OUR GLOBAL TEAM

Janaina Sallas is a Brazilian public and environmental health specialist with over 20 years of experience in global health, disaster risk management, and policy advisory work. She has held leadership positions at USAID, the WHO/PAHO, the World Bank, and Brazil’s Ministries of Health and Environment. She focuses her work on environmental health surveillance, epidemic preparedness, climate and health, antimicrobial resistance, and preventing chemical exposure. She has extensive experience engaging with indigenous and vulnerable communities, promoting equity, and integrating evidence into public health policy. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Brasília and has published extensively on health emergencies and governance. Janaina is fluent in Portuguese and English, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Natiela Beatriz de Oliveira is a biologist with extensive experience in environmental health, toxicology, and One Health governance. She serves as a Specialist Member of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) of the Quadripartite and supports the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in chemical safety, environmental surveillance, and the National Lead Strategy Action Plan. She has previously contributed to national guidelines on chemical exposure, biomonitoring, and Brazil’s participation in major international chemical conventions. Natiela holds a Master’s degree in Animal Biology from the University of Brasília.

Vanessa joined Pure Earth in 2025 as Technical Manager in Brazil. She is an Environmental Engineer with a Master’s in Soil Science (Federal University of Viçosa – UFV) and specialization in Environmental Geochemistry. Before joining Pure Earth, she worked for more than eight years at Brazil’s Ministry of Health, leading national efforts in preparedness and response to chemical and CBRN public health emergencies, and serving in environmental health surveillance with a focus on populations exposed to toxic substances and human health risk assessments related to mining dam failures. She has extensive experience in chemical risk assessment, environmental surveillance, and public policy, with a career dedicated to protecting health from toxic exposures.

Gilson is a chemical engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, with emphasis on Environmental Sciences. Over the years, his career has focused on promoting competitiveness, sustainability, innovation, and technological development to leverage national and international businesses. He worked for five years at the Brazilian Ministry of Health, providing technical services in environmental health surveillance and monitoring populations exposed to chemical substances. Gilson is also experienced in regulatory matters within the chemical industry and its supply chain, participating in many national and international forums on topics involving the chemical safety agenda. Additionally, he served as a consultant supporting the Inter-American Development Bank’s activities in the Brazilian Amazon, mapping strategic priorities related to the region’s sustainable development. He is passionate about issues related to climate change, biodiversity, and waste management.

Esmond Wisdom Quansah is a development professional with over 10 years experience in the development field. He served in several capacities and spearheaded many interventions for improved wellbeing for marginalized groups and young people. He implemented key programs in livelihoods, gender equality and climate action. Prior to joining Pure Earth, he served as Country Representative/Project Lead for Youth Challenge International, a Canadian INGO in Ghana to support young people in living sustainable livelihoods. Esmond comes with leadership skills in building partnerships, advancing Climate Action issues, engaging stakeholders across government, civil society, and private sectors. He also worked with Ghana Education Service, Right to Play International, and EQUIP HUBs program. He held several other positions which include Training Coordinator, Hub Coordinator/Manager, Project Coordinator, Operations and Finance Manager among others. He holds Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, India. Esmond is passionate about issues related to marginalized groups, youth empowerment leading to sustainable livelihoods, gender equality and climate action.

Nana leads the communication efforts of Pure Earth Ghana. Bringing his experience in development and corporate communication to raise awareness of Pure Earth’s mission in the country. His strategic approach in media relations, creative writing, and content creation has helped position and mobilize initiative, connecting with diverse stakeholders. Nana is a communication professional with five years of experience in the media and communication sector. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and majored in development communication from the African University College of Communications.

Blessing joined Pure Earth as a Technical Assistant in 2021 and has since worked as a full-time member of the Ghana Team. She has been working in various roles as Technical Assistant, Junior Investigator, Project Officer, and Technical Project Officer for different periods since she joined Pure Earth Ghana. As the Technical Project Officer for Pure Earth Ghana, Blessing works to implement projects including site assessments, and home-based assessments among others to create awareness and address environmental pollution in Ghana. Before joining Pure Earth, Blessing graduated from the University of Ghana with a BSc (Hons.) degree in Earth Science (Geology Major). She is very passionate about the environment and aims to contribute to the resolution of various global crises.

