leaving it better than we found it!

Katie grew up exploring the vast ecosystems of Texas, scrambling around the desert, hill country, mountains and coastline alongside her older brothers. From a young age, her parents instilled a love of the outdoors, appreciation for nature, and innate curiosity to explore and learn. She became interested in all things environmental and moved to Tennessee to study Ecology, Biology and Spanish. Over the years she spent time studying or conducting research in Belize, Spain, Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica, bridging her love of flora and fauna with her Spanish speaking skills. Upon graduating from university, she decided to shift away from research so her line of work could include her other passions: human connection, communication, science/nature interpretation, working with diverse cultural and age groups, experiential education, and community.

She has worked for years in environmental education, from the coastline of Texas to the Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California, Katie has facilitated students and adults through immersive curriculum, self-discovery and challenging perspectives. Over the past 5 years, Katie has taken students all over the world; heading out on epic adventures, diving into service learning projects, immersing oneself in culture and experience and tackling challenges while enjoying the company of others, nature and helping build self confidence, leadership skills and community.

Katie’s love of immersive education and innate curiosity has led her on many other expeditions sans students, traveling to five of the seven continents. She’s a hardy road warrior, having embarked on road trips across the United States and the entirety of Baja California. She is no stranger to delving into new experiences, cultures, and finding time to enjoy the little things in life; sharing love and laughter, a delicious meal, beautiful sights and appreciating the awe of nature and people.

I grew up in upstate New York, surrounded by the outdoors. Winters were spent skiing, while summers were filled with kayaking and rafting on lakes and rivers. I devoted much of my free time to running and biking trails in the Adirondack Mountains, fostering a deep connection to nature.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in Vermont, I was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. I served as aircrew on aerial surveillance aircraft, stationed in Florida, Virginia, and Southern California, before embarking on an incredible opportunity to fly for the Royal Australian Air Force in 2021. Since then, I’ve been living the “Ozzie dream” in Newcastle, Australia, just two hours north of Sydney.

In December 2023, I transitioned out of the military and embraced a “micro-retirement,” traveling extensively across Southeast Asia. During this time, I participated in a range of outdoor education and leadership programs, including rock climbing and trekking in Nepal, mountaineering in New Zealand, Scuba Dive Master training in Bali, and Yachtmaster training in the Philippines.

I thrive in challenging environments and love spending time outdoors—whether under the sun, rain, or snow—while building connections with others. I’m thrilled to guide students through the incredible landscapes of my backyard and share my passion for adventure and personal growth.

Anastasia is a kiwi with a strong passion for adventure, creativity and learning new things. Ever since she was a young girl she enjoyed exploring nature, the arts and learning any new hobby or skill that caught her attention. Her nickname as a child was monkey because family and friends would always find her climbing up trees with her cheeky smile.

As an adult, Anastasia has combined her passions to become an artist, teacher and part time adventurer. She is based in Raglan at the moment and spends most of her spare time surfing! When studying to become a primary school teacher, Anastasia earned a scholarship to teach in Denmark for 6 weeks. This trip ignited her desire to travel and since then she has spent time solo backpacking or adventuring with friends in Europe, Vietnam, Rarotonga, Australia and most of all her home country Aotearoa New Zealand. Any chance she gets she's out the door so when the opportunity to become a Pacific Discovery instructor came up she knew it was the perfect job for her. She is looking forward to getting to know the students and fellow co-workers on this trip!

G’day, everyone! I’m Jack, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be one of your instructors on this incredible journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Over the course of this program, we’ll dive into some of the most stunning natural wonders these countries have to offer, all while honing valuable outdoor skills and deepening our understanding of the world we share.

Background: My passion for the outdoors was cultivated early on, thanks to countless childhood days spent camping, hiking, climbing, and biking with my father. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a life dedicated to adventure. An unforgettable trip to South Africa further ignited my desire to explore the world, and ever since, I’ve been steering my life towards outdoor education and adventure. I can’t wait to share that passion with you as we embark on this extraordinary program together.

