Dr. Robin Doughty serves as a professor emeritus of geography and the environment, at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the history of landscape change and conservation, with personal and professional interests in the protection of wildlife, notably endangered birds. Robin has traveled extensively in such places as China, Central and South America, Africa, and Australia. Recently, Robin authored his 10th book, titled The Albatross and the Fish, exploring how fishers are threatening ocean-dwelling albatrosses unless changes are made in industrial fishing. During the past 30 years, he has offered a variety of lectures about wildlife and conservation to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Jon Malay is a professional writer and speaker who brings to his audiences the rich experiences of two exciting and distinguished careers. After studying oceanography at the U.S. Naval Academy and earning a graduate degree in meteorology, he served for two decades as a naval officer at sea and ashore as an expert in the science of oceanography and meteorology. In 1984 he was a finalist for selection as a NASA astronaut. Jon is the co-author of the National Geographic Society Encyclopedia of Space, and his most recent book is War In Our Wake: The Untold Story of the Last American Military Presence of the Vietnam War.

Composer, pianist, and speaker, Amy Rubin has been presenting concerts and lectures throughout the United States, Europe, Ghana, and the Dominican Republic in venues as diverse as Benaroya Hall and Lincoln Center. Shehas been a professor at a number of colleges, including Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Cornish College of the Arts. As a senior Fulbright Scholar, Amy directed the first Festival of Ghanaian Music. She has recordings of her work on Mode, Koch, and CRI and has won numerous awards including the Washington State Artist Trust Fellowship.

Dr. Jay P. Christofferson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Utah, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Hawaii. At California State University Stanislaus, he served as the biology department chairman, associate dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences (ALS), and the interim dean of the College of ALS. He became the dean of the School of Science and Natural Resources at Lake Superior State University until accepting the position of vice president, academic affairs at the California Maritime Academy, until his retirement in 2004.

Professor Emeritus William Crowley obtained his doctorate from the University of Oregon and spent his academic career at Sonoma State University. He served a year as a Fulbright scholar in Mexico and has taught Spanish in Ecuador, Panama, and Paraguay as well as Mexico. He has conducted research in several Latin American countries, authoring academic articles and book chapters on a number of topics and has travelled widely in Europe. He has pursued wine revolution-related research and chaired the Geography Department at Sonoma State various times for a total of 13 years.

John Clauson is a retired medical device executive, who started as a salesman selling everything from Band-Aids to vascular stents, and eventually became corporate VP, and chief operating officer. A long-time Seattle resident, John grew up believing he was the son of an IBM salesman and was in his mid-30s when he finally learned the truth – that his father was a mathematical and mechanical savant working for the Department of Defense as an undercover agent during the Cold War. His carefully researched account is his journey of discovery of the clandestine life of his father.

Born in Costa Rica, one of the greenest countries in the world, it is no surprise that Diego has been a true nature lover all his life. He describes his childhood as surrounded by tropical forest learning about the secrets of ecology. Diego started his education to become a licensed naturalist guide at the age of 18 and began leading expeditions for nature lovers in the national parks and ecosystems of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama by the time he was 21. This is not an easy task as this región is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Diego is also an experienced international tour manager. He has been the naturalist on board different Windstar vessels for several seasons, giving lectures about tropical ecology, the flora and fauna of the region, among other topics. With his deep knowledge Diego will enhance your experience on cruises. Diego is a very friendly, outgoing person and if you see him around the vessel he will be more than happy to share his knowledge and experiences with you and answer any questions you may have.

Born and raised in Tortuguero, Karla is a descendant of the first settler of Tortuguero where they have the longest ongoing research of sea turtles in the world. Karla has been involved with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation her whole life. After graduating from the National University of Costa Rica, she got a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania where she became a parataxonomist., the science that classifies species. She was involved with the National Institute of Biodiversity for 7 years, traveling all over Costa Rica. For 20+ years she has been a naturalist guide discovering all of Costa Rica’s treasures and sharing that knowledge with others. Her goal is to change people’s lives with a true travel experience.

