Jared brings more than a decade of experience working closely with schools and educational organisations across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. As a founding member of the Student Horizons Brisbane office in 2015, he helped establish the company’s presence in Australia and spent six years supporting schools through educational travel programs.

During his time with Student Horizons, Jared travelled on 26 student tours as a Logistics Director, supporting schools, students and tour leaders on the ground across a range of domestic and international destinations.

Following the disruption of COVID-19, Jared joined the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), where he spent six years partnering with boarding schools, school leaders and education providers to support school communities through professional learning, conferences and sector-wide initiatives. He has since returned to Student Horizons, bringing with him a wealth of experience and an even deeper understanding of the education sector.

Jared is known for delivering exceptional customer service, combined with a positive, practical approach and a genuine ability to build meaningful relationships. He is passionate about continuous learning and professional development. After completing his Bachelor of Business, he furthered his leadership capabilities by completing the Leadership Principles program through Harvard University Online.

A proud old boy of St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Jared values the importance of education, strong community connections and the opportunities that school experiences provide young people. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, following a wide range of sports, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Kelly’s passion for travel began while at university, when he took his first ever overseas trip, solo, to China and the Philippines. The experience proved to be life-changing, opening his eyes to the power of travel as a tool for personal growth and shaping the direction of his career.

Kelly graduated with a degree in Secondary Education and began his professional life as a Mathematics and Health & Physical Education teacher. He was heavily involved in co-curricular programs and passionate about extending learning beyond the classroom.

After several years of teaching, Kelly stepped away from the classroom to pursue a long-held dream of travelling the world. Over two years, he travelled to every continent except Antarctica, spending more than 700 days living out of a backpack. During this time, he also competed on the TV show ‘The Amazing Race Australia’ alongside his wife, finishing in third place.

Some of Kelly’s favorite travel memories include surfing in Sri Lanka, going on safari in Tanzania, visiting the pyramids in Egypt, hiking a volcano in Guatemala and exploring glaciers in Iceland.
Now combining his background in education with his passion for travel, Kelly is proud to help design and deliver meaningful tours that create life-changing experiences for students.

Andrew Graham is General Manager of Finance, Flights and Risk at Student Horizons, having now spent 12 years with the company.

Since graduating from university with a degree in accounting and finance in the UK, Andrew worked for many years in finance for a leading global manufacturer and Fortune 500 company. The exposure to how industry and business succeed inspired Andrew to broaden his expertise and further his career path in operational management.

Shortly after emigrating to New Zealand with his wife and two children, Andrew was delighted when the opportunity arose to join Student Horizons. In 2015, Andrew and his family — now with three children, relocated from New Zealand to Queensland, Australia. Delivering experiences for life to young people is one that Andrew finds most rewarding. Over his 12 years with the business, Andrew has travelled the globe with Student Horizons and is well aware of the benefits and advantages travel brings.

Andrew is proud to be part of a world-class team delivering first-class experiences and unrivalled service.

Dave is co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Safety Group. He has a risk management master’s degree from Norwich University, has spent the past 29 years in domestic and international travel operations, and has advised over 80 organisations in risk management practices and training.

Dave has held senior roles at some of the largest travel organisations and helped manage thousands of incidents of all severity types. Dave provides advice, guidance, support and training to the team at Student Horizons in the areas of risk and safety.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Indie now calls the Sunshine Coast home. Having lived in Scotland for the past two years she is happy to be back down under, soaking up the sun and beach life.

When she was 15, she went on a school expedition to Vietnam, this is where her passion for travel, connecting with different people and cultures was truly ignited. Since then, she has made travel a priority in her life and hopes to visit every continent (only two to go)! Whilst living in the UK she made the most of having Europe at her fingertips, some of her highlights being hiking through the mountains of Albania, visiting the Acropolis in Greece and sunset boat rides off the coast of Spain.

Since finishing school Indie has studied and worked in a variety of fields including teaching English as a foreign language (ESL), Sports and Exercise, supporting people with a disability and early childcare. She has a love for soccer (go Tillies), exploring the outdoors and getting stuck into a new creative project.

Indie is a senior member of Student Horizons Operations team, facilitating sport, music and study based trips all over the world. An accomplished Student Horizons Logistics Director, having LD’d in Canberra, USA and New Zealand and later on this year to LD in the UK and Europe on a football tour.

Head of Student Horizons Canberra Trips, Jane has now been delivering Experiences for life at SH for over 10 years.

Born in Estonia to Russian parents, Jane developed a keen interest in different cultures from a very young age. Straight after school she left home for the UK, eager to try her luck in a different country. She graduated from one of the top UK universities few years later. Being fascinated by the constantly changing world we live in, she went on to do her degree in International Relations.

Throughout her university years and after graduating, Jane explored the world, travelling around India, South Africa, USA, Spain, France and Switzerland, to name few countries. Five years ago, one of these trips brought her to New Zealand and it took her two weeks to realise this was where she wanted to settle.

