our consultants
The OREAS team collectively bring more than 250 years of experience to the work we do with organisations like yours. When you work with OREAS, our consultants have an average of more than 25 years of experience in the outdoor and education sectors.
Meet the Team
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Dr David Marsden
Outdoor Education, Risk Management, Education Research
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Manjul Prateeti
Leadership, Mentoring, Strategy
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Paul Horton
Child safety, Compliance, Safety Culture
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Dr Matthew Cox
Research, Leadership, Strategy
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Dr Casey Delmara
Mental Health, Community, Resilience Research
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Chris Townsend
Leadership, Place Based Learning, Education
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Kate Smith
Leadership, Strategy, Communication
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Ian Fletcher
Operational Efficiency, Leadership, Strategy
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Andrew McGuckian
Residential Camping, Governance, Management
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Annie Townsend
Psychology, Cultural Awareness, Wellbeing
Dr David Marsden
Dr. David Marsden is a Director at The OREAS Group, encompassing Journey 4 Good, Travel 4 Good, and OREAS Consulting. With over 30 years of expertise, David is an accomplished leader in education, experiential learning, and adventure education. His career spans roles as an educator, academic, consultant, and executive, including introducing 35,000 young Australians annually to the natural world as Executive Director of The Outdoor Education Group. A passionate advocate for environmental stewardship and outdoor safety, David’s work includes advancing educational frameworks, chairing the Adventure Activities Standards nationalisation project, and contributing to global initiatives in outdoor leadership and recreation.
Manjul Prateeti
Manjul Prateeti is an internationally recognised expert in experiential education and outdoor leadership with over 20 years of experience in education and adventure sectors. Holding a Master’s in Experiential Education from Edinburgh University, she specialises in designing culturally responsive programs that combine outdoor adventure with leadership development and social responsibility. As a Senior Consultant at OREAS Consultancy, Manjul works with schools, universities, and outdoor organisations to create transformative learning environments that prioritise safety, engagement, and meaningful real-world impact.
Paul Horton
Paul Horton is a Senior Risk and Safety Consultant with over 30 years of experience in outdoor safety and risk management. He has held key leadership roles, including General Manager of Risk for a leading Australian experiential education provider, where he led the organisation to become the first in Australia to achieve AEE accreditation. Paul specialises in strategic risk management, compliance consulting, and fostering safety cultures, ensuring organisations meet the highest safety and operational standards.
Dr Matthew Cox
Dr. Matthew Cox is a Senior Consultant with over 25 years of experience in outdoor education, risk management, and program development. With a PhD in Outdoor Leadership and an MBA specialising in organisational change, Matthew has shaped the field of outdoor leadership education in Australia through his work as a Course Chair at Victoria University and as a consultant for OREAS Consultancy. His expertise spans curriculum design, cultural immersion, workforce development, and safety systems, making him a leader in the outdoor industry.
Kate Smith
Kate Smith is a strategic consultant with The OREAS Group, specialising in business growth, client engagement, and partnerships. With a robust background in both private and public sectors, Kate has built her reputation on driving revenue growth and expanding brand presence while supporting organisations in meeting their clients’ evolving needs. Her skills in client acquisition, brand strategy, and cross-functional leadership are instrumental to The OREAS Group's mission to deliver tailored, results-oriented consultancy. Kate’s consultative approach fosters sustainable partnerships, ensuring that businesses not only achieve immediate growth but also establish long-term foundations for success.
Ian Fletcher
Ian Fletcher is a Senior Business Consultant with over 25 years of experience in education, retail, and the outdoor sector. Known for his strategic approach to business systems, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, Ian has successfully managed large teams, overseen complex outdoor education logistics, and directed residential camp operations. His consultancy work focuses on helping organisations achieve operational excellence, sustainability, and compliance with industry standards.
Dr Casey DELMARA
Dr. Casey Delmara is the CEO and Founder of Mental Health Hacker, a resilience and mental health advocacy organisation. With a PhD focusing on helping young people build resilience and develop positive coping skills, Casie combines her expertise as an outdoor education teacher and lecturer with her passion for mental health and wellbeing. She travels across Australia in her van, conducting workshops, mentoring programs, and sharing her insights on living a fulfilling, nature-connected life.
Andrew McGuckian
Andrew McGuckian is a recognised leader in outdoor education and compliance, with nearly 40 years of experience in developing and managing outdoor programs across Australia. As the former National Executive Director of Outdoor Education for The Outdoor Education Group and inaugural Director of UC Camping, Andrew has been instrumental in setting industry benchmarks for safety and operational excellence. He specialises in risk compliance, residential camp leadership, and strategic organisational growth, making him a key figure in fostering impactful outdoor experiences.
Annie Townsend
Annie Townsend is a social work practitioner, educator, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in humanitarian disaster response, trauma counseling, and mental health education. She has worked across diverse international contexts, including Timor-Leste, India, Indonesia, and Sudan, addressing gender-based violence, child protection, and community resilience. As a facilitator of study tours and an accredited mental health social worker, Annie combines trauma-informed practices with experiential learning to foster cultural understanding, resilience, and respect in her students and participants.
Chris Townsend
Chris Townsend is a veteran outdoor education teacher, university lecturer, and practitioner with over 30 years of experience and more than a thousand days leading and facilitating outdoor and environmental education experiences. His career spans expeditionary program development for schools, TAFEs, universities, and NGOs in Australia, India, and Nepal. As the co-director of I Am Woman (IAW), Chris tackles gender inequality through education programs in India and Nepal, combining his passion for cultural comprehension and environmental advocacy to inspire meaningful, lasting change.
