EF World Journeys, a leader in guided, experiential travel for adults from Gen Z to Baby Boomers, announced that Shane Steffens, a long-time EF executive, tour operator, and education veteran, would assume the role of President, EF Ultimate Break U.S.A.
Steffens’ experience in student travel, secondary and higher education signals a focus on helping more young adult travelers experience and explore the world. Shane will report directly to Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys U.S.A.
“One of the many great things about EF is the deep bench of talent and leadership across our several tour operator brands and businesses who appreciate the value of our education-focused mission,” said Heidi Durflinger, CEO, EF World Journeys U.S.A. “Shane brings 25+ years of operational knowledge to role and knows how to scale a business in the travel sector while always putting the customer at the center of everything we do. He will ensure that EF Ultimate Break continues to be the top choice for the Gen Z and younger millennial travelers we serve.”
Born in Chicago, Shane grew up in the Midwest and went to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He was always fascinated by the prospect of travel. His childhood bedroom was papered with National Geographic clippings of far-off destinations, but it wasn’t until his junior year in college that he traveled abroad for the first time for a study abroad program.
After earning his Bachelor of the Arts in the Program of Liberal Studies from Notre Dame, Shane began his career as a tour consultant for EF Educational Tours. He went on to hold several roles within the organization including his appointment as President in 2009, a position he held for a decade while helping establish the company as a leader in the student travel sector.
Following his work at EF Educational Tours, Shane held senior leadership roles within other EF-affiliated academic institutions, including serving at the President of the Hult International Business School Undergraduate Program and as President of EF Academy, a college preparatory boarding school with a global student body.
“As a global traveler myself, learning about the world we live in has always been a priority for me, and our mission at EF to connect cultures has never been more important than now,” said Shane Steffens, President, EF Ultimate Break U.S.A. “EF Ultimate Break will continue to be a travel company that prioritizes the role we play and the impact we can have on the world as we make it possible for more young adult travelers to explore the planet.”
