{"id":48,"date":"2017-08-04T08:13:34","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T06:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/?page_id=48"},"modified":"2025-10-09T20:20:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T18:20:00","slug":"our-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/adap-in-brief\/our-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Team ADAP"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

ADAP Switzerland<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
    \n
  • C.A. Fischer<\/strong> \u2013 President<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Ph.D. in biology, passionate about fieldwork and mammals, he has participated in the development of ecological monitoring in the Beekeeping Zone of Mlele since 2007. There he has regularly trained the village game scouts in ecological monitoring, especially in the use of camera traps.
    \nClaude has become involved more formally with ADAP since he took over the presidency in 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    \n

    \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    \n
      \n
    • Jean-F\u00e9lix Savary<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Vice-president<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      Aware of development issues early on, Jean-F\u00e9lix worked at the University Institute for Development Studies in Geneva (IUED) for many years.\u00a0He focused on the problems of access to natural resources and their resulting conflicts and advocated for local development, the promotion of peace, and the safeguard of natural resources as one cause.\u00a0He coordinated Tanzania\u2019s Inyonga project during its first five years.
      \nSince 2006, Jean-F\u00e9lix has devoted himself more to ADAP\u2019s administration and representation in Geneva.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
      \n

      \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

      \n
        \n
      • Lucy Novovitch<\/strong> \u2013 Treasurer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        Lucy joined ADAP in 2022 as part of her Master’s degree in Conservation Biology at the University of Bern. She carried out ecological monitoring using camera traps at one of the association’s new study sites. The aim of her work was to describe habitat use by medium-sized mammal communities linked to human presence. Passionate about large fauna in general and spatial ecology in particular, she has now joined ADAP as treasurer to continue her collaboration on projects and become more involved in the association. At the same time, she is starting a PhD at the University of Z\u00fcrich on spatial use and interspecific interactions in large mammals.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
        \n

        \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

        \n
          \n
        • Lucas Villard<\/strong>\u2013 Head of research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Lucas Villard is a biologist with a passion for ecology, specializing in plant-microorganism interactions and data analysis. After a bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology and a master\u2019s degree in Behaviour, Evolution and Conservation, he worked for 5 years as a research assistant at the Department of Ecology and Evolution of UNIL. Lucas Villard completed a 6-month internship at ADAP, mainly dedicated to the statistical processing and analysis of ecological monitoring data by camera traps in Tanzania with the aim of writing a scientific article. He has then remained engaged at ADAP for the processing of ecological data, the implementation of digital work tools and as the head of research of the board committee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          \n

          \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

          \n
            \n
          • Nathalie Rochat <\/strong>\u2013 Head of Communication commission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n

            Nathalie is a qualified wildlife biologist. For 30 years, she has put her communication skills to work for NGOs, the media, the private sector and, most recently, the Swiss Confederation, where she is now head of communications at the IVI. Born in Africa, she has maintained deep ties to the continent. Curious about people, committed to human exchange and fascinated by wildlife observation, she has travelled extensively, particularly to Tanzania, where she discovered the work of ADAP. Today, she is delighted to be able to work alongside the Tanzanian and Swiss teams of ADAP to promote their work both here and there. A challenge that fits her enthusiasm!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

            \n

            \"\"<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

            \n
              \n
            • Sandy Mermod<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Program Manager<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              In 2012 Sandy carried out work for her bachelor\u2019s degree in Tanzania as part of the ADAP project in Inyonga and has since participated in multiple activities. She became ADAP\u2019s vice-president in 2015, managed the Inyonga project in 2016, and held the position of vice-president through 2018 when she became ADAP\u2019s executive secretary. She was promoted Program Officer in 2023. During this time, she completed her training as an engineer in nature management with a complementary certificate in geomatics. Her Master of Geography with a specialization in development studies enables Sandy to thoroughly understand the socio-political dimension of environmental issues.\u00a0Her thesis dealt with the use of natural resources in western Tanzania\u2019s forest reserves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              \n

              \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

              \n
                \n
              • Louise S\u00e9rasset<\/strong>\u2013 Executive Secretary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n

