The Sahara Forest Project staff
List of members:
Mr. Joakim Hauge
is the Chief Executive Officer and Board member of The Sahara Forest Project and holds an MSc in biology from Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis at the University of Oslo. He has a broad experience on issues related to innovation and biology from non-governmental and private sectors and has previously been advising national and international institutions such as the EU Biofuels Technology Platform. Hauge is an experienced speaker on environmental policies, technology and innovation.
Mr. Kjetil Stake
is the Managing Director and Board member of The Sahara Forest Project and holds an MA in Economics from College of Europe and BA in International Economics from The American University of Paris. Mr. Stake has experience in business development and start-ups. He previously served as Managing Director for The Brussels Office, advising a large number of companies on energy and environmental affairs. Fields of competence include European affairs, business policies and regulation and he is an experienced international speaker on Energy and Environment affairs.
Dr. Virginia Corless
is the Science and Development Manager of SFP AS and holds a B.Sc. in Physics from MIT, and a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics from the University of Cambridge. Dr. Corless was previously an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow in the U.S. Senate for the Committee on Energy & Natural Resources.
Mr. Bill Watts
is the Technology Manager and a Director and Board member of SFP AS. Mr. Watts studied zoology at Oxford and Stirling Universities before joining Max Fordham llp in 1980 to be a Consulting building services engineer. Mr. Watts has spent over 30 years designing the environmental services installations in buildings and introducing innovative sustainable ways of making buildings comfortable.
Mr. Henrik Seland
is the Financial Manager of The Sahara Forest Project and has a MBA degree from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has extensive experience from the financial markets working both as an analyst and with Corporate Finance activities. He has also worked as an consultant with business development and financial strategies for companies in several industries.
Mrs. Kari Sofie Bjørnsen
is the Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager of the SFP AS and is a lawyer with an executive MBA. She has a broad experience as business lawyer and has been legal director, HR director and responsible for Corporate Affairs in several financial institutions. Mrs. Bjørnsen previously served as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs in Teller AS, a Nordic provider for international card payments.
Ms. Ingrid Schiefloe
is the Communication Manager of SFP AS and holds a Bachelor in Journalism and is educated primary school teacher, specializing in Biology. She has previously held positions such as News Editor of The Norwegian Business Daily, VP Communication in Telenor and Head of Communication and CSR in the real estate company Entra.
Ms. Maha Mehdi
is the Office Manager of SFP AS and has a Maîtrise in Environment and Urban Planning from the Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut. Ms Mehdi has a background from the United Nations Development Programme, the Lebanese Ministry of Environment and international organisations and companies specialised in environment and sustainable development.
Mr. Steve Clarkson
is the Head Grower of SFP AS. Mr. Clarkson has close to 40 years of dedicated experience in developing new techniques in growing, resulting in among others to successfully achieve the only commercial pesticide and herbicide free production within the EU. Mr. Clarkson is elected Chairman of the UK Cucumber Growers Association.
Dr. Patrick Brading
is the Cultivation Coordinator for SFP AS and holds a BSc in Zoology from the University of Nottingham, as well as an MSc and PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Essex. Dr Brading has considerable international field experience. His research focuses on marine algal physiology and ecology, particularly in relation to the environmental control of photosynthesis, growth and productivity.
Mr. Jelle Alsemgeest
is Agricultural Engineer on The SFP Pilot Facility in Qatar, engaged through SFP Partner Sundrop Farms. Mr. Alsemgeest studied biology and plant sciences at Wageningen University the Netherlands, specializing in Greenhouse horticulture. Mr. Alsemgeest has previously worked on the design and construction of advanced greenhouse projects for vegetable crops in China and as cultivation/greenhouse manager for a plant breeding and propagation nursery in Shanghai.