Alan French has had a prestigious career working with the U.S. Army and the Department of State. His expertise is as an interpreter and analyst of Russia, their language, culture, and history. His work has included interpreting highly technical briefings for delegations from the former Soviet Union, head of the language faculty at the U.S. Army Russian Institute and most importantly as an interpreter and translation reviewer for the START Treaty negotiations in Geneva in 2010. When not on assignment, Alan gives briefings and lectures on his experiences.

Born in Manila and raised in Northern California, South Africa and Peru, Joe Novitski graduated from Yale before serving as a Navy line officer on the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. He began a career in journalism with the Associated Press and joined the foreign staff of The New York Times, reporting from South and Central America . He has also published in The Washington Post, the International Herald Tribune and written A Vineyard Year and Wind Star: The Building of a Sailship, among other publications.

Dr. Sherry Hutt travelled the world for over 25 years, collecting stories of characters throughout history and taking photos of where they lived. While a judge, law professor, and federal prosecutor, she trained archaeologists, law enforcement, and attorneys on heritage protection. Dr. Hutt advised the Bush and Obama White Houses as head of the national repatriation program. Author of books and articles, and founder of a national organization of preservation lawyers, she received the highest honor of the US Department of the Interior. Dr. Hutt also held a post-doctorate fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. John Rennie Short received his PhD from the University of Bristol and his MA in geography from the University of Aberdeen. He has received numerous research awards and is the author of 32 books, many invited chapters to edited books, and over 50 papers in scientific and academic journals. Born in Scotland, Dr. Short currently teaches at the University of Maryland where he is a professor of public policy.

Richard Jay Hutto, one of the foremost historians of the Gilded Age, compiled and edited Accepted Fables, the autobiography of Jordan Massee, and wrote Entitled: American Women, Titled Husbands, and the Pursuit of Excess as well as Crowning Glory: American Wives of Princes and Dukes, and Their Gilded Cage: The Jekyll Island Club Members. A former attorney, he served as White House Appointments Secretary to the Carter Family and was Chairman of the Georgia Council for the Arts. He recently was also featured on a lengthy national television broadcast by Glenn Beck about the founding of the Federal Reserve Bank.

Dr. Teri Sowell, lecturer and curator, is a dynamic speaker specializing in the art and culture of the Pacific Islands, including the ritual and ceremonial use of objects in Polynesia, both past and present, with a special interest in sculpture, tattoo, and tapa cloth. In addition to research, publishing, and teaching, Dr. Sowell has curated many art exhibitions and lecturing around the world, bringing to life her knowledge and appreciation of Pacific art and culture to a variety of enthusiastic audiences. She received her Ph.D. from Indiana University and currently teaches at the University of California, San Diego.

Richard Campbell obtained his M.Ed. (Adult Education) in 2002 and is co-author (with Cheryl Svensson of Los Angeles) of Writing Your Legacy – The Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Life Story, released worldwide in July 2015 by Writer’s Digest Books. As a professional writer who has done freelance work for Canadian newspapers and CBC Radio, Richard has also appeared on several Top 50 CBS affiliate radio stations across the United States. Richard runs his own business, Guided Life Stories near Toronto, Canada.

Bob Varsha is one of the premier television commentators of the automotive world, with a résumé including everything from tractor pulls, to collector car auctions, to the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car classic. He is perhaps best known for his 25-year tenure covering the Formula One® world championship. He began his long association with Grand Prix racing at ESPN in 1984 while adding a variety of sports including gymnastics, cycling, figure skating, and track and field. In 1999 he began a 17-year stint with the Speedvision /Speed Channel networks, now part of Fox Sports.

Pat and Rosemarie Keough have been exploring the world side-by-side as professional photographers and book publishers for over 30 years. Yale University maintains an extensive archive of the Keoughs’ artistry, they have received many prestigious international awards and they have been honored with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals. Articles about the Keoughs and their books have been published in such magazines as Time, Forbes, and Smithsonian and the many adventures Pat & Rosemarie have had provide listeners with many a great tale.