                After completing a bachelor\u2019s degree in International Relations at the University of Geneva, Louise decided to continue her studies with a focus on political science and the history of the African continent. During her master\u2019s degree in African Studies at the University of Geneva, Louise became interested in the many environmental issues facing local African communities. She completed a six-month internship with ADAP, assisting Sandy Mermod with the monitoring and management of current projects and the start of a new project in Tanzania. Louise also analyzed women\u2019s involvement in ADAP\u2019s projects during a two-month field trip to Inyonga.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                \n

                \"Yves\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                \n
                  \n
                • Yves Hausser<\/strong> \u2013 Co-founder member<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  As co-founder of ADAP, Yves has been involved in the association since its inception in 1997. After his training in the social sciences, he has worked with biologists and engineers on questions of sustainable use of natural resources and the participation of local actors in these processes for years. Invested in various international networks working on conservation issues, Yves has been able to bridge the gap between the discourse advocating the integration of local communities into conservation strategies, and the practices carried out in the field.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                  \n

                  \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                  \n
                    \n
                  • Raimundo Pizarro<\/strong>\u2013 Project manager<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n

                    Raimundo joined ADAP as part of his master\u2019s degree in nature management at the HES-SO. His thesis was a project on the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). GPS collars were placed to study their habitat use and potentially find ecological corridors in the Katavi region whose populations are very poorly known. At the same time, agro-pastoralists were interviewed to find ways to cohabit in the best possible conditions. He is currently looking for potential links between conservation, science, and art, to enhance the activities of the association and the work of the Tanzanian teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                    \n

                    <\/h2>\n

                    ADAP Tanzania<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                    \n

                    \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                    \n
                      \n
                    • Jovin Lwehabura\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 National representative ADAP Tanzania, and Project manager, Ipole WMA project,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                      \n

                      Mr. Jovin Lwehabura has more than 15 years of experience working on applications of geospatial science and technology in sustainable management of natural resources. He holds an MSc. degree in Geographic Information Systems (M.S. GIS) from the University of Redlands in California as well as a BSc. degree in Geomatics from the University of Dar es Salaam. Mr. Lwehabura is a member of Global society for Conservation Geographic Information Systems (SCGIS). He has developed several GIS Databases, guide mapping, and support implementations of land use planning for more than 50 local communities in Tanzania. \u00a0He has engaged in developing conservation action plans to guide sustainable conservation of wildlife and forests. He has also engaged in promoting sustainable intensification innovative agricultural practices to ensure food and nutrition security, resilient to climate change, livelihood, and environmental conservation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                      \n

                      \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                      \n
                        \n
                      • Frank Kweka <\/strong>\u2013 Project manager, Katavi-Ugalla corridor project,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                        \n

                        Frank Kweka joined University of Dar es salaam <\/span>College of arts and social sciences from 2008-2012 where he persuaded bachelor degree in Geography and Environmental Management. Frank has professional skills and abilities in team work, collaborative and motivational person. He worked as an Environmental Officer for Mpanda District Council during six years. He was appointed to be a member of Mpanda district technical facilitation team on Village Land Use Planning and District Participatory Forest Management team. Frank have been working for three years with Carbon Tanzania, where he executed as Project Manager at Ntakata Mountains REDD Project, a community led project in Western Tanzania for forest protection for people, wildlife and climate. Frank joined ADAP Katavi-Ugalla corridor project as project manager in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                        \n

                        \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                        \n
                          \n
                        • Romanus Mwakimata<\/strong> \u2013 Project manager, Rungwa River corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                          \n

                          Romanus George Mwakimata is an agricultural economist with extensive experience in improving production and commercialization of farm and non-timber forest products for increased household income and efficient functioning of actors along the value chain. Romanus holds an MSc. in Agriculture and Applied Economics, and a BSc. in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, both from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.\u00a0 Previously he worked with the Bureau of Agricultural Consultancy and Advisory Services, Centre for Sustainable Development Initiatives (CSDI), and ACDI\/VOCA-USAID Nafaka Staples Value Chain Project. He joined ADAP Rungwa corridor project in 2018 as a livelihoods and natural resources officer and became a project manager in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                          \n

