Sept 30, 2022
Eden Reforestation Projects, an international landscape restoration nonprofit organization, announced today it has hired Jeff Arensen as International COO. In that role, Arensen will work collaboratively with Eden’s international teams and functional leaders to ensure its work is effective, efficient and delivers sustainable environmental and socioeconomic impact over the long term.
Arensen, who was raised in Kenya and has spent his career working with nonprofits in several countries in Africa, was most recently the Kenya Country Director for Food for the Hungry. Over his 20 years’ experience with nonprofits, Jeff has built teams in a number of complex environments and guided them in strategic planning, program development and strengthening operating systems to deliver sustainable impact. He has witnessed the impact of forest and land degradation on communities in a range of ecosystems and his experience drives his understanding of the nexus between the environment, people, and how poverty and weak governance drive environmental degradation.
“We are building a strong, new generation of senior management at Eden and Jeff is a really exciting addition,” said Mark Usellis, Acting CEO. “Joining with leaders such as Bryan Adkins, CEO of our Compassionate Carbon subsidiary, Diego Pons, our new Chief Quality Officer, and Alex Kinzer, Andrew Kinzer and Natasha Kerr who are leading international teams and designing landscape restoration initiatives, Jeff will help us grow responsibly and sustainably so we can contribute to the urgent global need for massive reforestation.
“I am excited to join the Eden team, who have been doing incredible work around the world,” said Arensen. “Despite challenges, there are major opportunities for forest restoration. Eden’s work is more critical now than ever and I am honored to help them grow sustainably and effectively.”
Eden works with communities in Africa, Latin America, and Asia to engage in pro-poor development through forest ecosystem restoration, addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.
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