Our leadership team

Olle Olsson

Explorica Founder
WorldStrides Senior Vice President & Senior Advisor

Olle Olsson, Founder & Chairman Explorica Olle is the visionary behind Explorica. His extensive career in educational travel spans nearly every role in the industry, from program consultant to the president of EF Educational Tours. In 2000, Olle founded Explorica to improve student travel by applying the latest technological innovations—revolutionizing every step of the experience, from planning and booking to recruiting and traveling. He guided Explorica's growth and success for more than 15 years, introducing many industry firsts while establishing new standards for quality, service and customization. In addition to his contributions to Explorica and WorldStrides, Olle serves our industry as an elected Board Member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). Today, he splits his time between his native Sweden and the U.S., continuing to provide his creative foresight and deep industry expertise as WorldStrides Senior Vice President & Senior Advisor.

 

Matt Wertz

Explorica Chief Executive Officer
WorldStrides Executive Vice President

Matt joined Explorica in its infancy and has helped define and serve our mission in several pivotal roles through the years. As lead IT architect and later Chief Technology Officer, Matt helped design and build Explorica's online booking system—the first of its kind in the industry. He guided the company's growth and success as Chief Financial Officer for seven years, and in 2012 was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Today he leads K-12 operations for all WorldStrides brands as WorldStrides Executive Vice President. A native Bostonian and die-hard Boston sports fan, Matt enjoys cheering on the home team and sharing his love of travel with his wife and two young daughters.

 

Dan Kellerd

Explorica Executive Vice President
WorldStrides Vice President of Health, Safety and North American Product Delivery

Dan has helped guide Explorica since its inception, holding key leadership positions in sales, marketing, operations, customer support and emergency management. He was instrumental in expanding Explorica’s operations into Europe, Latin America and Canada, helping incorporate Keating Educational Tours in 2006 and serving as president of Explorica Canada for more than a decade. When Explorica united with WorldStrides in 2016, Dan joined the WorldStrides executive team as Vice President of Health, Safety and North America Product Delivery. In addition to his contributions to Explorica and WorldStrides, he has served our industry as an elected Board Member and Vice President of the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA). The UK native holds citizenship in three countries, and when he’s not globe-trotting for work, he enjoys helping his own children experience new destinations.

 

Stephane Cosse

Explorica Executive Vice President of Operations

Stephane joined Explorica shortly after its founding and applies more than two decades of travel operations experience to ensure a safe and efficient tour for every Explorica participant. Overseeing all product management, air operations and European land operations, Stephane and his team nurture close working relationships with hotels, restaurants, attractions, airlines and transportation providers across the globe. Stephane has helped make Explorica a leader in tour development and delivery, facilitating the most customizable itineraries in the industry while pioneering Explorica’s exclusive Guaranteed Travel Date tours and Total Quality Management system. When he’s not negotiating contracts, the Paris native enjoys playing tennis, scuba diving and reading about travel expeditions.

 

Richard Beekman

Explorica Executive Vice President of Sales

Rich Beekman, Vice President of US Sales

Rich joined Explorica as one of its very first program consultants and has fueled the company’s growth through leadership positions in sales, product development and client retention. Still actively managing accounts for teachers he has worked with for over 15 years, Rich understands what educators need in a travel partner. He ensures that this understanding is shared amongst every Explorica program consultant, empowering them to act upon teacher feedback for continual improvement. When he’s not helping his team deliver the best client service in the industry, the New Jersey native enjoys attending football games at his alma mater, Boston College, and vacationing with his family in New Hampshire.

 

David Conklin

Explorica Canada General Manager

David joined the Explorica team in 2016, bringing extensive industry expertise from more than a decade of leadership with both EF Tours Canada and WorldStrides. He was drawn to Explorica’s mission to use travel as a means of bringing experiential learning into students’ overall educational experience and enjoys helping teachers create tours that build upon and enhance their curriculum. As a CPA, David is dedicated to making educational travel more affordable for Canadian students; throughout his career, he has continuously implemented process improvements to ensure quality educational components at a fair price. When he's not helping Canadian students experience the world, he enjoys traveling with his wife and daughter.