Leadership Expeditions Guide

Sebastián is an environmental professional, expedition leader, and leadership educator with more than 20 years of experience designing and facilitating outdoor learning programs in some of the world’s most remarkable natural environments. He combines a strong academic background in ecology and sustainability with extensive experience leading expeditions that challenge individuals and teams to grow through uncertainty, collaboration, and adventure.

Sebastián holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Engineering from the University of Chile and a Master’s degree in Landscape and Urban Ecology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Throughout his career, he has focused on the intersection of environmental stewardship, leadership development, and experiential education.

As part of Leadership Expeditions and Vertical’s programs, Sebastián has led numerous leadership and educational expeditions across Patagonia, Antarctica, the Andes, and the Atacama Desert. Since 2005, he has worked extensively with institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Wharton Leadership Ventures, helping participants develop leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving skills through immersive experiences in remote environments.

A passionate mountaineer and outdoor educator, Sebastián has participated in expeditions throughout South America and the Himalayas. In 2006, he successfully summited Mount Lhotse (8,516 m), the fourth-highest mountain in the world, marking his first ascent of an 8,000-meter peak. He later reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2012, further strengthening his experience in high-altitude leadership and expedition environments.

In addition to his expedition work, Sebastián serves as Director of Strategy, Impact, and Learning at the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research and action organization operating in more than 60 countries. Based in Washington, D.C., he works within WRI’s Sustainable Cities program, supporting strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, organizational learning, and capacity development initiatives across cities throughout the Global South.

Through his work in both global sustainability and wilderness leadership, Sebastián brings a unique perspective on how people, organizations, and communities can navigate complexity, adapt to change, and create meaningful impact in an increasingly interconnected world.