Our Team in the Field
Tour leaders are an integral part of the Worldwide Quest and Quest Nature Tours experience. They bring a particular expertise in some - and sometimes many - elements of the destination you are visiting and the theme we are exploring. They work with our expert local guides and naturalists to help you see and experience more and to create a context for the observations you will make. Our leaders take care of logistical concerns in order to maximize your experience. Last but not least, they ensure your safety and comfort. We carefully select our leaders and match them to tours based on their experience, their interests, and their compatibility with the destination and tour theme. Meet our exceptional group of leaders below and see where they're heading next.
Naturalist
Alan Watson
As a former faculty member in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph, Alan Watson taught nature interpretation, environmental stewardship and a conservation field course. With over 25 years of experience leading nature tours, Alan has guided groups in southern Ontario, Canada's Maritime Provinces, Trinidad and Tobago, the Lesser Antilles, Costa Rica, Brazil, Tanzania, and the Galapagos.
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Conservation Ecologist
Ann Haynes-Sutton
Ann Haynes-Sutton is a conservation ecologist who has spent her working life in Jamaica. She is the senior author of “A photographic guide to the birds of Jamaica” published by Princeton University in 2009, and has been leading bird and natural history tours in Jamaica and other islands for many years.
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Ornithologist
Bonnie Chartier
Bonnie Chartier was born and raised in Churchill, Manitoba. She has been involved in Churchill’s tourism industry since its inception and was instrumental in introducing the world to Churchill’s Polar Bears, Belugas, birds, and natural history. Bonnie’s familiarity with the Churchill region is boundless and guests quickly appreciate her tremendous wealth of knowledge!
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Ornithologist
Catherine Jardine
A graduate of the University of Guelph, Catherine Jardine is a staff ornithologist and data analyst with Birds Canada, based at the organization’s National Data Centre in Delta, B.C. She has conducted field projects in remote locations around the world.
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Naturalist
Chris Earley
Chris Earley is the University of Guelph Arboretum’s Interpretive Biologist and Education Coordinator and a self-proclaimed 'nature geek'. He teaches workshops at the Arboretum, and participates in research around the world. Chris has led many previous Quest trips around the world.
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Conservation Biologist and Wildlife Ecol
Cole Burton
Cole Burton is an Associate Professor and the Canada Research Chair
(Tier 2) in Terrestrial Mammal Conservation in the Department of Forest
Resources Management at UBC. He is a conservation biologist and wildlife
ecologist with broad interests in using science to inform biodiversity
conservation and human-wildlife coexistence.
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The Urban Birder
David Lindo
David Lindo, also known as "The Urban Birder" is a broadcaster, writer, naturalist, photographer, public speaker, and tour leader. Through TV appearances, writing, talks, and travel, he inspires people to re-look at their urban environments and believes wildlife in urban areas is so easy to engage with; All we have to do is open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds and soon we will be linked into the nature around us.
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Founder of Women's Travel Network
Debbie Ross
Debbie Ross, founder of Womens Travel Network has been providing travel services to her customers for over 30 years. Her travel around the globe has been extensive. Be it relaxing holidays, trekking or sports related, she has first hand knowledge of many varied travel experiences.
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Ecologist
Dylan White
Dylan White grew up in the city but fell in love with wild places and the creatures that inhabit them long before he could walk. It is this lifelong passion for experiencing, conserving and learning about nature has motivated his work. He is a professional ecologist with 10 years of experience on more than 175 diverse projects, and moonlights as a wilderness and wildlife guide.
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Horticulturalist
Gary Lewis
UBC alumnus Gary Lewis is the owner of Phoenix Perennials, a cutting edge retail nursery in Vancouver, and an expert on perennials and horticulture. He is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable plant experts with a deep and special interest in rare and unusual herbaceous perennials. He recently published The Complete Book of Ground Covers.
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Naturalist
Glenn Barrett
A Past President of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, Glenn Barrett has a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph and worked in outdoor education programming for several educational institutions before beginning what has now been a 30+ year fulfilling career as a Wildlife Technician.
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Independent Writer and Editor
Joanne Sasvari
Joanne Sasvari is a Victoria, BC–based food, drink, and travel writer with a background in English and Art History from UBC. She edits YAM, Spruce and Vitis magazines, and contributes to Edible Vancouver, Food & Wine and Postmedia. She is also the author of several books, including The Wickaninnish Cookbook and Okanagan Eats. Joanne holds WSET Level 3 certification and has travelled extensively in France’s wine regions, exploring the links between history, terroir, and what’s in the glass.
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Field Biologist
Josh Vandermeulen
Josh Vandermeulen is a professional Field Biologist and is an active and well-known member of Ontario’s naturalist community. He regularly travels the province in pursuit of his two core interests, field herpetology and ornithology.
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Director of Quest Nature Tours
Justin Peter
Justin Peter is a Principal of Worldwide Quest and Director of its Quest Nature Tours branch. Prior to joining the company, Justin was the senior naturalist at Ontario’s world-renowned Algonquin Park, where he coordinated the park’s interpretive program and acted as lead howler for the celebrated Public Wolf Howl events.
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Kari Richardson
Born and raised in Calgary, Kari Richardson adorns many hats. She is a mother of 3 amazing young adults, is a professional artist and past owner of 3 incredibly successful bakeries to currently working as the Director of Partnerships for an Alberta-based children’s charity. Her attention to detail and calm, positive, free spirit will make you feel welcome and excited to join her on the next adventure.
