Leadership

Bryan Adkins is the CEO of both Eden and its subsidiary, Compassionate Carbon. He is an accomplished natural resource executive with extensive experience in developing nature-based solutions, ecosystem services projects, and navigating carbon markets. He brings two decades of work in the environmental sector, including direct involvement in landscape management in both the compliance and voluntary carbon markets. He has held numerous leadership positions and has worked at UNEP, Alberta Environment & Parks, FAO, WCS, and Wildlife Works Carbon. He has also served as an advisor to regional governments in East Africa and North America, where he has supported the development of both REDD+ and restoration policy and practice. Currently, he serves on the Independent Advisory Council in the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Accreditation under IETA. In 2013, Bryan founded the Kijabe Forest Trust in Kenya, protecting 6,000 hectares of primary forest reserve, an ongoing proving ground for restoration techniques.

Bryan holds an MSc in Resource & Environmental Management from Dalhousie University and BSc from the University of Maryland. 

Glen Prior has 25 years of experience building economic engines and sustainable systems for mission-driven organizations on a local and global scale. He has demonstrated experience in financial management, process development, and systems thinking. Starting with the premise that connecting people and ideas with proven methodologies builds a strategic foundation for long-term sustainable growth, Glen excels at establishing collaborative relationships across multiple disciplines. As a continuous learner, Glen has pursued additional training in organizational leadership, professional coaching, and self-study in economics and corporate operations.

Glen holds an MDiv from Azusa Pacific University and studied Classics at UC Irvine, Not for Profit Leadership at UC Riverside.

Jeff Arensen has over 20 years of experience working with non-governmental organizations supporting community development and humanitarian response programs in multiple countries across East and Southern Africa. Experienced in strategic planning and operational systems development, he has led multiple large-scale, multi-sectoral, projects across a range of complex environments. He has managed partnerships with an array of donors, including USAID, UKAID, FAO, WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, DEC, and private stakeholders. He is passionate about the relationship between poverty and land degradation and the need for systems-based approaches to ensure sustainable, positive social and environmental impact.

Jeff holds an MA in Poverty and Development from the University of Sussex and a BA in Political Science and International Studies from Houghton University.

Angie Adkins is a senior-level International Finance and Administration Director with more than two decades of experience in non-profit and for-profit business in international contexts. Having guided the development of successful programs, processes, and safeguards, Angie brings a wealth of insight and expertise into financial management and administration structures. Angie specializes in projects and programs at the nexus of climate, community development, and biodiversity conservation. She is passionate about developing financial management processes that serve as decision-support tools in dynamic contexts, including development and post-conflict contexts.

She holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool, a degree in Business Operations from DeVry University, and a Diploma in International Humanitarian Assistance from the Centre for International Health and Cooperation.

Edith Stone is a seasoned marketing and advertising professional with over 16 years of experience, specializing in driving sales and exceeding fundraising goals for both commercial and non-profit sectors. She has worked with non-profits like the American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club of America, and Paralyzed Veterans of America to help tell the story of their mission and impact.

Currently, as the Director of Marketing at Eden, Edith has played a pivotal role in the organization's remarkable growth. As the founder of the Marketing Department, she implemented a comprehensive strategy utilizing social media, email marketing, digital media, and creative storytelling to amplify Eden's story. She is a strategic leader and a mentor, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence within her team. Proudly contributing to the positive impact of Eden, Edith is dedicated to landscape and forest restoration, making a global impact around the world.

Edith has a BA in English Literature and Spanish Literature from the University of California - Santa Barbara.

Aaron Minnick brings over a decade of professional experience in restoration and conservation, having significantly contributed to the World Resources Institute (WRI) and One Tree Planted. At WRI, Aaron was instrumental in mapping Kenya's restoration opportunities nationally, working with diverse stakeholders from the government, private sectors, and community leaders. This project was vital in shaping Kenya's official restoration pledge to initiatives like AFR100 and the Bonn Challenge.

As Director of Strategic Partnerships at Eden, Aaron builds on his past experiences, finding opportunities for collaboration and partnership across all organizations and helping start a global Landscape Restoration movement.

He holds an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in International Business from The College of New Jersey.

Scott Lout brings almost three decades of experience in private and development non-profit industries in the US, Africa, and Asia. He brings a wealth of leadership expertise, having held senior positions with various international organizations such as eProd Solutions, Food for the Hungry, and World Vision. As a global strategy and operations professional, Scott has skillsets in developing programs, managing portfolios, spearheading policy change, and directing teams in more than 15 countries. Additionally, he has experience in the agriculture, livelihoods, and AgTech (agriculture/technology) sectors. Scott excels in leading large and diverse teams in driving strategy, business development, operations, and performance management.

Scott holds a Master's in Business Administration and a BA in Journalism and Public Relations from Oklahoma State University.

Andrew Kinzer has over a decade of experience working on restoration projects in East and Southern Africa. He has worked with A Rocha Kenya, International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and as a GIS consultant. His research has focused primarily on forests as socioecological systems and the interactions between community needs and forest resource management. Andrew has published papers on forest-proximate communities, forest resource dependence, poverty alleviation, and restoration dynamics. The main focus of his work has been to use his academic interest and understanding of community needs and forest resources to build effective, large-scale forest restoration projects in sub-Saharan Africa. He is most excited about the challenge of building programs that consider and integrate the needs of forest-adjacent communities into the restoration work.

He has an MS in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan and a BS in Environmental Studies from Wheaton College.

