Meet our Team

We at Red Mangrove strive to bring the best possible members to our growing team. All members of our staff possess a first-class and well-rounded college education, a strong work ethic, a passion for travel, an awareness of the importance of caring about the fragile ecosystem of our country, and a firm belief in giving back to local communities.

Management

Hernan Rodas

Hernan Rodas

Founder and Owner

His vision was to offer the opportunity to discover the Galapagos in a deeper way, being the pioneer in developing real "Lodge to Lodge" alternatives.

His priorities are a combination of great respect for green practices and a strong dedication to reach social goals. He is from Cuenca and speaks fluent English.

Monica Paez

Monica Paez

Gapalagos Lodges Manager

Mónica was born in Quito. She holds degrees, in Tourism and Hotel Administration and a Licensed as Naturalist Guide. She has been with Red Mangrove since 2010. Mónica speaks English, French and Portuguese.

She had experience worked in conservation projects development in Brasil and Ecuador mainly and managing ecotourism projects in harsh and vulnerable zones.

She is musician with studies in composition and music production. Mónica studied Thai and Mediterranean cuisine too.

Sales Department

Maria Paulina Falconi

Maria Paulina Falconi

Sales Coordinator

María Paulina is from Quito. She has been with Red Mangrove since 2010. She holds a degree in Tourism Administration. María Paulina speaks English. She loves the animals. Paulina enjoys the sea and listening music in her free time.

Fernanda Manosalvas

Fernanda Manosalvas

Sales Coordinator

She was born in Quito but is based in Cuenca at Red Mangrove's offices. She holds Engineering in Tourism. She is passionate about outdoor experiences and provides superb care in planning trips for her customers. She speaks English. She knows how to please and how to plan a memorable trip.

Elizabeth Mori

Elizabeth Mori

Sales Coordinator

Elizabeth is the head of our sales team. She has journeyed tirelessly to the Galapagos Islands, every time been inspired of the comprehensibly large and wonderful habitat that amazes her with new surprises around every corner.

Her passion for exploring led her to join the Red Mangrove team to pursue exciting work and more travel opportunities.

Elizabeth is passionate about researching, designing and managing epic adventures to share with adventurous people around the world.

Marcia Rodas

Marcia Rodas

Sales Coordinator

Marcia is our sales and quality supervisor, who throughout her numerous travels to Galapagos and other exotic regions of Ecuador, has acquired a wide comprehensive destination overview.

In addition a personal inspiration for nature shared with a strong commitment to green and sustainable tourism effort has made of Marcia a key member of our staff.

She enjoys spending time with her family, planning new exciting adventures, and sharing the destination she treasures with her clients and business partners.

Naomi West

Naomi West

North America Sales

Naomi West grew up traveling and playing in the outdoors. After graduating from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, she moved to Hollywood where she worked as an actor for seven years. While there, she also fell in love with Ashtanga yoga.

She has joined Red Mangrove to lead our North American sales office. She was recently in Ecuador and on a Galapagos Island tour and is eager and ready to help you plan your vacation to this amazing part of the world.

María Augusta Zeas

María Augusta Zeas

Availability Supervisor

María Augusta was born in Cuenca. She has been with Red Mangrove since 2010. She holds a degree in Administration Engineer. She enjoys listening music.

Finance Department

Clara Jimenez

Clara Jimenez

General Accountant

She works for Red Mangrove since 2008. She wasborn in Cuenca, loves to apply her accounting skills to innovate and apply financial knowledge to the needs of the company, her hobby is to go to the beach with his family

Claudia Piedra

Claudia Piedra

Administrative Assistant

She has been with Red Mangrove since 2008. Her daily dedication to finding the right balance of optimizing time and results while handling procedures and dealing with the usual issues of the administrative part of the business. She is a Quiteña.

Paola Rodas

Paola Rodas

Financial Accounting

Paola was born in Cuenca. She has been with Red Mangrove since 2009. She holds some degrees: Administrative Licentiate, Certified Public Accountant and Administration Engineer. She enjoys listening music and walking.

Diving Department

Rafael Gallardo

Rafael Gallardo

Diving Operations Coordinator and Diving Instructor

Born in Santa Cruz Galapagos Ecuador, Rafael has been diving in Galapagos since 2001, as a PADI Divemaster and instructor, the Specialty Courses Rafael teaches include Nitrox, Deep Diving, Underwater Photography, Drift Diving, Dry Suit, Gas Blender, Oxygen Provider, and EFR.

Rafael has scuba diving experience throughout South America and the Red Sea in Egypt and he enjoys Surfing, kayaking and sailing his catamaran in his spare time.

Marketing Department

Aventura Lodge Team

Kelly Constante

Kelly Constante

Receptionist

She was born in Guayaquil and holds a degree as Hospitality Tourism Licentiate. She and the rest of the staff do their best to spoil the guests at the Aventura Lodges

Rafael Iñiguez

Rafael Iñiguez

Receptionist

Rafael was born in Santa Cruz - Galapagos he is been with Red Mangrove since 2010. Rafael speaks English. His friends call him Rafa, always with smile ready to be assisting you!