Dr. David Roberts holds a BA in anthropology/cognitive science from Southern Illinois University, a Master’s in public administration from National University, and a doctorate of business administration from United States International University. He worked in the field of applied anthropology for over 35 years, designing and building over 300 information systems ranging from robotic aircraft painting systems to information collaboration networks used by thousands of government workers. Since retirement in 2009, Dr. Roberts has worked as a docent, photographer, and curator at the San Diego Museum of Man (SDMoM) designing new exhibits, giving tours of the museum, and functioning as the museum’s event and curatorial photographer. Dr. Roberts speaks on the topics of anthropology, photography, semantic systems (intelligent machines), and local and global historical events.

Amy was raised in coastal Marion, Massachusetts near Cape Cod where she spent most summers exploring the intertidal areas of Buzzards Bay. A certified NAUI Divemaster she has spent many years exploring the underwater and some of her favorite places to dive are in cold water because of the rich underwater environment. Whether leading hikes through bear country in Alaska or the Arctic, running kayaking operations in remote places, giving lectures on marine animals or working as a naturalist and diver her passion for nature and enthusiasm to share amazing places with others is evident.

Bob chose adventure for a career when he became a commercial fisherman in Kodiak, Alaska in his 20’s. After fishing for over 30 years he transitioned to being a skiff operator for the Marine Mammal Observer Program. This work took him to the remote waters of Alaska. Currently he has transitioned once again to being an Expedition Staff member throughout Alaska and the Russian Far East. He has also captained a whale and dolphin boat and run a tour boat in Crater Lake NP, Oregon. Bob has a BS degree in Biology and a 100-ton USCG Captains License and is an active birder participating in over 30 Christmas Bird Counts.

Brent joins the Windstar expedition team after nearly two decades of exploring wild Alaska as a guide, naturalist, and captain. In recent years, he's also taken those explorations on trips to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands as well as Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. Brent has been the captain of passenger vessels focused on wildlife and glacier tours, and captain of the Kenai Fjords National Park research vessel, Serac. He has a degree in Environmental Education from Prescott College, and traveled throughout the Western US, Mexico, Canada, and Nepal. Brent is extremely passionate about the natural world and loves to share his in-depth knowledge whenever he can. Brent currently calls Seward home but also spends time surfing on the coast of El Salvador and trekking in Patagonia.

Brock Munson is originally from Southern California, but in 2003 he turned hobby into career when he left the corporate world to pursue a life of guiding in the great outdoors and teaching about its endless wonders. The change ultimately led to unforgettable experiences in breathtaking destinations. His resume includes titles such as boat captain, expedition leader, naturalist, whitewater raft guide and outdoor science instructor. He has even peppered creativity into his life through photography, videography, creative writing and graphic design.

Denise Turley grew up in wilderness and rural settings throughout the Northwest US. She was introduced to Southeast Alaska nearly 30 years ago while pursuing her B.S. degree in Zoology. For the first time in her life she felt like she had "come home." An avid birder, Denise has worked as an Avian Biologist ror nearly a decade. She now calls Sitka home where she performs seasonal bird surveys in Tetlin and Arctic National Wildlife Refuges. She and her husband spend their free time exploring remote areas throughout SE Alaska while documenting wildlife and bird activity and capturing images of this spectacular landscape.

Don Kluting is a third generation Sitka, Alaskan, who spent his childhood throughout the wilderness on Baranof Island. Don worked as a deckhand on a commercial fishing boat and attended the historic Sheldon Jackson College for a degree in fisheries management. He joined Sitka Mountain Rescue, an organization where he led and managed the team for more than 20 years working with the Coast Guard in rescuing nearly a 1,000 people in the remote wilderness and waters of SE Alaska. With his passion for landscape, wildlife and aviation photography he created a photography business “sharing images of the wilderness he loves. He and his wife plan to pursue their love of the wilderness through hikes, travel, photography and guiding.

