Meet Our Team
The WeWhale team all come to the project because of their deep interest in conserving and protecting whales. And they are all passionate about providing an eco-friendly, whale-friendly experience for those who wish to observe our ocean giants. Find out more about our team below.
WeWhale
Janek Andre
Founder & CEO
Born in Germany and living in Spain for more than 10 years, Janek is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of setting up various international businesses and enabling them to grow.
He founded WeWhale based on his deep admiration for whales and dolphins and his belief that whale watching and observation are key in helping people understand more about these magnificent animals.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
I’ve been fascinated by whales since childhood and even my first drawing as a child was an Orca.
Creating the first completely emission free and silent whale observation fleet bringing whales and dolphins closer to humans, making people aware of their existence, and protecting them with our separate protection projects, together with the like-minded WeWhale team, is an extreme honour for me.
Mercedes Reyes
Managing Director Tenerife & Head of Cetacean Conservation
Mercedes, born in Tenerife is a Marine Biologist (MSc Marine Mammal Science), with over 20 years of experience on cetacean research and conservation. Her main interests are dolphin behaviour, bioacoustics, cymatics and interspecies communication. Since she was a little girl, she wanted to understand dolphins, their language and their connection to humans.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
Reinventing an industry which hasn’t experienced any innovation in the last 70 years is truly a challenge but at the same time a huge motivation. In the end it’s all for “them”, our family and friends in the ocean! Offering the most animal and environmentally friendly whale and dolphin watching excursions combined with knowledge-based experiences for our guests on board is simply unique.
Lisa Jewell
Communications Manager
Lisa lives in Dublin, Ireland, and is the Communications Manager for WeWhale. She began her career as a journalist and editor, and subsequently has moved into various roles in communications, marketing and project management. She has worked on communication and education projects with different marine sector organisations in Ireland. She loves to incorporate whale watching opportunities into holidays, at home or abroad!
What does WeWhale mean to you?
Working together and sharing a vision to bring more awareness and protection to our ocean’s whales and dolphins. Leading the way forward in responsible, eco-friendly whale watching and building a community of like-minded people with deep appreciation for whales.
Tadeo Fittipaldi
Project Manager (Nautical Operations)
Born in Argentina, Tadeo has been living in Spain for seven years. He has travelled a lot throughout his life for work and pleasure. He loves spending time in nature, and enjoys sailing, diving and skiing.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale for me has the perfect balance between being a family and tourism and a totally environmentally friendly and sustainable agency. When I was given the opportunity to do my bit for this cause, I did not hesitate for a second. I think that balance today is not easy to find.
Gonzalo Apesteguía
Boat Captain & Tour Lead 'La Santa María'
Gonzalo was born in Madrid. He has always been passionate about animal welfare, the ocean and marine biology. Following his passion for diving and underwater photography, he has worked and travelled around the world.
Through collaborations with NGOs, Gonzalo has contributed to protecting marine life and gained experience in conservation initiatives: turtle nesting, coral reef restoration and dolphin rehabilitation.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale embodies a responsible company offering a mindful whale watching experience. Thanks to our electric and silent fleet, we are more respectful with the animals during our encounters. WeWhale’s non-profit association also takes part in wildlife and ocean conservation projects which is very meaningful to me.
With WeWhale, I can combine my love for sailing the ocean with my desire to spread awareness about conservation for cetaceans.
Silvia Coniglio
Cetacean Guide - Lanzarote
Silvia, born in Rome, always felt a strong urge to explore the world. After completing her graduation in Rome, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery through travel. Five years ago, Silvia arrived in Lanzarote, where she instantly connected with the ocean. She found her passion in activities such as sailing, snorkelling, and diving, embracing the sea as her true home.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale for me is learning something new everyday. I’m passionate about whale watching and ocean observation, always prioritising respect and sustainability. Working with like-minded individuals excites me, as I help create social awareness about the importance of oceans and marine life alongside a fantastic team.
Matt Oscar Juris
Marine Biologist - Tenerife
Born in The Netherlands, with a Dutch mother and Italian father, Matt has lived mainly in the South of Tenerife.
