OrcaNation Team

Jeroen van de Waal is a passionate advocate for marine conservation, an experienced leader, and the visionary founder of OrcaNation, an organisation dedicated to ocean literacy, sustainability, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. With a deep commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, Jeroen has dedicated his career to creating impactful, hands-on educational experiences that connect people to the beauty and importance of the ocean.

Jeroen continues to be a driving force for marine conservation and education, combining his passion, expertise, and leadership to build a movement that advocates for the protection of our oceans and the sustainability of our planet.

Committed to giving children life-changing experiences in nature and the ocean that shaped his own journey, Martim is on a mission with OrcaNation to inspire the new generation to care for our planet. From an early age, Martim found joy in surfing, kitesurfing, and sailing, making the ocean his playground. At 18, this deep connection to the sea led him to open a surf school, sharing the wonders of the ocean with others. Growing up, Martim participated in summer camps with an NGO whose mission was to foster social cohesion among children from diverse backgrounds. With a background in Industrial Engineering, Management, and Marketing, Martim joined OrcaNation in 2021 to contribute to business intelligence efforts. Today, he is spearheading the brand’s expansion from Southeast Asia to Europe.

Born in Scotland, Kenny moved to England for his studies, graduating as a teacher from Leeds University in 2003. Over the past two decades, his teaching career has taken him across the UK, China, and Singapore, where he has held senior leadership roles at Dulwich College Beijing and SJI International. At SJI International (Singapore), he oversaw Enrichment Programmes, Outdoor Education, and CAS before spending five years as Head of the Senior School, leading initiatives that fostered vibrant, inclusive communities for IB staff, students, and parents. Now, Kenny combines his experience as an IB educator and safeguarding lead with his passion for the great outdoors, overseeing the development of programmes that provide students with outstanding experiential learning opportunities.

Passionate about the ocean and mountains, Kenny qualified as a Rescue Diver in Ko Tao in 2002 and has maintained a lifelong fascination with shipwrecks. One of his proudest moments was seeing his daughter qualify as a Junior Open Water diver. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family and their Labrador, Brodie, collecting vinyl records, and playing football and golf. A lifelong Celtic FC supporter, he always tries to catch a match when back in Glasgow.

Ryan’s passion for travel and conservation began during a school trip to Tanzania, a life-changing experience. After years in wildlife research, he started leading student programs worldwide, aiming to foster a positive connection to nature. His time teaching at an international school solidified his belief in the power of education beyond the classroom, bridging the gap between indoor learning and the outdoors. Now, as General Manager of Education at OrcaNation and BlueBeat Group, Ryan is excited to develop impactful programs, inspired by his own transformative experience in Tanzania.

Noel comes with a diverse background that includes roles as a climbing and kayaking guide, photographer, rope access technician, and even a professional kebab maker. He thrives in experiential education, passionately believing that outdoor education is instrumental in nurturing the future generation. He sees it as a vital means to aid personal development, foster sound decision-making, and promote environmental conservation. Outside of his professional endeavours, Noel enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, travelling, and spoon carving. He also has a fascinating ant colony and loves sharing intriguing facts about ants! His multifaceted interests and rich professional history contribute to his unique approach in creating impactful and transformative outdoor experiences for all participants.

Reni is a vibrant and spirited individual, always eager to embrace challenges and dive into new experiences. Her heart thrives in the great outdoors, especially within the lush depths of the jungle, and she has a deep curiosity for exploring the diverse cultures that make the world so beautifully unique. A true coffee lover, she’s also a proud cat mom to eight fur babies—though she once cared for sixteen before three sadly passed and five found new homes through adoption.

A fun fact about Reni is that she used to be afraid of heights, but she pushed past her limits by trying bungee jumping—and ended up doing it three times! She has also gone paragliding twice and canyoning twice, proving that fear is no match for her adventurous spirit.