Since graduating, Jane explored a number of different professional fields, including human rights, sales and marketing, hospitality, and education. In the last few years, she worked in a number of language and business schools for international students in New Zealand, and travelled back to the UK to work at a Summer School, organising University Campus trips for high schools students around the world.

Her immense passion for travel and education brought her to Student Horizons and her attention to detail and dedication to service excellence keeps our Canberra clients coming back year after year.

Dr. Dubansky is the co-founder and Medical Director of Cornerstone Safety Group. He is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician with special expertise in Wilderness Medicine. Dr. Dubansky is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

Dr. Dubansky received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2010, then trained in Emergency Medicine at UCSF-Fresno where he created and completed an area of concentration in Wilderness Medicine Education in 2014. Dr. Dubansky’s experience includes designing and implementing EMS field scenarios and mass casualty drills, lecturing extensively to medical students, EMTs, nurses, physicians, and National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service Rangers.

Elle began her career in the travel and tourism industry in 2009, spending two seasons as a camp counsellor in Michigan, USA.

Subsequently she joined a well-known high street agency, as a travel consultant before managing her own business as a mobile travel agent. Alongside her home-based travel business, Elle applied herself in community roles as event coordinator for the Albury Special Children’s Christmas Party, and boarding supervisor at Scots School Albury.

In 2019 Elle moved ‘across the ditch’ to New Zealand where she worked as activities coordinator and assistant manager at Queen Margaret College in Wellington and then onto Timaru Girls’ High School where she was appointed director of boarding.

Throughout her years of traveling abroad, some of her highlights include buying a van and travelling across Route 66, trekking in Rwanda to spend precious time with Mountain Gorillas, an expedition in Alaska, and eating her way across Mexico!

Elle believes strongly in youth advocacy and participation and finding meaningful experiential opportunities. She’ll always give something a go, whether its learning to snow ski at 33, or eating something interesting in a far off land!

Isobel is a former French, Spanish and Dance teacher, and relocated to Queensland with her husband after growing up in England. Isobel’s love for foreign travel stemmed from spending childhood summers with family in Bordeaux, and her passion for language and culture hasn’t stopped since. During her university career Isobel spent a year teaching English in the south of France, and formalised her adoration for learning by completing a teaching degree and Masters. In between work and studies, Isobel was lucky enough to chase picturesque sunsets and expand her personal travel experiences. Her favourite places are Gdansk and Essaouira because of the stories of the local people, anywhere in Italy for the unrivalled food culture, and Havana for its vibrant style and salsa dancing.

Isobel has spent the last 6 years teaching languages in UK schools, inspiring young people to broaden their (Student) Horizons and learn more about the world around them. Isobel has experienced first-hand the magic of authentic travel experiences for young people when taking her students on educational tours around Europe and is proud to be able to provide such experiences as part of the Student Horizons team.

Maureen MacConnell is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner providing mental health consultation and training in over 60 countries globally. She has advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, and Organisational Leadership and Learning. Maureen has sixteen years experience as a mental health clinician both domestically and internationally. She currently serves as Chair of the Psychological Health of Traveler’s committee within the International Society of Travel Medicine, and believes in providing continuous, adaptive support for travelers in domestic and international settings.

Ash is a Sunshine Coast local who officially joined the travel industry in early 2023, beginning her career as a luxury travel consultant in sunny Noosa. However, her passion for travel was sparked long before this during her first overseas experience on a high school netball tour to New Zealand — a journey that ignited a lifelong passion for global exploration.

After completing high school, Ash went on to earn a university degree in Psychology and Human Resource Management before pursuing her passion for travel. This led her to spend several years travelling extensively throughout Europe and Asia, gaining firsthand experience of diverse cultures, landscapes and perspectives.

Some of Ash’s most memorable travel experiences include watching the sun set over the iconic Caldera in Santorini, embarking on a safari through Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, swimming beneath the stunning waterfalls of Krka National Park in Croatia, attending the FIS World Snowboard Cup in Bansko Bulgaria and exploring the breathtaking rice fields of North-East Bali.

Ash’s passion for travel is at the heart of everything she does. Having participated in a school-based sporting tour herself she deeply understands the powerful role travel plays in youth development. She is driven by a desire to create meaningful, educational travel experiences that broaden worldviews, foster personal growth, and create lifelong memories for students.

Originally from Italy, Val has always been passionate about languages and connecting with people from different backgrounds. This curiosity led her to live in the north of Spain during her Bachelor’s degree, where she fully embraced the local culture and sharpened her Spanish. After university, Val’s thirst for adventure drew her to Dublin, Ireland, where she settled for three years, soaking up the local music, history, and the famously warm Irish welcome.

Val’s journey hasn’t stopped there. She has travelled widely throughout Europe, ventured into the colourful markets of North Africa, trekked through Southeast Asia, discovered the beauty of New Zealand, and enjoyed the unique traditions of Japan. Among her favourite travel memories are watching the pyramids from the back of a camel, diving in the Red Sea and skiing down the powdery slopes of Japan, blending her love for exploration with her passion for the outdoors.

