Our People

Since graduating from university, Elizabeth has now found her true calling in Tourism. She has an understandable love for the great outdoors and a true passion when it comes to helping people discover Australia. Elizabeth takes great pride in ensuring our team has the latest information to showcase the very best Australia has to offer and fits in perfectly to run First Light Travel’s Customer Services.   

Marcella was destined for a bright future in travel, having both Italian and Samoan Heritage, and a love of learning about the different cultures around the world. Her parents fostered her love of travel with family holidays throughout Australia and the South Pacific. After studying, Marcella became Air New Zealand's youngest ever Flight Attendant, a dream of Marcella's as a 9 year old. Her time as a flight attendant came to an end, and she moved to Europe to take on new adventures. Marcela explains how these travel experiences have shaped her as a Travel Designer.

Gina has moved around Australia but rates Merimbula and the Sapphire Coast as the best place to live! Whilst she feels a trip is not complete without a visit to Australia Zoo she loves the unique wildlife that Tasmania has to offer too. When she is not being fascinated on land by animals, you will find her snorkelling and exploring the ocean. Gina’s passion and care brightens up everyone’s day so you know your travel plans are in safe hands.

Growing up in the USA, Danielle’s passion for travel began at a young age. After a year of studying abroad during university, the travel bug was fully engrained, inspiring Danielle to spend years exploring and living on a variety of continents whilst earning her Master’s degree in Tourism Management. She was drawn to Australasia for the awesome hiking opportunities and unique landscapes. When Danielle is not crafting seamless and unique itineraries for others, you will find her eagerly exploring our backcountry.

Upon completion of her degree in the UK, Narissa embarked on a round the world trip landing in Australia for the first time in 2013. After living on Australia’s East Coast and with the South Pacific well and truly cementing the travel bug in place, Narissa moved to New Zealand where she now proudly calls home. Using her unique experience as both a tourist and a local, Narissa now dedicates her time to personally curate the dream itinerary guaranteed to create memories of a lifetime.  

I have grown up having family in Aussie so it has always been the go-to destination for family holidays. The Gold Coast in particular is my favorite destination as it has everything I love to do – great shopping, relaxing beaches, theme parks, and wildlife. I have also travelled to Melbourne numerous times growing up to visit family, I don’t think I’ve ever failed to make a trip to Melbourne Zoo every time I’ve been as I am absolutely obsessed with the animals and wildlife in Australia. 

Nigel was born in Adelaide Australia and has been involved in tourism for over a decade. Working as a tour guide in Africa, Nigel literally enjoyed it so much that he decided to run the company - becoming the London based Operations Manager. After completing his MBA and spending three years as a Management Consultant, Nigel felt it was time to get back to the good life - travel!

Having worked in tourism all her life, talking to Natalie about Australia is like opening up a treasure chest. Whilst she loves all of Australia, her favourite place is Mildura as it ticks all the boxes as a great country town with awesome food wine and people. Of all Natalie’s experiences in Australia, her favourite is houseboating on the Murray River. In her Guest Services role, Natalie’s top tip is to make sure you spend some time finding your feet and wandering with the locals.

After 4 years running other peoples trucks, Steve established his own successful African overland safari company, overseeing operations and logistics between London and some of the most challenging terrain in travel that there is. In 2003, Steve returned to Perth and is now using his expertise as First Light Travel's Operations Manager.

Bitten by the travel bug at a young age, Nicole made it her goal to study tourism in Australasia. She is especially interested in accessible tourism and experience design. Originally from Malaysia, some of her fondest childhood memories include visiting family in Melbourne and Ballarat. She looks forward to exploring more of Australia’s rugged landscapes and sampling more local food. Nicole is excited to arrange your next adventure in the land down under.

A seasoned travel professional originating from Germany, Anne loves the ocean and can’t wait to explore the fascinating underwater world that Australia has to offer now that she has completed all her dive training. When Anne’s not working hard in the office or exploring the ocean you will find her out and about on some white knuckle adventure in the great outdoors. 

