Meet the Tenure Facility team, working from Stockholm and around the world to secure tenure for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Executive Director
Nonette Royo
nroyo@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Nonette
Executive Director
Nonette Royo
Nonette is a lawyer, and a specialist in Indigenous Peoples, land rights, environment, and natural resources management. Most of her work has been in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, especially in Indonesia, Philippines, Mekong region and Melanesia. Her experience spans for more than 30 years and includes nearly a decade advising the Global Greengrants Fund, several USAID and DFID-UK Natural Resource and Community Forestry Portfolios and the Norwegian Climate and Forest funds, dedicated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest and climate programmes. She co-founded and led the Samdhana Institute and set up several non-governmental organisations focusing on advancing Indigenous Peoples and women’s legal rights. Over the years, she has consistently helped design and implement funding portfolios for local communities and Indigenous Peoples in the global south. Nonette is the executive director of the Tenure Facility, and her work today expands to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. She is a frequent speaker on indigenous rights, including a 2022 TED Talk on forest guardianship and the lifelong influence of her father, an Indigenous healer in the Philippines. When not working, Nonette enjoys spending time in nature and with her family.
Executive Director
Nonette Royo
Nonette is a lawyer, and a specialist in Indigenous Peoples, land rights, environment, and natural resources management. Most of her work has been in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, especially in Indonesia, Philippines, Mekong region and Melanesia. Her experience spans for more than 30 years and includes nearly a decade advising the Global Greengrants Fund, several USAID and DFID-UK Natural Resource and Community Forestry Portfolios and the Norwegian Climate and Forest funds, dedicated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest and climate programmes. She co-founded and led the Samdhana Institute and set up several non-governmental organisations focusing on advancing Indigenous Peoples and women’s legal rights. Over the years, she has consistently helped design and implement funding portfolios for local communities and Indigenous Peoples in the global south. Nonette is the executive director of the Tenure Facility, and her work today expands to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. She is a frequent speaker on indigenous rights, including a 2022 TED Talk on forest guardianship and the lifelong influence of her father, an Indigenous healer in the Philippines. When not working, Nonette enjoys spending time in nature and with her family.
Chief Operations Officer
Nighisty Ghezae
nghezae@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Nighisty
Chief Operations Officer
Nighisty Ghezae
Nighisty Ghezae is the Chief Operations Officer of the Tenure Facility. Previously, Nighisty was the Director of International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, and prior to this, she was the Head of Programmes at IFS and has held responsibilities for coordinating the IFS research programme, helping develop strategy and policy, oversight of research areas, coordinating and evaluating supporting activities provided to the IFS constituency and supervising programme staff. Dr Ghezae has broad experience in the creation of international multi-stakeholder networks, has capacity to engage in dialogue and build effective work partnerships, and has led development processes, linking global goals to national priorities. She has excellent knowledge of and contacts with researchers, research institutions, policy makers, the development community in Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Dr Ghezae has a BA in economics, an MSc in the legal and institutional management of water resources, a Ph.D. in natural resources management and another Ph.D in international economics (impact of the global economy on Africa and its development). She has more than thirty years of professional experience as a lecturer, researcher, senior network officer, training organizer, program and project leader and evaluator. She has worked as a development consultant (2004-2007) with the UNDP, UNESCO, Sida, DGIS, IDRC, AfDB, Euro Consult, Danida and the EU. As Project Manager with the Global Water Partnership (1998-2004), she managed several integrated water resources management projects and led the work program of four regional offices in Africa and two in the Mediterranean region, as well as coordinating the EU water Initiative in Africa.
HR Officer
Seba Sharestan
ssharestan@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Seba
HR Officer
Seba Sharestan
Seba Sharestan joined The Tenure Facility in April 2018 as an Office coordinator, now she is an HR Officer. Seba has 6 years of experience on, civil society, management and humanitarian responses in Syria. She worked at the United Nations high commissioner for refugees for four years in Syria, both protection and field departments. She served as a project manager during the conflict, coordinating more than 5 refugee’s influx with the government and humanitarian actors, including UN sectors. Seba is from Syria and has a bachelor’s degree in Law, and Executive Management Programme. When not working Seba enjoys, traveling, discovering new places and cultures, photography, music and nature.
Quality and Systems Manager
Alejandra Ganem-Cuenca
aganemcuenca@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Alejandra
Quality and Systems Manager
Alejandra Ganem-Cuenca
Alejandra is the Quality and Systems Manager and is responsible for streamlining grants management standards, donor management and quality assurance throughout Tenure Facility as well as integrating the processes in an online platform. She has more than 15 years’ experience in the non-profit sector in project management and grantmaking in areas of global health, gender equity, participatory methodology and rights-based approach. Alejandra holds a master’s degree in community health and epidemiology from the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from Mexico, she speaks Spanish, English, French and Swedish. In her free time she enjoys the outdoor endurance sport swimrun and gardening.
Operations Officer
Tonny Kirumira
tkirumira@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Tonny
Operations Officer
Tonny Kirumira
Tonny joined the Tenure Facility in 2019 as Project Controller. He is currently working as Operations Officer focusing on supporting The Tenure Facility with the implementation of its operations, an efficient procurement process, compliance with the GDPR, and ensuring that project partners operate within existing policy guidelines and procedures. Tonny has over 15 years of experience in Project/Program management in development cooperation, Business Development Consultancy, Controlling and Compliance in both Europe and Africa. He most recently worked both as a Controller and Programme Manager at Sida focusing on partner internal risks, compliance to policies and procedures, and anti-corruption among others. Tonny is Ugandan and has a BSc. Business Administration, MSc. Leadership and Management, MBA Innovation and Business Creation, and a certificate in PRINCE2 Project Management. When not working, Tonny enjoys football, tennis and art.
