Valentino Shal holds a Master’s Degree in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Belize. His formal training covers the areas of environmental sociology and development economics. He currently works as an independent consultant in the development field. He has been serving as President of the Ya’axche Conservation Trust for the past eight years. Valentino is originally from Big Falls, Toledo District.
Robert Bensted-Smith
Robert Bensted-Smith holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. He is currently the Regional Director for Fauna and Flora International Americas and Caribbean Programme. He has the Director for Conservation International Andes Programmee; was the Director of the Charles Darwin Research Station where he trippled the annual budget to US$.4.4 million; he was a Chief Advisor to the Department of the Environment in Zanzibar, he worked extensively in policy development and planning for the Kenya Wildlife Service and was instrumental in the establishment of a "Community Wildlife Service". He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to environmental conservation. He is British and presently lives in Ecuador.
Barbara Locke
Barbara Locke holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and finance from St. Thomas University, Florida. She was the Banking and Currency Manager at the Central of Belize; her most recent position was Manager of Finance and Administration for the Social Investment Fund a Caribbean Development Bank and EU funded facility. She presently freelances as a consultant. She presently lives in Dangriga, Stann Creek District.
Marcos Zuniga
Marcos Zuniga a former Alcalde of his village and a cacao farmer. He is presently a memebr of the current village council. He lives in Medina Bank Village.
Adriano Mas
Adriano Mas is presently the Alcalde and works full-time as a farmer and care-taker of Nim Li Punit Archaelogical Site. He has worked as a ranger and site guide for a lodge.
Christina Garcia
Christina Garcia holds an Associates Degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Belize. She has extensive experience in developing protected areas management plan; in designing and delivering environmental programmes; she worked as a field biologist and as project manager. She presently works at a local conservation organization as biologist and an outreach education officer. She lives in San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo District.
Alphonso Cal
IAlfonso Cal is a highly respected Maya leader and one of the founder of Ya'axche, in the past he has held both the position of Alcalde and Chairman of his community. He is a farmer and an indigeneous rights activist. He currently chairs Toledo Maya Cultural Council. He lives in Golden Stream Village, Toledo District.
Roxanna Aleman
Roxanna Aleman is presently the local branch Manager for Scotiabank and has been instrumental in building a socially responsible corporate image for the bank; she has held various post in the banking sector. She lives in Big Falls Village, Toledo District.
Javier Chan
Javier Chan holds a LL.B degree from the Unversity of Guyana. He has worked in various capabilities with the Government of Belize and most recently as lands Inspector and Administrator. He is originally from Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District.
