Scientist

Rāwinia Wikaira is of Māori descent, with whakapapa (ancestry) to the tribes Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi, and Muriwhenua. She is a recent graduate from University of Otago (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka), where she completed a Bachelor of Arts and Science majoring in Māori Studies and Ecology. Her work interests sit at the intersection of environmental science, Indigenous knowledge, and community engagement. She has aspirations to work for her tribes and produce research that is informed by Indigenous and tribe-specific knowledge systems. She has experience in, and enjoys working at, a grassroots level with whānau Māori and small communities to tackle local ecological issues. Every summer, Rāwinia spends time at her papakāinga (ancestral coastal home) at Pākiri Beach (within the tribal territory of Ngāti Wai), where her love for nature first grew and continues to be fostered. Outside of work, you will find Rāwinia hiking, diving, and spending time in the awa (water).

US Navy

Hello! I’m Alexis and I am from San Diego, California! I have recently transitioned out of the US Navy and am currently studying and applying for a masters degree in Climate Sciences. I love all things outdoors, to include surfing, hiking, and running. My forever adventure buddy, my black Labrador Tuna, comes with me on almost all of my adventures! I’m stoked to be apart of this crew!

Engineer

Jinger Zeng is a multidisciplinary technologist and community builder working at the intersection of open-source hardware, robotics, and Edge AI. With a background spanning engineering, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem development, Jinger specializes in building technical communities and designing programs that bridge researchers, developers, startups, and industry partners. Earlier in her career, she founded a robotics startup that emerged from university research, and later went on to design and lead international innovation programs across the open-hardware and developer ecosystem.

Her work focuses on helping emerging technologies move from research and prototypes into real-world deployment through strong developer communities, strategic partnerships, and collaborative innovation frameworks. Jinger is also an advocate for interdisciplinary approaches to technology—connecting engineering with art, culture, and environmental stewardship. She is particularly interested in how open technologies and Edge AI can empower global communities to build locally relevant solutions for environmental monitoring, conservation, and distributed infrastructure.

Luxury Travel Advisor

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, the ocean was my background. I learnt to swim at a young age and have loved the water since. Australia had been environmentally aware for many years so I grew up learning how important it is to re-cycle and not pollute and this has continued into my adult years.

By the age of 10, I had an insatiable desire to travel and explore the world. Two years into an economics degree with a focus on developing countries, at the age of 19, I took off to backpack around Europe for six months by myself. Two years later, after much traveling, picking grapes in Germany and working in London, I returned to Australia to finish my degree. A year later I went to the US where I have lived in Southern California ever since.

With 3 young children, I took them traveling around the world. I wanted them to realize how beautiful our planet was and how important and necessary it was to protect. In addition, even though we all come from different parts of the world we are basically all the same and how much travel broadens our minds and perspective of the human race.

Even with my love for travel, I never expected to end up in the travel business. As a top performing Luxury Travel Advisor for Travel Edge, most of my clients are independent and active travelers. They appreciate my vast knowledge of the world and ability to plan extensive trips for them that take them out of the usual tourism element.

I was thrilled to be given the chance to go on this leg of the eXXpedition voyage around the world and to travel with such accomplished and professional women. This will be a life changing journey that I am sure will forever change the way I see our influence on this beautiful planet.

Luxury Travel Advisor

Growing up a California girl, I have never lived far from the ocean. Joining the crew of the TravelEdge Exxpedition’s Antigua leg is a wonderful way for me to learn about and expand the voice for the effects of plastic waste on the ocean.

I am a mother of two, wife, and a full time luxury travel advisor. Graduating from the University of San Diego with a business degree, I started my career in sports marketing, working for the two major golf and tennis events in San Diego culminating at Cobra Golf when my first child was born. My husband’s career took us to London for five years where we lived and enjoyed the city life. Being back in San Diego and after raising two wonderful children, who are just starting their professional careers, I decided to enter the travel business full time. I am blessed to be recognized for my career achievements at Travel Edge, a growing list of wonderful clients, and the opportunities to visit and experience incredible places around the world.

With the beauty of the oceans being an integral part of many itineraries I plan for clients, I hope to take what I learn from my time with Exxpedition and share it with friends and colleagues whose services and properties feature the oceans of the world, and how we can meaningfully preserve its inherent wonders.

JESS loves adventure, exploring and learning about the world. Having always been a sports enthusiast, the outdoors and being active is her favourite pastime.

Jess was born in London, but shortly after moved to Germany. The first language she spoke was German in Kindergarten, and can credit her operational efficiency to her german schooling! Living so close to Austria, Jess started skiing at the age of 3 and has loved it ever since.

Once back in the UK, Jess went to school in Berkshire, played Lacrosse for Junior England, learnt to sail in South Devon, went to Exeter University, carried on sailing in South Devon, and graduated with a BSC in Psychology and a MSC in Tourism Development and Events Management. Since 2008, she has been working as an operations project manager on large scale, international events such as the FIFA World Cup, Asian Football Cup, Olympics and Rugby World Cup. These events have enabled her to live in cool places around the world and given her time to travel and experience many countries in between events, fulfilling a major passion of hers.

Environmentalist and Artisan

Ina is a travel artist, adventurer, sailor, parent, book worm, ocean advocate, and environmentalist. Throughout her travels, especially to remote regions, she has seen firsthand that few places remain unaffected by human-driven pollution and exploitation. This awakening led her to study environmental science, adjust her own lifestyle, and actively support organisations tackling ocean pollution.

Understanding the deep interconnectedness of all things, Ina believes that restoring the health of our planet requires a holistic approach—one that begins with shifting our own mindset. Putting ourselves into the world by experiencing it rather than just standing on the sideline watching, will involve us in our relationship with the world – and that is when we start to care and change happens. Whether through firsthand adventure or stories shared by others, we are transformed when we get involved through new perspectives.
With her art, Ina invites viewers to embark on journeys to reconnect with their adventurous spirit, creativity and the richness of nature, sparking a deeper appreciation for its preservation.