Chief Operations Officer
Nighisty Ghezae
Nighisty Ghezae is the Chief Operations Officer of the Tenure Facility. Previously, Nighisty was the Director of International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, and prior to this, she was the Head of Programmes at IFS and has held responsibilities for coordinating the IFS research programme, helping develop strategy and policy, oversight of research areas, coordinating and evaluating supporting activities provided to the IFS constituency and supervising programme staff. Dr Ghezae has broad experience in the creation of international multi-stakeholder networks, has capacity to engage in dialogue and build effective work partnerships, and has led development processes, linking global goals to national priorities. She has excellent knowledge of and contacts with researchers, research institutions, policy makers, the development community in Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Dr Ghezae has a BA in economics, an MSc in the legal and institutional management of water resources, a Ph.D. in natural resources management and another Ph.D in international economics (impact of the global economy on Africa and its development). She has more than thirty years of professional experience as a lecturer, researcher, senior network officer, training organizer, program and project leader and evaluator. She has worked as a development consultant (2004-2007) with the UNDP, UNESCO, Sida, DGIS, IDRC, AfDB, Euro Consult, Danida and the EU. As Project Manager with the Global Water Partnership (1998-2004), she managed several integrated water resources management projects and led the work program of four regional offices in Africa and two in the Mediterranean region, as well as coordinating the EU water Initiative in Africa.
HR Officer
Seba Sharestan
Seba Sharestan joined The Tenure Facility in April 2018 as an Office coordinator, now she is an HR Officer. Seba has 6 years of experience on, civil society, management and humanitarian responses in Syria. She worked at the United Nations high commissioner for refugees for four years in Syria, both protection and field departments. She served as a project manager during the conflict, coordinating more than 5 refugee’s influx with the government and humanitarian actors, including UN sectors. Seba is from Syria and has a bachelor’s degree in Law, and Executive Management Programme. When not working Seba enjoys, traveling, discovering new places and cultures, photography, music and nature.
Quality and Systems Manager
Alejandra Ganem-Cuenca
Alejandra is the Quality and Systems Manager and is responsible for streamlining grants management standards, donor management and quality assurance throughout Tenure Facility as well as integrating the processes in an online platform. She has more than 15 years’ experience in the non-profit sector in project management and grantmaking in areas of global health, gender equity, participatory methodology and rights-based approach. Alejandra holds a master’s degree in community health and epidemiology from the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from Mexico, she speaks Spanish, English, French and Swedish. In her free time she enjoys the outdoor endurance sport swimrun and gardening.
Operations Officer
Tonny Kirumira
Tonny joined the Tenure Facility in 2019 as Project Controller. He is currently working as Operations Officer focusing on supporting The Tenure Facility with the implementation of its operations, an efficient procurement process, compliance with the GDPR, and ensuring that project partners operate within existing policy guidelines and procedures. Tonny has over 15 years of experience in Project/Program management in development cooperation, Business Development Consultancy, Controlling and Compliance in both Europe and Africa. He most recently worked both as a Controller and Programme Manager at Sida focusing on partner internal risks, compliance to policies and procedures, and anti-corruption among others. Tonny is Ugandan and has a BSc. Business Administration, MSc. Leadership and Management, MBA Innovation and Business Creation, and a certificate in PRINCE2 Project Management. When not working, Tonny enjoys football, tennis and art.
Grants Officer
Nada Danielsson
ndanielsson@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Nada
Grants Officer
Nada Danielsson
Nada Danielsson joined the Tenure Facility in December 2021 as donor relations and is now working as Grants Officer. Nada has more than 20 years of experience working with different kinds of environmental and social issues such as human rights, democracy and rights based approach on natural resource management as well as public awareness in Indonesia and Europe. Nada has a unique educational background. She gained her master’s degree from the Swedish Agriculture University (SLU) in Biodiversity Conservation focusing on Indigenous People’s rights and gained her Bachelor´s degree in communication (Social and Political Science, PR, Journalism as well as advertisement). Nada has a rich work experience background. She worked in government (Indonesia and Swedish), Business sector, NGOs in Indonesia and Europe and as a journalist as well as a consultant. In her free time, Nada enjoys singing, walking in the forest and making films and podcasts.
Grants Officer
Josine Kanamugire
jkanamugire@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Josine
Grants Officer
Josine Kanamugire
Josine Kanamugire joined Tenure Facility in January 2023 in the role of Grants Officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and has over 10 years of work experience working with international development projects with different tasks such as financial follow-ups, invoicing, bookkeeping, administration of projects with different donors like Sida, Norad, EU, DANIDA, MFA Finland etc. Before joining The Tenure Facility Josine worked at The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) as a Program Administration. As Rwandese, Josine privately, advocates for the slogan “Genocide Never again” as a part of that advocacy, she chairs the Ibuka (means Remember) in Sweden. In her free time, Josine enjoys meeting with family and friends, cooking and reading
Grants Officer
Victor Reyes
vreyes@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Victor
Grants Officer
Victor Reyes
Victor holds a MSc in International Development and Management from Lund University and has joined Tenure Facility as a Grants Officer. He is Ecuadorian/Chilean and has over 10 years of experience working with development. He has worked for governments, international organizations as well as non-for-profit organizations with institutional design, policy development as well as grants management. Victor believes a just world is possible and believes Tenure Facility can contribute to this mission. Victor is engaged in integration programs as mentor for professionals recently arrived in Sweden. In his spare time, he volunteers as a football coach for kids under 10. Victor enjoys simple pleasures in life, good food, good conversations, nice walks, and sunny weather.
