Our People
Our highly-motivated and experienced team is Paris-aligned, on a mission towards high-integrity conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
We bring together expertise across project disciplines including forestry, carbon project management and certification, community and livelihoods, communications and stakeholder engagement, Earth observation, ecology, monitoring and evaluation, greenhouse gas accounting and finance.
Our highly-motivated and experienced team is Paris-aligned, on a mission towards high-integrity conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
We bring together expertise across project disciplines including forestry, carbon project management and certification, community and livelihoods, communications and stakeholder engagement, Earth observation, ecology, monitoring and evaluation, greenhouse gas accounting and finance.
Our advisors come from diverse backgrounds, including environmental science, policy, finance, and social development. With years of experience in their respective fields, they provide valuable guidance on best practices, innovative solutions, and long-term strategies for high-integrity conservation and restoration efforts.
About Charlotte
Prof. Dr. Charlotte Streck is co-founder of the climate consultancy Climate Focus and a Professor honoris causa at the University of Potsdam. She serves as a climate change advisor to numerous governments, private companies, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations, sits on multiple advisory panels and is actively involved in shaping the debate on the role of carbon and climate finance in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. Previously Senior Legal Counsel with the World Bank, she is a proliferate writer and an associate editor of the Climate Policy journal.
About Elias
Dr. Elias Ayrey is a forest remote sensing scientist and Head of Science at Renoster, a carbon rating agency. With a PhD in forest resources and over a decade of experience in applied forest mensuration and remote sensing, he has spent the past four years in the carbon offset industry, including as Head Scientist at Pachama. At Renoster, he leads a team developing algorithms to measure forest characteristics and assessing the effectiveness of carbon projects. He has evaluated more than 140 nature-based projects and shares insights through educational YouTube videos on the carbon industry.
About Mark
Mark is an entrepreneur and Professor of Biology at Syracuse University, where he teaches environmental science. For over 30 years, he has studied the effects of grazing animals on rangelands in North America and Africa. He is the author of Scale, Heterogeneity, and the Structure and Diversity of Ecological Communities (Princeton University Press) and has published over 90 scientific papers. His expertise covers soils, plants, and grazing in grassland and savanna ecosystems. He has also consulted for major U.S. ranches on livestock grazing and wildlife conservation.
About Manuel
Manuel is a climate change consultant with over 25 years’ experience in carbon accounting, climate finance and REDD+. He has advised governments, companies and NGOs worldwide, helped shape key VCS standards, and held senior roles including Climate Change Director for Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and REDD+ Innovations Director at Verra. A UNFCCC expert, he has assessed 15+ national reports and continues to support countries and funds advancing large-scale climate solutions.
About Charlotte
Prof. Dr. Charlotte Streck is co-founder of the climate consultancy Climate Focus and a Professor honoris causa at the University of Potsdam. She serves as a climate change advisor to numerous governments, private companies, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations, sits on multiple advisory panels and is actively involved in shaping the debate on the role of carbon and climate finance in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. Previously Senior Legal Counsel with the World Bank, she is a proliferate writer and an associate editor of the Climate Policy journal.
About Elias
Dr. Elias Ayrey is a forest remote sensing scientist and Head of Science at Renoster, a carbon rating agency. With a PhD in forest resources and over a decade of experience in applied forest mensuration and remote sensing, he has spent the past four years in the carbon offset industry, including as Head Scientist at Pachama. At Renoster, he leads a team developing algorithms to measure forest characteristics and assessing the effectiveness of carbon projects. He has evaluated more than 140 nature-based projects and shares insights through educational YouTube videos on the carbon industry.
About Mark
Mark is an entrepreneur and Professor of Biology at Syracuse University, where he teaches environmental science. For over 30 years, he has studied the effects of grazing animals on rangelands in North America and Africa. He is the author of Scale, Heterogeneity, and the Structure and Diversity of Ecological Communities (Princeton University Press) and has published over 90 scientific papers. His expertise covers soils, plants, and grazing in grassland and savanna ecosystems. He has also consulted for major U.S. ranches on livestock grazing and wildlife conservation.