                          \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                          \n
                            \n
                          • Renico Kinemo<\/strong> \u2013 Regional Accountant, Katavi-Ugalla corridor and Ipole WMA projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                            \n

                            Renico is a professional of finance with an extensive experience in Financial Accounting, Product costing, Management Accounting, and Financial Planning & Analysis. He has previously worked for Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in various capacities -from Accounting Associate to Finance Business Partner. He is skilled with financial ERP\u2019s such as SAP -where he has been a Power User and end-user trainer in areas of Finance, Product Costing, and Purchasing for nine years. He is a certified Public Accountant and holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in accounting and finance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                            \n

                            \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                            \n
                              \n
                            • Helimina Gerald\u00a0Mguli <\/strong>\u2013 Project accountant, Rungwa River corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                              \n
                              \n

                              Ms. Mguli has developed accounting skills and experiences after working with different profit and non-profit organizations. Previously she worked as an accountant for Essacare Company Limited, an auditing firm, and as a Business Consultant for MG Empire. Helimina has a bachelor\u2019s of accountancy from the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Because of her innate passion for environmental conservation, Ms. Helimina searched for and found a place at ADAP to be part of the association\u2019s accounting.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              \n

                              \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              \n
                                \n
                              • Valeria Shirima <\/strong>\u2013 Livelihoods and natural resources officer, Rungwa River corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                \n

                                Valeria is a graduate with Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She possesses strong inclination towards the management of natural resources. Prior to her involvement with ADAP, Valeria gained professional experience as a Project Officer within the WCS Ruaha Katavi Landscape Program.
                                \nValeria\u2019s expertise lies in conducting fieldwork particularly in providing training on data collection utilizing SMART technology, thereby ensuring the effective integration of technology in wildlife conservation effort. She exhibits a keen interest in working in rural areas, specifically in collaboration with women and youth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                \n

                                \"\"<\/p>\n

                                 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                \n
                                  \n
                                • Rashid Kikoti <\/strong>\u2013 Livelihoods and natural resources officer – Ipole WMA project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                  \n

                                  Rashidy is a graduate of the first degree in tourism and cultural heritage at the University of Dodoma. He knows how to operate, organizing and controlling various issues concerning tourism such as policies, strategies and plans. Before he joined Adap, he was the executive secretary of Ipole WMA JUHIWAI. \u00a0Now, his goal is to direct the villagers to use the resources they have for the benefit of the current generation and the future, especially to cooperate with all young people girls and boys.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                  \n

                                  \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                  \n
                                    \n
                                  • Dickson Malembeka –\u00a0<\/strong>Head of VGS – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                    \n

                                    Dickson Malembeka is a trendsetter on Community Based initiatives in Natural Resource Management. He has intensive experience in the conservation and sustainable utilization of forestry and wildlife resources for livelihoods. From 1995 on he participated in a conservation program with Coleman Hunting Company. Then in 2002, he joined ADAP as Village Game Scout (VGS) and in 2017 he was promoted to the VGS Supervisor Position. In 2021, he attended both practical and theory training courses on natural resource management at Likuyu Sekamaganga Institute Training. As the VGS Supervisor, his daily duty is to supervise VGS, organize patrols, and implement wildlife monitoring. His interaction skills with the VGS, local community, and foreign researchers are fantastic.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                    \n

                                    \"\"<\/p>\n

                                     <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                    \n
                                      \n
                                    • Yahya Ally – <\/strong>Driver\u00a0– Katavi-Ugalla corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                      \n

                                      Yahya was raised in Mlele District, Katavi Region, Tanzania, in areas with high species diversity of flora and fauna. Since his childhood, Yahya has been passionate to work in conservation initiatives. To fulfill his dream of working in the conservation field, Yahya joined ADAP as a driver in 2012. He is responsible for moving the project team from one place to another during the field operations. He also assists the field team in ecological monitoring and law enforcement activities to ensure the general safety and excellent maintenance of assigned vehicles. For increasing his work efficiency in driving the field team, ADAP supported Yahya to attend a driving course in 2017 at the National Institute of Transportation, Dar es Salaam. He is a smart, interactive, and flexible driver.<\/span><\/p>\n