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Naturalist
Kyle Horner
A graduate of the University of Guelph, Kyle Horner is a consummate environmental educator and well-travelled, lifelong naturalist who can proudly say he’s been birdwatching since before he could walk! He has also worked as a field technician for a variety of research projects. He is currently the NatureCounts Engagement Coordinator at Birds
Canada, where he helps to build awareness and adoption of that
innovative bird data platform. In 2024, Kyle published a book on turtles of North America.
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Motivational Speaker
Laurie Flasko
Laurie Flasko has a deep passion for travelling with an open bucket list
for new adventures. Experiencing new cultures, finding hidden gems, and
those special moments that create lasting memories are high on her list.
Laurie is a customer service trainer at work and speaks internationally
on the Kindness Advantage.
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Olympic Medalist
Lynn Kanuka
Lynn Kanuka is an Olympic medalist and WalkRun coach. She is best known for her Bronze medal performance at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984. For over 25 years Lynn has inspired people of all ages and ability levels through physical fitness to take steps toward better health, achieve personal goals, and be active and happy.
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Flanders Destination Expert
Marco Frank
Marco Frank, Trade & Partnerships Manager for Visit Flanders in North America, brings over two decades of experience in travel, culture, and storytelling. As tour leader, Marco curates engaging, sustainable journeys that highlight Flemish art, history, and local life. His enthusiasm and expertise make every trip to Flanders both unforgettable and enriching.
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Mark Cwik
Mark Cwik’s deep understanding and appreciation of classical texts are evident in his ability to engage discussion participants and bring ancient stories to life. Mark’s extensive reading and dedication have earned him a reputation among peers and enthusiasts as a highly knowledgeable and skilled reader.
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Archaeologist
Megan Daniels
Megan Daniels has worked as an archaeologist for over 20 years. She has undertaken archaeological fieldwork in numerous countries, including Canada, Bermuda, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Turkey, and Tunisia. She first visited Tunisia on a study tour in 2009, as a graduate student studying ancient North Africa at UBC.
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Director of Classical Pursuits
Melanie Blake
Melanie Blake is the executive director of Classical Pursuits and organizer of the annual Toronto Pursuits cultural salon. She studied English and French at Fordham University and the Université de Montpellier, and has an MA in literature and linguistics from the University of Nottingham. She loves languages, cocktails, and the unexpected.
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Marketing Specialist
Melissa Ross
Melissa Ross is an experienced and passionate traveler always seeking the big adventures in life. Born and raised in Toronto and now calling Vancouver Island her home, Melissa lives to discover the world. With a flair for languages and a drive to be fully immersed in other cultures, Melissa has spent time living abroad in Italy, Spain, and Morocco.
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Michael Burton-Smith
Michael Burton-Smith channeled an early-childhood passion for dinosaurs into a fascination with their living descendants — birds. He has been enthusiastically searching various corners of New Zealand for birds ever since, including while completing his Bachelor of Arts.
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Naturalist
Mike Kent
Mike Kent is an excellent all-round naturalist and educator based in southwestern Ontario. He has worked as a Park Naturalist at Ontario’s Killbear Provincial Park and the famous Algonquin Provincial Park, and as a Tour Manager at the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens in Costa Rica’s highland cloud forests. He has a keen and abiding interest in all life forms with a particular fondness for insects, fungi and other under-appreciated groups.
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Naturalist
Narayana Rangaswamy
Narayana Rangaswamy comes from the tiny village of Belathur in India,
which adjoins the famous Nagarahole National Park. Having grown up
around the elephant paradise of Kabini, his early inspiration to observe
nature came from studying the birds around home. He has led
wildlife expeditions to Ladakh for Snow Leopard, Himalayan wildlife,
Kaziranga, Dudhwa, and Ranthambhore in addition to Southern India, Sri
Lanka, and Nepal.
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Nathalie Wright
Nathalie Wright is an experienced traveler and has had a passion for
travel all her life. She has a long list of places left to visit, and
re-visit. Nathalie is an organizer and planner who loves to research, and problem solve in all aspects of life, including travel.
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Naturalist
Richard Schofield
Richard Schofield is a naturalist leader who has led many of our private groups over the past few years through the main islands of Aotearoa. Originally from northern England, Richard has lived in New Zealand for the past 20 years, currently residing in Balclutha in southern Aotearoa.
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Tour Host
Rowena Lamy
Rowena Lamy was born in Guyana, South America. At age 20, she migrated
to pursue Undergraduate studies and has since made Canada her home. She
is an experienced, enthusiastic international traveller for both
business and pleasure.
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Leadership Coach
Shakeela Begum
Proud UBC graduate Shakeela Begum is an inspiring and sought after leadership advisor and coach, with experience leading groups on international active adventures. Her focus on wellbeing and her energetic and welcoming personality bring warmth and depth of purpose to her tours.
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WTN Host
Shannon Violo
With an insatiable passion for discovering new experiences, Shannon Violo thrives on exploring diverse cultures and landscapes around the globe. A talented travel agent and former Womens Travel Network tour host, Shannon has spent years honing her skills under the mentorship of WTN CEO Debbie Ross, who instilled in her the values of adaptability and curiosity.
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Philosopher
Wendy O’Brien
Dr. Wendy O'Brien is a celebrated philosopher, teacher and interviewer. With over 30 years experience teaching in post-secondary education, she's given talks and led seminars on creativity, beauty and wonder at Humber College, Oxford University, Harvard, The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Women's Art Association, Classical Pursuits and The International Festival of Authors.
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More About Us
- The Worldwide Quest Experience
- Our Team in the Field
- Our Team in Toronto
- Explorers Club