About Us

Unified Ecosystem for
Global Learning

Austral Education Group is guided by a mission to positively impact lives through global learning. We design and deliver immersive experiences worldwide, combining academic rigor with real-world exposure and connecting students with the leaders shaping today’s business landscape.

110

+
Team Members

20

+
Nationalities

6

Continents

110

+
Team Members

20

+
Nationalities

6

 
Continents
Our Ecosystem

Unified Ecosystem for Global Learning

We connect universities, students, corporations, and industry experts in a seamless ecosystem that creates transformative learning experiences.

Universities Prestige & Rigor Academic Program Students Experiential Learning Knowledge & Skills Speakers Expert Insights Partner Companies Consulting Projects Real-World Challenges Corporate Clients Executive Training Industry Connections
Our Ecosystem

Unified Ecosystem for Global Learning

We connect universities, students, corporations, and industry experts in a seamless ecosystem that creates transformative learning experiences.

Our Ecosystem Universities Students Speakers Partner Companies Corporate Clients Prestige & Rigor Academic Program Experiential Learning Knowledge & Skills Expert Insights Consulting Projects Real-World Challenges Industry Connections
Leadership Team

Meet Our Leadership

Driven by a shared commitment to transformative global education. With 110+ team members across 6 continents, we combine deep local expertise with a truly global perspective, delivering culturally relevant, high-impact programs in every market we serve.

CEO & Founder

Shaun Sheffield

With 20+ years in international education and corporate development, Shaun built Austral Group to create powerful intersections between learning and industry on a global scale.