Emily grew up in New Hampshire where the area’s lakes and mountains nurtured her love of the outdoors and the environment. Her Harvard degree is in evolutionary biology and ecology. She has conducted seabird and fisheries research, guide expeditions, and develop educational programs for natural history museums and environmental non-profits. She has been exploring coastal Alaska for the past 6 summers and worked as a sea kayak guide and a deckhand and naturalist on glacier and whale-watching vessels. In the winter, she works as a naturalist and zodiac driver onboard expeditions to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula and teaches marine science to university students aboard sailing ships in New Zealand and the South Pacific islands. Emily looks forward to sharing the rugged and inspiring coastlines with you as an expedition guide.

For the last decade, Hannah has guided along the Pacific Coast and beyond, from the Sea of Cortez and Hawaii to Yosemite, Olympic, and Wrangell St. Elias National Parks. She has led ice climbing and pack rafting trips, taught marine science aboard historic tall ships, guided teen backpacking adventures in the Sierras and the Olympics, and trekked across the mountains of Mexico, Nepal, and New Zealand. When she’s not out on the water, you can find her scouting for edible plants, overturning rocks in search of squishy things, or befriending local dogs.

Jared hails from the lake country of Bristol Bay, in Western Alaska. Raised in the shadows of the Chigmit Mountains in Lake Clark National Park, he was influenced greatly by the exposure to places seldom traveled. He began working for an air taxi outfitter at 14 and then worked as a white water and kayak guide throughout college. After a brief career as an EMT he realized he missed working in the outdoors. He along with his partner and their little Alaskan now roam North America in a 16-foot travel trailer and have been returning to Alaska in the summers for the last 9 years to share their love of the wilderness and sea with others.

Raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Jill Quaintance, grew up off-the-grid, on solar power and water catchment. She learned how to shear sheep, pick and process coffee and truly appreciate a hot shower. Jill has a Masters Degree in The Palaeoecology of Coral Reefs from The University of Queensland, Australia. After spending 10 winters observing humpback whale behavior in Hawaii she also observed them in Alaska. Jill has spent four summers as an Expedition Leader through the Inside Passage. She also works as a SCUBA Instructor on the Big Island, and an avid free diver with a personal record of 105 feet.

John Calogero found fascination with the maritime world as a child on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in the programs of Jacques Cousteau. After learning to sail on Chesapeake Bay he jumped at the chance to research humpback whales along the coast of Greenland and then, he went to support coral reef research. John started working with Outward Bound 25 years ago instructing sail and oar courses. He has worked charter boat operations in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia. He continues to assist cetacean researchers and for 12 years he has also been instructing wilderness medicine courses and leading maritime educational programs. John enjoys woodcarving, hiking, beachcombing, and sharing his enthusiasm for the maritime environment.

Kendra Wilson was born and raised in Colorado, becoming aware of the fascinating outdoor world at a young age. Her youth was spent camping, boating, skiing and hiking; she held fast to that lifestyle as she grew up. She moved to Hawaii where she spent the next 12 years solidifying a passion for ocean and island life. Kendra obtained her 100-ton captains license, which allowed for a career alongside the beautiful coastline, corals, fishes, and marine mammals. Alaska has now captured her heart and she is eager to share her experiences and knowledge with others.

Lauren is an adventure enthusiast who has been guiding in the outdoors for the past 10 years. From the tops of volcanoes and glaciers to below the ocean’s surface, she attributes her enthusiasm for the outdoors to her childhood on the central coast of California. Lauren graduated from the University of Hawaii with degrees in Economics and Anthropology. After graduating Lauren started her career as a boat captain in Hawaii. Lauren then began guiding in Alaska and completely fell in love with its wild and rugged beauty. Her goal is to excite those around her with the wonders of the environment.

Since he was 13 years old Paul has been guiding both land and sea expeditions. He has traveled to 6 continents and nearly 50 countries, guiding in many of them. His passion for adventure has led him on amazing journeys; a 1,864-mile bicycle ride across Southeast Asia, a 60-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon and following the epic Chilkoot Trail and Yukon River in Alaska and the Yukon retracing the epic 1898 Klondike Gold Rush by foot and kayak. Paul calls Skagway, Alaska home, and has been a kayak/hiking/historic guide in Alaska for the past 15 years. He turned his love for videography and photography into a business, and founded his company, Murray AdVentures Inc. Paul plays tennis, and still enjoys a good rally session and is also an avid bridge and chess player.