Brent has been involved in tourism for over twenty years. He owned an agency in London for 7 years (Global Connect Travel) running `high end' adventure tours in East Africa and diving holidays in the Red Sea, along with other activities and destinations around the world. Currently attempting to mountain bike all the back country tracks he can find and living to tell the tale!

Originally from the USA, Anna has travelled the globe fairly extensively. She graduated university with a degree in Tourism Management and has since gained experience working in many facets of the industry, including the luxury space. She is passionate about implementing her love and knowledge of Australia to tailor make your dream holiday. When not creating your perfect trip, she can probably be found dreaming up her own next adventure or with her head in the water in her favourite spot in Australia, the Ningaloo reef

Suzie is awestruck by Australia’s beauty and huge range of activities on offer. A keen diver she gained her Advanced Open Water Certificate on a live-board on the Great Barrier Reef. When she’s not exploring underwater you can find her courtside at the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne, and with fifteen years previously in the wine industry, and a ‘foodie’ by nature, she also loves her ‘girls only’ shopping and dining trips to Sydney. 

Born and bred in New Zealand Michelle loves to travel to unwind.  Her favourite memories from Australia come from the 12 months spent living and working in Melbourne and exploring Tasmania with a 6 month old baby in tow.  Michelle believes that the diversity that Australia offers from busy cities to epic outdoor adventures means it has something for everyone and she looks forward to exploring the remaining two states that she hasn't visited yet.  After having worked in the IT industry for 30 years Michelle now focuses on making First Light Travel's systems even better.
 
 

Judith comes from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. In 2004 she set out on a world trip, visiting all continents. When she arrived into Australia she didn’t leave a stone unturned covering 2,300 kilometres from Wilsons Prom National Park, all the way up to Cook Town, then to Darwin down to Esperance and Uluru. She’s even hitchhiked across the Nullarbor National Park! Judith loves the Aussies and says that their hospitality helped to make this trip her best one ever. She is looking forward to making this become true for you too.

Dmitry has been in travel industry since 1992. He started out in Russia as a guide for American travellers. In 2004 Dmitry finally settled in New Zealand. Since this time he has explored every corner of the country, either with clients or with his own family. Fishing, caving, rafting, walking, quad biking and doing the world’s highest bungee (134m) are amongst the activities he enjoys most.

Emma caught the travel bug on her first ever trip to the Northern Hemisphere! Upon her return in 2017, she just knew she had to share her new passion for those wanting to visit the South Pacific. She started her tourism career as a Travel Designer before moving into the Product space as an Assistant and now a Product Manager. Emma’s favourite place in Australia is currently Melbourne as it ticks all the boxes that every foodie desires but this might all change once she has ticked off her next must visit destination, Margaret River! 

Gabriella grew up in California with frequent trips to the UK to visit extended family and that is where her love for travel began. Living Down Under for the past 5 years, Australia has become her amazing new adventure playground. She loves the mix of the big cities and small towns, with lots of shopping, wineries and tons of unique wildlife you will not find anywhere else. Her love of travel has made her excited to be an integral part of the Accounts team and her best days are when she gets to hear about all the amazing trips our guests are embarking on. 

Jaydene has always loved the variety of experiences that Australia has to offer, from being home to the world’s largest coral reef, having one of the oldest cultures in the world (dating back more than 60,000 years!), the amazing food and wine scene and everything else in between! Jaydene firmly believes that Australia has something for everyone and when she is not carefully curating itineraries with a difference, you will find her relaxing at her favourite spot on the Sunshine Coast!

Joanna is a dynamic professional with a robust background in customer service and a degree in Tourism Management. Her passion for tourism knows no bounds as she views it as a transformative gateway for individuals to explore diverse cultures across borders. Outside of work, Joanna enjoys spending quality time with her family, embarking on road trips and savouring local cuisines. These experiences serve as wellsprings of inspiration, fueling her drive to craft meaningful travel adventures. Her dedication extends to researching destinations that offer rich cultural experiences, with a particular interest in places like the Northern Territory.

