EF Ultimate Break Names Shane Steffens as President

EF World Journeys has named Shane Steffens as the new president of EF Ultimate Break, effective immediately.

EF Ultimate Break is a tour operator specializing in guided travel for travelers aged 18 to 35 years old. The company is part of EF World Journeys’ family of tour brands, alongside the 35+ EF Go Ahead Tours and the active specialist, EF Adventures.

Steffens joins the company with over 25 years of leadership experience in both the travel and the education industries—including eight years as president of EF Educational Tours (2009 to 2018).

Based in Cambridge, MA, Steffens will report directly to Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys USA.

“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 Durflinger. “He will ensure that EF Ultimate Break continues to be the top choice for the Gen Z and younger millennial travelers we serve.”

In his new role as president of EF Ultimate Break, Steffens will oversee the brand’s strategy and operations, focusing on expanding its reach among Gen Z and millennial travelers. He will be responsible for scaling the business, strengthening its position in the young adult travel market, and ensuring the company continues to deliver accessible, education-focused travel experiences.

Steffens has built a career around the EF family of brands. He started as a tour consultant with EF Educational Tours before advancing through several leadership roles. In 2009, he was named president, a role he held for 10 years, during which he played a key part in strengthening the company’s position in the student travel market.

After his tenure at EF Educational Tours, Shane moved into senior leadership positions within EF’s academic institutions, including serving as president of the Hult International Business School’s undergraduate program and later as president of EF Academy, a global college preparatory boarding school.

The previous president, Heather Leisman, stepped down from the role over the summer.

“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 Steffens. “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.”