About Manuel
Manuel is a climate change consultant with over 25 years’ experience in carbon accounting, climate finance and REDD+. He has advised governments, companies and NGOs worldwide, helped shape key VCS standards, and held senior roles including Climate Change Director for Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and REDD+ Innovations Director at Verra. A UNFCCC expert, he has assessed 15+ national reports and continues to support countries and funds advancing large-scale climate solutions.
Our Germany-based team serves as the backbone of our mission, driving high-integrity conservation and restoration efforts with expertise, dedication, and innovation.
About Chaitanya
An engineer and a scientist by education, Chaitanya is a terrestrial ecosystem specialist who has been part of many conservation and restoration initiatives globally. Besides building the organisation as the Founder, he is the executive leader and is heading the climate department at KAYA which has the mandate to develop land use projects and solutions. Chaitanya’s biggest passion is food, both cooking and eating!
About Eli
With over 20 years in enterprise technology, Eli designs, implements, and manages solutions that drive efficiency, productivity, and growth. Skilled at aligning business needs with tailored technology, he has become a trusted partner in success. Driven, curious, and eager to learn, Eli is also a strong leader and communicator with a proven record of managing large-scale projects and teams of engineers and developers. Outside work, he stays tech-savvy by exploring new gadgets and software, and delving into robotics, AI, machine learning, and emerging technology trends.
About Yevheniia
Yevheniia, originally from Ukraine, has called Berlin home since 2019. She holds a Master’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in International Business Management, combining her passion for human behaviour with a strategic business approach. With experience in recruitment across agriculture and now nature conservation, she supports KAYA’s mission of preserving and protecting the environment by helping people find their place within the organisation. Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her many plants and creating a summer balcony garden of tomatoes and herbs.
About Florian
Florian has a master’s degree in business psychology and more than 6 years experience in various fields of Human Resources. He is very happy to be part of the KAYA journey to grow a nature-based future. He is responsible for all people-related topics at KAYA. In his spare time he enjoys music, sports and cooking.
About Chaitanya
An engineer and a scientist by education, Chaitanya is a terrestrial ecosystem specialist who has been part of many conservation and restoration initiatives globally. Besides building the organisation as the Founder, he is the executive leader and is heading the climate department at KAYA which has the mandate to develop land use projects and solutions. Chaitanya’s biggest passion is food, both cooking and eating!
About Eli
With over 20 years in enterprise technology, Eli designs, implements, and manages solutions that drive efficiency, productivity, and growth. Skilled at aligning business needs with tailored technology, he has become a trusted partner in success. Driven, curious, and eager to learn, Eli is also a strong leader and communicator with a proven record of managing large-scale projects and teams of engineers and developers. Outside work, he stays tech-savvy by exploring new gadgets and software, and delving into robotics, AI, machine learning, and emerging technology trends.
About Yevheniia
Yevheniia, originally from Ukraine, has called Berlin home since 2019. She holds a Master’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in International Business Management, combining her passion for human behaviour with a strategic business approach. With experience in recruitment across agriculture and now nature conservation, she supports KAYA’s mission of preserving and protecting the environment by helping people find their place within the organisation. Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her many plants and creating a summer balcony garden of tomatoes and herbs.
About Florian
Florian has a master’s degree in business psychology and more than 6 years experience in various fields of Human Resources. He is very happy to be part of the KAYA journey to grow a nature-based future. He is responsible for all people-related topics at KAYA. In his spare time he enjoys music, sports and cooking.
About Matthias
Matthias is an economist with many years of experience in finance and with a focus on impact start ups. At KAYA he will make sure that all financial aspects of our business are covered and that we allocate our financial resources to maximum impact. As a grandfather, the world being “enkeltauglich”, i.e., suitable for grandchildren, is what matters to him the most.