María Fernanda Zambrano

María Fernanda Zambrano

Guest Service

Was born in Guayaquil. She holds a degree in Advertising Creative. Lives in Galapagos since she was 11 years old. Worked over 8 years in Guest Service and Hostelry since 2009. Speaks English, loves nature and the tranquility of Galapagos.

Santiago Sisalema

Santiago Sisalema

Sushi Chef

He is a Galapagueño and loves to prepare sushi rolls and other Japanese specialties. He enjoys sharing his talent with our guests, preparing exotic recipes. He has been with Red Mangrove since 2007.

Maritza Gonzaga

Maritza Gonzaga

Chef Assistant

Maritza has been with Red Mangrove since 2007. She is a Galapagueña and is passionate for sweet treats, thanks to her grandmother's training and her experience. Her deserts are special combinations of Ecuadorian and international recipes.

Lorena Gonzaga

Lorena Gonzaga

Chef Assistant

Student at Hotel and Tourism Central University Extension PA, joined the Red Mangrove team in 2008 as part of a university internship in the area of Food and Beverage and has found Red Mangrove to be great "hands on" experience to implementing what she is studying.

Carlos Saltos

Carlos Saltos

Steward

Carlos is a native of Galapagos, is working in the area of Food and Beverage as a Steward, he has a passion for the gastronomic arts and is currently studying English intensively. He is looking to move into the kitchen to pursue his passions there.

Alex Castro

Alex Castro

Steward

Born in the province of Tungurahua, Alex loves the hospitality industry with a strong focus to service standards.

Byron Mendez

Byron Mendez

Bartender

He was born in Galapagos, speaks English, loves sports. Byron is a wizard with tropical drinks.

Dolores Moreira

Dolores Moreira

Captain at Restaurant & Sushi Bar

She has been with Red Mangove since 2007 and speaks English. Every day she provides excellent service. She believes that doing a good job will contribute to the overall guest experience in Galapagos!

Edgar Cardenas

Edgar Cardenas

Bartender

He was born in Quito but all his familly is from Galápagos. He loves his job and to prepare the best coctail for each guest.

Lucia Macias

Lucia Macias

Housekeeper at Aventura Lodge

She has been with Red Mangrove since 2007. Her friends call her "Kelita," and she is a Galapagueña as well. She does her job with such a positive attitude that although she does not speak English, she often receives special complimentary notes.

Perpetua Saltos

Perpetua Saltos

Maid

Joined the Red Mangrove team in 2007, in her spare time she likes to be on her farm in the upper part of Puerto Ayora. Her teammates call her "Yoli".

Olga Moreta

Olga Moreta

Maid

She is maid in the House Keeping department began with Red Mangrove since 2009, studying Hospitality Management at the Central University and in her spare time she likes to do practice in the area of food and beverages, her teammates call Olguita

Maribel Salazar

Maribel Salazar

Laundry Service

Maribel was born in Ecuador's Amazon Region, she began with Red Mangrove in 2008 in the area of cleaning and laundry of the hotel. She enjoys making new friends and interacting with guests.

Luis Navarro

Luis Navarro

Head of Technical Department

He shoulders responsibility for all the maintenance of our property and equipment. His dedication keeps everything in order to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for our guests. He has been with Red Mangrove since 2008.

Felix Solis

Felix Solis

Technical Department

Felix Solis is from Galápagos. He is our Maintenance Assistant since 2010. Felix is part our handicap staff. His nickname is Fernan and he enjoys of meeting new friends.

José Panata

José Panata

Maintaining Public Areas

He has been with the Red Mangrove since 2008 and is in charge of maintaining public areas and assisting our guests with their luggage. He is always available, with a smile, ready to assist whenever needed.

Isabela Lodge Team

Kelly Lozano

Kelly Lozano

Logistic Coordinator

She was born on Isabela Island and has been with Red Mangrove since 2008. She started as a Waitress and she was promoted to Front Desk Area. Her pleasant and professional attitude is appreciated by all.

Alicia Pacheco

Alicia Pacheco

Chef Assistant

She has been with Red Mangrove since 2008 as Chef Assistant. She does an extremely good job. Her talent is Ecuadorian food. Her efforts are appreciated, and she often receives compliments on the special flavors in her dishes. She is from Galapagos.

Marielena Espinoza

Marielena Espinoza

Housekeeper

She loves to practice her English and get to know the guests.

María Chimbo

María Chimbo

Maid

She is from Isabela Island. She started working for Red Mangrove since 2009. She enjoys learning new things.

Jose Moran

Jose Moran

Head of Technical Department

He was born in Guayaquil and also he is the person in charge of receiving and going with our guest during their tours on the Island.

Freddy Santander

Freddy Santander

Techinical Department Assistant

He was born in Galápagos, likes his job and is planning to study Botany in order to give plants the help necessary for growing health and strong.

Jhonny Cedeño

Jhonny Cedeño

Night Guard

He is in charge of taking care of our guests and all the equipments at night.

Floreana Lodge Team