Gloria is a seasoned finance and administrative professional with extensive experience in
financial management, grants administration, and organizational operations. Holds Master of
Science in Accounting and Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She combines analytical
proficiency with strategic problem-solving to drive operational efficiency and organizational growth.
Known for her dedication, positive attitude and collaborative approach, Gloria has a strong work ethic
and a focus on integrity and delivering value for sustainable success.

Isaac Owusu Ansah Sackey joined Pure Earth as a Technical Project Assistant in 2023. He has experience in data collection , quality control check and data analysis. Prior to Pure Earth, he was the assistant judge and Lab technician in Brain battle quiz, STEMPLAST and STEMNNOVATION; competitions that enable children solve environmental pollution. Isaac is certified by industry inertia Africa as a data analyst, design thinker and an agile leader. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Earth Science (Geology major) from the university of Ghana. As the Technical Project Assistant, he assists in site assessments, toxic site identification among others to create awareness and address environmental pollution in Ghana. He possesses important professional skills such as graphic designing and documentary creation, predictive analysis and content creation.

Eunice Asieduaa Addo joined Pure Earth in 2023 as a Finance and Administrative Assistant, bringing with her a diverse skill set and experience. With a background in sales and marketing, leadership in environmental initiatives, and proficiency in front desk duties, Eunice is a valuable addition to the team. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), she is well-equipped to handle the multifaceted responsibilities of her role.
As a Finance and Administrative Assistant at Pure Earth, Ghana, Eunice plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive support. Her responsibilities include budgeting, record-keeping, procurement, data management, and coordination. Additionally, she serves as the initial point of contact for guests, ensuring a positive first impression and facilitating impactful interactions. Eunice’s dedication and expertise contribute significantly to the smooth functioning of Pure Earth’s operations in Ghana.

Diksha Radhakrishnan is a seasoned innovator working at the intersection of systems thinking, data, and social innovation, with nearly 15 years of experience transforming early-stage ideas into structured, scalable solutions. Her work across India and Kenya spans strategy and behavioural consulting, implementation and scale advisory, and technical research—where she has led cross-functional teams, forged high-impact government partnerships, and designed programmes that drive enduring systemic change.
She was instrumental in setting up India’s first Behavioural Insights Unit at the central government level (NITI Aayog), where she led national campaigns and policy tools across health, nutrition, and COVID-19. Most recently, at IDinsight, she served as India Lead for the DataDelta Unit, a data innovation initiative focused on building public-good data infrastructure and tools. Alongside the technical work, she led large-scale client engagements and played a key role in business development—expanding IDinsight’s portfolio into renewable energy and climate adaptation.Previously, Diksha worked as an Innovation Manager at Evidence Action in Kenya, scaling evidence-based programmes through government systems, and with J-PAL South Asia as a research manager on multiple randomized controlled trials. 

At Pure Earth, Diksha heads the India office’s country strategy—responsible for programmatic leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement to advance the organization’s mission to minimise lead exposure and improve environmental health outcomes.

She holds a  Masters (M.Sc.) in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Shailesh Patil is an accomplished public health professional with over twelve years of experience in program management, health systems strengthening, and stakeholder engagement. 

Prior to this role, Shailesh worked with Pure Earth as the Program Manager for Maharashtra, overseeing program implementation and coordination across state-level interventions. He has also served as the National Program Manager at the Catholic Health Association of India, managing large-scale public health programs and supporting strategic engagement with government counterparts. His professional experience spans reputable organizations including CARE India, UNICEF, the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), reflecting his strong foundation in public health systems and program delivery.

In addition to his organizational roles, Shailesh serves as a National External Assessor for the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), contributing to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives across India’s health facilities.

Shailesh holds a Master of Health Administration (MHA) – Public Health from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. 

Akshita Jain is a finance and compliance professional with over a decade of experience strengthening financial systems, donor reporting, and governance within the not-for-profit and public health sectors. Her expertise spans end-to-end financial management, multi-donor grant compliance, audits, budgeting, and statutory reporting, with a strong track record of supporting organizations in maintaining transparency, accuracy, and regulatory alignment.

