Our small ICF team can act swiftly, without a large bureaucracy, to respond to urgent conservation needs.
Doug Bender
President
Doug Bender is retired from a 36-year career as a spacecraft engineer at Boeing, where he was Chief Engineer for Flight and Control of Boeing’s unmanned space programs. Doug holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of California at Santa Barbara. Since retiring, Doug has changed focus, volunteering at ten distinct conservation projects in as many countries, some multiple times. He is a technical advisor to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia and to Marine Conservation Cambodia, which he has visited over 10 times so far.
Molly Bartlett
Treasurer
Molly Bartlett is an environmental lawyer with decades of executive experience in community based international conservation. She has substantial experience in biodiversity conservation in terrestrial and marine ecosystems delivered through local organizations in Africa, Latin America and Asia. She has held senior executive positions non-profit organizations including the International Conservation Fund of Canada and the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative. Molly has an MSc. in molecular biology and a degree in environmental law.
Diana Papoulias
Clerk
Diana Papoulias retired in 2014 after a 25-year career as a research scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia Environmental Research Center where she studied the effects of contaminants on the aquatic environment. Concerned about the effects of extractive industries on indigenous lands and peoples, she subsequently joined the non-profit E-Tech International to train environmental monitors to protect their native lands in Peru and Ecuador and to provide environmental expertise towards remediation efforts of petroleum-contaminated lands. She currently is science advisor for E-Tech Peru. Diana has a Master’s Degree from Arizona State University and a Ph.D in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Missouri.
Jerry Bertrand
Director
Jerry Bertrand is an Environmental Advisor to Permian Global and was science advisor to the executive offices of Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. He was head of International Affairs for the US Fish & Wildlife Service where his portfolio included setting up new parks and reserves in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He was Chairman of BirdLife International, President of Massachusetts Audubon Society, and he co-founded World Land Trust. Jerry has an MS and PhD in marine science and oceanography and holds a degree in environmental law.
Philip Borden
Director
Trained in history, mathematics, political theory, and management in the U.S. and at Oxford, Dr Borden left an academic career to found ventures in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electronic design, and image processing. He then turned to nonprofit economic development, specializing in small business growth, financing, and racial/ethnic/gender equity. He helped establish several business and civic organizations, taught MBA nonprofit management, and served on nonprofit boards. He has consulted widely and authored over 100 professional and popular presentations and publications.
Meade Cadot
Director
Meade Cadot is Naturalist Emeritus at the Harris Center for Conservation Education, where he earlier served for 33 years as Executive Director, overseeing the creation of the 35,000-acre SuperSanctuary of connected protected lands. Meade also served as a faculty member in Antioch University New England’s Environmental Studies Department for 34 years. He has received numerous lifetime awards for his work in conservation and education.
Chelsea Donohue
Director
Chelsea Donohue is a travel advisor, entrepreneur, and wildlife photographer focusing on conservation-driven travel and global ecosystems. As the founder of Chelax Adventures, she designs immersive travel experiences that connect travelers with wildlife, natural landscapes, and local communities across the world. She has extensive firsthand experience in conservation-focused travel, including time spent living and working in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region and participating in wildlife conservation programs. Through her photography and storytelling, she aims to foster a deeper understanding of biodiversity and the importance of protecting natural habitats. With over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management, she brings a strong foundation in strategic planning, operational oversight, and sustainable business practices, supporting long-term impact in mission-driven organizations.
Dexter Mead
Director
Dexter Mead has worked with land and wildlife conservation organizations since 1988, including the Piedmont Environmental Council, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Habitat Council, and Mass Audubon. Most recently he was the Executive Director of the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust in Massachusetts for 18 years. Dexter has a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the Yale School of the Environment.
Steve Ringer
Director
Steve manages venture capital investments with 25 years of high-tech business experience. He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and an MBA, both from UC Berkeley. He was a co-founder of environmental organizations in college and spent 3 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency working with local governments and Native American Tribes on clean air regulations, permits and policy. As a lifelong advocate of environmental protection and all-around nature lover, Steve is excited to be championing ICF’s mission of protecting nature.
David Agro
Associate
David is an architect and conservationist based in Toronto. His science background has led him to work on award-winning design projects relating to scientific and environmental research, education, and interpretation. David’s interest in tropical conservation arose from ornithological work at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. The dramatic discovery of a new species of Antpitta during fieldwork in Ecuador led to the formation in 1998 of Fundación Jocotoco, of which David is a founding board member. Since recently stepping down as Jocotoco’s president, David helps ICF develop new programs and support for same.
Aleks Evtimov
Associate
Aleks has been an advocate for environmental awareness on social media for 15 years, focusing on the causes and solutions to deforestation. He has collaborated with environmental NGOs across Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and the U.S., gaining valuable experience in the field. Currently, he supports ICF with technical aspects such as website design and social media promotion for partner organizations. Aleks holds a bachelor’s degree in law from ISES, Brussels.
Scott Hecker
Associate
Scott has devoted his career to coastal bird conservation, while also conducting lectures nationwide, publishing research papers and guidance manuals, leading professional workshops, and appearing as an expert witness in legal hearings. Notably, Scott led Piping Plover recovery efforts for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which saw the state’s population of this threatened species increase from 126 pairs in 1987 to 530 pairs in 2002. He then expanded his efforts to protect terns and shorebirds as the Director of Coastal Bird Conservation at the National Audubon Society. He completed his Master’s work in Belize and presently serves as the Director of Conservation Partnerships and Field Engagement for Biome.