MEET OUR TEAM

Nawang is Executive Director of the Bhutan Ecological Society and Center Director of the Center for Climate and Sustainable Futures, a collaborative research and education initiative of the School for Field Studies, the Royal University of Bhutan, and BES.

Sonam leads BES research and education programs and serves as Program Manager at the Center for Climate and Sustainable Futures in Paro.

His background includes senior forestry and district forestry roles, extensive work in community-based natural resource management, and a master’s degree in forestry science from the Australian National University. His interests include rural livelihoods, forest management, and climate impacts.

Norbu leads the Society’s Forests and Water Program and serves on the faculty of the Center for Climate and Sustainable Futures in Paro.

He holds a doctorate in Natural Resources and Life Sciences from BOKU University in Vienna and is interested in innovative responses to climate change and natural resource management.

Sonam began her career in electrical engineering and power-sector planning before moving into wildlife conservation, sustainable resource management, and climate studies.

She holds a master’s degree in Statistics and Data Analytics with a BioAnalytics specialization from the University of Arkansas. Her graduate research explored habitat use by Golden Mahseer and other migratory Himalayan fish.

Namgay brings more than 20 years of experience connecting conservation, community well-being, and sustainable tourism. His qualifications span business management, marketing, wildlife management, and eco-development.

At BES he leads nature-based and climate-resilient initiatives including solar-powered lift irrigation, ecotourism development, and environmental education.

Namgyel is an environmental professional with a BSc in Forestry from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and an MBA from the University of Canberra. His work centers on biodiversity, climate resilience, community empowerment, and protecting Bhutan’s natural heritage for future generations.

Ugyen heads BES Administration and Finance. Trained in forestry and conservation, he previously worked as a research field assistant and served as an Assistant Forester. His interests include wildlife conservation, and he is a recipient of Royal Civil Service Awards.

Tashi has more than six years of experience across financial management, procurement, stakeholder coordination, project planning, contract management, and risk mitigation.

She also contributes to Zero Waste Himalaya advocacy and community initiatives, with additional study in organics management, climate change, and youth-led zero-waste solutions.

Kinley is the Society’s Administrative Assistant and supports the Executive Director. Before joining BES, she completed 17 years of administrative service with Thrumshingla National Park and the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research.

Jigme holds a PhD from the University of New England and an MSc in Biodiversity, Wildlife, and Ecosystem Health from the University of Edinburgh. A pioneer in Bhutanese herpetology, he has studied the country’s reptiles and amphibians since 2008 and promotes citizen science.

He joined BES as a Research Fellow in 2021 after more than two decades with the Department of Forest and Park Services.