Meet Our Team

José was born in Puebla, Mexico, and immigrated to Canada in 2002. During his highly successful career with one of Canada’s leading luxury tour operators, he identified an opportunity to deliver first-class private tours paired with exceptional service in the Vancouver area. This vision led to the founding of Evergreen Adventures.

José established Evergreen Adventures as a premium sightseeing tour company with a strong focus on personalized experiences and client satisfaction. “It was a natural fit—I knew I could offer something that didn’t yet exist in the city: luxury vehicles, the finest tour guides and drivers, professional presentation, and outstanding cuisine prepared by gourmet Chef Marianne.”

Fluent in both English and Spanish, José values quality, hospitality, and attention to detail. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys spending time with his family—his wife Marianne, an exceptional partner and mother, and their two energetic sons, Sebastian and Esteban, who will join the Evergreen Adventures guide group in the summer of 2026.

Born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, Marianne demonstrated an early passion for cuisine, famously surprising her parents at the age of five by ordering escargots at a restaurant. By the age of 15, she had developed a clear dedication to the culinary arts and pursued formal training at the Mexican Culinary Institute, where she specialized in International Cuisine.

Following her graduation, Marianne completed apprenticeships at some of Mexico’s top hotels and restaurants, refining her skills in high-end culinary environments. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 2002, where she continued to evolve her craft.

Marianne’s culinary philosophy is rooted in the principles of healthy, balanced dining. She places strong emphasis on working closely with local farmers and sourcing the finest regional and organic ingredients—an approach that lies at the heart of her cuisine.

Marianne is fluent in both English and Spanish

Mariella was born and raised in Vancouver and has travelled extensively throughout Australia, Europe, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, where she lived for 12 years. She returned to Vancouver in 2018 and is pleased to be part of the Evergreen team.

With a strong appreciation for travel and culture, Mariella brings a global perspective to her role. In her free time, she enjoys photography, exploring new destinations, and discovering great coffee.

Mariella is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Giselle grew up in Mexico, where she discovered her love for travel, culture, and photography. After finishing her engineering degree during the COVID-19 pandemic, she began planning trips for friends and family—and quickly found she had a natural talent for creating well-organized, memorable experiences.

Her journey later took her to Miami and then to Vancouver, a city she now calls home and loves for its stunning scenery and ever-changing seasons. With nearly five years of experience in customer service and hospitality, Giselle supports the Evergreen Adventures team behind the scenes, making sure every trip is thoughtfully planned and runs smoothly from start to finish.

Born in Quebec with extra fluff and zero concept of personal space, this 3-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog is a certified love sponge. Known for leaning on humans at full body weight (it’s called affection), he specializes in slow walks, dramatic sighs, and stealing hearts wherever he goes.

Despite their impressive size, he believes he is a lap dog and will attempt to prove it daily. Favorite activities include rolling in snow, supervising the kitchen, accepting compliments, and pretending not to hear commands when something more interesting is happening.

Strengths include unmatched loyalty, soulful eyes, and the ability to look both majestic and extremely goofy at the same time. Weaknesses include treats, belly rubs, and being told “no.”

Matthew Paugh is a transportation and tourism professional based in Squamish, British Columbia. A Class 2 professional driver and experienced tour guide, he has guided across much of Canada with a focus on the western provinces, and he brings extensive working knowledge of the region’s communities, routes, and travel logistics. He is the outgoing President of the Canadian Tour Guide Association of BC and remains actively involved in the province’s tourism and transportation sectors. Originally from Nova Scotia, Matthew brings nearly two decades of experience in tourism and guiding to his work.

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Marcel was born and raised in the US but made Vancouver his home after visiting EXPO 86. His hospitality and customer service background helped him develop a strong foundation in providing resort-style guest experiences with a passion for creating meaningful connections. His background in luxury sales, service and corporate hospitality compliment his travel experience through Europe, Australia, the US and Canada to bring a polished approach to every guest interaction. He enjoys sharing stories that highlight the history, culture, and culinary scene of Vancouver.

Marcel is of French-Canadian descent and speaks both French and English.

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Franz Vanderkraan is a Vancouver-raised guide who brings a storyteller’s spirit and a lifetime of people-focused experience to every tour.

With 35 years in the hospitality industry, Franz has a natural ease with his guests.  He blends professionalism with humour and warmth, making visitors feel instantly at home.

Franz has explored the world both adventurously and thoughtfully—cycling through the western United States, across the U.K. (including Scotland), and throughout the Netherlands.

He’s journeyed to Greece, the Philippines, and Mexico.  He’s also sailed and paddled the local Vancouver waters, and hiked many local trails.

Franz also has a background in the general arts and music—which brings an engaging, energetic presence to his guiding style.

He has longstanding connections to the Vancouver film industry, having worked in and around it for many years and has served many A-List celebrities.  This offers him — and his guests—a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on Vancouver’s role as a global production hub.

Franz is passionate about local and indigenous history, animals, and the outdoors. He also enjoys hiking, open-water swimming, and cold-water plunges.

Fluent in English, Franz also knows a smattering of Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, and Tagalog.

Whether highlighting iconic landmarks or hidden local gems, Franz delivers tours that are informative, animated, and memorable—guided by genuine enthusiasm for the city he calls home.

Frank is a free spirited Canadian and native Vancouverite who loves to travel and connect with local people and cultures.

He likes to show off British Columbia and to support the small businesses that make each community unique and special.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Oswaldo brings warmth, passion, and nearly two decades of Canadian experience to every journey.

A sports enthusiast and car aficionado with a genuine love for people, he blends his vibrant Latin roots with a deep knowledge of Canada’s landscapes and roads — making every tour as memorable as the destination itself.