Operations Officer
Evelina Lindberg
elindberg@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Evelina
Operations Officer
Evelina Lindberg
Evelina joined the Tenure Facility in January 2023 as an Operations Officer. She has a BSc in Global Development from Stockholm University where she was granted an MFS scholarship from SIDA for her thesis field work on land use and tenure in Kalimantan, Indonesia. She then moved on to study Globalization, Environment and Social Change at a master’s level. She has since then worked as a Charity Administrator and Project Manager on different development projects in England, Uganda and Tanzania. Most recently she works as a financial assistant. In her spare time, she enjoys being creative, thrift shopping and travelling.
Grants Officer
Nada Danielsson
Nada Danielsson joined the Tenure Facility in December 2021 as donor relations and is now working as Grants Officer. Nada has more than 20 years of experience working with different kinds of environmental and social issues such as human rights, democracy and rights based approach on natural resource management as well as public awareness in Indonesia and Europe. Nada has a unique educational background. She gained her master’s degree from the Swedish Agriculture University (SLU) in Biodiversity Conservation focusing on Indigenous People’s rights and gained her Bachelor´s degree in communication (Social and Political Science, PR, Journalism as well as advertisement). Nada has a rich work experience background. She worked in government (Indonesia and Swedish), Business sector, NGOs in Indonesia and Europe and as a journalist as well as a consultant. In her free time, Nada enjoys singing, walking in the forest and making films and podcasts.
Grants Officer
Josine Kanamugire
Josine Kanamugire joined Tenure Facility in January 2023 in the role of Grants Officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and has over 10 years of work experience working with international development projects with different tasks such as financial follow-ups, invoicing, bookkeeping, administration of projects with different donors like Sida, Norad, EU, DANIDA, MFA Finland etc. Before joining The Tenure Facility Josine worked at The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) as a Program Administration. As Rwandese, Josine privately, advocates for the slogan “Genocide Never again” as a part of that advocacy, she chairs the Ibuka (means Remember) in Sweden. In her free time, Josine enjoys meeting with family and friends, cooking and reading
Grants Officer
Victor Reyes
Victor holds a MSc in International Development and Management from Lund University and has joined Tenure Facility as a Grants Officer. He is Ecuadorian/Chilean and has over 10 years of experience working with development. He has worked for governments, international organizations as well as non-for-profit organizations with institutional design, policy development as well as grants management. Victor believes a just world is possible and believes Tenure Facility can contribute to this mission. Victor is engaged in integration programs as mentor for professionals recently arrived in Sweden. In his spare time, he volunteers as a football coach for kids under 10. Victor enjoys simple pleasures in life, good food, good conversations, nice walks, and sunny weather.
Operations Officer
Evelina Lindberg
Evelina joined the Tenure Facility in January 2023 as an Operations Officer. She has a BSc in Global Development from Stockholm University where she was granted an MFS scholarship from SIDA for her thesis field work on land use and tenure in Kalimantan, Indonesia. She then moved on to study Globalization, Environment and Social Change at a master’s level. She has since then worked as a Charity Administrator and Project Manager on different development projects in England, Uganda and Tanzania. Most recently she works as a financial assistant. In her spare time, she enjoys being creative, thrift shopping and travelling.
Operations Officer
Carolina Magnusson Penna
cmagnusson@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about
Operations Officer
Carolina Magnusson Penna
Joined in December 2022, Carolina has experience in the public and private sector, working with a diverse set of stakeholders and managing multiple projects. She holds an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and has a special interest in rights-based approaches and intersectionality. Carolina is Brazilian and Swedish; speaks English, Portuguese, Swedish fluently, and enjoys practicing her French and Spanish. Inspired by community-based values and living in harmony with nature, she feels honoured to work with Tenure Facility and its partners.
Operations Officer
Carolina Magnusson Penna
Joined in December 2022, Carolina has experience in the public and private sector, working with a diverse set of stakeholders and managing multiple projects. She holds an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and has a special interest in rights-based approaches and intersectionality. Carolina is Brazilian and Swedish; speaks English, Portuguese, Swedish fluently, and enjoys practicing her French and Spanish. Inspired by community-based values and living in harmony with nature, she feels honoured to work with Tenure Facility and its partners.
Development Manager
Darragh Conway
dconway@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about
Development Manager
Darragh Conway
Darragh joined the Tenure Facility in August 2024. He is s a lawyer (New York Bar) and climate policy expert who has spent the past 14 years advising governments, international organizations, and companies on rights-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. Originally from Ireland, Darragh most recently worked with Climate Focus, a climate advisory firm in the Netherlands, where he led the organization’s rights and governance work, including research, advocacy, capacity building, and targeted legal and policy advice across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He also spent many years advising governments on how to design and win support for fair and effective carbon pricing policies. Darragh previously worked as a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, where he supported research on international environmental and human rights law. A keen communicator, he has published widely in both English and Spanish, ranging from academic publications to grey literature, and specialist and mainstream media outlets. In his free time, Darragh can usually be found in a forest, at a gig, or hanging from a trapeze.