She has worked extensively on USAID-funded projects and served with ACCESS Health International, where she managed donor compliance, multi-donor reporting, audits, U.S. tax filings, and end-to-end financial operations for large-scale health programs. She also led the development of key policies and implemented systems to improve processes, strengthen financial controls, and enhance overall organizational accountability.

Akshita holds a Master’s in Commerce, is a qualified Company Secretary, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). She has also enrolled in the Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFRS) from ACCA (UK), strengthening her expertise in global reporting standards.

Emershia Sharmine is a passionate Public Health Nutrition professional with over 16 years of experience working with leading international non-profit organizations. She has travelled extensively across India, partnering with governments, communities, and development agencies to design and implement impactful child  health and nutrition programs.

Before joining Pure Earth, Emershia worked with World Vision India in various capacities, providing strategic and technical leadership for large-scale initiatives, including national programs on Child Health and Nutrition implemented across 13 states. She has extensive expertise in Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and has successfully adapted global models such as Timed and Targeted Counselling, Care Groups, and Positive Deviant Hearth focusing on the first 1,000 days of life to address malnutrition.

She also led a UNICEF-funded project to strengthen health systems and improve program coverage for community-based management of acute malnutrition and anemia.
At Pure Earth, Emershia focuses on addressing lead poisoning among young children and advocates for policy action to improve child health and well-being. 

She holds a Master’s (M.Sc.) in Food Science and Nutrition, M.Phil. in Research and Development, and an e- Postgraduate in Public Health and Nutrition from the Public Health Foundation of India.

Arpit Sinha is a seasoned public health professional with over 12 years of experience in areas including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), maternal health, digital health, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and vector-borne disease control.

He has worked with leading international development organizations such as EngenderHealth, Jhpiego, and IPE Global, as well as with tech-driven social impact organizations like Genpact and 10X Impact Labs. Arpit has also contributed to government programs focused on vector-borne disease control.

His expertise spans program management, proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. He has provided technical support in developing key government guidelines, checklists, and resource materials. He is also a Green Belt Six Sigma–certified professional

He holds a MBA in Health Management from  Indian Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR University)

Divya is a results-oriented public health professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Science and a Master’s in Public Health. She has strong experience across reproductive and child health, immunization, and non-communicable diseases, with proven skills in program planning, implementation, monitoring, and cross-sectoral coordination. In immunization, she has supported key national initiatives, including the rollout of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), contributing to micro-planning, capacity building, cold chain strengthening, and data-driven monitoring to improve coverage and equity. Her work in NCDs focuses on strengthening primary healthcare services through improved screening, early detection, provider training, and referral pathways for hypertension and diabetes, aligned with national program frameworks. 

Divya has worked with organizations such as SEWA, Nutrition International, John Snow India, and IPE Global, where she has contributed to health system strengthening, evidence-based planning, and effective engagement with government and development partners. Her work reflects a strong commitment to improving public health outcomes and community wellbeing.

She holds a Masters Degree in Public health from Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar

Swecha Chamarty, is a seasoned public health leader with over 12 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, digital health, and program management across India. 

Swecha, specializes in designing impact-driven M&E frameworks, data systems, and digital tools that strengthen accountability and evidence-based decision-making. Her experience includes serving as a Public–Private Partnership Expert with the Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust, providing leadership in digital innovations for TB programs, and advancing data-driven maternal and child health initiatives in collaboration with IIPH Hyderabad, Fernandez Foundation, and SHARE India.

Skilled in REDCap, DHIS2, Power BI, and statistical analysis tools, Swecha has collaborated with governments, donors, and academic partners to translate data into policy and program improvement. 

She  holds a Master’s in Public Health and is recognized for leveraging technology to enhance health system performance and public health outcomes.

Dr. Swapnil More is a passionate public health professional with over 12 years of experience in implementing and managing public health programs. His expertise in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), maternal and adolescent health, and patient safety initiatives. His work has taken him across multiple states in India, including Assam, Bihar, and Odisha.

Before joining Pure Earth, He worked with Jhpiego in Maharashtra, where he successfully led two projects simultaneously. He has also collaborated with several international and national organizations such as UNICEF, Ipas Development Foundation, CARE India, and the National Health Mission (NHM).