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Ignacio Schnitzler
Client Experience Director
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Ignacio Schnitzler
Client Experience Director
Leveraging an IAE Business School MBA and an extensive global footprint of 25+ countries visited, Ignacio draws on his background directing business school Career Services to drive global program development and risk management, delivering Austral Education Group’s global standard of excellence.
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Directors
Mariana Gonzalez Insua
Director of Operations
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Mariana Gonzalez Insua
Director of Operations
With a Stanford Master’s and 12 years of higher education experience at UC Berkeley and USC, Mariana oversees global trip operations, leveraging her multilingual acumen to enforce Austral Education Group's global standard of excellence and seamless on-the-ground execution.
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Directors
Lloyd Edmondson
Client Development Director
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Lloyd Edmondson
Client Development Director
As a founding member who completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School, Lloyd leverages 20+ years of experience to design international programs and consulting modules for universities across 25+ countries, connecting global business schools with key corporate networks.
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Directors
Eduardo Leite
Director of Business & Product Development
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Eduardo Leite
Director of Business & Product Development
Bringing deep expertise in EdTech and global learning innovation, Eduardo leads the creation of international immersions and strategic product initiatives as Director of Business & Product Development. He connects universities and corporations with emerging technologies and AI, ensuring Austral Education Group’s programs deliver transformative, real-world impact.
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Directors
Rafael Furtado
Talent and Organizational Development Director
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Rafael Furtado
Talent and Organizational Development Director
With 20+ years of global experience in prominent multinational corporations, Rafael Furtado drives Austral Education Group’s Global Talent, Organizational Development, and ESG initiatives, fostering high-performance cultures and strategic synergy to support our global infrastructure.
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Directors
Henrique Rangel
Chief Technology Officer
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Henrique Rangel
Chief Technology Officer
A computer scientist and tech leader with nearly two decades of software engineering experience, Henrique serves as Chief Technology Officer. He directs the technology vision behind the platforms and tools powering Austral Education Group's academic and experiential learning, ensuring seamless, user-first infrastructure that enhances the global learning experience.
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Directors
Federico Gil Perez
Finance Director
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Federico Gil Perez
Finance Director
With over 25 years of international experience leading finance and strategy across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, Federico serves as Finance Director. He specializes in managing complex multi-currency structures and cross-border operations, driving strategic decision-making and value creation to support Austral Education Group's scaling global infrastructure.
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Directors
Monica Villanueva
Risk & Safety Manager
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Monica Villanueva
Risk & Safety Manager
With 8+ years of experience in international project management across the health and education sectors, Monica serves as Risk & Safety Manager. Leveraging her multilingual background and deep expertise in global mobility, she applies a human-centered, systems-thinking approach to navigate cross-cultural operations and uphold Austral Education Group's global standard of excellence.
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Global Leadership
Agustina Odella Roca
Content, Partnership and Learning Manager
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Agustina Odella Roca
Content, Partnership and Learning Manager
With 15+ years of experience in international education, cultural relations, and program design, Agustina serves as Content, Partnership and Learning Manager. Drawing on her experience with organizations such as the US Department of State and the British Council, she builds international partnerships and develops impactful learning programs.
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Global Leadership
Sarah Taylor
ESG Lead
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Sarah Taylor
ESG Lead
Bringing nearly 8 years of tenure at Austral Education Group and a certification in Sustainability Leadership & Corporate Responsibility from London Business School, Sarah serves as ESG Lead. She leverages her deep cross-functional experience to integrate sustainability into core business practices, driving impactful ESG processes across our global learning networks.
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Global Leadership
Jessica Sass
Customer Success Manager
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Jessica Sass
Customer Success Manager
With 11 years of experience in client and customer care, Jessica serves as Customer Success Manager. An anthropologist at heart, she combines strong cross-cultural communication with project management to forge deep personal connections across borders, ensuring high-impact client satisfaction within our international learning programs.
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Global Leadership
Frank Céspedes
Advisory Board Member
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Frank Céspedes
Advisory Board Member
As a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and former Managing Partner at an award-winning executive development firm, Frank brings world-class expertise in aligning strategy and sales. The author of six business books, he leverages decades of consulting and corporate board experience to strengthen Austral Education Group's market position.
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Advisory Board
David Pérez
Advisory Board Member
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David Pérez
Advisory Board Member
Holding a Stanford MBA and a Harvard BA, David joined Austral Education Group as an early-stage investor and strategic advisor in 2007. With a career spanning M&A in New York, major corporate expansions in South America, and co-founding investment groups, he provides elite strategic insight to scale our global infrastructure.
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Advisory Board
Alfonso Gómez
Advisory Board Member
Alfonso Gómez
Advisory Board Member
With a Ph.D. from the Royal College of Art and a former Business School Dean tenure at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Alfonso brings extensive academic and private sector leadership to the board. As a tech pioneer and Board Member for organizations like Banco Santander, he leverages deep institutional networks to guide Austral Education Group’s strategic growth.
Advisory Board
Francisca Ginesta
Regional Manager - Latin America
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Francisca Ginesta
Regional Manager - Latin America
Bringing over 9 years of education sector experience and an MVSc from Universidad Mayor, Francisca leads Austral Education Group's Latin American hub from Santiago. Fluent in Spanish, English, and German, she drives regional partnerships and project management, leveraging local expertise to deliver high-quality, impactful learning experiences.
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Regional Managers
Laura Varela
Regional Manager - North America
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Laura Varela
Regional Manager - North America
Bringing a strong background in large-scale event production, Laura drives North American operations from her base in Panama. She applies a strategic, hands-on approach to design immersive learning experiences, leveraging cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management to build lasting impact.
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Regional Managers
Vanessa Gonzales
Regional Manager - Europe
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Vanessa Gonzales
Regional Manager - Europe
Bringing 9 years of tenure at Austral Education Group, Vanessa serves as Regional Manager for Europe following her successful role as Peru Destination Leader. Blending her dual French and Peruvian background, she leverages her passion for cross-cultural exchange to build strong regional relationships and drive impactful learning experiences on the ground.
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Regional Managers
Sofia Guardone
Regional Manager - Asia
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Sofia Guardone
Regional Manager - Asia
Bringing over 13 years of dedication to Austral Education Group, Sofia serves as Regional Manager for Asia. She leverages her extensive tenure and deep institutional knowledge to direct regional operations, cultivating the strategic partnerships and local expertise required to deliver high-impact global learning experiences.
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Regional Managers
Alejandra Trabanco
Regional Manager - Africa & Middle East
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Alejandra Trabanco
Regional Manager - Africa & Middle East
Bringing over 12 years of tenure at Austral Education Group and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from FLACSO, Alejandra serves as Regional Manager for Africa & Middle East. Having advanced from Program Coordinator to her current leadership role, she leverages deep institutional expertise to drive regional programs and cultivate impactful cross-cultural partnerships.
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Regional Managers
Mariana Bernuez
Corporate Operations Manager
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Mariana Bernuez
Corporate Operations Manager
With over 15 years of experience in the education industry, Mariana serves as Corporate Operations Manager. Having advanced at Austral Education Group from Content and Partner Development to Global Corporate Program Manager, she leverages her deep project management and cross-cultural expertise to drive complex, multi-day experiences and ensure institutional trust.
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Regional Managers
Angie Perez Manoileff
Online Program Manager
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Angie Perez Manoileff
Online Program Manager
Bringing over 12 years of tenure at Austral Education Group, Angie serves as Online Program Manager. Having advanced from Program Manager to her current leadership role, she leverages her deep institutional knowledge and extensive expertise in experiential learning to deliver impactful, digitally enabled educational programs globally.
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Regional Managers
Life at Austral Group

