Staff & Board

Josh co-leads the management of International Rivers’ strategy, programs, operations, and finances. He joined International Rivers in 2014 as Policy Director to lead the work targeting the world’s major financiers and companies active in the dams sector. Josh previously led the Africa Program at the Bank Information Center where he ran campaigns with local partners to challenge destructive projects financed by development banks. Since joining International Rivers, Josh has led successful efforts to usher the World Bank out of the business of funding dams and has helped prevent the Green Climate Fund from bankrolling hydropower. Josh has a degree in International Affairs from James Madison University.

With Josh, Isabella co-leads International Rivers. For the last 10 years, she has helped nonprofits strategize to better realize their missions and has held leadership positions in fundraising, communications, operations, and management. She joined International Rivers in 2021 as Development Director. Her prior experiences include leading the US fundraising arm of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and serving as executive director of a K-12 education start-up.  Isabella was previously an assistant professor of Women’s Studies and has taught at Fordham University, Cooper Union, and Antioch College. 

Maureen works with people’s movements and civil society partners to protect vital transboundary rivers in the region from destructive dams and other developments. Prior to joining International Rivers, Maureen worked as Mekong Legal Director for EarthRights International based in Thailand and with the Australian Human Rights Commission on human rights and judicial reform projects in China and Vietnam. Maureen holds Bachelors’ degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Sydney and a Master of Laws (Human Rights and Social Justice) from the University of New South Wales.

Anake Lekkoon is in charge of International Rivers’ accounting and financing throughout South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America in addition to overseeing finances affecting the entire organization.

Over the course of the last 19 years, he has worked for a wide range of businesses and INGOs. Because of his extensive experience working with INGOs. Anake brings special skills to the table when providing financial advice and technical assistance to the co-executive directors, board members, and staff.

Based in Thailand, since 2002, Pai’s work focuses on Mainland Southeast Asia’s major rivers; the Mekong and Salween. The work is on the protection and restoration of rivers ecosystems and rights of local communities. Her focus has been in particular on Thailand’s role as dam developer and financiers, and intended market for the hydroelectricity. Before joining International Rivers in 2010, Pai spent 7 years working with a Thai NGO Living River Siam (SEARIN), to empower riverine communities to protect their rivers. Pai has a BA in English and is an Ashoka Fellow.

Flávio brings 25 years of experience working with civil society organizations and social movements in the protection of rainforests and traditional populations. He contributed to the drafting of several laws such as the Environmental Crimes Law and the Law on the Brazilian National System of Conservation Units. When he was Director of Environmental Protection at the Federal Environment Agency, he was co-author and responsible for implementing the Plan for Preventing and Combating Deforestation in the Amazon, which contributed to the significant drop in the annual deforestation rates in the Amazon. Flávio has a degree in sociology from the University of Brasilia and a specialization in sustainable development in the Amazon basin from London University, England.

Gary oversees International Rivers’ Southeast Asia Program. He has over 13 years experience providing technical and advocacy support to – and strengthening collaborations between – civil society organizations and river networks in the Mekong region. Prior to joining International Rivers, Gary was a policy advisor for Oxfam’s Mekong Water Governance Program. Gary has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Economy with Honors in Geography from University of Sydney.

Monti works as part of International Rivers’ Latin America program to support local movements for the protection of rivers and to develop strategies for legally protecting rivers permanently. She has also been a tireless supporter of the people affected by Chixoy Dam in Guatemala. Monti has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Master’s degree from New York University in Environmental Education and Conservation.

Siziwe works to protect Africa’s rivers, campaign against destructive dams and their negative impacts on communities and promote sustainable energy solutions. She has worked on environmental, social justice and human rights issues in Africa, has supported communities impacted by extractives industries and engaged policy-makers in pursuit of energy justice. Holding a degree in Social Science, her goal is to champion environmental protection and human rights.

Ashish works with International Rivers’ Finance team coordinating financial reporting and annual processes. He has 19 years of professional experience in accounting and compliance, assurance and advisory across various industries and has worked at Ernst and Young and KPMG. Ashish is experienced in managing accounts and compliance-related activities for clients, preparation of MIS reports, preparation and review of financials, ledger scrutiny, bank reconciliation, fixed asset register maintenance and verification.