Raphe’s childhood exploring wine cellars and ponds for newts in rural France sparked his passion for wildlife conservation, eventually leading him to focus on sea turtles. After completing his undergraduate degree, he co-founded Lang Tengah Turtle Watch (LTTW) in Malaysia, saving over 260,000 endangered turtle eggs from poaching between 2013 and 2023 while educating over 7,000 local and international schoolchildren.

Now, with an MSc in Conservation from UCL, Raphe works with OrcaNation as Director of Strategic Business Development, connecting with schools across Western Europe and the UK to engage students in nature and teach them about conservation, ecology, and sustainability.

Born and raised in suburban Malaysia, Beh was immersed in nature from a young age. His life changed when he left his corporate job in financial investments to pursue a career in outdoor education. Driven by a passion for the outdoors and experiential learning, Beh has led diverse programs in China, focusing on cultural, adventurous, community, and conservation projects.

As a Training Manager, he honed his skills in developing and mentoring outdoor professionals. With expertise in rope activities, water rescues, and expedition planning, Beh has built a network of organizations specializing in accreditation. He is also qualified as a Wilderness First Aid Instructor, enabling him to prepare others to manage medical situations outdoors. In his free time, Beh enjoys climbing walls and falling off them.

“Manoi” means “where are you?”—a fitting name, as from a young age, he has ventured solo into many jungles across Malaysia, leaving his peers curious about his destinations. An engineering graduate, he enjoys solving real-life problems, particularly those connected to natural environments. A fun fact about Manoi is that his favorite color is grey!

Faisal graduated with a Bachelor of Management in Marketing and stumbled into the outdoor education field in 2004, starting as an Outdoor Trainer in Langkawi. What began as just a job quickly turned into a passion when he discovered the meaningful impact he could have on those around him. In 2017, he was appointed General Manager of one of Malaysia’s outdoor education companies. He is a professionally certified First Aid and Wilderness First Aid Instructor, a certified Occupational Safety & Health Coordinator, and an appointed industry expert for AURORA at UPSI, a Malaysian government university specialising in outdoor education. His professional interests include Wilderness First Aid, Facilitation, and Risk Management in Outdoor Activities. In his free time, he enjoys playing futsal and badminton, and unwinding with PlayStation sessions alongside his kids. A fun fact about Faisal is that he has 13 siblings!

As a graduate from Zoology, Charlie has pursued outdoor education since 2013, bringing students closer to the world around them.
With a passion for photography and identification, Charlie collects sightings of new species like Pokémon.
Bringing these two pursuits together, Charlie is the Programme Manager of Outdoor Education for OrcaNation, working to bring education into experience.

Robert is a dedicated family man and accomplished financial executive. As a proud father of five, he combines his professional expertise with a strong sense of family. With a proven track record in international organisations, mergers & acquisitions, and complex integrations, Robert is well-versed in the dynamics of both private equity and family office environments. His strategic mindset and passion for process improvement enable him to translate (financial) strategies into tangible business results. Beyond his career, he actively contributes to his community as the chairman of a primary school board.

Andrew joined the outdoor education industry in 2013, and brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a keen sportsman and outdoor adventurer from a young age, he understands the great importance of being outdoors and exploring the natural world around us – especially now that we’re in a society dominated by social media, technology and concrete. Andrew joined OrcaNation in 2020 as our Sales Director, and he is on a mission to help OrcaNation become the global leader in outdoor and environmental education, as well as the go-to central hub for protecting our planet and oceans. He is very passionate about getting students learning outside of the classroom and hopes to play a key role in driving the next generation of global thinkers.

Having been born in Brazil to Dutch parents, followed by 11 years in Asia, Lucas inhibits a culturally-sensitive and open lens towards the world. Lucas is a well-rounded, mature and co-operative individual as he can always be relied upon in all aspects of the job. Through his dynamic and conscientious approach, he is well able to tackle a multitude of challenges whilst remaining a supportive and personable member of the group.

Witnessing the true power and beauty of the ocean firsthand through surfing, sailing and scuba diving since the age of 10, Lucas is motivated to do his part and hopefully inspire others to also fight for something worth preserving. With a background in Economics, Business and Geographical resources, Lucas hopes to tackle the current pressing externalities on the environment through a business lens.