In addition, he serves as an empaneled member of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) program, contributing to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives across India.

He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the Asian Institute of Public Health (AIPH) and a Certification in Public Health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA.

Ponsian Kerketta is a dedicated development professional with over 13 years of experience driving impactful change in vulnerable communities across India. His career spans maternal and child health, routine immunization, adolescent health, WASH initiatives, and health system strengthening. He has demonstrated exceptional ability to bridge grassroots implementation with policy-level advocacy, working seamlessly with government officials, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders.

His commitment to community health began with grassroots work on organ trafficking victim advocacy and cleft palate treatment programs. He has worked with organizations including Child In Need Institute (CINI), Plan India, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND India), and Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF), with support from UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other prominent partners.

His expertise includes public health program management, advocacy and communication, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

He holds an MSW in Community Development from Pondicherry Central University and an MBA in Hospital Management from Vinayaka Mission University.

Dr. Mini Tanwar is a dedicated Public Health professional and Epidemiologist with experience in disease surveillance, and monitoring & evaluation. She has collaborated extensively with government departments, technical partners, and development agencies to strengthen public health systems and support evidence-based decision-making.

Before joining Pure Earth, she worked as a Consultant Epidemiologist with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at NCDC, Delhi where she supported national surveillance activities, guided outbreak investigations, and led capacity-building and data-driven public health action. She also worked with ECHO India in monitoring and evaluation, contributing to research studies, tool development, and the evaluation of large-scale health initiatives. Her early experience with CARE India supported operational research for disease elimination efforts.

At Pure Earth, Dr. Mini leads program efforts in Jharkhand to reduce lead exposure, focusing on program planning, policy engagement, regulatory advocacy, and multi-stakeholder coordination. 

She holds an MPH degree from PGIMER, Chandigarh, and a BDS from SGT Dental College, Haryana. Trained in data analytics, GIS, MEAL, and public health emergency management, she brings strong technical skills in tools such as SPSS, Power BI, Atlas Ti and QGIS.

Ved brings over a decade of experience as an admin and finance professional, with expertise in finance, accounts, tax, FCRA, procurement and Operations. His extensive background in the development sector includes collaborations with national and international organizations, as well as private sector companies.

Known for his commitment to excellence and keen attention to detail, Ved is proficient in accounting software such as Sage and Tally, which has allowed him to streamline financial processes while ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Swapnil Gaikwad is a highly accomplished public health professional with 10 years of experience specializing in Program Management and Strategic Communications. He currently serves as the Program Officer, Communications at Pure Earth, where he contributes to shaping the organization’s outreach and engagement efforts. Prior to this, Swapnil held a range of impactful roles that strengthened both his technical expertise and leadership capabilities. As State Program Officer for Child Health & Nutrition at UNICEF, he provided critical technical support to the Public Health Department of Maharashtra, advancing maternal and child health outcomes under the National Health Mission. In his role as District Consultant for the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), he led implementation and monitoring efforts at the district level, including sensitization of stakeholders and support to frontline workers. Earlier in his career, he served as Medical Officer for Community Outreach with Symbiosis International University, delivering essential RMNCAH+N ((Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health + Nutrition) services and managing outreach programs in coordination with local Primary Health Centers.

His core areas of expertise include Strategic communications, Program management and monitoring. 

He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Pune

Poonam Sachdeva is a Experienced Professional in the field of Accounting, Auditing & Taxation services with  11 years of experience specializing in field of Finance she  holds a Degree from ICAI INDIA . She currently serves as the Accounts Officer at Pure Earth, where she is responsible for finance & accounting of the organization .Before joining she worked with Bansal & Co LLP Chartered Accountants as an audit manager and with Public Health Foundation of India as a Finance officer Internal Audit .

Poonam has an experience of handling Statutory compliances of all business sector  , and auditing & Assurance Service to Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India and other governmental organizations apart from this she also served as an Auditor of USAID ,BMGF , global fund awards to Indian Organizations.