About Richard
With a master’s degree in multi-media journalism, and more than 15 years of experience in the field of communication, Richard is proud to bring his skills and knowledge to help tell KAYA’s story. A lover of nature and animals, he’s happy to be a part of a strong team dedicated to creating positive and lasting environmental impact. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, various sports and is a keen guitar player.
About Chris
Chris is a sustainability and natural climate solutions professional, drawing on a wealth of expertise in carbon finance, carbon markets, certification schemes, nature-based solutions and corporate social responsibility. His most recent focus has been on policy developments impacting carbon markets, particularly Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the VCM space. He is delighted to take part in shaping KAYA’s mission that puts local communities at the heart of environmental solutions. In his spare time, he is a permaculture fan and puts theory into practice in his garden.
About Matthias
Matthias is an economist with many years of experience in finance and with a focus on impact start ups. At KAYA he will make sure that all financial aspects of our business are covered and that we allocate our financial resources to maximum impact. As a grandfather, the world being “enkeltauglich”, i.e., suitable for grandchildren, is what matters to him the most.
About Richard
With a master’s degree in multi-media journalism, and more than 15 years of experience in the field of communication, Richard is proud to bring his skills and knowledge to help tell KAYA’s story. A lover of nature and animals, he’s happy to be a part of a strong team dedicated to creating positive and lasting environmental impact. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, various sports and is a keen guitar player.
About Chris
Chris is a sustainability and natural climate solutions professional, drawing on a wealth of expertise in carbon finance, carbon markets, certification schemes, nature-based solutions and corporate social responsibility. His most recent focus has been on policy developments impacting carbon markets, particularly Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the VCM space. He is delighted to take part in shaping KAYA’s mission that puts local communities at the heart of environmental solutions. In his spare time, he is a permaculture fan and puts theory into practice in his garden.
About Giuseppe
A forestry manager with more than 20 years of experience in over 10 countries worldwide specializing in plantations and natural forest management. At KAYA, Giuseppe oversees planning, assessing, and monitoring forest management operations and training of technical teams and coordination with local partners. He refers to himself as a traditional family man who loves nature, history, outdoor life and 4×4 driving.
About Giuseppe
A forestry manager with more than 20 years of experience in over 10 countries worldwide specializing in plantations and natural forest management. At KAYA, Giuseppe oversees planning, assessing, and monitoring forest management operations and training of technical teams and coordination with local partners. He refers to himself as a traditional family man who loves nature, history, outdoor life and 4×4 driving.
About Johan
A biologist and a remote sensing expert Johan has a keen eye for Earth Observation and satellite imagery. At KAYA, he helps to leverage Earth Observation technologies to gain valuable insights and solve complex problems. In his free time, Johan enjoys spending quality time with his family.
About Wirong
As a community and ecosystem scientist from Thailand, Wirong has over two decades of research in tropical forests. He brings to KAYA extensive knowledge and fieldwork experience as well as proficiency in data science and modeling which produces high-quality greenhouse gas accounting. Wirong is a nature explorer, finding joy in hiking and bird watching, plus cooking spicy Thai cuisine and spending family time with his two daughters.
About Johan
A biologist and a remote sensing expert Johan has a keen eye for Earth Observation and satellite imagery. At KAYA, he helps to leverage Earth Observation technologies to gain valuable insights and solve complex problems. In his free time, Johan enjoys spending quality time with his family.
About Wirong
As a community and ecosystem scientist from Thailand, Wirong has over two decades of research in tropical forests. He brings to KAYA extensive knowledge and fieldwork experience as well as proficiency in data science and modeling which produces high-quality greenhouse gas accounting. Wirong is a nature explorer, finding joy in hiking and bird watching, plus cooking spicy Thai cuisine and spending family time with his two daughters.
About Josephine
Josephine is a development specialist with 12 years’ experience in project management and community development across multiple African countries, including humanitarian, renewable energy, and community programmes. She holds a Master’s in Project Planning and Management and a Bachelor’s in Development Studies. At KAYA, she focuses on community mobilisation and social impact, ensuring projects meet international certification standards. Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with cooking.
