Who We Are
The ETHOS team is made up of dozens of dedicated people based across the globe who wholeheartedly believe in the power of experiential travel and the value of our programs. Our brand promise is to enable curiosity, learning, personal development and adventure through immersive and unforgettable, hands-on experiences. Collectively, we are committed to delivering on every adventure to world class standards, and our team members always operate with both safety and integrity at the forefront of their planning and decision making.
Meet our team:
Zach Johnston - Founder
Zach grew up on a farm in the North Island of New Zealand. During his youth he hunted on horseback and scuba dived for food, growing an appreciation for sustainably sourcing sustenance from the land and oceans. At age 18, Zach joined the military, became a captain commanding tank, and then took a specialised role in sniping and reconnaissance. After several other leadership roles, it was during a 12-month position as the Senior Leadership Development Instructor at the Officer Cadet School that he discovered his passion for mentoring young adults. After the military, Zach ventured around the world rock climbing when he discovered his passion for travel, exploration, and adventure. He recognised that these experiences open and strengthen the mind while inspiring us to connect with ourselves and others. Zach worked as an ambulance EMT and then as an Outdoor Educator and International Expedition Leader, guiding expeditions all over the world. The first of the ETHOS brands, Pure Exploration, was founded by Zach to enable more young adults to gain the skills and experience necessary to safely undertake adventure travel.
Graham Kinlan - General Manager
Graham grew up amongst the cathedrals and pubs of lively Dublin. The Guinness didn’t get in his way of getting a master’s degree at the Dublin Institute of Technology though. He still loves going back to Ireland for a visit but has been calling New Zealand his home since 2011. Of course, it’s hard to leave a place like Queenstown, which has so many outdoor activities to get involved with. You can often find him exploring new mountain bike trails, playing a game of ice hockey with his mates or shredding the slopes on skis or a board. Travel has been a big part of Graham’s life as he has explored most of Europe and took an unforgettable six-month trip around Southeast Asia. Knowing all these countries has been a huge advantage managing travel companies. He has previously been a General Manager for a small group tour company and a Business Manager for a well-known extreme activity company, before taking on Pacific Discovery and Pure Exploration.