Tatyana has always had a passion for travel and engaging with new experiences which lead her to obtain graduate qualifications in Tourism. Holiday’s growing up were spent on the Gold Coast soaking up the sun and sea or visiting the theme parks. Tatyana loves the diversity of Australia and is particularly passionate about helping others experience the wildlife and wineries of Tasmania! When Tatyana is not dedicating her time to “work”, you can find her relaxing at the beach or exploring nature through a wonderful bush walk.

Having travelled to over 40 countries (so far), Katrina has a wealth of travel knowledge to share! Growing up in Canada, she graduated in Tourism and Hotel Management and has over 16 years of hospitality experience from working in hotels, cruises and living abroad. She first fell in love with Australia in 2015 when she travelled for over a month exploring the stunning Perth to Exmouth coastal bliss. Passionate about experiencing new cultures and learning new things about the world she is now enjoying living in the Southern Hemisphere and is doing an exceptional job as our Business Development Manager. On her weekends you can find her exploring as much of the natural beauty on offer as possible.

Gail grew up in Scotland and began exploring the world with family from an early age. She decided to leave the UK in 2016 on her first solo trip which started off with 2 years travelling the length and breadth of Australia gaining travel and hospitality experience along the way. Camping through the Outback and travelling down the West Coast are some of her favourite experiences in Australia to date. Gail is a fantastic asset to First Light Travel, excelling in her role as Organisational Development Manager. When not “working”, you will find her by the water, bush walking or exploring somewhere new.

Katarina was born in Slovakia and first came to the Southern Hemisphere in 2018 with the intention of completing a one year trip. Thanks to the natural beauty and unique culture, she now never wants to leave! Katarina has a Masters in Environmental Geography and a huge passion for travel. She finds Sydney and the surrounds hard to beat and is excited to explore every corner of Australia. Katarina is an integral part of our Guest Services team and when she is not in the office you can find her hiking in nature.

Izabella's love for travel began during her childhood where she became a camping enthusiast, regularly exploring as much of the great outdoors as possible. Her passion lead her to graduate in Tourism and work in hospitality before really kick-starting her career with First Light Travel. She loves experiencing new adventures and lives to help you feel the same when you visit Australia. She is on a mission to visit every corner of every State! Izabella enjoys spending her days supporting the team in her Guest Services role.

Tracy is very grateful to have had opportunities to travel with her family from a young age whilst growing up in Vietnam. Tracy was captured by the stunning nature Down Under so much so that she took the plunge to move in 2018. In her spare time, Tracy loves to get on the road to explore all corners that are uniquely Australia. From underwater explorations of the Great Barrier Reef to walking through Kakadu National Park to admiring the coastal views of the Great Ocean Road. When Tracy is not on a road trip, you can find her hard at work in Guest Services.

South African born, Naeelah moved Down Under in 2017 and fell in love with the pristine beauty. Her love for travel started at a young age with a particular interest in connecting with different people. Naeelah’s explorations taught her that she simply had to help others see the wonders of the South Pacific for themselves, so completed her Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management. Naeelah now helps people book the perfect trip as an Escorted Coach Tour Specialist. You can trust Naeelah to listen to what you want from your dream trip and match you to the best option.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Kimi grew to have a great appreciation for both nature and city life which sparked her passion to travel the world. Kimi has visited a number of countries but Australia is her favourite. She believes the East Coast is a must visit with its impeccable nature being so accessible to the cities. She is on a mission to visit each small pocket of Australia that she has not yet experienced. Kimi is an integral part of the Product team at First Light Travel, dedicated to ensuring that your dream trip can become a reality.

