Staff

Spanning four continents, our staff shares a passionate commitment to social justice and sustainability.

Andrea Johnson

Executive Director

Andrea is a passionate leader with a background in international development and energy efficiency program implementation.

As the Executive Director, Andrea harnesses her management experience to lead fundraising efforts, support staff on program execution, and manage operations.

Benaville Nagudi

Uganda Program Coordinator

Benaville has experience in WASH, clean energy development, and natural resource conservation with vulnerable populations in Uganda.

Benaville holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Health Sciences and a post-graduate in Project Planning and Management.

CHASE PETRIE

Fund Development Manager

Chase is a dynamic leader with a background in impact investing, venture capital, and philanthropic fundraising.

Chase works with various community partners and funders to ensure Green Empowerment is realizing its development goals and maximizing its global impact.

Claudia Romero Saavedra

Peru & Bolivia Program Coordinator

Claudia is a forestry engineer with experience in project management and the promotion of environmental conservation in Peru.

Claudia's commitment to sustainable development has allowed her to work in multidisciplinary teams in public and private institutions, managing projects to improve the life of people facing poverty.

Dan Frydman

Project Engineer

Dan is an electrical engineer by training and passionate about developing open-source technology for the renewable energy access sector.

Gabriel Sundoro Wynn

Energy Access Lead

Gabriel is an Indonesian native who has been developing off-grid clean energy systems in Southeast Asia since 2009.

Gabriel works with government, indigenous peoples, and researchers to scale renewable energy solutions in Indonesia and Malaysia through resource mapping and modeling.

Geo Corneby

Southeast Asia Program Director

Geo is an international development professional passionate about social justice and finding solutions that honor local community leadership.

Geo brings her experience in sustainable finance, inclusive business tactics, and climate-positive value chains to support our programs in Southeast Asia.

Leona Wai

Malaysia Program Coordinator

With a passion for conservation and local empowerment, Leona supports our local partner work in Malaysia.

At Green Empowerment, Leona focuses on community watershed management and community-based renewable energy systems. She holds a Master's in Conservation Biology and has experience in environmental conservation, sustainable development and community engagement.

Maria Espinoza

Nicaragua Program Coordinator

As our Program Fellow in Nicaragua, Maria supports the development of projects with our local partners, including our revolving loan funds.

Maria has extensive experience in rural sector microfinance in Nicaragua and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Mica Miro

Engagement Director

Mica is a creative professional with a background in program management and arts education.

Previously, Mica served as Interim Managing Director and Responsible Tourism Manager for a small NGO that supports women entrepreneurs in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Natalie Deehan-Clark

Communications Coordinator

Natalie is interested in the power of storytelling as a catalyst for social change to create a sustainable and equitable future.

Since graduating from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor's in Advertising, Natalie has specialized in communications around international development projects.

Olivia Nanfuka

Energy Analyst

Olivia holds a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering and has experience supporting clean energy sector in Uganda and beyond.

Olivia leverages her multi-layered background in analysis of energy systems from the community to the national level to also support the Power Partnership initiative.

Osbert Atwijukye

Africa Program Director

Osbert is an environmental enthusiast who contributes his efforts through the promotion of renewable energy and efficient WaSH practices.

Osbert is attracted to our innovative programming such as local partnerships that empower communities and implementing different technologies and project methods to reach underserved areas.

Paola Moreno Bermudez

Colombia Program Coordinator

Paola supports our existing partners and projects in Colombia with her strong gender equity lens and experience within the university system.

Paola has a degree in Biology, is a Specialist in education and environmental management, and has a Masters in Education.

Sam Liebich

Operations Manager

Sam joined Green Empowerment in 2021 with a background in science and administration.

Sam is passionate about environmental activism and has spent time advocating for land conservation in the Southwestern United States.

Sam Schlesinger

WaSH Technical Lead, Ecuador Program Lead

Sam brings extensive hands-on experience and training in civil engineering and rural community development to Green Empowerment programs.

Based in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sam also provides direct support to local partner organizations.

Sebastián Salgado Troya

Latin America Program Director

Sebastián brings experience managing health, energy, and social responsibility programs with private and public partners throughout Latin America.

With a masters in Sustainable Development, Macquarie University, and a BA in Communications, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, he is focused on understanding people’s behavior in multiple contexts in order create systematic change.

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