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Our Team

Abigail Alling

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

For the past 3 decades, ‘Gaie’ has been actively engaged in marine conservation and environmental projects. She received a Masters of Science degree from Yale University and was the former Director of Marine Ecological Systems and Assistant Director of Research and Development for the ‘Biosphere 2’ project.

Gaie@biospherefoundation.org

Mark Van Thillo

Mark “Laser” Van Thillo

Chief Operations Officer & Captain of sailing vessel Mir

During the past two decades ‘Laser’ has managed all logistic and technical aspects of BF’s projects, and is currently heading the Biosphere Center construction. He was the former co-Captain and Manager of Technical Systems for the ‘Biosphere 2’ project.

laser@biospherefoundation.org

Chris Cooke

Director of Ocean Programs and Captain Yacht Mir 

Chris is leading our 2021 – 2025 yacht Mir community programs in The Coral Triangle. Previously he was the First Mate from 2014 to 2018 as well as onboard musician/composer for Studio of the Sea. 

dolphin@biospherefoundation.org

 PT Biosphere Stewardship Center and Yacht Mir

Rini Nugraha

Business Manager

Rini oversees all aspects of Biosphere Bali’s business and strategic planning. Previously, Rini has worked for 16 years as an executive manager for international companies. She is a native of Java and speaks fluent English and Bahasa.

Rini@biospherefoundation.org

Ketut Sutama

Supervisor Biosphere Center, Community Leader for Marine Stewardship Programs 

Pak Sutama leads our Coral Steward program to replant living (but broken) coral fragments back on the reef. He is also the Chief Diver for our “Friends of Menjangan’ Community-Movement in NW Bali.

Lulu Sulastri

Head of Sea Education Programs

Lulu is developing our biosphere stewardship education programs for Island Communities in Indonesia. Previously, she incorporated and led an advertising company in Bali for 7 years. She has traveled the world and speaks fluent English and Bahasa. 

Sofwan Sepfree Asril

Education Coordinator

Sepfree has 13 years of diving experience and is a certified Dive Master and First Aid Responder. At Biosphere Foundation, he coordinates the education programs and stewardship projects. He is a native of Bali and speaks fluent English and Bahasa. 

I Made (Kadek) Sudana

Site Manager, Biosphere Center & Community Leader for Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

Kadek works on-site at our education center in NW Bali where we have a mini-farm for testing economically viable crops in the dry-monsoon climate to provide seed for farmers and families.

 

 Advisors and Project Leaders

Emerald Starr

Wastewater Gardens® (WWG)

Emerald has been working with Biosphere Foundation in Bali since 1997 and has designed and installed WWG systems in Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia.

 

Dr. Phil Dustan

Advisor, Coral Reef Research Programs

Phil is a Professor of Biology, College of Charleston and has been collaborating with the Biosphere Foundation for several decades,  

 

Rósa Björk Halldórsdóttir

Trash Education Ambassador with Yayasan Biosfir Indonesia

Rósa worked in the field of National Park Conservation & Management in Iceland for10 years. She has brought this experience to NW Bali to help raise awareness about the challenges of trash and provide possible solutions for waste management. 

rosabjorkh@gmail.com

 

 Biosphere Foundation Around the World

Ibu Nina Marliana

Chairwoman, Yayasan Biosfir Indonesia

Ibu Nina is the Founder & Chairwoman of Yayasan Biosfir Indonesia, our Biosphere Foundation partner-organization in Indonesia. 

 

Carol Milner

Founder & President, 
Biosphere Association

Carol is the Founder & President of Biosphere Association, BF’s UK partner-organization that works with local organizations in Nepal to improve waste management and river conservation. 

Adrien Dyamantha

Co-Founder Yayasan Biosfir Indonesia

Adrien is the co-founder of our partner organization in Indonesia, Yayasan Biosfir Indonesia. She lives in Jakarta and is engaged with preparing curricula for Indonesian schools. 

 

Board of Directors

Catherine M. Ward
Chair of the Board

Abigail K. Alling, M.S.
Chris Cooke
Mark Van Thillo
Emerald Starr
Will Travis
Katie Watt

William G. Walker, Esq. , Trustee Emerita
Hugh Wheir, DVM, Trustee Emerita
Sandra Cline, Trustee Emerita

 

Pioneer in Planetary Stewardship Passes: Remembering Sally Silverstone

It is with heavy hearts that we share this tribute to our dear friend Sally Silverstone who died suddenly and unexpectedly at her home in Bali, where she was beloved by all. Sally lived in Bali for a decade, leading Biosphere Foundation’s agriculture and reforestation projects, as well as biosphere stewardship education programs. She had a life-long love for growing food and working with soils; cared passionately for the regeneration of forests and watersheds; and adored teaching young people about the biosphere, sharing highlights of her experience living inside Biosphere 2 during the inaugural 1991-1993 closed system experiment.
 

 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”

– Margaret Mead