Culture

We are a globally distributed team united by a belief in experiential learning, both for our clients and for ourselves. Our culture is rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of global education.

Flexible Work Model

We prioritize outcomes over hours, giving you the autonomy to structure your work in a way that drives performance and balance.

Work From Anywhere

As a remote-first organization, you have the freedom to operate from anywhere in the world.

Company-Sponsored Sabbaticals

Take dedicated time to recharge, explore new experiences, or invest in personal growth with structured company-supported leave.

Generous Paid Time Off

Extended leave to recharge and recover, so you can bring your best self to work every day.

Expanded Parental Leave

Paid leave to fully support you and your family during life’s most important milestones.

Nursery Allowance

Additional financial support to assist with early childcare needs.

Annual Global Retreat

Each year, our team gathers in a new destination to connect in person, collaborate strategically, and strengthen our global community.

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Robust health insurance designed to support your wellbeing and provide peace of mind.

Exceptional Global Team

Collaborate with experienced professionals across continents who are leaders in global education and industry engagement.

Flexible Work Model

We prioritize outcomes over hours, giving you the autonomy to structure your work in a way that drives performance and balance.

Work From Anywheres

As a remote-first organization, you have the freedom to operate from anywhere in the world.

Company-Sponsored Sabbaticals

Take dedicated time to recharge, explore new experiences, or invest in personal growth with structured company-supported leave.

28 Working Days of Time Off

Generous annual leave designed to ensure rest, recovery, and sustained high performance.

3 Months of Parental Leave

Paid parental leave to fully support you and your family during important life moments.

Nursery Allowance

Additional financial support to assist with early childcare needs.

Annual Global Retreat

Each year, our team gathers in a new destination to connect in person, collaborate strategically, and strengthen our global community.

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Robust health insurance designed to support your wellbeing and provide peace of mind.

Exceptional Global Team

Collaborate with experienced professionals across continents who are leaders in global education and industry engagement.

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Sustainability

Our DNA

Our Commitment to Meaningful Impact

We are dedicated to advancing responsible global education. As a Certified B Corporation™, we meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Through carbon reduction initiatives and collaboration with local communities, our programs are designed to create lasting, measurable impact.  Our sustainability framework informs each experience, ensuring we reduce our environmental footprint while maximizing educational value as we use business as a force for good.

Explore Our Impact

Our Commitment to Meaningful Impact

We are dedicated to advancing responsible global education. Through carbon reduction initiatives and collaboration with local communities, our programs are designed to create lasting, measurable impact.

Our sustainability framework informs each experience, ensuring we reduce environmental footprint while maximizing educational value.

Explore Our Impact
Safety & Risk Management

Participant Safety is
Paramount

With over 20 years of experience across 50+ countries, we implement comprehensive risk management standards to safeguard every participant throughout their journey through each step.

24/7 in-country support across all programs.
Comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
Established emergency response protocols at every destination.
Pre-departure safety and security briefings.
Real-time participant monitoring systems.
See Our Emergency Response

Participant Safety Is Paramount

With over 20 years of experience across 50+ countries, we implement comprehensive risk management standards to safeguard every participant throughout their journey through each step.

24/7 in-country support across all programs.
Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
Established emergency response protocols
at every destination
Pre-departure safety and security briefings
Real-time participant monitoring systems
See Our Emergency Response

Our Affiliations