Now calling Australia home, Val brings her rich international experience and genuine enthusiasm for travel to Student Horizons. With a professional background in administration and education, she is committed to helping others expand their horizons, embrace new cultures, and create meaningful memories around the world.

A born and raised Kiwi, Naomi made the move from New Zealand to the Sunny Coast after enjoying an Australia Working Holiday in 2023.

Naomi’s passion for travel and adventure started when she was 7 years old, on a trip to local villages in Fiji with her dad. This experience prompted a new excitement of discovering the world and learning about cultures different to her own. Since then, she has been able to enjoy some amazing trips to every continent (except Antartica). Naomi also has a big passion for youth and children, which led her to spend three months in 2024 volunteering alongside her husband in South-East Asia, North Africa, and South America. A highlight from this trip was using football and sports to connect with youth from children’s homes in Northern Thailand (and eating the delicious Thai food of course!)

After completing a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation back in NZ, Naomi enjoyed multiple years working as a school sports coordinator before setting off to travel the world. She is excited to be a part of Student Horizons where she can use her her travel experiences and passion for youth development, to create life changing experiences for others.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in Australia, Emma has developed an appreciation for different cultures and a strong curiosity to explore new experiences. Through travel, she has built meaningful connections with new people and places, helping her grow and learn in ways she didn’t anticipate.

In late 2023, Emma and her partner spent the winter season in Banff, Canada, where they embraced the mountain lifestyle and enjoyed the chance to meet people from around the world. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of the value of community and the growth that comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
Following her time in Canada, Emma travelled across Europe, reconnecting with family and exploring her Dutch heritage. Along the way, she discovered new perspectives and cultures that broadened her worldview and strengthened her passion for exploration.

These experiences have shaped her into someone who values connection, openness, and continuous learning. She brings an adventurous spirit and thoughtful approach to everything she does and is excited to join Student Horizons to help create meaningful, transformative opportunities for young people through education and travel!

Heidi graduated high school in 2024, and is passionate about rugby and the arts, having served as school captain, rugby captain, and lead in her school musical in her senior year. In 2023, she joined a Student Horizons trip to Fiji as a supporter on her brother’s rugby tour. This experience was life-changing, immersing her in Fijian culture and the island’s vibrant rugby scene. Meeting the local kids and experiencing Fijian rugby games gave Heidi a unique chance to connect with the community and appreciate the humble and radiant island way of life.

The trip deepened her love for travel and sparked a desire to learn how travel can create meaningful, transformative experiences for young people. Inspired by the care and expertise of Student Horizons in organising the tour, Heidi is excited to be a part of the team that creates these lifetime memories. She looks forward to helping others discover the same sense of connection, adventure and community she experienced.

Heidi’s travel experiences in Fiji, Thailand, and around Australia have deepened her love for seeing new parts of the world and creating unforgettable memories. She has lived on the Sunshine Coast all her life and is eager to experience new destinations across the world!

Originally from the Northern beaches of Sydney, Brooke moved to New Zealand in 2008 with her husband, Jamie. After spending seven amazing years in Auckland, they relocated their family to Brisbane in 2015 to set up the Student Horizons Brisbane office.

After completing her tertiary education with diplomas in Business and Design, Brooke has worked in design agencies around the world including Sydney, London and Auckland, before setting up her own design business in New Zealand.

A passion for travel was evident from a young age, with family trips across the ditch to New Zealand to visit relatives. Brooke’s eyes were well and truly opened to the world outside of what she knew when she embarked on a high school Concert Band Tour of the USA, visiting LA, San Francisco and Chicago. With her saxophone in hand, Brooke had well and truly got the travel bug!

An ‘OE’ to the UK enabled Brooke to fuel her passion for travel with extensive travel into Europe, then subsequently to North America, East Africa and the Pacific Islands. Brooke does admit that travelling nowadays with three young children is not quite the same but enriching on a different level.

Student Horizons is led by Jamie Wansey, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in international student group travel. Over the last twenty years, Jamie has delivered experiential experiences for schools in the UK, New Zealand and Australia and now resides in Queensland, Australia with his wife and three young children.

Experiential learning or learning by doing has been at the core of Student Horizons philosophy from the foundation of the organisation. Over 15,000 students and teachers have travelled all over the globe with Student Horizons over the last 12 years. Through an array of sport, music, and study based educational tours such as STEM and careers experiences, students have learnt by doing and have gained experiences for life.

Jamie’s enthusiasm for organising international trips for school students stems from the benefits that he himself accrued travelling and living all over the world. Jamie has lived in the UK, South Africa, Tanzania, Australia, USA and New Zealand. He has travelled extensively within Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and North America. It is Jamie’s positive travel experiences that have fuelled his passion for promoting overseas educational and sporting travel trips as a critical pillar in a young person’s development.

A lifelong learner, Jamie holds a Senior Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, a BSc (Hons) in Geology from the University of Liverpool, NZQA travel industry qualifications and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jamie is proud to have played a pivotal role in the establishment of SETO (Student Educational Travel Organisation) in Australia and assumed the inaugural Vice Chair role on the board of SETO for 3 years. Student Horizons is a founding member of SETO.