Strategic Partnerships Lead
Sehr Sahar Tejpar
stejpar@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Sehr
Strategic Partnerships Lead
Sehr Sahar Tejpar
Sehr (Sahar) Tejpar is the Strategic Partnerships Lead for Tenure Facility, working with the Executive Director and Development Unit to build Tenure Facility’s partnerships and donor relations. She is an MBA graduate from the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, where she received multiple scholarships for her expertise in social impact. She brings 10+ years of experience in global development and non-profits from the We Mean Business Coalition and Aga Khan Development Network, including roles across policy, programmes, and general management. In her most recent experience working with We Mean Business Coalition as Director of Strategic Partnerships, she served as a member of Management Team and led the fundraising, operations, impact and learning, and re-granting functions of a leading climate philanthropy intermediary within the net zero movement. Prior to this role she worked with senior Directors and CEOs in her capacity with the General Manager’s Office at the head office of the Aga Khan Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland. In this time her role included developing new programme areas and partnerships in education, establishing a resource mobilization and partnerships function, and leading organizational change within the operations and grant management teams. She previously also held roles with the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Canada and the Aga Khan Academies in Mombasa, Kenya. She is a top 30 policy leader with the Canadian government’s recruitment of policy leaders programme, founder of Bold Philanthropy - a climate collective and philanthropy advising group - and she holds a Masters in City Design and Social Science from the London School of Economics.
Communications Officer
Eugenia Falqui
efalqui@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Eugenia
Communications Officer
Eugenia Falqui
Eugenia joined the Tenure Facility in September 2022. As a Communications Officer and Social Media Specialist, she is responsible for what revolves around social media content, storytelling, photography, content gathering, and editing to amplify the organization’s impact across digital channels. Eugenia is Italian and holds a BA in Arts from The Ohio State University, and a MA in Photojournalism and Social Documentary Photography from the University of the Arts, London. She has studied and worked in the USA, Italy, and Thailand and applies her skills to help the organization hone a distinct eye and voice when covering a variety of humanitarian issues. She is deeply passionate about all things creative and innovative. Eugenia is also a former professional fencing athlete and member of the Italian National team. When not working, she is either spending time with her daughter Maia, training, coaching younger fencers, or off traveling somewhere with her friends or family, and always with her film camera.
Development Manager
Darragh Conway
Darragh joined the Tenure Facility in August 2024. He is s a lawyer (New York Bar) and climate policy expert who has spent the past 14 years advising governments, international organizations, and companies on rights-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. Originally from Ireland, Darragh most recently worked with Climate Focus, a climate advisory firm in the Netherlands, where he led the organization’s rights and governance work, including research, advocacy, capacity building, and targeted legal and policy advice across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He also spent many years advising governments on how to design and win support for fair and effective carbon pricing policies. Darragh previously worked as a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, where he supported research on international environmental and human rights law. A keen communicator, he has published widely in both English and Spanish, ranging from academic publications to grey literature, and specialist and mainstream media outlets. In his free time, Darragh can usually be found in a forest, at a gig, or hanging from a trapeze.
Strategic Partnerships Lead
Sehr Sahar Tejpar
Sehr (Sahar) Tejpar is the Strategic Partnerships Lead for Tenure Facility, working with the Executive Director and Development Unit to build Tenure Facility’s partnerships and donor relations. She is an MBA graduate from the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, where she received multiple scholarships for her expertise in social impact. She brings 10+ years of experience in global development and non-profits from the We Mean Business Coalition and Aga Khan Development Network, including roles across policy, programmes, and general management. In her most recent experience working with We Mean Business Coalition as Director of Strategic Partnerships, she served as a member of Management Team and led the fundraising, operations, impact and learning, and re-granting functions of a leading climate philanthropy intermediary within the net zero movement. Prior to this role she worked with senior Directors and CEOs in her capacity with the General Manager’s Office at the head office of the Aga Khan Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland. In this time her role included developing new programme areas and partnerships in education, establishing a resource mobilization and partnerships function, and leading organizational change within the operations and grant management teams. She previously also held roles with the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Canada and the Aga Khan Academies in Mombasa, Kenya. She is a top 30 policy leader with the Canadian government’s recruitment of policy leaders programme, founder of Bold Philanthropy - a climate collective and philanthropy advising group - and she holds a Masters in City Design and Social Science from the London School of Economics.
Communications Officer
Eugenia Falqui
Eugenia joined the Tenure Facility in September 2022. As a Communications Officer and Social Media Specialist, she is responsible for what revolves around social media content, storytelling, photography, content gathering, and editing to amplify the organization’s impact across digital channels. Eugenia is Italian and holds a BA in Arts from The Ohio State University, and a MA in Photojournalism and Social Documentary Photography from the University of the Arts, London. She has studied and worked in the USA, Italy, and Thailand and applies her skills to help the organization hone a distinct eye and voice when covering a variety of humanitarian issues. She is deeply passionate about all things creative and innovative. Eugenia is also a former professional fencing athlete and member of the Italian National team. When not working, she is either spending time with her daughter Maia, training, coaching younger fencers, or off traveling somewhere with her friends or family, and always with her film camera.