Randall brings a sense of adventure and a passion for wild places to every trip he leads. He grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, where he fell in love with wilderness exploring. While earning degrees in marketing and psychology, he used summers for climbing, traveling, and working in the western U.S. He has been a rafting guide and a guide and expedition leader on small adventure cruise ships, teaching natural history and leading hiking, glacier trekking and kayaking excursions. Randall is an avid traveler, photographer and mountaineer, has visited all 50 of the United States and more than 30 countries. He completed two cross-continental road rallies and successfully summited Denali. A skilled Zodiac driver, Randall is also a certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician trained in avalanche safety, polar bear protection as well as kayak, swift water & crevasse rescue.

A childhood spent wandering the Rocky Mountains of Colorado ingrained in Sarah a deep love of and appreciation for the natural world. As a teen, she made her intrigue of the sea a reality, and her senior project exploried the realms beneath the waves as she was certified as a naturalist, advanced and rescue scuba diver in the Caribbean. Sarah holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Evergreen State College and a Masters in Environmental Curriculum Design from the University of Washington. She has worked and studied worldwide, including research of green sea turtles in Costa Rica, pre-Columbian cultures of Argentina Patagonia and cetaceans of the North Pacific. Sarah worked for 8 years as a sea kayak guide along the orca highway of the Salish Sea and as a wilderness EMT and expedition guide on small adventure vessels for 6 years. She has guided and created expeditions in Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, the Inside Passage and the Sea of Cortez. She has also led conservation research programs in the Galapagos, Bahamas and Salish Sea.

Scott was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania. It was his early childhood that began a lifelong love of nature and exploration that continues to this day. He received a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Forestry from the University of Idaho and spent 10 years working for the US Forest Service. Scott then began working onboard expedition cruise vessels. He has served as a Dive Master leading Dive Excursions throughout the tropics and Pacific. Most recently Scott worked in Southeast Alaska aboard the Star Legend for Windstar Cruise Lines as a naturalist Zodiac driver.

Simon Hook grew up near the ocean and its wildlife in northern California. His love nature led him to Alaska, specifically Sitka, over 10 years ago. He began working as a deckhand on passenger vessels and eventually worked his way up to expedition leader. Along the way Simon gained vast knowledge of the natural world and wildlife of Alaska. He also picked up a camera and has won several awards for photos of Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes. Simon enjoys hiking and backcountry skiing and just plain being outside and enjoys sharing his love of nature with others.

Born in Costa Rica, one of the greenest countries in the world, it is no surprise that Diego has been a true nature lover all his life. He describes his childhood as surrounded by tropical forest learning about the secrets of ecology. Diego started his education to become a licensed naturalist guide at the age of 18 and began leading expeditions for nature lovers in the national parks and ecosystems of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama by the time he was 21. This is not an easy task as this región is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Diego is also an experienced international tour manager. He has been the naturalist on board different Windstar vessels for several seasons, giving lectures about tropical ecology, the flora and fauna of the region, among other topics. With his deep knowledge Diego will enhance your experience on cruises. Diego is a very friendly, outgoing person and if you see him around the vessel he will be more than happy to share his knowledge and experiences with you and answer any questions you may have.

Born and raised in Tortuguero, Karla is a descendant of the first settler of Tortuguero where they have the longest ongoing research of sea turtles in the world. Karla has been involved with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation her whole life. After graduating from the National University of Costa Rica, she got a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania where she became a parataxonomist., the science that classifies species. She was involved with the National Institute of Biodiversity for 7 years, traveling all over Costa Rica. For 20+ years she has been a naturalist guide discovering all of Costa Rica’s treasures and sharing that knowledge with others. Her goal is to change people’s lives with a true travel experience.