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.

Gonzalo Apesteguía

Boat Captain & General Manager - Lanzarote

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.

Team

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.

Juan Carrera Cordobés

Boat Captain - Lanzarote

Born in Barcelona, Juan is a passionate sailor and advocate for Ocean Conservation. He has been connected to the ocean since a very young age and is a sailing instructor.

What does WeWhale mean to you?

WeWhale offers me the tools to protect and raise awareness for the marine environment and the all the beings that inhabit it, while practicing my passion for sailing on a racing catamaran that is now 100% electricI am proud to be part of this project, so that WeWhale becomes a world reference in the protection of cetaceans around the world.

Team

Marien Huertas

Boat Captain & Tour Leader - Sotogrande

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. 

Sophia O’Flaherty López

Boat Captain & Tour Leader - Denia

Born in London and raised in Madrid, my passion for the sea led me to move to Alicante to study Marine Sciences. My early professional experience was forged on Greenpeace ships, an experience that deeply connected me to marine conservation. Subsequently, I transitioned into the recreational sector, becoming a sailing boat captain.

What does WeWhale mean to you?

WeWhale offers me a unique opportunity to combine my maritime experience with my commitment to cetaceans. It’s a bridge to valuable contacts in the marine mammal world and the chance to develop my own research. Furthermore, it allows me to educate clients about ocean protection, enjoying my passion for the sea and animals in the most respectful way possible.

Victor F. de la Reguera

Boat Captain & Tour Leader - Gran Canaria

I was born in Barcelona, and having the good fortune of living close to the sea allowed me to gradually immerse myself in the world of sailing and diving. The Catalan coastline and the Balearic Islands were my first steps into the marine environment. I arrived in the Canary Islands by sailing from Barcelona. I spent five years exploring Lanzarote and its incredible marine life, until I moved to Gran Canaria to help grow the WeWhale family.

What does WeWhale mean to you?

WeWhale represents a new way of conducting marine wildlife watching, with complete respect for the environment. The team’s commitment is absolute, and we are driven by the desire to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem as much as we can. It is also deeply rewarding to see how people relax and enjoy watching dolphins and turtles in their natural habitat.

Paula Marcia Mirre Prieto

Cetacean Guide & Sailor - Gran Canaria

Originally from Galicia and now based in Gran Canaria, Paula lives on a sailboat and considers the sea her home. She is a professional skipper, oceanographer, and educator, with experience in marine conservation across several countries. On board, she combines her scientific knowledge with her passion for sailing and connecting with people from around the world. Charismatic and approachable, she shares the beauty of the ocean with both respect and enthusiasm.

What does WeWhale mean to you?

WeWhale offers a meaningful way of being at sea — with respect, purpose, and awareness. It’s not just about showing cetaceans, but about changing the way we relate to them. Here, I can contribute through science, navigation, and human experience, making each encounter genuine and responsible.

Laurène Boutin

Cetacean Guide - Lanzarote

Born in Lyon, Laurene studied French and Spanish literature, but it was travel that truly captured her interest. She spent fifteen years exploring the world, discovering the oceans through snorkelling, whale watching, and scuba diving, and developing a particular interest in marine mammals and their conservation.

What does WeWhale mean to you?

For me, WeWhale is an opportunity to contribute to the preservation of the ocean and its inhabitants by raising awareness about the need to protect them. It is a company that promotes values I  identify with, based in kindness and respect for animals and nature.

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.