Chief Financial Officer
Björn Druse
bdruse@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Björn
Chief Financial Officer
Björn Druse
Björn joined the Tenure Facility in March 2021 as Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer leads all financial administration, planning, budgeting, monitoring and follow-up, and reporting. In addition, the CFO works with business development, linking with donors and stakeholders. Björn has twenty years of experience in management and leadership positions, primarily working as a CFO. Key skills include financial management and control, HR, managing CSO’s in growth, innovative finance, business development, negotiations and digitalisation. Björn hails from Stockholm, Sweden and holds an MBE. When not working, Björn turns his attention to the small family farm, growing crops and tending the forest. He is also an avid sailor and enjoys the arts.
Financial Manager
Maria Wämmerfors
mwammerfors@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Maria
Financial Manager
Maria Wämmerfors
Maria came to the Tenure Facility in November 2020 to work as a Project Controller, but since October 2021, Maria is now Finance Manager. Prior to working with the Tenure Facility, Maria worked as a finance manager in a relief organisation, and was based in the Middle East and Africa. Maria also has experience within finance from the Swedish private sector and energy sector. When Maria isn’t working, she enjoys being in nature, doing outdoor activities, reading and also singing in a choir.
Financial Controller
Nathalie LeFrancq
nlefrancq@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Nathalie
Financial Controller
Nathalie LeFrancq
Financial Controller
Facundo Carballido
fcarballido@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Facundo
Financial Controller
Facundo Carballido
Facundo joined The Tenure Facility in August 2020 as a Financial Controller. Before joining the Tenure Facility, he worked as an internal auditor in the private sector for companies in Argentina. Some of his responsibilities included assessing the internal management and control mechanisms of partner organisations, perform risk assessments regarding financial management, evaluations, ensure compliance with relevant internal control regulations and financial follow-up. Facundo has more than 10 years of experience in the accounting and auditing sector. Facundo is Argentinian and has an bachelor’s degree as a Public Accountant from Buenos Aires University. When not working Facundo enjoys playing football
Chief Financial Officer
Björn Druse
Björn joined the Tenure Facility in March 2021 as Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer leads all financial administration, planning, budgeting, monitoring and follow-up, and reporting. In addition, the CFO works with business development, linking with donors and stakeholders. Björn has twenty years of experience in management and leadership positions, primarily working as a CFO. Key skills include financial management and control, HR, managing CSO’s in growth, innovative finance, business development, negotiations and digitalisation. Björn hails from Stockholm, Sweden and holds an MBE. When not working, Björn turns his attention to the small family farm, growing crops and tending the forest. He is also an avid sailor and enjoys the arts.
Financial Manager
Maria Wämmerfors
Maria came to the Tenure Facility in November 2020 to work as a Project Controller, but since October 2021, Maria is now Finance Manager. Prior to working with the Tenure Facility, Maria worked as a finance manager in a relief organisation, and was based in the Middle East and Africa. Maria also has experience within finance from the Swedish private sector and energy sector. When Maria isn’t working, she enjoys being in nature, doing outdoor activities, reading and also singing in a choir.
Financial Controller
Nathalie LeFrancq
Financial Controller
Facundo Carballido
Facundo joined The Tenure Facility in August 2020 as a Financial Controller. Before joining the Tenure Facility, he worked as an internal auditor in the private sector for companies in Argentina. Some of his responsibilities included assessing the internal management and control mechanisms of partner organisations, perform risk assessments regarding financial management, evaluations, ensure compliance with relevant internal control regulations and financial follow-up. Facundo has more than 10 years of experience in the accounting and auditing sector. Facundo is Argentinian and has an bachelor’s degree as a Public Accountant from Buenos Aires University. When not working Facundo enjoys playing football
Financial Controller
Ivo Fernandes
ifernandes@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Ivo
Financial Controller
Ivo Fernandes
Ivo joined The Tenure Facility in March 2022 as a Project Controller. Before joining the Tenure Facility, he worked as a financial controller in the private sector for 9 years in the US and Africa. Some of his responsibilities include assessing and supporting partner organizations in their financial reporting, internal controls, and budgeting needs. Ivo is from Porto, Portugal and speaks Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, and is now learning Swedish. He holds a master’s degree in Finance and a bachelor’s degree in Economics. When not working Ivo enjoys playing table tennis and reading.
Financial Controller
Arnold Martes
amartes@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Arnold
Financial Controller
Arnold Martes
Arnold joined the Tenure Facility in April 2023 as a Project Controller. Before that, he worked as a business administrator in a med-tech Swedish startup for 4 years. Some of his responsibilities included the reporting and budgeting, as well as cash flow analysis. Arnold also oversaw the monthly and annual financial reports with the assist of the accounting team. Originally from Talcahuano, Chile, he speaks Spanish, English and basic Swedish. Arnold has a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration and when not working he enjoy doing some DIY projects at home and going on long walks in nature.
Financial Controller
Gabriela Sá
gsa@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Gabriela
Financial Controller
Gabriela Sá
Gabriela joined the Tenure Facility in June 2023 as a Project Controller. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a post-graduation in Marketing from the University of Porto. Gabriela brings over 20 years´ experience working with grants management in different roles including project manager, grants controller and head of finance and administration. Prior to joining the Tenure Facility she worked at the Gapminder Foundation and WaterAid Sweden. Gabriela is from Portugal and speaks Portuguese, English, Swedish, Spanish and French. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, dancing, going out with friends and spending time at the beach.
