Amicus Esse
To Be A Friend
Definition: (latin) The act of embodying true friendship—offering support, loyalty, and kindness. It reflects the deeper meaning of friendship as a commitment to stand by others with sincerity and trust.
OUR MISSION
Sharing Journeys, Building Friendships
At Amicus Esse, we believe in the power of authentic connections and shared experiences. Our community grows through strong personal relationships, bringing together families, professionals, and lifelong learners who seek meaningful adventures.
We foster an environment where trust, mentorship, and exploration thrive. Many who join us are already connected—through professional networks, parenting circles, or past collaborations—drawn together by a shared vision of learning, discovery, and adventure. With experienced leadership and a commitment to creating transformative experiences, Amicus Esse is more than a journey—it’s a community.
Philip Zeman
Founder & Expedition Leader
Email: pzeman@clinezeman.com
Call, Text, WhatsApp: +1.250.589.4234
Why am I doing this - for my own kids and offering it to other parents and kids? How could I not?
I witnessed the impact of the first expedition on my own kids and it was so positive and profound, I have to continue. I have been fortunate enough to be given the means and opportunity– so I feel compelled to do so.
Professionally, I am trained as an Engineer, a Scientist, and a Medical Device Product Designer. I work internationally, and I have built a small consulting company to help others and support my family. I am happy to share stories of the experience figuring all of this out, and to make introductions to people I have met along the way.
I believe I open doors for kids in at least 2 ways: The obvious one is related to my profession and opening doors, and inspiring. The other way is related to my own personal growth and guidance I can now offer as a result of mentoring by those around me and by life circumstances.
Above all else, communicating and showing up in a sincere and authentic way is important to me and it has taken years to figure out how to get there. And I have learned to share both what is visible on the outside, and then also the ‘why’ that is on the inside so that I can be my most authentic self. It is a way to ‘drop the mask’, and build connection and trust with others. What completely surprised me, is that when I grew in this way, I attracted mentors for myself – people who want to help me continue to grow.
I have been raising a son who is on the Autism Spectrum. I might be on the Spectrum myself. Our road has not been an easy one: and I make mistakes, feel shame, find forgiveness for myself, and continue forward. Being a dad, I’ve gone deep into understanding “how to be” and “how to bring what’s needed” for my children and those around. I’ve had to learn and teach the difference between feeling unsafe and being in an unsafe situation, knowing the difference between what is about myself versus the child or another. I have done personal work to be grounded and a source of calm, safety, and integrity, instilling confidence in others. In complicated or unexpected situations, I remember that we usually have time on our side (knowing we have enough time) and by prioritising the ‘people’ it creates a freedom within which I can help myself and kids digest, respond to, and navigate complicated situations. Being an example of these sorts of essential skills and perspectives that I’ve gathered later in life, and doing so in the format of this project, are important to me because I know what life was like without them. I’ve learned how to bring what those around me need. For more information about myself: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipmichaelzeman/]
I am finding that deeply speaking with people and noticing the paths or pivots not taken, are sometimes worth doing, and those conversations reveal an abundance that was previously overlooked.
Philip Zeman
I've travelled extensively throughout my life - not as a bucket-list, but more because I appreciate learning from others and sharing experiences.
I think that this has helped me become someone who recognizes strengths and virtues in others. Being able to sense and see where those around me can potentially excel and feel valued, I have been able to build great teams. The last great team that I built was for Merlin-Tuttle, a non-profit organization I co-founded to educate the public and facilitate conservation efforts for bats, internationally.
When someone is struggling, I prioritise them and join them to better understand their needs and by being with them in this way, give them safety so that they can self-propel themselves through obstacles ahead. They get to find out how capable they actually are.
One of the hardest things for me to do is stare at a spreadsheet and do accounting. There is something about that for which I just feel stuck. On the other hand, in my role managing logistics for complex projects (like expeditions) I feel invigorated, and deeply enjoy the work. For myself, I learned the importance of doing things that bring me energy, that excite me because I know how this can affect my own health. This is one of the reasons why this project of inspiring kids, teaching them, and exposing them to potential new ideas and mentors is so important to me – I want to open doors so that they find what they love and what brings them energy.
When someone is struggling, I prioritise them and join them to better understand their needs and by being with them in this way, give them safety so that they can self-propel themselves through obstacles ahead. They get to find out how capable they actually are.
Teresa Nichta
Yoel Monzón González
Cuban Bat Conservation Coordinator, Forensic Anthropologist
Yoel obtained a degree in Biology in 1999.
He specializes in biospeleology and chiropterology and currently serves as President of the speleological group Jorge Ramón Cuevas, part of the Speleological Society of Cuba (Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba, SEC). He is also President of the Scientific Council of the Speleological Committee in Matanzas (Consejo Científico del Comité Espeleológico de Matanzas, CEM).
His research has focused on the ecology of Cuban bats and the study of thermal traps within hot caves. He coordinates the Bat Conservation Program in Cuba for the province of Matanzas (PCMCu) and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Conservation of Flora and Fauna (Consejo Científico Asesor de la Empresa Nacional para la Conservación de la Flora y la Fauna).
In addition, he works as a specialist with the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature and Humanity (Fundación Antonio Núñez Jiménez de la Naturaleza y el Hombre, FUNAT). He serves as an instructor in biospeleology and ecology for the Speleological Society of Cuba (SEC) and also consults on the management of protected areas in Matanzas province through CITMA.
Yelenny Pacheco Roque
Environmental Educator & Bat Conservation Specialist
Yelenny brings deep experience and heartfelt commitment to her role as an environmental educator and conservationist.
A specialist in environmental education and chiropterology (the study of bats), she leads the Environmental Education and Communication Program for CUBABAT—an initiative dedicated to the conservation of bats and their habitats across Cuba.
Since 2012, she has worked through the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature and Humanity (FANJ), coordinating national education efforts and collaborating with international organizations. She also teaches environmental education in Matanzas and trains new facilitators for the CUBABAT program.
Yelenny is a member of the Cuban Speleological Society and the Cuban Bat Conservation Program, and has participated in scientific research and publications focused on bat ecology, thermal caves, and non-invasive exclusion practices. Her enthusiasm and expertise make her an inspiring guide for young explorers interested in Cuba’s unique ecosystems.