Qualifications and Experience: With over 5 years of experience in outdoor activity provision, I specialize in guiding expeditions through diverse environments—much like those we’ll explore in Australia and New Zealand. Recently, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Adventure Education in Wales, UK, equipping me with the knowledge and skills needed to help you make the most of every opportunity on this journey. I’m a certified outdoor first aider, sea kayak leader, and water safety technician, and I’ve led multi-day backpacking trips, ski-tours, rock climbing excursions, and bike-packing adventures across several incredible countries.

Teaching Philosophy: I firmly believe that the best learning happens through experience, especially in the outdoors. My teaching approach is rooted in experiential education, where discovery happens through a “trial and error” process. Throughout this program, I’ll encourage you to fully immerse yourselves in hands-on activities that both challenge and inspire. My goal is to ensure that each of you not only acquires new skills but also forms a deep and lasting connection with the landscapes and cultures we’ll encounter. Personal Connection to the Region: Australia and New Zealand hold a special place in my heart. When I first touched down in New Zealand in 2019, I fell in love with the country before the plane even landed. Australia, long on my bucket list, has lived up to every expectation and more. When I’m not guiding, you’ll often find me hiking for peace of mind, mountain biking or rock climbing for a shot of adrenaline, or chasing new experiences—like trying to master surfing, which I’m eager to tackle again this time around. Whether I’m exploring New Zealand’s national parks or enjoying a quiet evening under the stars, these experiences continually remind me of the beauty and diversity of this remarkable part of the world.

What to Expect: During our time together, you’ll have the opportunity to explore awe- inspiring environments, engage in meaningful self-reflection, build lifelong friendships, and immerse yourself in cultural exchanges. You’ll push your limits, discover new facets of yourself, and share experiences that may very well shape your future. This program is designed to be both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering countless opportunities for personal growth and unforgettable memories.

I’m incredibly excited to share this adventure with all of you. Together, we’ll uncover the magic of Australia and New Zealand, learn from one another, and create stories that will stay with us for years to come.

Sabrina grew up in the USA in a small farm town in Massachusetts before heading down to Florida to obtain a degree in Sociology and Psychology. While in college, she studied abroad in Europe and fell in love with travel and learning about other cultures. When visiting home for the holidays, she taught various grades as a substitute teacher and as an after school care counselor, where she developed a passion for working with youth.

After graduation she spent two years as a Team Leader in Americorps NCCC, leading groups of young adults ages 18-24 across the United States to assist in various national and community service projects, ranging from construction to environmental conservation. During this time she developed a passion for service, the great outdoors, and working with youth in a more hands-on environment.

Since then she has spent five summers as a camp counselor at an outdoor wilderness camp teaching canoeing, archery, and co-leading camping and backpacking trips. She had the opportunity to spend a year as a youth counselor on cruise ships, working with youth from around the world. She has also has taught English in China and was an Au Pair in Italy. Most recently Sabrina has lead two separate teen summer programs in national parks in the USA. So far she has traveled to over thirty-three countries, and aims to continue working with youth and exploring all the world has to offer.

Richard was born and raised on an industrial apple farm in the Hudson Valley region of New York, and has been fascinated with the natural world from a young age. Combined with a family history of frequent moves and wide-ranging travel, this blossomed into an academic interest in global ecology and sociology. In the course of finishing his Biology degree at the University of Central Florida, he discovered the transformative power of the outdoors and fell in love with outdoor recreation as an industry. Now he looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with students, facilitating more outdoor experiences, expanding his horizons, and ALWAYS learning something new!

Growing up in Wisconsin, my love of the outdoors began while camping in quiet woodlands and swimming through clear lakes, but I dreamed of grander adventures and landscapes. It wasn’t until my early 20s that I was able to embark out on my own to discover what the world had to offer. I’ve worked in National Parks, taught English in Thailand, lived nomadically in a travel trailer for 4 years, and ultimately have found myself in the Desert SW.