Financial Controller
Ivo Fernandes
Ivo joined The Tenure Facility in March 2022 as a Project Controller. Before joining the Tenure Facility, he worked as a financial controller in the private sector for 9 years in the US and Africa. Some of his responsibilities include assessing and supporting partner organizations in their financial reporting, internal controls, and budgeting needs. Ivo is from Porto, Portugal and speaks Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, and is now learning Swedish. He holds a master’s degree in Finance and a bachelor’s degree in Economics. When not working Ivo enjoys playing table tennis and reading.
Financial Controller
Arnold Martes
Arnold joined the Tenure Facility in April 2023 as a Project Controller. Before that, he worked as a business administrator in a med-tech Swedish startup for 4 years. Some of his responsibilities included the reporting and budgeting, as well as cash flow analysis. Arnold also oversaw the monthly and annual financial reports with the assist of the accounting team. Originally from Talcahuano, Chile, he speaks Spanish, English and basic Swedish. Arnold has a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration and when not working he enjoy doing some DIY projects at home and going on long walks in nature.
Financial Controller
Gabriela Sá
Gabriela joined the Tenure Facility in June 2023 as a Project Controller. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a post-graduation in Marketing from the University of Porto. Gabriela brings over 20 years´ experience working with grants management in different roles including project manager, grants controller and head of finance and administration. Prior to joining the Tenure Facility she worked at the Gapminder Foundation and WaterAid Sweden. Gabriela is from Portugal and speaks Portuguese, English, Swedish, Spanish and French. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, dancing, going out with friends and spending time at the beach.
Chief Programme Officer
David Kaimowitz
dkaimowitz@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about David
Chief Programme Officer
David Kaimowitz
David comes to the Tenure Facility from serving as a manager at the Forest and Farm Facility , a Senior Advisor to the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) and senior consultant to the Latin American Regional Office of the FAO. He brings to the position extensive experience as a manager, rural policy analyst, grant-maker, communications strategist, and fund-raiser, including extensive work with diverse forest and farm producer organizations and other grassroots rural groups. He previously directed the Ford Foundation’s global work on natural resources and climate change and served as Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). He has also worked at the International Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), and the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Reform (MIDINRA) in Nicaragua. Over his career he has focused on a diverse set of rural issues including, forest policies, Indigenous and small farm organizations and enterprises, climate change, agricultural technology, gender relations, and land tenure, among others. In his previous positions David has been based in Costa Rica, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, and Nicaragua, and he has supervised activities and worked for short periods in dozens of countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He is fluent in English and Spanish, has a working knowledge of Portuguese and French, and a basic understanding of Bahasa Indonesian and Miskitu. David holds a PhD in agricultural economics from the University of Madison – Wisconsin, and has authored or co-authored over 150 publications about rural issues.
Senior Learning Officer
Margareta Nilsson
mnilsson@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Margareta
Senior Learning Officer
Margareta Nilsson
Margareta Nilsson joined the Tenure Facility in August 2018 and was previously the Head of Programmes, leading the team responsible for the Tenure Facility’s project support, learning and knowledge development, including partnerships, grant management, monitoring and evaluation. Margareta has over 20 years of experience from international development cooperation in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Balkans, mostly in the fields of rights-based natural resource management, forestry and land tenure. She held various positions within policy/advocacy, programme management and communication, working as a free-lance consultant as well as in NGOs and major public institutions. Margareta is Swedish and has a master’s degree in forest ecology. When not working, she enjoys outdoor life, art and music.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager
Raymond Achu Samndong
rsamndong@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Raymond
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager
Raymond Achu Samndong
Raymond joined the Tenure Facility in May 2018 as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager. His key role is to develop and implement the Facility MEL system that will track and report on the results, progress and achievements of the Tenure Facility programmes. Raymond has worked as a consultant to many organisations including the World Bank, IIED, IUCN and Rainforest Foundation Norway, US Forest Service International Pro-gramme and Woods Hole Research Centre (WHRC). Raymond is from Cameroon and holds a Ph.D. in International Environment and Development Studies from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. When not working, Raymond loves cooking and dancing and is a very social person with excellent skills in building social relations and networking.
Senior Programme Officer and Africa Regional Coordinator
Margaret Rugadya
mrugadya@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Margaret
Senior Programme Officer and Africa Regional Coordinator
Margaret Rugadya
Dr. Margaret A. Rugadya is a natural resource economist, rights activist, and scholar, with more than twenty years of continuous contributions to land tenure, resource governance, and gender equity. Currently, I serve as the Global Practice Leader, on Gender, Land, and Resource Tenure at Resource Equity, a US-based INGO. Previously she served as a Program Officer – Natural Resources and Communities at the Ford Foundation in Kenya. Dr. Rugadya coalesced land rights activists, civil society organizations, and rural populations into a countrywide movement for pro-poor land law reforms, benefiting women and rural communities in Uganda. For this groundwork, she received two distinguished awards for outstanding contribution to law and policy reforms from the government and civil society organizations in Uganda. As researcher and scholar with expertise in natural resource governance, Dr. Rugadya has authored a compelling collection of authoritative research papers, journal articles, and book chapters focusing on socio-economic groups with fragile property rights. She serves on several Ph.D. committees as a reviewer, and as a judge for candidates’ final oral examination. She edits and peer reviews for academic and professional journals. She has designed courses to train government agencies and non-state actors on land and natural resource policies that impact native communities and women. She holds a Ph.D. (Economics) from Maastricht University and a Master of Arts (Sociology) from Makerere University.