Growing up in Queensland with World Heritage listed Fraser Island (K’gari) on her door step, Cassandra’s passion for exploring places of natural beauty started early. There are not many corners of Australia where Cassandra has not explored or lived! A beach gal at heart, The Whitsunday’s and Western Australia’s Turquoise Coast are amongst her favourite destinations - with Kakadu, The Red Centre and Cradle Mountain rounding off her top 5. When she is not out and about exploring, you will find her meticulous working on our content as an integral part of our Product Team. 

Jessika is French by birth but a wanderer at heart. She initially arrived Down Under as a tourist in 2016, fell in love with the natural wonders so never left. With her travel experiences and love for Oceania, you can trust Jessika to help you design your dream trip. When not in the office, you can find her testing out the latest eatery or wandering along the water’s edge, taking in the breathtaking views. 

Kirsty chose a career in tourism to allow her to combine her work with her passion for travel. She first left England to explore the South Pacific in 2018 and has never looked back. Kirsty's natural flair for planning and designing road trips and itineraries has not been restricted to her professional life, during her weekends, she takes every opportunity to explore her own 'backyard'. In her spare time you can find her hiking or simply enjoying the peace and quiet from her hammock with a picture perfect backdrop.

From a young age, Daria has always loved being outside enjoying nature and outdoor activities. After living in Whistler, Canada for many years, moving Down Under to continue her love for exploration felt like the perfect choice! Daria’s favourite things about Australia are not only the beautiful scenery but the relaxed lifestyle and interesting culture. Daria is excited to help create your dream trip in Australia! When not in the office you are most likely to find her enjoying food and wine at local eateries or on a bike ride. 

Originally from the UK, after graduating University in 2009, Heidi spent the next few years travelling the globe before settling in Down Under in 2014. Having worked in Tourism for over a decade, Heidi has extensive Australia travel experience and understands how daunting planning a trip in such a vast and diverse country can be. When she is not at her desk you will find her out and about exploring, she cannot wait to fill you in on the best secret spots to make your trip one to remember.

Henry is a Kiwi at heart with a dash of world influence from his time living abroad. Throughout his career, Henry has blended his passion for the outdoors with his profession. Whether guiding hikers through breath-taking landscapes, teaching the joy of skiing, Henry knows how to craft memorable experiences. From surfing the stunning Sunshine Coast to hiking the lush rainforests, exploring vibrant cities, and appreciating the rich cultural heritage of central Australia, Henry is captivated by all that this incredible country has to offer and cannot wait to share it with you.

Jasmin’s roots trace back to South Australia where she was raised amidst the tranquillity of her family's farm. This is where her love for animals blossomed and her passion for exploration ignited. From a young age, she embarked on countless camping escapades, discovering the hidden gems of Australia. Jasmin then felt the call of the ocean and migrated to the Sunshine Coast where she found comfort among the beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. When she's not carefully curating itineraries, Jasmin can be found venturing out to uncover a new scenic trail.

A born and bred Aussie, Renee has proudly lived in South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Sunshine Coast. She has been on numerous road trips across Australia and truly appreciates the diversity of the culture, wildlife and landscape within this one very special country. She cannot wait to showcase the best of Australia in your itinerary. If you love hiking then speak to Renee, her favourite spot is the Grampians for the rugged beauty of the rock formations, waterfalls and Indigenous rock art.

Wietske has always had her heart set on a career in tourism and has not looked back after more than 10 years in the industry. Her passion began with family trips growing up with each experience inspiring her to travel and explore more. In her role as Marketing Manager she relishes the chance to showcase the South Pacific as a must-see destination. Being the sunseeker that she is, her favourite treat is to soak up the rays and listen to the waves in Byron Bay.

Charlotte grew up in a small town nestled on the border of New South Wales and Victoria and spent her youth travelling around to every state and territory of Australia. She then chose to settle in the vibrant city of Melbourne and absolutely fell in love with the culture, food, events, music and people. Charlotte loves the diversity Australia has to offer from rainforests, to vibrant desserts and bustling cities and is passionate about helping people discover all the hidden gems, especially within central Australia which she believes is a life changing experience.