She holds CA Final Group I May 2016 from ICAI ,INDIA and B.com(hons) from University of Delhi

Starting her duties as the Country Director in 2008, Budi Susilorini led the Pure Earth team in Indonesia to provide support to the Government of Indonesia in mitigating environmental and health impacts due to toxic pollution. This support is provided through partnerships with government and non-government institutions at the central and regional levels with combination of research, technical interventions, capacity building, campaigns and education, as well as policy recommendations.

With an educational background in forest resource conservation and a strong interest in environmental issues, Nickolaus joined Pure Earth in 2014. Until now he has been involved in studies related to heavy metal contamination, toxic site identification program and remediation, capacity building, and multi-stakeholders policy discussions related to mitigating the impact of heavy metals on the environment and health.

With an educational background in oceanography, Vedila has been able to develop herself to provide support to the team in terms of financial planning, cost management and operational effectiveness since joining Pure Earth Indonesia in 2022. Apart from her responsibilities as the Administration and Finance Officer, she also often steps in to assist the field work.

Having a combination of education in public health as well as awareness and passion in promoting health, Sina joined Pure Earth in 2023 and one of her current duties is to be the program coordinator of “Strengthening Health Systems to Reduce Lead Exposure.” Sina’s flexibility in communicating contributes to the organization’s networking, incl. her involvement in stakeholder discussions regarding the management of lead intoxication in children and pregnant women as well as the development of educational materials related to the dangers of lead and efforts to prevent it.

With educational background in English education and global media communication, experience as a journalist and working in NGO, as well as an interest in environmental issues, Lina joined Pure Earth in mid-2024. Lina implements a human-centered approach in her communications work to understand the needs, foster trust, and encourage collaboration with stakeholders. A storyteller at heart, she believes that everyone has stories to tell, knowledge to share, and lessons to inspire, and she works to help them amplify their voice and get their message across.

Larah Ortega Ibañez oversees a variety of projects for Pure Earth in the Philippines, including both research and cleanup. Larah is currently preparing for a large-scale project aimed at reducing heavy metal contamination in fishponds in the river systems surrounding Manila.

Elezabeth “Beth” Ompad has rejoined us officially as Program Officer for Field Operations. She’s been working with PE Philippines in various roles as Junior Investigator, Research Assistant, Senior Investigator, and Project Officer/Coordinator for different periods of time since 2009. She is a Chemical Engineer with backgrounds in Biology, Chemical Engineering and Environmental Science and engagement in research relevant to our advocacy and work.

Danwell P. Esperas, RN is a registered nurse by profession but a development worker by heart. He has passion for serving marginalized sectors including out-of-school-youth, children in conflict with the law, and children with disabilities. He has extensive experience in child poverty, organization development, community empowerment, and youth employment locally and Southeast Asia. In addition, he was the alternate focal person in one of the International Non-government organizations and in charge of the program’s efforts in protecting the rights of beneficiaries against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. He also participated in drafting the ASEAN Road Map for the implementation of the Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work for a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community. He also founded the Rural Improvement Club in San Antonio, Quezon promoting and protecting the rights of the rural farmers.

Mitali Das is the Country Director of Pure Earth Bangladesh, bringing over 14 years of experience across the media and development sectors. With a strong foundation in strategic communication, program design, and leadership, she has successfully led numerous national and local-level initiatives focused on environmental health, social impact, and advocacy.

Mitali has extensive experience in managing multi-donor programs, developing country strategies aligned with global goals, and ensuring program quality through robust monitoring and evaluation systems. She is skilled in stakeholder engagement, program implementation, and building partnerships with government agencies, international donors, UN bodies, and grassroots organizations. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to rights-based, inclusive approaches that promote gender equality and non-discrimination.

A passionate advocate for youth empowerment, Mitali has led initiatives that engage young people in environmental advocacy and community-driven solutions. Her ability to blend strategic vision with operational excellence has strengthened Pure Earth’s position in Bangladesh and contributed to impactful, sustainable programming and solutions.

Kawsar Rahman joined the Pure Earth Bangladesh team in 2023. He completed his graduate Master of Business Administration in Finance and has an undergraduate honors degree in Business Administration. He is also a qualified chartered certified accountant (ACCA). Prior to Pure Earth Bangladesh, he served as the Accountant & Administration Officer at non-profit Innovations for Poverty Action.