Gildo Cuamba brings over 30 years of extensive experience in managing nonprofit organizations and human resources. As the founder of Light for Development, a community-focused NGO, and co-founder of WiseLife-HR and Consultoria LDA, he demonstrates a deep commitment to societal development and human capacity building.

Since 2018, Gildo has been instrumental as the Country Director of Eden in Mozambique. He concentrates on nurturing healthy interactions between communities and their environments, primarily through initiatives in landscape restoration and conservation. This work not only highlights his ability to lead complex environmental projects but also his dedication to creating sustainable and equitable solutions for community development.

Gildo holds a PhD in Humanities and a BA in Psychology and Theology from the United Graduate College and Seminary.

With over a decade of experience in leading international projects, Joan oversees the development of sustainable natural resources and drives widespread community adoption of environmentally forward climate change projects. She is passionate about exploring the connections between ecosystem restoration, climate change, and the enhancement of community livelihoods. Joan also excels in cultivating relationships with various stakeholders, including policymakers, the private sector, development partners, and the media. Her previous experience includes working for the World Agroforestry Centre and the African Centre for Technology Studies, wherein she coordinated multi-country projects. Since becoming Kenya's Country Director in April 2022, Joan has led a team of diverse and multi-disciplinary professionals while ensuring all operations align with Eden's mission and strategic vision.

Joan holds an MA in Development Studies with a specialty in Environmental Development from the University of Nairobi. She also has a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Kenyatta University.

Martha is a distinguished leader with a dual background in the international non-governmental organization (INGO) and business sectors. Her career spans over two decades, marked by significant achievements in entrepreneurship and international entities. Martha founded the Designers & Artisans Bazaar, a sustainable marketplace benefiting over 300 artisans and artists. Moreover, her strategic foresight led her to spearhead a training program for over 200 rural artisans, focusing on developing Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to counter negative ecological impacts. Her experience also includes roles in organizations such as GSTA, Karama, and The Navigators.

Since August 2021, Martha has served as the Country Director at Eden Ethiopia. Additionally, Martha's expertise lends itself to organizational development, relationship building, and negotiation, which have proven invaluable in navigating complex environments and driving her team toward Eden's conservation objectives.

Martha holds a BA degree in Organizational Management and has certificates in Coaching, Counseling, Product Development, and Market Development.

With over 18 years of experience in wildlife management, Priscilla Sichone is an expert in ecological studies, habitat management, and protected area planning. Her career in Zambia's government wildlife sector includes leading roles in the Wildlife Authority and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Her work has significantly contributed to developing natural resource management strategies within both governmental and non-governmental sectors in Zambia.

Priscilla currently serves as the Country Director for Zambia at Eden. In this capacity, she guides the organization's efforts in landscape restoration and conservation, employing a holistic, standards-based approach to promote sustainable interactions between communities and their environments.

Priscilla is finalizing her doctorate in vegetation ecology of the Miombo Woodlands at the University of Hamburg, Germany. Her academic journey also includes a master's in integrated water resources management (IWRM) from the University of Zimbabwe and a bachelor's in Ecology from the University of Zambia.

Rachhya hails from the Himalayan landscapes of Nepal, where her environmental consciousness was kindled at an early age. She has participated in numerous environmental projects, ranging from WASH interventions with WHO to coordinating solid waste management efforts with the Asian Development Bank. These experiences have honed her abilities to lead and inspire community-driven environmental initiatives.

Her career with Eden began in 2016 as a field officer and was elevated to Nepal’s Country Director in 2018. Her leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of programmatic intricacies, cultivated through various strategic roles that have empowered communities to strive for a sustainable future. Rachhya champions collaboration, teamwork, and proactive land restoration, aiming to create a harmonious balance between human habitation and the natural world.

Rachhya holds a MSc in Environment & Natural Resources and an BSc in Environmental Science from Kathmandu University.

Vicky joined Eden as the Country Director for the Philippines in 2021, bringing a strong background in entrepreneurship and community service. Vicky's background in entrepreneurship has greatly influenced her operational and people management strategies at Eden, allowing her to make swift and efficient decisions in addressing problems. She believes her work significantly contributes to the Philippines' environmental and socio-economic objectives by providing livelihoods to local communities and restoring forests.

Her transition into environmental restoration has been distinguished by the successful establishment of two significant restoration sites: the Canitoan-Pagatpat Site and the Kibuwa Site, which together span 3,325 hectares. She has effectively streamlined workflows and introduced a transparent financial system for salary distribution, ensuring direct payments to staff through e-wallet accounts. In her role, Vicky faces challenges related to logistics, owing to the remote location of restoration sites, and disputes over denuded areas. She overcomes these obstacles by facilitating safe and efficient access for team members and necessary resources.

Vicky holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

For the past 29 years, Rafael has dedicated his career to natural resource management and ecosystem restoration. His experience spans several international organizations, including the United States Forest Service (USFS), German Cooperation (GIZ), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as well as for the Honduran State Forestry Administration, where he was the head of the forest management office for several years. Rafael has trained professionals in earth sciences and has written numerous regulations on managing natural resources (including guidelines for better forest management).

As Eden's Country Director of Honduras, Rafael oversees a multidisciplinary team dedicated to advancing landscape restoration, supporting local communities that provide forest management services, and achieving innovative and quantifiable results.

Rafael holds a master's degree in Geography and an Engineering degree in Forestry Sciences with a focus in Watershed Management from the National University of Forestry Sciences (UNACIFOR).