About Josephine
Josephine is a development specialist with 12 years’ experience in project management and community development across multiple African countries, including humanitarian, renewable energy, and community programmes. She holds a Master’s in Project Planning and Management and a Bachelor’s in Development Studies. At KAYA, she focuses on community mobilisation and social impact, ensuring projects meet international certification standards. Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with cooking.
Our team in Angola is at the heart of our conservation and restoration efforts, working directly with communities to create lasting environmental and social impact. With deep local knowledge and a strong commitment to sustainability, our team plays a vital role in implementing projects that restore ecosystems, empower people, and build climate resilience.
About Cláudio
Cláudio is a keen practitioner of competitive, inclusive and resilient sustainable development and innovation initiatives, with a focus on people development, process improvement and digital transformation.
He holds a Bachelor´s degree in the Sciences of Education, with over 30 years experience in Management, Social Investment, Oil & Gas and Food and Nutrition Programs.
At KAYA Angola, Cláudio oversees the HR, Legal and Finance functions, in addition to his responsibilities for the Tactical and Operational Planning of the Country Office. Cláudio is passionate about sports, gardening and reading.
About Valente
Valente is an accomplished Asset and Administrative Specialist. He has over 10 years of experience and expertise in overseeing asset portfolios and streamlining administrative processes in airport ground support, the Private Sector and the Angolan Stock Exchange Market.
At KAYA Angola, in addition to his regular duties, Valente is serving as the focal point for process improvement and digital transformation initiatives, with focus on finance, accounting, administration and asset management.
Valente is passionate about fitness, reading and cinema.
About Emanuel
Emanuel is passionate about nature conservation, environmental projects, and clean energy. With over 36 years of experience in the Oil, Gas, LNG, and Angolan Banking sectors, he is a seasoned Executive Manager and Leader. He holds an MSc in Petroleum Engineering and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from UK universities.
He brings expertise in Operations and Production, Reservoir Management, HSE, and Logistics. Beyond his industry career, Emanuel lectures in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering at a leading local university and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Married to Maria Isabel Leopoldo, he has four children and four grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys football, news, music, and travel.
About Francisco
At KAYA Angola, Francisco is our Community and Livelihoods Management, hence, building trust with the communities we work closely with and organising communications and education around our project.
Francisco’s has extensive community engagement experience, as well as working on livelihoods generation programs and supporting micro enterprise businesses at the community level, building opportunities and local empowerment. He has worked for NGOs across Angola, Malawi and Mozambique for over 25 years.
He spends most of his free time watching football matches.
About Cláudio
Cláudio is a keen practitioner of competitive, inclusive and resilient sustainable development and innovation initiatives, with a focus on people development, process improvement and digital transformation.
He holds a Bachelor´s degree in the Sciences of Education, with over 30 years experience in Management, Social Investment, Oil & Gas and Food and Nutrition Programs.
At KAYA Angola, Cláudio oversees the HR, Legal and Finance functions, in addition to his responsibilities for the Tactical and Operational Planning of the Country Office. Cláudio is passionate about sports, gardening and reading.
About Valente
Valente is an accomplished Asset and Administrative Specialist. He has over 10 years of experience and expertise in overseeing asset portfolios and streamlining administrative processes in airport ground support, the Private Sector and the Angolan Stock Exchange Market.
At KAYA Angola, in addition to his regular duties, Valente is serving as the focal point for process improvement and digital transformation initiatives, with focus on finance, accounting, administration and asset management.
Valente is passionate about fitness, reading and cinema.
About Emanuel
Emanuel is passionate about nature conservation, environmental projects, and clean energy. With over 36 years of experience in the Oil, Gas, LNG, and Angolan Banking sectors, he is a seasoned Executive Manager and Leader. He holds an MSc in Petroleum Engineering and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from UK universities.
He brings expertise in Operations and Production, Reservoir Management, HSE, and Logistics. Beyond his industry career, Emanuel lectures in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering at a leading local university and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Married to Maria Isabel Leopoldo, he has four children and four grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys football, news, music, and travel.