Soadekin Rishan is a communications professional with cross-sectoral experience in development, climate, energy. He has worked extensively at the intersection of strategic communication, public outreach and policy research. His portfolio includes knowledge management, digital communication, and inter-organization coordination. Rishan previously led public relations and external communications at ME SOLshare, where he worked closely with international donors and government agencies on energy-transition and climate-resilience initiatives. He has also supported multilateral cooperation and partnerships communication as a Coordination Assistant at the BIMSTEC Secretariat at Dhaka.

Rishan holds an Master’s in International Relations and is an Economy of Tomorrow Fellow at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh.

Lizeth is an Environmental Engineer, with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from the Universidad de los Andes, Colombia. She has worked in the areas of consulting, environmental and project management, teaching and research, and has experience in the administrative and technical coordination of projects of a diverse nature and in the implementation of sustainability strategies.

Marcela is a nurse with a master’s degree in Public Health and Social Development. She has experience coordinating projects focused on serving vulnerable communities, working with humanitarian and social development organizations. Her work focuses on public health, primary care, and interventions in water, hygiene, sanitation, and shelter. She believes in the power of service to prevent and alleviate challenges, always with respect, empathy, and a rights-based approach.

Claudia leads communications in Colombia and Peru, bringing her experience in social impact and cultural change projects to raise awareness of Pure Earth’s mission in local communities. Her strategic approach contributed to the implementation of positioning and mobilization initiatives, connecting with diverse stakeholders. Prior to her role at Pure Earth, Claudia worked in an NGO related to the promotion and prevention of occupational hazards and environmental protection, contributing with the implementation of communication strategies that inform and generate a positive impact on community perception and participation. Claudia is a Social Communicator and Journalist, with a Master’s Degree in Communication Management and Public Relations.

Carlos is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in tax direction and management. He has been with Pure Earth Colombia since its formal creation in 2020, where he has been responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance in tax and labor matters. With over 12 years of experience, he has provided expert advice on efficient tax risk management, tax planning in Colombia, and regulatory compliance to support decision-making for both international and local companies. Carlos is also currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Tax Direction and Management, further enhancing his expertise in the field.  His meticulous approach, combined with his skills in financial analysis and auditing, enables him to offer innovative solutions tailored to Pure Earth’s needs.

Marcela is responsible for managing and overseeing human and financial resources, as well as strategic and budgetary planning. She is an electronic engineer with expertise in office tools, audit processes, and accounting software. With over 4 years of experience in accounting and finance, Marcela has a solid background in R&D&I (Research, Development, and Innovation) frameworks. She possesses strong skills in recording and analyzing financial transactions, account reconciliation, and resource management. Throughout her career, she has consistently ensured compliance with financial regulations and standards.

Agustín Gama is currently the Country Director of Pure Earth Mexico – his 30 years of professional experience began at American Express and Reader’s Digest; he has held top executive positions as Executive Director of The American Society of Mexico and General Manager for Diario EL PAÍS Mexico LATAM North. He has also worked  in the public sector, where he held several directive positions in the Ministry of Finance and Administration of the Government of the State of Hidalgo. His academic background includes Business Administration and Accounting at the Universidad Anáhuac and Public Administration and Political Science at the Universidad Iberoamericana. He is also an active member of the American Benevolent Society Mexico, American School Foundation Alumni Association, and has participated in international marathons.

Jesús is a Biochemical Engineer from ITESM and has an MBA from IPADE in Mexico. He has held several positions in the Finance and Microfinance Industries, and has had extensive experience in operations and project management, customer service, and strategic planning. Prior to joining Pure Earth, he worked as a consultant for the food industry, designing and implementing several operational re-engineering projects, as well as continuous improvement programs.

Carmina studied International Relations and has spent 7 years dedicating herself to the fundraising and strategic development of different social causes in Mexico. She is passionate about contributing to the social development of the communities and collaborates with Pure Earth in Mexico promoting the Barro Aprobado Program and seeking funds for the development of projects.

Rodrigo is a biologist and holds a Master’s degree in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Leadership from the University of Barcelona, a Master’s degree in Environmental Health from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, a Diploma in Sustainable Development from the Universidad del Pacífico and is certified in Design Thinking by the Creativity Certification Program.

