Alex is a lifelong jungle explorer and advocate for tropical conservation. Raised in Rural New Zealand, he developed a passion that later drew him into the world’s great rainforests—from Panama’s cloud forests to the Amazon’s riverine corridors, to the African Basin and beyond. As a veteran, certified medic and seasoned expedition leader, he has seen firsthand that lasting impact comes when local people lead the way.

His core belief is that empowering communities with sustainable eco-tourism does more than create jobs—it raises the bar for safety and professionalism, forges powerful partnerships, protects forests, and safeguards the animals that live within them. For Alex, JGI is both a reflection of his own journey and a commitment to building a stronger, more resilient future for jungle regions worldwide.

Read:

How JGI is Changing the Narrative

Into the Congo with Alex Bigwood

Kaylyn brings a blend of forward-thinking strategy and creative marketing to Jungle Guides International. With a sharp eye for growth opportunities and a passion for storytelling, she crafts roadmaps that connect global audiences to our mission.

Outside the boardroom, Kaylyn is a devoted pet lover—believing that loyalty, curiosity, and a sense of adventure aren’t just traits of our four-legged friends but essential qualities in building strong, dynamic teams.

With over 40 years of clinical and expedition experience, Dr. Duncan Gray has operated in some of the world's most extreme environments—including Antarctica, the Himalayas, Alaska, the Sahara, and the jungles of Asia and South America—supporting remote expeditions, endurance races, and high-risk operations as both a physician and leader. A former A&E consultant in Glasgow and veteran of the British Airborne Forces, he has also served with the Flying Doctor Service in Australia, and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in London.

At Jungle Guides International, Duncan brings world-class medical expertise, a commitment to safety, and a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge. He supports the development of high standards in jungle medicine and risk management, mentors guide instructors, and contributes to JGI’s international credibility. His recent academic work on hypothermia has practical relevance for guides in all environments, where remote assessment skills are critical.

Read:

Where Medicine Meets the Wild with Dr. Gray

Sean Meehan is an Irish trail-running guide and event organizer living in Germany with his young family. Raised on a rural Irish farm, he developed a deep connection to nature and outdoor adventure. Over the past decade, he has guided and managed trail-running events in over 15 countries and traveled through more than 50. As a former lead guide for Rogue Expeditions, he created immersive trail-running experiences in places like Ireland, Canada, and Patagonia.

An accomplished ultra runner, Sean has competed in international events such as TransUral in Russia, Tor Des Geants in Italy, and Sweden Skyrace. He has also played a key role in developing the Fuego y Agua Ultramarathon in Nicaragua, a pioneering event supporting the growth of ultra running in Central America. With a background in engineering, Sean brings a thoughtful blend of endurance, logistics, and cultural insight to adventure travel, sharing his experiences through public speaking, media appearances, and a strong online presence.

As Director of Sustainable Rural Development with Jungle Guides International, Sean brings a unique mix of leadership, guiding experience, and rural resilience. He supports the development of jungle-based running expeditions, helps coordinate community events in tropical regions, and mentors aspiring adventure guides. His focus on sustainability and collaboration ensures that programs benefit both participants and the communities they engage with.

Read:

Jungle Guide Training: Chagres National Park

Mark Knetsch is the founder and president of BioCultural Adventures. Raised in Aruba and guided by a lifelong connection to nature, he arrived in Panama in 2013 on a surf trip that evolved into a life-changing journey. Since then, he has dedicated himself to building deep connections between people, communities, and the natural world through immersive, place-based experiences.

With a background in wilderness guiding, emergency response, and jungle survival, Mark combines technical expertise with a passion for conservation, cultural exchange, and leadership development. BioCultural Adventures reflects this path—offering transformative programs rooted in Panama’s natural and cultural heritage, led in collaboration with local Indigenous leaders and community partners.

Mark brings a deep commitment to culturally respectful tourism and experiential education. His work strengthens our engagement with local communities and helps ensure that the International Association of Jungle Guides’ training programs are inclusive, place-sensitive, and grounded in real-world jungle leadership. His collaborative approach fosters mutual learning and long-term partnerships that are essential to ethical guiding in the tropics.

Rick is a veteran explorer and expedition leader, with over two decades guiding various projects through Central America’s most challenging terrain with his company, Jungle Treks. Respected across the region, he’s played a key role in developing sustainable eco-tourism practices that protect fragile ecosystems while delivering authentic cultural experiences. His leadership has influenced both public policy and private sector initiatives, making him a driving force in Central America’s environmental and tourism landscape.

A native of Boquete, Panama, Rick Morales is a pioneer of Panamanian adventure—founder and owner of Jungle Treks Panama and is one of the very few to have thru-hiked the length of Panama non-stop. As Association Director, Rick brings his deep local knowledge and expeditionary expertise to shape our programs, forge community partnerships, and ensure every International Association of Jungle Guides’ initiative is rooted in real-world jungle experience.

Read:

Bridging Worlds in the Jungle: The Story of Rick Morales and Beatriz Schmitt

Mikel and Silvana Liuw are a dynamic husband-and-wife team whose lives are deeply rooted in the jungles of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Mikel has been exploring the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea since 1990. Driven by a childhood fascination with reptiles—especially Komodo dragons—he transformed his passion into a career guiding adventurous travelers through the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. His survival expertise began in Europe and expanded through extensive time spent learning from Indigenous communities in New Guinea and the Moluccas. In addition to guiding, Mikel works as a professional liaison for international film crews, assisting with permits, logistics, and jungle location scouting. Around the campfire, his vivid stories of jungle adventure never fail to captivate.

Silvana, born and raised in the highlands of North Sulawesi, is the founder of CV Minahasa Adventure, an Indonesian eco-tourism company specializing in customized programs focused on nature, volcanoes, wildlife, and local culture. Her guiding philosophy is rooted in safety, education, and community involvement—designing trips that highlight conservation and cultural understanding while partnering with local communities. As a registered fixer, she also supports filmmakers in navigating Indonesia’s complex legal and logistical landscape. Her legendary jungle cooking, prepared over open flames, is a highlight of every expedition.

Together, Mikel and Silvana bring a powerful combination of international field experience, deep local knowledge, and logistical expertise to the International Association of Jungle Guides (IAJG). They contribute decades of hands-on jungle guiding, a strong commitment to community-led tourism, and professional support for media teams working in remote rainforest environments. Their work embodies the IAJG’s mission to promote safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible jungle travel.

Anders Andersen is a seasoned jungle survival expert and founder of The Wild Tales Inc., based in Guyana. With over six years immersed in the Rupununi region, he has led expeditions and survival courses throughout the Guyanese rainforest and in remote areas of the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Iceland. Known for his hands-on training style, Anders teaches essential wilderness skills—such as fishing, foraging, shelter-building, and navigation—through immersive programs that often include a challenging solo phase to build resilience and self-reliance. His "Stop, Think, Organize, Plan" methodology emphasizes the critical role of preparation and adaptability in wild environments, and his experience includes guiding international adventurers and supporting major TV productions in some of the world’s most remote jungles.

Anders contributes his deep knowledge of jungle survival and expedition leadership to the International Association of Jungle Guides. His commitment to ethical tourism and collaboration with Indigenous communities enriches our programs, ensuring they are both authentic and sustainable. Anders's expertise enhances our mission to train and certify professional jungle guides who are equipped to lead with competence and cultural sensitivity.