2041 Team

Anne Kershaw MBE

CEO

Anne has over 18 years of experience of travel and logistics in Antarctica, owning and operating the only company in the world offering flights to the interior of Antarctica.

Several firsts in the aviation and Antarctic world were achieved by Anne during her administration. The first C-130 aircraft to land on an ice runway in the Antarctic, the first Environmental Impact Assessment completed by a private company in the Antarctic, the first flight from Cape Town, South Africa with a landing in Antarctica and a yearly program offering six children (from three different continents) the opportunity to travel to the Antarctic and recognise the necessity to preserve this incredible continent.

In 2003 Anne was awarded an MBE by the Queen of England for her outstanding services to Antarctic Aviation.

Anne and Robert have been friends for more than 20 years and share the same passion for the icy continent. Robert persuaded Anne to join him at the helm of Mission Antarctica and 2041 as he continues his mission to inspire young people to achieve extraordinary results through Leadership, Teamwork and personal development in Antarctica and around the world.

Cheyenne Riester

Executive Assistant to Robert Swan

Throughout her childhood, Cheyenne spent winters and summers vacationing with her family in Lake Tahoe, which began her lifelong love of the mountains and the outdoors. A long time resident of Lake Tahoe, Cheyenne recently moved to Truckee to join the 2041 team.

Cheyenne has spent her career working for frontier companies such as Steinberg & Moorad (the premier sports entertainment law firm), Industrial Light + Magic (a George Lucas company), and The Well and Well Engaged (an early ISP and software company). With her strong administrative and executive background, she finds her current role as Executive Assistant for Robert Swan a challenging and rewarding experience.

Inspired by her Native American background, Cheyenne’s interest in stewardship of the environment began at a very early age. She also enjoys live music, camping, hiking and hanging out at the lake with her two Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Cheyenne grew up in Marin County and has a BA from UC Berkeley in Sociology of Law, and a Minor in Native American Studies.

Diana Vanderburg

Antarctic Expedition Coordinator

A native of San Francisco, I grew up hiking, rafting and skiing in the Sierra Nevada. My parents have always instilled in me a respect and concern for the environment and a passion for travel and history. This passion has brought me around the world experiencing different places and cultures in places such as Antarctica, Egypt, Peru, Argentina, France, Italy, Corsica and Morocco.

After working in Photography as a producer in San Francisco for many years, I was drawn back to the outdoors, moving to Alaska to become a glacier guide. There I learned the skills of Search and Rescue, EMS and Mountaineering, which I have now combined with my coordinating experience to become an Expedition Coordinator. Seeing the world and working with groups like 2041 to help preserve our beautiful planet is what inspires me everyday.

Laura Beyers

Yacht Manager

Having just completed a world tour, Laura, a traveler and free spirit, joined 2041 in October 2001 to help with the refit of yacht ‘2041′. After participating in the Trans Atlantic delivery to Ushuaia she returned to Cape Town to await the yacht’s return and concentrate on planning the next project while the Mission Antarctica Clean Up was underway. An exciting race for new ‘2041′ ventures continued. Following hard on the heels of the World Summit was the Cape2Rio Race, Circumnavigation of Africa, and the Sydney Hobart Race.

As Yacht Manager, Laura was able to tap into her enthusiasm for traveling, working with diverse groups and sharing her knowledge and passion for the environment. After a sabbatical, Laura managed the yacht ‘2041′ again in 2008 for the Voyage for Cleaner Energy in America, and is ready for the next chapter, Phase III of the Voyage. On back to back trips to Antarctica with 2041, Laura found her true love. Antarctica has a majesty, strength, beauty and the total command to overwhelm and inspire. Laura is proud to be working with such a fine team who prove everyday that everything is possible and believes that if it can be done by such a small team, then what is the world waiting for?

Vanya Akraboff

Ruler of the Universe

Vanya joined 2041 after working in the Bay Area for several years in the advertising industry. Her wide range of administrative experience for small, dynamic companies serves her well in her new position with 2041, and she is excited about working for a company whose mission she fully supports.

The Polar Regions – and all extreme environments – have always held a particular fascination for Vanya, and her extensive international travels have shown her the immediate and growing need for conservation efforts and sustainable development as the world grows ever smaller. She is particularly invested in 2041’s focus on raising awareness, as she is committed to the power of individual education and knowledge as a catalyst for change.

After growing up in San Francisco, Vanya earned her BA in English Literature from the University of Washington, and enjoys long-distance running, backpacking, hiking, the ocean, and globe trotting whenever she gets the chance.