Rodrigo is passionate about disruptive thinking and the orientation towards innovation and sustainability in the projects he leads. He has experience in academia, government and private sector, highlighting his role as project manager in the Laboratory of Eco-Health and Urban Ecology of the Faculty of Science and Philosophy of the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia, Policy Manager for The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, Director of Communications and Strategic Relations for Oceana Peru, among others.

Forestry engineer by training, with a master’s degree in environmental management, with more than 14 years of experience in the forestry sector of Peru, working on the problem of alluvial mining in Madre de Dios, Peru, since 2011, investigating issues related to environmental mining management, mercury-free technologies, as well as the restoration of areas degraded by mining in the Amazon.

Bachelor’s in Forestry Engineering from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, with a diploma in Public Management. Since 2019, Sofía has been working in the Madre de Dios region, focusing on issues related to alluvial gold mining from a restoration perspective, as well as food security in native communities vulnerable to climate change.

Dr. Jack Caravanos is presently Professor at the School of Global Public Health at NYU. He received his Master’s Degree in Environmental Health Engineering and proceeded to earn his DrPH from Columbia University. He is board certified in industrial hygiene (CIH) and prides himself as being a practicing field-based environmental health scientist. Since 2005, Dr. Caravanos has assisted the international NGO, Pure Earth, with its Toxic Site Inventory Program and has traveled to over 20 countries assisting partners in both the private and governmental sector in sampling and assessing environmental health threats from hazardous waste sites and operations. Dr. Caravanos conducted dozens of environmental health assessments of e-waste sites, backyard smelters, gold mining sites and tanneries.

Hanrahan is an expert in water and wastewater planning, environmental engineering, pollution control and soil clean-up; technical director of Pure Earth; former lead environmental specialist, Environment Department, World Bank

Dr. Binkhorst comes to Pure Earth as a contaminant hydrogeologist from the private environmental consulting world. As a Senior Hydrogeologist and Project Manager at ALTA Environmental Corporation in Connecticut since 1998, Gordon was primarily responsible for providing technical oversight and direction on a variety of site investigation and remediation projects, including those under a variety of regulatory programs. Dr. Binkhorst has a comprehensive knowledge of hydrogeologic principles, contaminant fate and transport mechanisms, and assessment and remediation techniques and strategies.  Dr. Binkhorst was an Adjunct Professor to Department of Geosciences at the University of Connecticut (UConn) where he taught an upper-level undergraduate class on completing environmental site assessments and served as a member of UConn’s Geoscience Advisory Board.

At Pure Earth, Gordon worked as a Senior Technical Advisor to Pure Earth since 2011, and served as the Vice President of Global Programs in 2020 and 2021 prior to returning to his role as Senior Technical Advisor.  Gordon has worked extensively investigating and remediating legacy informal used lead acid battery recycling sites in the Philippines, India and Bangladesh, as well as mitigating exposure to residents living near an abandoned lead mine in Kabwe, Zambia. Gordon has contributed to a number of publications regarding the battery recycling industry and has also been instrumental in studies identifying lead adulterated spices in Bangladesh, India and the Republic of Georgia. Gordon has championed inclusion of blood lead monitoring as part of ongoing health and nutrition surveys for children in Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia and Ghana and has provided technical guidance on identifying lead exposure sources in lower and middle-income countries (e.g., aluminum and ceramic cookware, paints, cosmetics, spices, etc.). Gordon was instrumental in developing, implementing and interpreting Pure Earth’s 2022-2023 Rapid Market Survey, which has included collection, XRF screening and laboratory testing of over 6,000 household items from 25 low- and middle-income countries for total lead, as well as spearheading testing of over 100 aluminum pot and pans for leachable lead.

Dr. Lynn Panganiban has served as the National Consultant for Pure Earth Philippines for GiveWell project implementation in the country particularly in the area of Public Health and Toxicology. She is a professor at the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine; one of the pioneers and still is a Toxicology Consultant at the National Poison Management & Control Center, UP College of Medicine-Philippine General Hospital; Member of the Pesticide Expert Panel and Technical Service Consultant of the Center for Cosmetic Regulation and Research of the Food and Drug Administration among others.