In my adult life, I have sought to find balance between travel and forming community. This has meant that I try to spend months or years experiencing a place to truly get to know it and form a lasting, meaningful connection with people.

I’ve been living out my dream as a guide, naturalist, and photographer since 2019, taking groups of people of varied ages and abilities on hiking, backpacking, and photography tours across the Western United States. During that time I developed many leadership skills, which emphasize empathy, community, and trust. The most fulfilling part of my job has always been helping people find connection with their surroundings, sparking curiosity, and witnessing the transformative powers that an outdoor experience can have on people. I love facilitating the journey of self-discovery and know that the path is never ending. If I can be the person who listens and really tries to understand you, who encourages and pushes you to learn more about yourself and grow, who you can relate to or seek advice from...there’s nothing more rewarding.

When I’m not hiking or taking pictures I enjoy rock climbing, being in/on/or near water, reading, volunteer-work, embroidery, and hosting dinner parties.

Hi, my name is Bridget and all my life, I have been seeking adventure, new experiences and meaningful connections. I grew up right outside of Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Salem State University in 2018 with a double major in Environmental Sustainability and Humanities. My education inspired me into a lifelong path and focus of living as sustainably and ethically as possible. 

Back in 2016 while I was studying abroad in Germany, I had the opportunity to visit various cities across Europe (very quickly and on a surface level). But at the end of my semester I was lucky enough to see the stunning Fjords of Norway with a local! Getting to experience these two vastly different types of travel provided clarity on what I felt was meaningful and intentional exploration through travel. After experiencing The Fjords in a different way than my other trips, you could say I was hooked and in search of more adventure! That experience helped me realize that exploring the natural wonders of the world and doing so in a more unique and unconventional way was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. This encouraged me to backpack through the Southwestern region of the United States while taking experiential education courses through my alma mater and I can confidently say those adventures were another pivotal moment as a soon-to-be lifelong explorer. My classroom became the world itself. 

After university, I packed up and flew to New Zealand where I learned all about organic farming through WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). There I learned the importance of sustainable food systems, service work, and group living; all while being in a continuous awe at beautiful landscapes the country had to offer. 

Over the past six years, I have continued backpacking around the world and had the privilege to experience some of the most breathtaking and culturally vibrant places; all while learning and growing. I believe that the best way to educate yourself is to step out of your comfort zone and submerge yourself in new situations that expand your perspective! Choosing the road less traveled helped me conquer my fears. Each experience has shaped me into who I am and guided me on how I want to inspire others to take on those adventures themselves. From hiking active volcanoes, snorkeling with sharks, skydiving, hitchhiking, scuba diving, and bungee-jumping, to receiving my yoga teacher certification - are just a few things I've crossed off my bucket list. And the more I check off the list, the longer the list seems to grow! 

I continue on my journey of self discovery, pushing limits, seeking joy and stepping even further out of my comfort zone each day, all while doing my best to make a positive impact on the places that I’m lucky enough to experience. And the most I can hope for is to inspire others to do the same on their own journeys.

Gehrid was born and raised in the single-stoplight town of Greenville, IN. Much of his childhood involved playing outside and exploring the woods surrounding his house. From a young age, he dreamed of leading an adventurous life, determined to go beyond his small town roots.

At 14, Gehrid took a trip with his mother to California that fulfilled his long-held desire to see the redwood forests and the rocky beaches of the West Coast. Meanwhile, this adventure also fueled a flame of adventure within him, leading him to seek out the world's beautiful landscapes and remote destinations.

After completing his studies at Indiana University, Gehrid began working as an instructor for the Voyageur Outward Bound School, guiding young people through the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota on expeditions meant to inspire personal growth through challenge and adventure. Now, Gehrid has received the opportunity to bring his expeditionary leadership skills into his work with Pacific Discovery, and is excited to continue being a part of transformative experiences for young people.

In his free time, Gehrid enjoys playing music, reading, and outdoor activities of all forms, whether it’s canoeing or rock climbing. He is always ready for new and challenging experiences and deeply values the connections he builds along the way.