About Francisco
At KAYA Angola, Francisco is our Community and Livelihoods Management, hence, building trust with the communities we work closely with and organising communications and education around our projects.
Francisco’s has extensive community engagement experience, as well as working on livelihoods generation programs and supporting micro enterprise businesses at the community level, building opportunities and local empowerment. He has worked for NGOs across Angola, Malawi and Mozambique for over 25 years.
He spends most of his free time watching football matches.
About Oscar
Oscar is formally trained as a Conservation Biologist, specializing in forest management, successional ecology, agroforestry, and pollinators. At KAYA Angola, he wears the principal hat of Site Manager. When not hard at work in the field, you can find Oscar pursuing his passions for native stingless bee keeping, gardening and scuba diving.
About Américo
Américo (aka Petinha) oversees the Public Relations, Office Maintenance and overall management of KAYA´s administrative tasks at the KAYA office in the Province of Malanje. He brings extensive experience in the micro and small business sector, trading goods and services with the banking sector, fisheries and administration services, as well as strong connections across the province. Américo loves dancing and listening to music, specifically the pure Angolan Semba (music and dance style).
About Yelena
Yelena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, specialized in plant production, transformation and conservation of agricultural products and the production of hybrid seeds. At KAYA Angola she works as Nursery Manager in Malanje. When she is not getting her hands dirty out in the field, we can find her practicing sports and is a lover of researching the biodiversity of the local fauna and flora.
About Giza
Giza Gaspar Martins is Regional Director at Sun Africa LLC, advancing efforts to end energy poverty in Africa. Formerly Angola’s National Director of Environment and Climate Action, he oversaw policy, climate action, and international negotiations. He led Angola’s Clean Development Mechanism and Climate Change Unit, chaired the African Forum of DNAs, and co-chaired the Global Forum. In 2015, he headed the Least Developed Countries Group in the Paris Agreement talks and later served on the Green Climate Fund Board. Giza holds a degree in Economics and is pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability.
About Oscar
Oscar is formally trained as a Conservation Biologist, specializing in forest management, successional ecology, agroforestry, and pollinators. At KAYA Angola, he wears the principal hat of Site Manager. When not hard at work in the field, you can find Oscar pursuing his passions for native stingless bee keeping, gardening and scuba diving.
About Américo
Américo (aka Petinha) oversees the Public Relations, Office Maintenance and overall management of KAYA´s administrative tasks at the KAYA office in the Province of Malanje. He brings extensive experience in the micro and small business sector, trading goods and services with the banking sector, fisheries and administration services, as well as strong connections across the province. Américo loves dancing and listening to music, specifically the pure Angolan Semba (music and dance style).
About Yelena
Yelena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, specialized in plant production, transformation and conservation of agricultural products and the production of hybrid seeds. At KAYA Angola she works as Nursery Manager in Malanje. When she is not getting her hands dirty out in the field, we can find her practicing sports and is a lover of researching the biodiversity of the local fauna and flora.
About Giza
Giza Gaspar Martins is Regional Director at Sun Africa LLC, advancing efforts to end energy poverty in Africa. Formerly Angola’s National Director of Environment and Climate Action, he oversaw policy, climate action, and international negotiations. He led Angola’s Clean Development Mechanism and Climate Change Unit, chaired the African Forum of DNAs, and co-chaired the Global Forum. In 2015, he headed the Least Developed Countries Group in the Paris Agreement talks and later served on the Green Climate Fund Board. Giza holds a degree in Economics and is pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability.
Want to add your own pin in our team map? Check out our current job vacancies!
At KAYA, we’re fully-focused on implementing nature-based solutions that maximise impact on climate, biodiversity, and local communities over an area of Angola potentially reaching over 500,000 hectares.
We are engaged in reforestation, agroforestry, and fire management interventions, with ongoing assessment of environmental, social, and economic factors to ensure our work is appropriate, effective, and sustainable.
Dive deeper into our projects:
