Management and Administration
Suzanne Pelletier
Executive Director
Suzanne Pelletier has served as the Executive Director of the Rainforest Foundation US since April 2009. Formerly, Suzanne was the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the National Audubon Society. Suzanne holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia Business School and a Master’s of Environmental Studies from the Yale School of Forestry.
Francisco Larra
Director of People & Culture
Francisco leads the Culture and People department at Rainforest Foundation US. He has over 20 years of experience in Program Management, Finance & Operations, and Human Resources in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Francisco has worked with local, national, and international organizations in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean supporting marginalized communities on issues of employment and labor rights, immigrant integration, environmental, vulnerable and at-risk youth, and with multi-stakeholder partnerships promoting social change.
Francisco has Bachelor’ degrees in Education and Psychology and a Master’s degree in Integrated Management Systems of Quality, Environment, Occupational Health & Safety, and Corporate Social
Responsibility. Francisco is an SHRM – Senior Certified Professional and Certified Labor Relations Professional with English – Spanish – Portuguese proficiency.
Elizabeth Dechant
Finance & Administration Senior Manager
As RFUS’s Finance & Administration Senior Manager, Elizabeth looks forward to applying her accounting and grants management expertise to further the goals of Rainforest Foundation US. She has 15 years’ experience in accounting in various industries, including 5 years of fiscal management for government contracts, from budget proposal through closeout and audit. Elizabeth is a certified public accountant (CPA), and has a Master’s in Accountancy from DePaul University. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Alexandra Aviles
Jr Grant Accountant
Alexandra Aviles works as RFUS’s Jr Grant Accountant. Prior to joining RFUS, Alexandra worked in finance for five years as an Accounting & Administration Coordinator. She also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for four years. Alexandra has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Muhlenberg College, is fluent in Spanish, and is currently learning Portuguese.
Andrea Tirado
Program Administration Coordinator
Andrea is an international business administrator specializing in the management of nonprofit organizations. Previously, she worked for the Canadian Embassy for Peru and Bolivia (in Peru), where she provided administrative and project support to the International Trade division and officers. Since 2020, she has collaborated with RFUS, visiting Indigenous communities in the Amazon, and recently joined Rainforest Foundation US in a full-time capacity to provide administrative and logistical support to the Programs team. She speaks Spanish, English, French, and is currently learning Portuguese.
Juana Luraschi
Administration Coordinator
Juana Luraschi oversees the daily operations of Rainforest Foundation US. She provides overall administrative support, including vendor management, IT coordination, office management, and travel planning. Prior to joining Rainforest Foundation US, Juana worked as a Logistics Coordinator, and has experience as an Environmental Analyst. Juana brings extensive expertise in logistics management and environmental sustainability to RFUS. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, and is fluent in English and Spanish, with intermediate-level Italian. She lives in New York and enjoys her cat and riding bikes.
Programs
Christine Halvorson
Program Director
Christine Halvorson oversees Rainforest Foundation US’s partnerships in Brazil, Guyana and Panama and brings extensive expertise in institutional strengthening, land management planning and titling, policy and campaigning. Prior to joining RFUS in 1999, she was a director of Amanaka’a Amazon Network. She has worked on issues connecting the environment and social justice for nearly thirty years, both in the Amazon as well as locally in New York City where she serves on the board of ABC No Rio, a cultural center in the Lower East Side. She holds a Master’s in Anthropology from The New School for Social Research. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and also speaks rusty French.
Josh Lichtenstein
Policy & Advocacy Director
Josh provides policy, negotiation and management guidance to Rainforest Foundation US’s Mesoamerica, Amazon and Global programs and leads the RFUS Policy team. Josh has been a rights and environment activist for almost thirty years, working with community, Indigenous, women, farmer and conservation grassroots organizations and NGOs to advance their initiatives in both the US and internationally. Prior to joining RFUS, he served as the Latin America and Forest Program Manager and then as Campaign Director at the DC-based Bank Information Center, where he was also one of the CSO Observers to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. Josh holds a Master’s in International Economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and is fluent in Spanish.
Cameron Ellis
Field Science Director
Cameron directs mapping and field operations for Rainforest Foundation US. Cameron has been working with Indigenous communities for over 20 years, learning from them and helping build the tools, teams, evidence and strategies for long-term land security. Cameron has a MSc in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico and is fluent in Spanish.
Kim Chaix
Director of External Relations and Partnerships
Kim oversees key aspects of the organization’s fundraising, and communications activities and spearheads strategic partnerships and new initiatives. Previously, Kim served as the Director of Virunga Fund, a US non-profit dedicated to the protection of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse national park. He also founded The Charcoal Project, a non-profit dedicated to bringing better biomass fuels and technologies to populations that depend on wood and traditional charcoal in sub-Saharan Africa. Kim’s first career was as a television news producer and wildlife documentary film-maker. As a French-Nicaraguan, Kim is a native Spanish and French speaker.
Maryka Ives Paquette
Senior Policy Manager
Maryka manages Rainforest Foundation US’s policy program and is supporting partners to advance their priority agendas concerning climate finance and carbon markets. Prior to joining RFUS, Maryka supported Indigenous peoples and local communities to advocate for their rights in a range of climate, forest, and development policy initiatives at local, national (United States), and international levels. She holds a Master’s of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy with a focus on Indigenous peoples’ rights from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs as well as a Master’s in Indigenous Mind. She speaks Spanish, rusty Italian and is learning French.
Victor Gil
Capacity Strengthening Senior Program Manager
Victor oversees Capacity Strengthening support for Rainforest Foundation US’s Indigenous partner organizations. For 15 years, he has been dedicated to supporting Indigenous peoples and local communities in strengthening their organizations, promoting their rights and exercising control over their territories. Victor holds an MSc in Social Anthropology and a BSc in Geography, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Laura Piccoli
Program Manager
Laura supports project implementation in Rainforest Foundation US’s Guyana and Global programs. She joined the organization as a communications intern in May 2020, and later transitioned to the programs team to support grant administration and institutional metrics. She holds a Master’s in Global Affairs from New York University, with a concentration in Energy and Environment Policy and a specialization in Data Analysis. She also earned a certificate in Tropical Forest Landscapes: Conservation, Restoration & Sustainable Use from Yale’s Environmental Leadership and Training Initiative in 2023. Before pursuing her Master’s, Laura earned her BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She is diligently working on her Spanish.
Christopher Jarrett
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Chris is a cultural anthropologist who supports Rainforest Foundation US’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts. He conducted his doctoral research in the Ecuadorian Amazon and has published articles on the effectiveness of different conservation strategies, the impact of Indigenous community Life Plans, and other efforts to sustain and protect tropical forests and Indigenous peoples’ wellbeing. Prior to joining RFUS, he worked at the Field Museum, co-leading collaborative interdisciplinary research and building conservation coalitions throughout the Amazon. Chris has an MA and PhD in Anthropology and a BA in International Studies. He is fluent in Spanish, highly proficient in Portuguese, and speaks some Amazonian Kichwa.
Melina Harris
Advocacy Advisor - Guyana Program
Melina joins Rainforest Foundation US as an Advocacy Advisor supporting the Guyana program, its partners, and stakeholders. She holds an LLM in International Human Rights, Justice and Conflict from SOAS, University of London, and an LLB from Brunel University of London. Melina has written extensively on extractive, environmental ,and human rights issues in Guyana including its legal, social, and economic impacts on Indigenous communities. She speaks English and Spanish.
Peru Program
Gina Ruiz-Caro Rothgiesser
Western Amazon Director
Gina has more than 25 years of experience leading strategies for sustainable development. Prior to joining RFUS, she served as Director of Operations at Save the Children, where she oversaw a team and led projects valued at $30 million financed by USAID and other organizations. She represented the Peru Opportunity Fund for 10 years and has taught at the Universities of Lima, Ruiz de Montoya, Agraria, and San Martin de Porres. She has also worked with several Indigenous communities in Alto Mayo, Pasco, Amazonas. Gina is a lawyer by profession and holds two Master’s degrees from the University of Alicante in Spain and Universidad San Martin de Porras. She is fluent in Spanish, speaks English, and has basic knowledge of Quechua and German. She has 12-year-old twins, whom she enjoys spending time with.
