STAFF
Alejandra Camacho
Engagement Coordinator
Alejandra (Alex) joins Green Empowerment with research and field experience in Peru and Bolivia supporting and evaluating development projects in rural and indigenous communities. She completed a B.S. in Anthropology and Geography and is pursuing an M.A. in Global Studies at the University of Oregon. Alex brings a personal commitment to social justice and equity for underrepresented communities that will compliment her role as Engagement Coordinator in facilitating programmatic and visibility goals to benefit the communities we serve.
Andrea Johnson
Executive Director
Andrea is a passionate, versatile leader with diverse management experience and a background in international development and energy efficiency program implementation. She is a strong believer in Green Empowerment’s mission and approach. As the Executive Director, Andrea is charged with leading fundraising efforts, supporting staff on program execution, managing operations and cultivating diverse partnerships.
Benaville Nagudi
Uganda Program Coordinator
Benaville has extensive experience in WASH, clean energy development and natural resource conservation with vulnerable populations in Uganda. She holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Health Sciences and a post-graduate in Project Planning and Management, combining this background with a commitment to human rights, social justice, gender equity and a resolve to end poverty in Uganda and across the globe.
Caitlyn Peake
Program Director
Caitlyn joined Green Empowerment in 2009 as a Program Fellow in Nicaragua, where she supported project expansion and implementation. In 2018, after eight years abroad, she relocated to Portland to serve as Program Director. In this role, Caitlyn supports staff and partners in both Latin America and Southeast Asia to provide access to clean water and renewable energy. She is passionate about improving rural livelihood opportunities and eliminating barriers to collaboration in the international development sector.
Dan Frydman
Project Engineer
Dan is an electrical engineer by training and first got involved with Green Empowerment and our partners in Malaysian Borneo via Engineers without Borders UK. He's passionate about developing open-source technology for the renewable energy access sector and continues to work with our in-country partners to provide more cost effective and resilient systems.
Gabriel Sundoro Wynn
Regional Advisor, Asia
Gabriel is a renewable energy practitioner developing decentralized clean energy systems in Southeast Asia that are integrated with watershed conservation and rural water supply. As a Program Manager with Green Empowerment in Southeast Asia, he works closely with indigenous community groups seeking energy security and livelihoods that support a conservation vision.
Joaquin Viquez
Program Innovation Director
Joaquin is a social impact leader with hands-on experience in biogas & water and sanitation in Latin America. Trained as an Agricultural and Environmental Engineer with an MBA from University of Oxford, his experience extends from leading a biogas company, co-founder of the Costa Rican Biogas Association, visiting faculty for EARTH University as well as consultant for SNV, USAID and GIZ.
Karen Wilson
Finance and Admin Director
Karen provides Green Empowerment with almost 15 years of nonprofit financial and administrative experience, ranging from international NGOs to local Portland community organizations. She is passionate about enhancing the operational efficiency and performance of Green Empowerment utilizing her Masters degree in Nonprofit Management and prior experience with the federal government. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Lift Up Portland, a nonprofit providing resources to those experiencing food insecurity in the Portland area.
Katya Díaz Salcedo
Peru and Bolivia Program Coordinator
Katya joined Green Empowerment in 2020 as Peru and Bolivia Program Coordinator. She is an environmental engineer, involved for almost 10 years in environmental conservation and sustainable development processes in the Peruvian Amazon. She has experience in geographic information systems, land management and project management with rural communities and public and private institutions from Peru and other countries.
Maria Espinoza
Nicaragua Program Coordinator
Maria has extensive experience in rural sector microfinance in Nicaragua and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. As our Program Fellow in Nicaragua, Maria supports the development and management of projects with our local partners including our revolving loan funds. Maria is excited to join the Green Empowerment team and continue supporting development in rural Nicaragua.
Mica Miro
Engagement Manager
Mica is a creative professional with a background in program management and arts education. She recently returned from Oaxaca, Mexico where she served as Interim Managing Director and Program Manager for a small NGO that supports women entrepreneurs. She is passionate about Green Empowerment's approach to development and excited to use her creative talents to share our story with the world.
Nida Jafri
Malaysia Energy Program Coordinator
Nida joined Green Empowerment in 2021 as the Malaysia Energy Program Coordinator. She is an Electrochemist by training, having obtained a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Her research was centered on testing biomass-based materials for renewable energy generation, development of electrochemical energy systems, and innovative waste-to-energy technologies. She joins the organization with a passion to promote energy transition with sustainable engineering approaches, focused on improving the livelihood of indigenous and rural communities.
Olivia Nanfuka
The Power Partnership Coordinator
Olivia has experience in the analysis of energy systems from community to national level both within and outside Uganda. She holds a master’s degree in Energy Engineering and has extended support to communities and enterprises within the clean energy sector. She will leverage this experience in her role as the Power Partnership coordinator.
Sam Liebich
Admin Coordinator
Sam joined Green Empowerment in 2021 as an Administrative Coordinator, and brings an extensive scientific background and adaptive administrative experience. He is passionate about environmental activism having spent time advocating for land conservation in the Southwestern United States, and is excited to employ his diverse skill set to aid in the organization’s mission.
Sam Schlesinger
Regional Program Manager, Latin America
Having spent several years organizing community development projects in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Ecuador in partnership with local NGO’s, community organizations, and universities, Sam brings experience in clean water and renewable energy systems, training programs, and rural logistics to the management and expansion of Green Empowerment’s Ecuadorian projects.