Who We Are

Cecilia is a passionate restoration professional with a proven track record in forest landscape restoration, stakeholder engagement, and impact-driven monitoring systems. She brings over four years of hands-on experience leading reforestation efforts, strengthening community partnerships, and building dynamic Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Verification (MERV) frameworks. Before joining ARC, she played a key role in scaling restoration projects across Kenya with Eden Reforestation Projects. Cecilia thrives at the intersection of data and community, ensuring that restoration efforts are both ecologically sound and locally rooted. She is based in Nairobi and is energized by collaborative work that drives measurable change for people and the planet.

Agnes Luceño-Fitch is an accomplished digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience in marketing, advertising, graphic design, SEO content creation, and sales. She has held marketing roles across Europe, the US, and Asia, leading global marketing campaigns for diverse international clients and significantly enhancing brand visibility and stakeholder engagement. With a degree in Advertising, Agnes drives innovative branding and global marketing strategies, emphasizing cross-cultural collaboration. She also contributes to academia as a guest lecturer and thesis panelist, mentoring and inspiring future digital marketers.

Edsel serves as ARC’s Digital Marketing Associate, based in the Philippines, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from one of the nation’s top universities. He began his professional journey as a Software Engineer, accumulating nearly seven years of experience in the corporate sector, where he managed projects involving databases, programming and reporting tools.

Transitioning to Digital Marketing, Edsel now brings seven years of expertise across various industries, collaborating with companies in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. His all-around skill set contains all aspects of digital marketing, from website management to social media strategy. As a self-taught professional, Edsel is committed to continuous learning, firmly believing that constant education and hands-on experience are necessary for thriving in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Markus Förster is a German industrial engineer based in Barcelona since 1992 who has spent the last seven years fully dedicated to reforestation and forest conservation. Inspired by the powerful impact trees can have on addressing climate change, Markus shifted his focus toward supporting global restoration efforts and advancing nature-based solutions.

Since then, he has collaborated with more than 70 reforestation projects worldwide and helped support the planting of over 35 million trees in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments. In 2024, Markus joined ARC Restoration’s fundraising and corporate partnerships team, bringing his global experience, deep project relationships, and passion for ecosystem restoration to ARC’s mission of creating a greener and more resilient future.

Dr. Petr Nečas is renowned for his unique blend of expertise, experience, and innovation. As a scientist and zoologist, he is a world-leading expert in the biology and captive husbandry of chameleons. He has discovered dozens of new species, authored 12 books in five languages, and published hundreds of scientific and popular papers. He runs several expert groups on social media, manages the largest global chameleon website, www.chameleons.info and edits the only chameleon-focused periodical, www.archaius.eu. In addition to his work in zoology, Dr. Nečas serves as a consultant, coach, mentor, and educator. He has coached the management of international companies across three continents and presided over the world-leading organizations.

In the field of environmental sciences, he co-authored the only complex organic fertilizer formula with rejuvenation and soil co-creation abilities. Having lived and worked in Europe, Africa, and Asia, Dr. Nečas's extensive experience across various scientific disciplines, cultures, and industries equips him with a unique skill set to create sustainable projects aimed at improving the world for all plants, animals, and humanity. His contributions to reforestation and ecology, began with his fellowship with Eden and now Accelerated Restoration Collaborative.

Paquerette Tahira Binatienne is an agricultural engineer and ecological restoration expert with over 12 years of distinguished experience working with a non-governmental organization in Mahajanga, Madagascar. Before joining ARC as Restoration Manager, she advanced through consecutive roles as a technician and nursery production manager, ultimately serving as Restoration Manager from 2022 to 2024.

Throughout her career, Ms. Binatienne has developed deep expertise in planning, coordinating, and technically supervising field teams for large-scale reforestation projects. Rigorous and deeply committed, she collaborates closely with local communities, partners, and key stakeholders to lead awareness and training initiatives vital to ecosystem sustainability. She holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University Institute of Mahajanga (December 2023), combining strong technical project management skills with expertise in forest landscape restoration. She is currently pursuing a doctoral thesis focused on forest conservation.

Hanitra Raharinaina, a Financial Manager at Red Island Restoration, brings 30 years of banking experience as an account manager, with expertise in financial management and human resources training. Since 2008, Hanitra has chaired the Board of Directors of the Mampita Association, contributing to social and solidarity initiatives. A passionate taekwondo practitioner, Hanitra maintains balance and energy through sports. Committed to challenges and positive change, Hanitra leverages experience and determination to support RIR’s objectives.

Ravaka Juliannie Rabesaharison serves as the Administrative Coordinator and Human Resources Manager at Red Island Restoration. She is deeply passionate about environmental conservation, recognizing the critical role that Madagascar’s mangrove and dry deciduous forests play in ensuring food security, supporting livelihoods, and promoting public health. With five years of experience in the reforestation industry, Ravaka firmly believes that a healthier environment is the foundation for sustainable development.

Driven by a deep passion for nature and environmental conservation, Tanjona is committed to supporting initiatives that create sustainable impact for both ecosystems and local communities. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family.

Rasamoelijaona Ny Andry Tanjona, 35, grew up in Mahajanga and pursued higher education in computer science, building a strong foundation in programming and data literacy. Over the past decade, he has held key leadership roles within the NGO sector, specializing in Monitoring, Reporting, Verification, and Evaluation (MRVE), socio-economic development, and marketing.

Andry Rakotohavana serves as the marketing and media lead for Red Island Restoration, where he has devoted five years to advancing impactful environmental initiatives, fueled by a deep passion for sustainability. Outside of his professional endeavors, Andry is an enthusiastic sports lover, frequently engaging in activities on the field or court to maintain his energy and vitality. Music plays a significant role in his life, as he enjoys exploring new artists and revisiting beloved classics. Additionally, he values spending quality time with friends, creating cherished memories filled with laughter and shared experiences that invigorate him for future challenges.

Chevelment Ramananarivo, a 34-year-old resident of Ambondrona, Mahajanga, serves as the MERV Lead for the RIR project. With three years of experience in technical project management, he is known for his rigor, dedication, and results-driven approach, leveraging his skills to enhance performance and foster innovation. Passionate about football, Chevelment also finds music to be a significant part of his daily life.