Chief Programme Officer
David Kaimowitz
David comes to the Tenure Facility from serving as a manager at the Forest and Farm Facility , a Senior Advisor to the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) and senior consultant to the Latin American Regional Office of the FAO. He brings to the position extensive experience as a manager, rural policy analyst, grant-maker, communications strategist, and fund-raiser, including extensive work with diverse forest and farm producer organizations and other grassroots rural groups. He previously directed the Ford Foundation’s global work on natural resources and climate change and served as Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). He has also worked at the International Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), and the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Reform (MIDINRA) in Nicaragua. Over his career he has focused on a diverse set of rural issues including, forest policies, Indigenous and small farm organizations and enterprises, climate change, agricultural technology, gender relations, and land tenure, among others. In his previous positions David has been based in Costa Rica, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, and Nicaragua, and he has supervised activities and worked for short periods in dozens of countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He is fluent in English and Spanish, has a working knowledge of Portuguese and French, and a basic understanding of Bahasa Indonesian and Miskitu. David holds a PhD in agricultural economics from the University of Madison – Wisconsin, and has authored or co-authored over 150 publications about rural issues.
Senior Learning Officer
Margareta Nilsson
Margareta Nilsson joined the Tenure Facility in August 2018 and was previously the Head of Programmes, leading the team responsible for the Tenure Facility’s project support, learning and knowledge development, including partnerships, grant management, monitoring and evaluation. Margareta has over 20 years of experience from international development cooperation in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Balkans, mostly in the fields of rights-based natural resource management, forestry and land tenure. She held various positions within policy/advocacy, programme management and communication, working as a free-lance consultant as well as in NGOs and major public institutions. Margareta is Swedish and has a master’s degree in forest ecology. When not working, she enjoys outdoor life, art and music.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager
Raymond Achu Samndong
Raymond joined the Tenure Facility in May 2018 as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager. His key role is to develop and implement the Facility MEL system that will track and report on the results, progress and achievements of the Tenure Facility programmes. Raymond has worked as a consultant to many organisations including the World Bank, IIED, IUCN and Rainforest Foundation Norway, US Forest Service International Pro-gramme and Woods Hole Research Centre (WHRC). Raymond is from Cameroon and holds a Ph.D. in International Environment and Development Studies from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. When not working, Raymond loves cooking and dancing and is a very social person with excellent skills in building social relations and networking.
Senior Programme Officer and Africa Regional Coordinator
Margaret Rugadya
Dr. Margaret A. Rugadya is a natural resource economist, rights activist, and scholar, with more than twenty years of continuous contributions to land tenure, resource governance, and gender equity. Currently, I serve as the Global Practice Leader, on Gender, Land, and Resource Tenure at Resource Equity, a US-based INGO. Previously she served as a Program Officer – Natural Resources and Communities at the Ford Foundation in Kenya. Dr. Rugadya coalesced land rights activists, civil society organizations, and rural populations into a countrywide movement for pro-poor land law reforms, benefiting women and rural communities in Uganda. For this groundwork, she received two distinguished awards for outstanding contribution to law and policy reforms from the government and civil society organizations in Uganda. As researcher and scholar with expertise in natural resource governance, Dr. Rugadya has authored a compelling collection of authoritative research papers, journal articles, and book chapters focusing on socio-economic groups with fragile property rights. She serves on several Ph.D. committees as a reviewer, and as a judge for candidates’ final oral examination. She edits and peer reviews for academic and professional journals. She has designed courses to train government agencies and non-state actors on land and natural resource policies that impact native communities and women. She holds a Ph.D. (Economics) from Maastricht University and a Master of Arts (Sociology) from Makerere University.
Programme Officer
Samuel Munck
smunck@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Samuel
Programme Officer
Samuel Munck
Samuel started at the Tenure Facility on the 19th of August 2019 as a Programme Officer. Samuel has worked as former Deputy Head of the Karen National Union Economic Committee Secretariat and he led the Economic Committee Secretariat and coordinated with the Kawthoolei Land Committee, Environment Protection Committee, Mining and Forest Departments which work included programme development and management, institutional capacity building, a complaints mechanism for land, and the recognition of rights of local and indigenous peoples. This work takes him back to Myanmar for initiatives to develop joint agreements, and land dispute resolution mechanisms between and among the government of Myanmar, Kawthoolei Land Committee and investors/companies with local communities and development agencies. Samuel is Karen and Swedish. He has both undergraduate and master’s degrees in analytical finance and economics, in Sweden. When not working Samuel enjoys playing badminton, football and running and going to concerts.
Regional Coordinator and Programme Officer for Asia
Cath Traynor
ctraynor@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Cath
Regional Coordinator and Programme Officer for Asia
Cath Traynor
Cath joined the Tenure Facility as one of the Programme Officers in August 2019. She supports grantees throughout the full project cycle including concept review, project appraisal, implementation and evaluation. She currently manages projects in Asia and Africa. Cath brings over 20 years of experience from the Global South, where her interests centered on utilizing rights-based approaches to support indigenous peoples and local communities engage effectively on climate change, conservation, and sustainable land use issues. Cath is South African and has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Environmental Science and a Doctoral degree in Ecology. When not working Cath loves connecting with nature through mountain biking, surfing and wild camping
Programme Officer
Ylwa Renström Svensson
yrenstrom@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Ylwa
Programme Officer
Ylwa Renström Svensson
Ylwa started at the Tenure Facility on the 19th of August 2019 in the role as Programme Officer in which she contributes to the programmes’ development. Ylwa has mostly worked in civil society organisations with international development coop-eration with and in African countries. Her focus during these last twenty years has been co-operation with partner organisations and programme development on women’s rights, cus-tomary law, legal aid, conflict resolution as well as natural resources rights. Ylwa is Swedish and has a bachelor’s degree in international law as well as a degree in French. When not working, Ylwa likes physical exercise such as yoga and jogging, likes to read and get new skills and enjoys being in and learning about nature.