                                      \n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                      \n

                                      \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                      \n
                                        \n
                                      • Anthony Julius –\u00a0<\/strong>Driver – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                        Anthony Julius joined ADAP in 2019 as a temporary driver. Because he showed excellent driving and fieldwork skills, he was promoted to a driver position in 2021. His daily routine is to drive the field team for the different activities in the forests, including participation in patrols and ecological monitoring with VGS, researchers, and government employees. He is dedicated to protecting nature and his technical skills are invaluable to the project team.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                        \n

                                        \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                        \n
                                          \n
                                        • Gabinus Tandika\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Driver – Rungwa River corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                          \n
                                          Gabinus Michael Tandika is an experienced driver and previously worked with various organizations, including Ukonongo Tobacco primary cooperative society, Mlele District Council, both located in Katavi Region, and SIDO Rukwa. He has good mechanical skills to fix different car-related problems. Gabinus has a good understanding of local languages, especially Konongo, Nyamwezi, Fipa, and Sukuma, and is able to interact with various communities in Rukwa, Katavi, and Tabora Regions. Moreover, he can use GPS to identify various locations. Currently, he is working as a driver for the Rungwa River corridor Project.<\/span><\/div>\n
                                          <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                          \n

                                          \"\"<\/p>\n

                                           <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                          \n
                                            \n
                                          • Said\u00a0Kafuta\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Driver – Rungwa River corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                            \n
                                            \n

                                            Said Haji Kafuta is a young but experienced driver who previously worked for Tanzania National Road Agency (TANROAD) and WINROCK International, both located in the Tabora region. He received training in driving and mechanics from Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) in Tabora. He has a good understanding of Nyamwezi, Swahili, and English and easily interacts with locals and foreigners. Moreover, he can use GPS to identify various locations. Currently, he is working as a driver with the Rungwa River Corridor Project.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                            \n

                                            \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                            \n
                                              \n
                                            • Generosa Francis –\u00a0<\/strong>Office attendant – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                              \n

                                              Since she joined ADAP in 2012, Generoza has met her duties of keeping the office clean in a cheerful and timely manner. The office wouldn\u2019t have the same atmosphere without her. She is very humble, charming, and pro-active, and gladly joins diverse social and volunteering community matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

                                               <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                              \n

                                              \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                              \n
                                                \n
                                              • Yutha Joseph\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Office attendant – Rungwa River corridor project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                                \n
                                                Yutha Joseph is one of our youngest team members. She completed the secondary school education. Calm and lively, she is fluent in two languages, Nyamwezi and Swahili. She works as an office attendant in Kapumpa for the Rungwa River Corridor project, ensuring that a pleasant atmosphere always prevails in the office.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                                \n

                                                Thanks to all the former committee members, employees, interns, and volunteers have worked for ADAP: Fabrice Buffard, Alix Jornot, Ezra Ricci, Florian Reinhard, David Hartlieb, Nicola Cantoreggi, Joanne F\u00e9lix, Gabriel Valdez, Tania Garnier, Mariela Gois Carrel, C\u00e9line Bartolomucci, Manon Mariller, H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Weber, Alejandro Jorand, Claire Julliand, Fabrice Frigerio, Anne Ceppi, Issa Mpinga, Shabani Halfani, Margareth Makuke, Twinzi Henrico, Matana Levi, Christina Komba, Andrew Mariki, Vincent Vyamana, Abdala Liingilie, <\/span>Pauline Plagnat, Paulo de Cantos, Alexandre Tasev, Lina Conus, Pierre-Armand Roulet, Alexis Kabore, and all those who have been forgotten here.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                                ADAP Switzerland C.A. Fischer \u2013 President Ph.D. in biology, passionate about fieldwork and mammals, he has participated in the development of ecological monitoring in the Beekeeping Zone of Mlele since 2007. There he has regularly trained the village game scouts…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1155,"parent":2071,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"two_page_speed":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-48","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48"}],"version-history":[{"count":178,"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3383,"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48\/revisions\/3383"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2071"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adap.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}