Wendy Pineda
General Project Manager
Wendy Pineda is a territorial management tools specialist using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), mapping, geographic and environmental engineering, satellite remote sensing and project management techniques to create participatory tools and training methodologies for communities working to protect and manage their ancestral lands. Since 2007, she has collaborated with many Indigenous organizations in the Peruvian Amazon on community monitoring, ethno mapping and technology transfer initiatives. She is a native Spanish language speaker.
Plinio Pizango Hualinga
Head of Technology Transfer
Plinio Pizango Hualinga is an Indigenous Kampu Piyawi specialized in training communities on strategies and policies to protect their forests against deforestation and securing climate change mitigation resources. Previously, he worked with AIDESEP, a national Indigenous peoples’ organization providing technical advising and analysis on forest and climate change policy. Plinio holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a specialization in Public Policy focusing on climate change mitigation and adaptation from the National University of San Marcos. He is a native Spanish language speaker.
Kathya Castillo
Gender & Inclusion Specialist
Kathya is a Gender and Inclusion Specialist working to implement projects with a focus on gender, social inclusion, and interculturality. She brings experience with artisan cooperatives, economic alternatives, women’s empowerment, and indigenous autonomy in the Peruvian Amazon. She holds a Bachelor’s in Anthropology from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. She speaks Spanish and basic English.
Jaime Cardenas
Technology Transfer Specialist – Loreto
Jaime works directly with the Organization of the Indigneous People of the Eastern Amazon (ORPIO) and Indigenous communities in Loreto to systematize and manage data on environmental crimes to support community-led reforestation projects. Jaime holds a degree in Tropical Forest Ecology from the Universidad Nacional de la AmazonÃa Peruana (UNAP) in Peru. He is a native Spanish language speaker and is also fluent in Portuguese.
Rolando RodrÃguez
Technology Transfer Specialist – Loreto
Rolando is a specialist in technology transfer and training for Indigenous communities in Loreto, working directly with the Regional Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon (ORPIO). Previously, he worked on projects for the recognition and titling of Indigenous peoples’ territories, also in Loreto. His work includes the organization, systematization, and management of data regarding environmental crime, as well as identifying threats, strengths, and opportunities within Indigenous peoples’ territories in the region. Rolando holds a degree in Tropical Forest Ecology from the National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP) in Peru. He takes great satisfaction in contributing to the strengthening of Indigenous territorial governance and the mitigation of threats in these areas. He is a native Spanish speaker and is also fluent in Portuguese.
Joseph Zegarra
Technology Transfer Specialist – Loreto
Joseph holds a degree in Biology from the National University of the Peruvian Amazon and has over ten years of experience working with Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon, collaborating with both governmental and non-governmental organizations. He is deeply passionate about the conservation of the Amazon rainforests, dedicating his time to volunteer with various groups and organizations. He has also contributed to research projects on climate change in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in the Loreto department, overseeing the wildlife research area with a focus on ornithology and larger mammals. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Tropical Forest Ecology. A native Spanish speaker, Joseph has an intermediate proficiency in English and is learning Portuguese.
Jannett Salas
Regional Administrative Coordinator – Loreto and Ucayali
Jannett is a Certified Public Accountant with a Master’s degree in Public Management and has over 25 years of experience working with Indigenous organizations and in international development. At Rainforest Foundation US, she is the Administrative Coordinator for the Loreto and Ucayali Region. Her responsibilities encompass providing comprehensive administrative support—coordinating with program staff, Indigenous leaders, trainers, specialists, and managing logistics, administration, finances, and accounting—to ensure the seamless operation of administrative and program activities in alignment with the organization’s goals. She is a native Spanish speaker who is currently learning English.