Sophie is currently studying Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Glasgow. She started diving when she was 8 and hasn’t stopped since. Sophie became a divemaster before starting her studies where she hopes to enhance her underwater knowledge further. Other than diving, she enjoys windsurfing and occasionally explores her creativity through pottery.

Vanessa is OrcaNation’s ever-friendly and helpful Finance Manager at OrcaNation. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is also a dedicated parent to three wonderful children—one boy and twin girls.

“Being a working parent is a learning experience, and my children are always teaching me new things. Their different perspectives help me grow, both at home and in my career.”

Ari has over a decade of experience in business operations and management, bringing a wealth of knowledge and skills to any team. His expertise is complemented by a creative flair, often showcased through his work with software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate, where he brings artistic visions to life. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ari is an avid lover of water and the outdoors.

Equipped with maritime knowledge, he is passionate about swimming and water activities. He also enjoys solo adventures in and out of nature. His love for exploration extends to photography, where he captures beautiful scenes and moments.

Hilde is originally from the Netherlands, but her journey has taken her around the world. For over 26 years, she has been settling into new countries with her family, and their latest stop is Singapore.

Travel is her passion, and when her oldest son reached the age to take the PADI Open Water diver course, the family embarked on a new adventure: exploring the underwater world. From North Sulawesi to Komodo, Bali, Thailand, Tioman, the Maldives, and even Rawa Island, each dive destination was eagerly added to the family’s bucket list. Weekend liveaboard trips from Singapore became a regular occurrence.

Hilde is always happy to share her insights about diving and will leave you inspired for your next dive adventure. As a shared service support expert, she’s ready to assist in any way she can!

Zoe joined OrcaNation in Sep 2022 after diving with OrcaNation herself and fell in love with the company’s mission. Professionally Zoe has worked in strategic and business planning in the financial industry, and is very excited to bring her knowledge into the outdoor & environmental education industry. She works on the sales team and enjoys building long term connections with schools. She is passionate about creating a better future for our next generations and believes that students learn best through real life experiences and adventures.

Wani is a dynamic and creative soul with a deep passion for both education and the outdoors. With over a decade of experience as an educator and mentor, she eventually traded her preschool classroom—once filled with self-made upcycled materials—for the wild terrains of Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where she now leads outdoor programmes for international and local schools. She thrives on exploration, whether it’s trekking through nature, diving into new adventures, or immersing herself in theatre, cultural landmarks, or DIY cosplay. Though she holds a diploma in Interior Design and a degree in Early Childhood Education with Sociology, her curiosity and versatility go far beyond academics. A fun fact about Wani is that she used to play in a brass band—proof that her rhythm for life has always been set to a bold and lively beat.

With 16 years of experience as a marine educator, Kaue has taught marine biology, environmental education, and ocean literacy worldwide. He uses scuba diving, photography, videography, and design to engage and inspire others. As a scuba instructor, he has introduced many to the ocean’s wonders, fostering a commitment to conservation and sustainable living. Outside of work, Kaue explores underwater ecosystems, capturing vibrant marine life through his lens. His curiosity for both the ocean and technology motivates him to seek innovative solutions for data management. After discovering a passion for coding during the COVID pandemic, Kaue now develops apps to make data management more intuitive while sharing his enthusiasm for the ocean and technology.

Barbara is an Oceanographer who has dedicated the last 15 years to studying Marine Sciences with a deep commitment to bringing the ocean and its wonders closer to people’s lives. Scuba diving, photography, and outdoor education are among the most powerful tools she uses to achieve this goal. Becoming a Scuba Instructor has enhanced her ability to spread ocean literacy, allowing her to share the immersive experience of diving and foster a greater appreciation for ocean conservation. Outside of work, Barbara is an enthusiastic traveller with a passion for exploring new places. She excels at connecting various factors to global events, often using maps to illustrate her insights. Through her lens and maps, Barbara offers a unique perspective on the world, sharing her love for the ocean and her extensive knowledge with those around her.