Associate Programme Officer
Jolien Schure
jschure@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Jolien
Associate Programme Officer
Jolien Schure
Jolien Schure joined the Tenure Facility in November 2022 as Associate Programme Officer. She brings over two decades of experience working from development and research organisations on topics pertaining to natural resources and sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. Originally from the Netherlands, she holds a master degree in development studies and a PhD degree from the forest and nature conservation policy group. At Tenure Facility she will focus her efforts on accompanying programs in the Congo Basin region. In her free time Jolien enjoys the Swedish forests, preferably while riding her MTB.
Programme Officer
Samuel Munck
Samuel started at the Tenure Facility on the 19th of August 2019 as a Programme Officer. Samuel has worked as former Deputy Head of the Karen National Union Economic Committee Secretariat and he led the Economic Committee Secretariat and coordinated with the Kawthoolei Land Committee, Environment Protection Committee, Mining and Forest Departments which work included programme development and management, institutional capacity building, a complaints mechanism for land, and the recognition of rights of local and indigenous peoples. This work takes him back to Myanmar for initiatives to develop joint agreements, and land dispute resolution mechanisms between and among the government of Myanmar, Kawthoolei Land Committee and investors/companies with local communities and development agencies. Samuel is Karen and Swedish. He has both undergraduate and master’s degrees in analytical finance and economics, in Sweden. When not working Samuel enjoys playing badminton, football and running and going to concerts.
Regional Coordinator and Programme Officer for Asia
Cath Traynor
Cath joined the Tenure Facility as one of the Programme Officers in August 2019. She supports grantees throughout the full project cycle including concept review, project appraisal, implementation and evaluation. She currently manages projects in Asia and Africa. Cath brings over 20 years of experience from the Global South, where her interests centered on utilizing rights-based approaches to support indigenous peoples and local communities engage effectively on climate change, conservation, and sustainable land use issues. Cath is South African and has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Environmental Science and a Doctoral degree in Ecology. When not working Cath loves connecting with nature through mountain biking, surfing and wild camping
Programme Officer
Ylwa Renström Svensson
Ylwa started at the Tenure Facility on the 19th of August 2019 in the role as Programme Officer in which she contributes to the programmes’ development. Ylwa has mostly worked in civil society organisations with international development coop-eration with and in African countries. Her focus during these last twenty years has been co-operation with partner organisations and programme development on women’s rights, cus-tomary law, legal aid, conflict resolution as well as natural resources rights. Ylwa is Swedish and has a bachelor’s degree in international law as well as a degree in French. When not working, Ylwa likes physical exercise such as yoga and jogging, likes to read and get new skills and enjoys being in and learning about nature.
Associate Programme Officer
Jolien Schure
Jolien Schure joined the Tenure Facility in November 2022 as Associate Programme Officer. She brings over two decades of experience working from development and research organisations on topics pertaining to natural resources and sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. Originally from the Netherlands, she holds a master degree in development studies and a PhD degree from the forest and nature conservation policy group. At Tenure Facility she will focus her efforts on accompanying programs in the Congo Basin region. In her free time Jolien enjoys the Swedish forests, preferably while riding her MTB.
Regional Coordinator and Programme Officer for Latin America
Karin Ericsson
kericsson@thetenurefacility.org
Learn more about Karin
Regional Coordinator and Programme Officer for Latin America
Karin Ericsson
Karin joined the Tenure Facility in March 2022. With the experience of having lived many years in Latin America and worked closely with indigenous peoples’ and peasants’ organizations and social movements, Karin mainly works with TF projects and programme development in that region. She is also the focal point for Gender Equality, given her experience of developing and integrating intersectional approaches in programming and having held positions as policy adviser and programme specialist at The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). Karin has 15 years of experience of international cooperation focused on human rights, indigenous rights, gender equality, rural development, land tenure, food systems, natural resource governance, climate change, and she is passionate about the development and application of community and rights based approaches. Karin is from Sweden, holds a Masters in Political Science and is always looking for an opportunity to go free diving in a warm ocean.
Regional Coordinator and Programme Officer for Latin America
Karin Ericsson
Karin joined the Tenure Facility in March 2022. With the experience of having lived many years in Latin America and worked closely with indigenous peoples’ and peasants’ organizations and social movements, Karin mainly works with TF projects and programme development in that region. She is also the focal point for Gender Equality, given her experience of developing and integrating intersectional approaches in programming and having held positions as policy adviser and programme specialist at The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). Karin has 15 years of experience of international cooperation focused on human rights, indigenous rights, gender equality, rural development, land tenure, food systems, natural resource governance, climate change, and she is passionate about the development and application of community and rights based approaches. Karin is from Sweden, holds a Masters in Political Science and is always looking for an opportunity to go free diving in a warm ocean.
We are deeply thankful to these organisations who support our vision.
