ABOUT US
We are people who care about nature conservation
Meet our team
Andrea Narváez
Presidente
Directora del Proyecto Tenka-La Esperanza
Co-fundadora
Biologist with a PhD in zoology. She has over a decade of experience in teaching, field ecological research, and conservation leadership. Her work focuses on conservation biology, community ecology, restoration ecology, invasion ecology, and animal behavior. She is the author of nearly 30 scientific publications and has managed international funding, including French and Australian cooperation. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates scientific research, environmental education, and community engagement to generate conservation actions.
Andrés Herrera
Financial Director
Co-founder
Economist by profession, Andrés completed a Master's in Taxation at the IAEN-Ecuador. Likewise, he obtained the title of master’s in management at La Trobe University - Australia. He has extensive experience in tax, financial and project management. Also, he has participated in different circular economy ventures as co-founder and he has won entrepreneurship competitions such as StarupWeekend Quito 2019.
Liliana Jaramillo
Reconectar Project Director
Co-founder
Biologist, Master in Environment, granted by University of Melbourne – Australia, with specialization in conservation and sustainable cities. Liliana has worked in research of native plants for their propagation and use in various restoration projects and generation of new ecosystems. She was recognized in 2017 by UN Environment in the “Young Champions of the Earth” contest. In the same year she won the “Urban Entrepreneurship Challenge” in Quito, promoted by IMPAQTO and the IDB. In 2018, Liliana obtained the “Women4Climate” recognition, organized by the C40, for her work with native plants in the city of Quito. Currently, Liliana actively develops research and environmental education to encourage conservation in the country.
Jon Doe
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James Doe
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Fernanda Rodríguez
Tenka's Forest Ranger
Fernanda serves as a park ranger at Tenka. Her main duties include patrolling, monitoring, and surveillance, as well as tracking local biodiversity. She is a member of the community of Santa Rosa de Campeche, her commitment to conservation, collaborative spirit, and constant drive to learn make her a key pillar of our institution.
Anelio Loor
La Esperanza Forest Coordinator
Botanical Parabiologist. Anelio is the field administrator of Bosque La Esperanza, a member of the El Zapote community and an honorary member of the Great Leaf Foundation. Anelio was trained as a plant parataxonomist within the Yasuní Dynamic Forest Plot project in the Ecuadorian Amazon, directed by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) and for 23 years Anelio has been protecting a remnant forest “La Esperanza”.
Karla Ocaña
Technical Assitant
Forestry Engineer with experience in managing biodiversity projects, ecological monitoring, and ecosystem conservation, with a focus on engaging local communities and international cooperation projects. She has a strong track record in systematizing best practices, coordinating field crews, database management, and biodiversity monitoring, always integrating participatory and gender-responsive approaches. Her background as a Specialist in Climate Change and Sustainable Agroecosystems strengthens her ability to connect technical work with global conservation strategies, facilitating communication and information management among national and international stakeholders to create a lasting impact in the territories.
María Teresa López
Environmental Educator
María Teresa is a Biologist graduated from the University of Guayaquil, with a focus on biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and wildlife management.
María Teresa has actively collaborated with the Bat Conservation Program of Ecuador (PCME), contributing to research, environmental education, and awareness-raising initiatives. She has also worked as an environmental interpreter at the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest, facilitating educational processes with diverse audiences.
Additionally, she has participated in the development of community-based environmental education projects with Fundación Great Leaf, including initiatives such as the “Guardians of La Esperanza” EcoClub in El Sapote community (Manabí). She is strongly committed to conservation, fieldwork, and generating meaningful socio-environmental impact.
Alex Santillán
Researcher - Collaborator
Biologist-Researcher, he has a Master's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Calabria and a PhD in Ecotoxicology from the University of Plymouth (UK). Alex has carried out studies in the field of molecular ecology and ecophysiology of foundation species such as pines and seagrasses. He is currently a lecturer at the National Polytechnic School and is interested in developing molecular methods to monitor biodiversity, the effects of climate change and pollution in vulnerable ecosystems on the Ecuadorian coast. Additionally, he is interested in quantifying the medium and long-term effects of ecological restoration on agroecosystems and urban ecosystems.
Thomas Couvreur
Research advisor
He is a researcher and botanist at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD). His main interest lies in understanding the evolution, resilience and diversity of tropical biodiversity, and rain forests in particular, one of the most complex and diverse ecosystems on the planet.
Marjorie Castro
Co-founder
Environmental Engineer, master’s in quality management, Environment and Occupational Risk Prevention graduated at Politécnica de Madrid. Marjorie has been Regional Manager of Quality, Safety, Health, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico. She has developed management systems for large and small businesses, helping organizations improve their overall performance and providing a solid foundation for sustainable development initiatives. Nature lover, she has created and managed projects focused on environmental conservation and forest protection.
Juan Carlos Triana
Co-founder
Mechanical Engineer by profession, Juan Carlos specializes in management, project evaluation, risk management and feasibility, with 25 years of experience in the Latin American industrial sector. For the past 8 years, he has been a manager in a multinational company dedicated to business management in areas such as safety, health, environment, sustainable development, research and development of products and projects, quality and social development.
With an outstanding trajectory in the execution of ecotourism projects in the Ecuadorian Amazon, he currently leads initiatives focused on the preservation of the protective forest, the integration of indigenous communities and the stimulation of alternative economies for the well-being of the Ecuadorian Amazon.