Meet the Team

At Intrepid DMC, our offices span the globe – from Budapest to Bangkok, Cusco to Cairo.

Our 28 DMCs collectively employ more than 450 people across Operations, Sales, Finance, Contracting and Human Resources. In addition to our office staff, we also work with over 1000 tour leaders and local guides.

We’re a diverse bunch, but we’ve got a few things in common: our commitment to responsible business; our spirit of innovation and, more importantly, our love of creating and delivering the best travel experiences for your brand.

To get to know our regional teams, please read through their profiles below.  

Global

Tom Beadle

Tom Beadle

Chief Operating Officer

Tom Beadle joined Intrepid as a tour leader in 1993 leading trips in South East Asia. Since returning to Melbourne, he’s helped shape Intrepid into one of the world’s leading adventure travel companies. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer Tom is responsible for the consistent performance of Intrepid’s DMCs globally. He has been a long-term member of Intrepid’s Core Management Team. When not working Tom loves his sports and outdoor adventure and has been lucky enough to walk many of the world’s best treks.

Cameron Elliott

Cameron Elliott

Global GM – DMC Sales

With over 25 years in the travel industry, Cam has extensive experience in Leadership, Sales, Contracting and Partnership development. Cam is responsible for the sales growth of the Intrepid DMC network globally and together with his team of Global Partnership Managers is dedicated to helping your business grow. Based on the Gold Coast in Australia he is an avid traveller and a passionate surfer & snowboarder.

Celia Brennan

Celia Brennan

Global Operations Manager

With over 15 years working in the travel industry Celia has a strong background in global product and operations. Responsible for supporting the global network of Intrepid DMCs in a multitude of tasks including safety compliance, commercial performance, training, development and procurement. Test

Chris Godrich

Chris Godrich

Global Partnership Manager, EMEA

15 years ago, after a successful career in retail business development, Chris decided to take a sabbatical to travel the world. Little did he know that this would lead to him embarking on a huge change in direction by being inspired become a tour leader, working in over 50 countries across the globe. Pre 2020, Chris successfully combined his now first-hand knowledge of the Adventure Travel Industry with his previous business development experience to lead a team of BDMs to deliver huge growth numbers across the EMEA region for Intrepid Travel. Since 2020, Chris has been working with Intrepid DMC’s External Partners and loves nothing more than helping build successful, long term business partnership but equally hearing the positive feedback from our mutual clients adventures!

Sameh Tawfik

Sameh Tawfik

Global Partnership Manager, APAC

Sameh has worked his way up from tour leader to General Manager of the Middle East at Intrepid DMC. His experience of every department, including contracting, reservations, and operations, has allowed him to gain an in-depth knowledge of the business and empowers him to develop creative solutions for his clients. Last year Sameh transitioned to Global Sales team as Partnership Manager for APAC, helping our partners to grow their business, and ensuring customers have the best travel experience possible.

Asia

Natalie Kidd

Natalie Kidd

Managing Director Asia

Natalie Kidd is the Managing Director Asia of Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest provider of adventure travel experiences. Natalie joined Intrepid in 2005 as the founding General Manager of the first vertically integrated DMC, based in Hanoi Vietnam. Over the years she grew this one DMC into a global network of 25 inbound tour operators. She has previously held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief People and Purpose Officer also with Intrepid. Natalie holds a Masters of Business Administration (AGSM), a Master of Asian Studies (UNSW) and Bachelor of Arts/Asian Studies (USyd) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ (AICD) director program. Natalie is also board director of GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council).

Mike Stewart

Mike Stewart

General Manager, Thailand and Myanmar

Mike's love for adventure saw him travel the world until 2003 when he decided that Asia was the place to be. After starting out as a tour leader and then working across all departments within the DMC business, Mike enjoys nothing more than working closely with the local team in Thailand to deliver meaningful travel experiences for your clients.

Ravindra Singh Shekhawat

Ravindra Singh Shekhawat

General Manager, Indonesia

Ravindra started out as a sales manager for a large hotel. His passion for travel took him towards the travel trade where he started leading trips throughout his home country of India, as well as Nepal. After being a tour leader for three years, he was promoted to Deputy Operations Manager then to Operations Manager in the India DMC, and currently heads our Indonesia DMC as General Manager. He is hailed as a great communicator with various business partners, and his focus remains on the safety aspect of the trips and strong performance of teams. Ravindra, along with his team in Indonesia, ensures an unforgettable travel experience for our travellers.

Rama Mahendru

Rama Mahendru

General Manager, India

Rama has been a part of the Intrepid DMC family for over eleven years. Joining the team as a finance executive, Rama worked her way up and was made Finance Manager for India in 2012.  Having successfully implemented a whole host of improvements during her time in Finance, Rama became General Manager for India in 2019. Proud to be part of such a diverse organisation, Rama is incredibly passionate about our business and looks forward to driving growth in the years to come. 

Maggie Tian

Maggie Tian

General Manager, China

Maggie started her journey with Intrepid DMC China way back in 2008 as one of the company's very first employees. Working as the Finance Manager for ten years, Maggie was appointed General Manager at the beginning of 2019. Born in Beijing, Maggie's favourite local experience is cycling through the Hutong area. Her passion combined with her deep knowledge and experience in the travel industry makes her an indispensable asset to the business. 

Aye Mya Mya Soe

Aye Mya Mya Soe

General Manager, Cambodia

Aye has been in the tourism industry since she graduated and brings a wealth of experience to her role. She started her journey with Intrepid in 2014 as Deputy Operations Manager in DMC Myanmar, then promoted to Operations Manager and played key leadership roles as General Manager in Myanmar and Indonesia. After nearly a decade with Intrepid, Aye is now taking the role of General Manager in Cambodia. She is detailed, patient, customer-oriented and willing to go the extra mile to ensure our guests have a fantastic experience in Cambodia.

Hanh Nguyen

Hanh Nguyen

General Manager, Vietnam

Hanh joined the Intrepid DMC in Vietnam 15 years ago as a tour guide in Hanoi. Then, he challenged himself in various roles within the business as a tour leader in trans-Indochina, as the Intrepid DMC’s Russia and China Operations Manager, then as the first Product Manager in Vietnam. He was soon appointed to Intrepid DMC’s General Manager in Vietnam in mid-2022. With a great passion for sharing his home country with the world, paired with his local insights, Hanh’s goal is to provide priceless ‘wow’ moments to all travellers in Vietnam. Hanh and his team take pride in Vietnam’s natural beauty and welcoming culture and can’t wait to share it with many more travellers.

Ashish Verma

Ashish Verma

General Manager, Nepal

Ashish is a passionate travel expert with over 14 years of experience in the industry. After graduating in hospitality and hotel administration, he started his career with a luxury hotel group in India. Prior to joining Intrepid, he worked for several well-known travel companies in India that specialized in flexible independant and group travel. Since joining Intrepid in 2012, Ashish spent several years in major departments, including Operations, Contracting, Reservations, and Sales, prior to his appointment as General Manager of Intrepid Nepal in 2022. His aim is to deliver meaningful travel experiences that delight travellers while supporting the local communities and places we visit.

Poornaka Delpachitra

Poornaka Delpachitra

General Manager, Sri Lanka

Poornaka is a seasoned travel industry professional with over a decade of experience both locally in Sri Lanka and Overseas . He began his career as a corporate travel executive whilst also playing Rugby for Sri Lanka. Following a move to the UK for higher studies, Poornaka gained valuable industry insights while working part-time for a UK-based tour operator whilst managing his higher education. Returning to Sri Lanka, he started an operation office for the same tour operator, working his way up to become the General Manager for both the UK and Sri Lanka offices over a twelve-year tenure. In 2022, Poornaka joined Intrepid, as the General Manager of both the Shared Services Center and DMC in Sri Lanka, bringing his experience and natural leadership skills to a new challenge

Kenny Onishi

Kenny Onishi

General Manager, Japan

Kenny's interest in travel started early as born and raised in Los Angeles to Japanese parents who has a strong passion for travel uncovered the joy of travel, both domestic and internationally. On one of these trips to Japan Kenny was amazed with the level of customer service and from then on was determined to work there. Moving to Osaka in 2003 Kenny worked across a number of different aspects of the travel industry before joining Intrepid in 2018 where he realized that he had found his true passion. This has given Kenny an opportunity to utilize his high level of hospitality skills and travel knowledge to ensure that your guests will have an incredible experience while visiting Japan.

North Africa & Middle East

Zina Bencheikh

Zina Bencheikh

Managing Director EMEA

Born in Marrakech and educated in France and the UK, Zina started her career in finance in Paris before returning to Morocco to join Intrepid. She progressed rapidly through financial and operational leadership roles with the company and now leads the EMEA region of the business to deliver on the company’s dual goals of growth and balancing purpose and profit. Her remit includes the company’s Destination Management Companies in the region, as well as leading expansion into new European markets. Zina has also driven many purpose-led projects and initiatives at Intrepid, ranging from increasing the number of female tour leaders the company works with, to developing partnerships with WWF, IUCN, and Women in Travel.

Hala Benkhaldoun

Hala Benkhaldoun

General Manager, Morocco

Born in Casablanca, Hala grew up in the beautiful city of Marrakech before moving abroad at the age of eighteen to attend university in Paris. After finishing her degree, Hala spent five years between France, UK, Switzerland and the Netherlands working for a consulting company but in 2015 Morocco called her home. After four years working in corporate banking for an international institution, Hala has turned her passion for travel into her career, joining Intrepid DMC Marrakech as General Manager in September 2019. 

Salam Shaqdeeh

Salam Shaqdeeh

General Manager, Jordan

Salam Shaqdeeh is the GM for Intrepid Jordan DMC. Salam joined Intrepid in 2024 which marks the same year of opening the Jordan DMC. Salam comes for operational background working in the inbound tourism industry since the year 2009, during her career, she overcame challenges in ground logistics, product planning, sales and all aspects and angles of the inbound tourism industry. Salam graduated with excellent grades from the University of Jordan with a double major, Italian & English language & literature. Salam is very detail-oriented, always aims to deliver a perfect memorable experience and her target is to deliver/operate Intrepid-themed trips in Jordan that leaves a great impact on both the traveler and the local communities.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Zina Bencheikh

Zina Bencheikh

Managing Director EMEA

Born in Marrakech and educated in France and the UK, Zina started her career in finance in Paris before returning to Morocco to join Intrepid. She progressed rapidly through financial and operational leadership roles with the company and now leads the EMEA region of the business to deliver on the company’s dual goals of growth and balancing purpose and profit. Her remit includes the company’s Destination Management Companies in the region, as well as leading expansion into new European markets. Zina has also driven many purpose-led projects and initiatives at Intrepid, ranging from increasing the number of female tour leaders the company works with, to developing partnerships with WWF, IUCN, and Women in Travel.

Clinton Els

Clinton Els

Regional General Manager, Africa and Middle East

Following an honours degree in Travel, Tourism and Marketing, Clinton spent the next 20 years travelling the globe; interacting with communities, people, products, clients, & buyers. Experiencing unique cultures & locations. He has been exposed to contracting, sales, operations, and management in various facets of the travel and corporate world. Travel has not only grown Clinton in his career, but as a person, a manager, a husband, & a father. One of Clinton’s goals is to instil a culture of growth within his teams and allow each individual to express themselves to their fullest in realising their potential.  To switch off and recharge, you will find Clinton relaxing with his family as they plan their next trip, on a golf course hacking his way around 18 holes, or relaxing around a fire in the bush with nothing but the sound of nature to keep him company… and a delicious glass of South African red wine of course.

Samuel Karani

Samuel Karani

General Manager, East Africa

Sam joined Intrepid East Africa in 2014 with over ten years managerial experience in tourism. After four successful years as Finance Manager, in 2019 he was promoted to General Manager. He has closely worked with every department including operations, contacting, sales and human resources giving him a wide understanding of the industry. Sam is passionate about developing and working with teams to deliver memorable adventures across the region. 

Zinzi Bobani

Zinzi Bobani

General Manager, Southern Africa

Zinzi 's career in travel started as a receptionist for an in-house Tour Operator of a Hotel & Gaming Group - Sun International, this was her doorway and exposure to travel, her curiosity and drive led her to working in different departments within the group and finally finding her sweet spot in Finance. She then pursued her studies in Finance and worked her way up from Finance Assistance in 2018 after joining Intrepid to Finance Manager and now as Country General Manager of Southern Africa DMC.

Europe

Zina Bencheikh

Zina Bencheikh

Managing Director EMEA

Born in Marrakech and educated in France and the UK, Zina started her career in finance in Paris before returning to Morocco to join Intrepid. She progressed rapidly through financial and operational leadership roles with the company and now leads the EMEA region of the business to deliver on the company’s dual goals of growth and balancing purpose and profit. Her remit includes the company’s Destination Management Companies in the region, as well as leading expansion into new European markets. Zina has also driven many purpose-led projects and initiatives at Intrepid, ranging from increasing the number of female tour leaders the company works with, to developing partnerships with WWF, IUCN, and Women in Travel.

Kristijan Svajnzger

Kristijan Svajnzger

Regional General Manager, Northern and Eastern Europe

Kris left his native Slovenia with a thirst to see the world. Working in various industries he soon discovered a passion for adventure that continues to this day. After four years working as a tour leader in Europe, Kris became the Operations Manager for Intrepid DMC Marrakech in 2012. Kris has now taken on the newly created position of General Manager for Europe to focus on the growth and quality of our European operations.

Florencia Allo Moreno

Florencia Allo Moreno

General Manager, Western Europe

It all started over 13 years ago, with a flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Barcelona, Spain. What it was supposed to be a ‘3 months’ trip to Europe turned into a life full of travelling. Florencia visited 30+ countries in Europe, Asia, North, Central, and South America and lived between Spain, Vietnam, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina while developing her 12+ years career within the tourism industry. Florencia worked with start-ups and companies in growth mode in Latin America and Europe across several management positions, including a first-hand experience managing a DMC for four years in Vietnam. Florencia joined Intrepid in 2022 taking on the General Manager for West Europe role and feels very proud and inspired to be part of a company who believes that amazing travel experiences go hand in hand with great responsibility.

Ance Svajnzger

Ance Svajnzger

General Manager, Eastern Europe

Born and raised in Latvia, Ance has spent the last 15 years travelling and working around the world – as a volunteer in the Canadian Arctic, leading tours in Central Europe and Balkans, spending significant time contracting hotels in Europe and working in reservations and customer service in Morocco. Ance joined Intrepid Travel as a tour leader for Europe and has since built her career to become first the Contracting Manager for Europe, then the Destination Product Manager for East Europe, Iceland, and Caucasus and now is leading Intrepid Travel`s East Europe team as General Manager. Ance has an in-depth understanding of the travel industry. Her main skill set is in developing innovative, experience-rich itineraries that offer authentic adventures, as well as delivering operational excellence in more than 15 countries.

Pelin Bengu

Pelin Bengu

General Manager, Turkiye

Pelin is the General Manager for Intrepid Travel Turkiye DMC, based in Istanbul. Pelin’s career started off in the banking sector in USA with global companies before returning to her country in 2009. Prior to joining Intrepid Travel, she has held managerial roles in the financial sector ranging from product management to sales for more than 20 years. Pelin holds an MBA from University of Rochester and a BA in Business Administration from Bosphorus University in Istanbul. Finally, her unwavering passion for travel and purpose led her to the tourism industry and she joined Intrepid Travel in December 2023. Pelin is dedicated to take Turkiye DMC to the next level while assuring the best travel experience for Intrepid guests while visiting Turkiye.

Americas

Gary Cohen

Gary Cohen

Managing Director, Latin America

Gary's passion for travel started early. He was born in South Africa and then moved to the UK when he was 10. After graduating from university, he started travelling all over Latin America and eventually worked for Exodus as an overland expedition leader from 2003 to 2005. After leaving the travel industry for a few years to live in Spain, he then joined Intrepid DMC as the Ground Manager in Buenos Aires at the end of 2010, later becoming our Operations Manager in Peru. He is now our Managing Director for Latin America, based in Lima.

Fausto Sarango

Fausto Sarango

General Manager, Ecuador

Fausto joined Intrepid at the end of 2011. With an extensive background in travel, and more than 25 years in the travel industry, he is currently the General Manager for Intrepid DMC Ecuador and the Galapagos. Fausto’s experience comes from leading successful adventure businesses, as well as contracting and managing operations in the Galapagos, and as such, is widely respected locally. Fausto is focused on delivering consistently high-quality, safe, transparent and trusted product for our DMC partners.

Hernan Acevedo

Hernan Acevedo

General Manager, Colombia

Born and raised in Bogotá, Hernan was lucky enough to travel from an early age but never thought he could make a career out of his love for discovering new places. After studying electronic engineering at university, quite by accident Hernan ended up working as a tour leader for Colombians travelling to the Caribbean – which led him to see the opportunity for inbound tourism to his mother country. Initially juggling his tour leader role with a job in the telecom industry, in 2010 Hernan was able to take the leap to a full-time position developing new products for international travellers to Colombia. Nine years later, he has seen first-hand the power of tourism to transform the lives of both travellers and local communities.

Fernando Rodriguez

Fernando Rodriguez

General Manager, Peru

Fernando spent most of his childhood travelling around Peru due to his father’s job, which allowed him to discover the wonders of his country at an early age. His passion for the mountains and sharing his culture led him to join Intrepid as a local guide in his hometown, Arequipa, soon after he finished his degree in tourism. He went on to become a tour leader, running trips all over South America, before joining the office team in operations roles and then as our General Manager in Peru. Like many other Peruvians, he’s a food lover and a self-proclaimed master chef.

Tom Smith

Tom Smith

General Manager, Central America & Mexico

Born in Germany and having grown up in the UK, Tom has been fortunate to have lived and worked in Australia, Morocco, Peru, Canada and now Costa Rica. He has worked in a diverse range of industries, from hospitality to the life Sciences to finance, but finally found his home in the travel industry, and 12 years later is still very happy to be working for a purpose-led travel company. Tom’s experience ranges from sales to marketing to operations, but his main passion is building and leading teams to achieve their goals. When Tom isn’t working his favourite place to be is in the surf, ideally on a right-hand point break with very few people around him.