Alaciel Flores
Logistics Manager for Programs
Alaciel serves as Logistics Manager for our Peru program. She holds a degree in Accounting and boasts over 16 years of professional experience within Indigenous organizations. Alaciel has dedicated herself to supporting Indigenous communities in the river basins of the Loreto Region, focusing on administration and logistics. She is a native speaker of Spanish.
Erika Suárez
Head of Finance and Administration
Erika leads the Administration and Finance division of Rainforest Foundation US in Peru. She brings 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in various areas such as: project management, financial and budget oversight, procurement and contracts, inventory management, general accounting, as well as labor and tax consulting. Additinoally, she analyzes and prepares comprehensive financial reports. Erika’s professional journey includes collaborations with both Peruvian and international NGOs, alongside work with global cooperation agencies. She holds a certification as a Public Accountant, a Master’s degree in Business Project Management, and a postgraduate qualification in Public Investment Projects. Erika is a native Spanish speaker and beginner-level proficiency in English. She’s proud of her Amazonian heritage.
Development
Julie Hudson
Director of Development
Julie Hudson is the Director of Development at Rainforest Foundation US, living in the beautiful hills of western Massachusetts. She has nearly three decades of experience fundraising and advocating for environmental issues from climate change to regenerative agriculture to land conservation. Julie has previously worked as a Development Director for Plastic Pollution Coalition, Mighty Earth, 350.org, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and Center for Food Safety. She has also done policy work and grassroot organizing for Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society, and serves on the Board of Zero Foodprint. Julie has dual Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Environmental Policy and a Master’s of Environmental Public Policy all from The George Washington University.
Jessica Rogers
Institutional Giving Manager
Jessica manages institutional giving relationships for Rainforest Foundation US, connecting with foundation and corporate partners to elevate and expand the organization’s critical work in Central and South America. She brings nearly 10 years of nonprofit experience to the role, including work advancing equitable workforce development, food and health care access, and voting rights. She holds a Master’s of Public Administration from American University and lives in Rhode Island.
Viviana Briseño Márquez
Development Operations & Annual Giving Manager
Viviana Briseño Márquez manages the planning and operational optimization of Rainforest Foundation US’s fundraising efforts. A passionate visual communicator and committed animal rights activist, she co-founded the Fundación de Protección Animal (FUPA), a Mexican organization committed to animal welfare, where she volunteers as a digital consultant. She holds a Master’s in Conservation and Education from Miami University. Born and raised in Mexico, she is a native Spanish speaker and is learning German.
Maggie McAden (they/them)
Digital Fundraising Manager
Maggie McAden (they/them) oversees Rainforest Foundation US’s digital fundraising program. Prior to joining RFUS this year, Maggie worked in digital fundraising for over two years at The Climate Reality Project, a climate advocacy organization founded by former US Vice President Al Gore. They also worked in development communications at the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation in Fairfax, Virginia. Maggie is passionate about leveraging digital communications and fundraising to power climate and environmental justice work. Maggie holds a Bachelor’s in Communication Management and Design with minors in environmental studies and politics from Ithaca College. Beyond digital fundraising, they enjoy tending to their garden, exploring the beautiful Hudson Valley region, and spending time with their partner and their chihuahua, Disco.
Melissa Tomlinson
Donor Relations Advisor
Melissa is Donor Relations Advisor at Rainforest Foundation US where she engages with supporters to ensure they are empowered with information, opportunities, and communication to support their charitable giving goals. Melissa has nearly two decades of experience with environmental and wildlife organizations. She previously worked for Born Free USA, a wildlife protection organization, the Woodwell Climate Research Center, a scientific research organization that studies climate change impacts and solutions, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a global nonprofit pioneering innovative ways to ensure all species flourish. She is currently on the board of the Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary, which provides lifetime care for primates who have been rescued from the exotic pet trade, used in research, or put on display. Melissa has an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from Wellesley College. She lives on Cape Cod, MA where she spends most of her personal time hiking around the many ponds with her dogs.