Ayesha is fiercely passionate about work on gender and micro hydropower. She helped organize the first global Women and Rivers Congress in 2019. In the past, she worked on wildlife conversation education and climate change movement building. She is enthusiastic about trainings exchange of knowledge between communities we work with. Rivers are a lifeline to almost a quarter of the worlds population here, it is crucial we enhance the efforts to keep them protected.

Carly assists International Rivers with development and communications, handling donor outreach, donation and grant processing, social media, and the Women and Rivers Accelerator Program. She graduated from American University’s School of International Service with a degree in International Relations, focusing her studies on environmental justice. Carly has consulting experience with the US Department of State and various nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, conducting research on various environmental and global health issues. Prior to joining International Rivers, she researched instances of environmental harm in Southeast Asia, specifically focusing on the gendered impacts of climate change.

Genny focuses on the International Rivers’ Francophone Africa program. Prior to joining International Rivers, Genny worked in the private sector as well as the NGO space. Her area of expertise is in business and human rights. Genny holds bachelor degrees in law and international relations from the University of the Witwarersrand in South Africa. She further has a masters degree in International Law with International Relations from the University of Kent (Brussels School of International Studies).

Along with her work for International Rivers, Guneet is working on her PhD research at Humboldt University, Berlin. Guneet is a legal practitioner and researcher with a focus on international human rights law. She has previously worked with many grassroots defenders, networks for human rights defence, impacted communities as well as international civil society organizations using research, advocacy, scholarship and law as tools for addressing injustice.

Based in Brazil, Isadora has over 10 years of experience in newsrooms (Metro, Globo TV), and in the creation and development of communications, and social presence for global brands and projects. Isadora previously coordinated public relations and communications for multinational corporations and executives. She graduated in Social Communication (Journalism) from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo and holds two post-graduate degrees in Communication Management in Digital Media (Senac) and Organizational Communications and Public Relations from USP.

Rin works with community and civil society networks in Thailand to protect the Mekong River and advocate for greater accountability of investors in hydropower in the Mekong region. Prior to joining International Rivers, Rin worked closely with people’s networks in Thailand, including those impacted by the Rasi Salai dam and Assembly of the Poor. Rin has a bachelor’s degree in Community Development and a Master’s degree in Development Management and Governance.

Phanpaporn (Jib) coordinates and help manage financial reporting and processes. With a passion for numbers and finance, Jib ventured into the investment sector at MSIG Service and Adjusting Company. Prior to her investment role, she worked for the International Commission of Jurists, honing her financial expertise and understanding of global dynamics. More recently, Jib has served as a senior finance assistant at the esteemed International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, further strengthening her commitment to blending financial proficiency with humanitarian endeavors. With her dedication to both financial excellence and making a positive impact in the world, she continues to forge a remarkable path in her professional journey. Jib holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kasetsart University.

Sandie works at the intersection of operations, administration, human resources and finance. She collaborated on a cash flow tracking system to give the organization a window into its cash flow. Before joining International Rivers Sandie worked in human resources at a sailing club and school in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a degree in American Civilization from Mills College. She is inspired by the beauty and wonder of water.

Sanita provides administrative, financial, and programs management support for the implementation of the Southeast Asia Program’s work in Thailand. She oversees broader regional agenda and the team-wide communication systems. Prior to joining International Rivers, Sanita worked at the Research and Development Center at an International University in Bangkok. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a Master of Language and Communication.

Somsak manages the Southeast Asia Program and supports collaboration throughout the region. Before joining International Rivers, he managed conservation projects with various NGOs in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia and South Asia. Somak has successfully led campaigns focused on the illegal wildlife trade, ecosystem conservation, threatened species, and animal welfare. From 2019-2023, he served on the advisory board for the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and as a member of the Human and Elephant Conflict Commission for the House of Representatives in Thailand. Somsak holds a master’s degree in environmental science from Murdoch University, Western Australia.

Tanya works together with community rights defenders to bring attention to destructive dam developments, as well as to the institutions and corporate interests that need to be held accountable for remedy and redress. For over twenty years, Tanya has been part of civil society groups advocating on labor, women’s, environmental, climate, energy, resource and water justice issues, including in Canada, USA, Philippines, Thailand, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal and Palestine.