Spending most of his life around the ocean, he has always been passionate about the marine environment and its conservation. He enjoys activities like snorkelling and diving, which he has been doing since a young age.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale for me embodies all the best things of whale watching. Aiming to enjoy nature, being as respectful as possible with the animals, and with their welfare as the main priority.
Raul López
Boat Captain & Tour Lead 'El Som Mar'
Born in Valencia, Raul since his youth has participated in different social projects in defence of human and animal rights. A few years ago, he changed his professional career from a lawyer to his passion for the sea and sailing.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
Being part of WeWhale gives me the opportunity to combine my love for the sea with the defence of the marine environment. I am excited to learn more about marine fauna and flora while helping to create social awareness about the importance of the oceans and the life of the seas, with a great team.
It is a great pleasure to live this unique experience and to make it possible for others to experience it as well.
Lorena Sanz
Cetacean Guide - Denia
Since she was a child, Lorena has felt a great fascination for wildlife in all its areas. She has collaborated in different projects for the conservation and protection of wild species. Living for some years on a sailboat, the marine world that allows her to contemplate navigation has become one of her main passions.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
For me, WeWhale is a beacon of hope for the oceans, an example of the existing possibility of bringing society closer to the exploration and knowledge of our seas and their inhabitants in a respectful and ecological way. It is a pleasure for me to be able to contribute my grain of sand to this fantastic project.
Marien Huertas
Boat Captain & Tour Lead 'Bretema'
Marien was born in Seville and grew up in Cadiz. Since she was a child, her passion has been animals and nature. She was working in Madrid but changed direction to work in the nautical sector and dedicate herself to it, hoping to connect her work with her two passions, the sea and animals.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale is a company that offered me the opportunity to work in what I am passionate about, and their philosophy and respect for nature is not only applied in their work but in their daily life by all the people who are part of the team, and makes us connect and enjoy what we do, with love for the animals and their environment, working to transmit knowledge, respect and awareness about cetaceans and the sea.
Èlia Sánchez Fabra
Environmental Biologist – Sotogrande
Since she can remember, Èlia has been immersed in nature and surrounded by animals, which has cultivated in her a deep sensitivity to connect with other species. Her childhood aboard her grandfather’s boat strengthened her bond with the sea. Her purpose has always been to leave the world better than she found it, which led her to study Environmental Biology and want to dedicate her life to it.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
For me, WeWhale is ideal for combining my passion for biology and nature with an activist and social approach. I am excited to contribute to the conservation of the oceans, as I am convinced that raising awareness is the first step to achieving it. It is a privilege to share my passion with others, inspiring more people to join this cause.
Board Members
Benjamin Broll
Benjamin is the Managing Director Technology at NEXT Munich and is responsible for operations and technology. Benjamin has a 20+ year track record as a founder and technologist, specifically focusing on all things mobile. Outside of the business world, Benjamin is married and is a proud father to his daughter.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale combines environmental protection and animal welfare, two topics that are very dear to my heart. I am glad that I am able to support these causes, making the world a tiny bit of a better place!
Thomas Garanin
Thomas is the Managing Director of NEXT Munich and has run digital businesses for more than 20 years. Nowadays, he prefers business models closer related to nature, very much likes to hang out with his family and enjoys playing tennis.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
WeWhale has purpose, potential and is also a source of enjoyment and fulfilment. As climate change is the most pressing issue we face, we need to do all we can to help protect our environment including our marine ecosystems, and whales play a vital role in that. The potential for WeWhale with its eco-friendly whale watching offerings is great – it’s operating in a highly fragmented market that isn’t currently focusing on ecology and sustainability issues in an impactful way.
Lutz Nagel
Lutz is currently Vice President Finance of FlixBus, a European scale-up based in Germany. Previous to this role, he was responsible for finance in several small and medium sized companies, particularly in the media sector.
He completed his Executive MBA at IESE Business School. Outside of the business world, Lutz is married and has a daughter, who recently turned three.
What does WeWhale mean to you?
I love the start-up spirit and I also love the sea and this brings both of those together in one exciting project. I got to know Janek and we both felt we needed to do something together. There are lots of very good reasons to be part of the WeWhale journey and WeWhale team.