Holly Meier
Institutional Giving Specialist
Holly Meier supports institutional fundraising, building relationships with foundation partners while working closely with Programs staff to advance Rainforest Foundation US’s mission. Prior to joining RFUS, Holly worked in local government, managing the sustainability program for the largest city in South Dakota and as a grants administrator for a large nonprofit organization. She brings to the organization a breadth of experience working across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in environmental program management, fundraising, communications, natural resources research, and climate advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Natural Resources Science and Management from the University of Minnesota. She lives in the Midwest and is working on her Spanish.
Ziv Stern
Donor Engagement Associate
Ziv supports Rainforest Foundation US’s fundraising efforts by engaging mid-level donors and volunteer fundraisers. As an Ashkenazi Jew, Ziv is particularly dedicated to cultural preservation for the survivors of genocide, and as a colonizer he feels a particular obligation to Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Since graduating from Swarthmore College in 2020, he has been organizing to support environmental justice, Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty, and the progressive political movement in New York. He holds a Bachelor’s in Linguistics and has studied Hebrew, Latin, and Ancient Greek, among other languages. When not getting excited about language, Ziv enjoys the magic of musical theater and cryptic crosswords.
Sofiya Krasotina
Development Associate
Sofiya supports Rainforest Foundation US’s general fundraising operations, data collection and analysis, as well as assisting with various special projects. As a trained early childhood educator and an independent filmmaker, Sofiya is passionate about solving environmental problems through educational initiatives, experimental pedagogical approaches, and intercultural dialogue. Prior to joining Rainforest Foundation US, Sofiya held various administrative positions in film production. She studied Humanities in Moscow, Russia and has a Bachelor’s in Film Direction from the School of Visual Arts in New York. She is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Coastal and Marine Management at the University of Akureyri, while teaching and developing environmental curriculums for elementary school students. She is fluent in English and Russian.
Joy Pereira
Development Assistant
Communications
Beth Duncan
Director of Communications
Beth Duncan oversees the communications portfolio for Rainforest Foundation US, bringing to the organization over 20 years’ experience in diverse communications roles. Previously, Beth spearheaded development and program initiatives for an indigenous-led nonprofit organization that supports indigenous communities and indigenous Elders from around the globe. Prior to that, she worked in the private sector as a higher education communications and marketing consultant. She also served in the public sector, having served as a diplomat in Shanghai, China, and on special assignments across Latin America. Beth holds a Master’s of International Management from Thunderbird Global School of Management and speaks Spanish and rusty Mandarin. She currently calls Baltimore home.
Zoë Dutka
Communications Strategist
Zoë ensures that our indigenous partner organizations have the support they need to build and implement diverse communications strategies. Previously, as cofounder of the production company La Mochila Migrante, Zoë partnered with humanitarian orgs and UN agencies to create multimedia campaigns in support of indigenous and immigrant rights in the Amazon border region, where she lived for 13 years. Zoë holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Camila Rossi
Communications & Media Advisor
Camila Rossi provides strategic media advising for Rainforest Foundation US and supports the communications team with content production. With over 15 years of experience as an environmental communications specialist, she has collaborated with organizations such as Greenpeace Brazil, WWF-Brazil, Amazon Watch, and served as a press relations consultant for Burness and the Goldman Environmental Prize in Brazil. Holding an MBA in Sustainability Management, Camila has crafted international media campaigns, facilitated media trips in the Brazilian Amazon, and supported Indigenous advocacy trips in Europe and in the US. She is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish and also has basic knowledge of French and German.
Karen Osorio
Communications Associate
Karen Osorio supports Rainforest Foundation US’s digital communication efforts. Formerly, Karen was the Ecuador Program Coordinator at Global Citizen Year, where she had the opportunity to live and work with Kichwa indigenous communities in northern Ecuador. This experience ignited in her a deep respect for indigenous cosmovisions, and the dedication to deconstructing preconceived ideas of development, wellbeing and human-nature relations. She holds a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from the University Espiritu Santo in Ecuador and a Master’s in Governance and Development from the University of Antwerp in Belgium. She is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English and French.
