Our Teams
Introducing our global and local teams committed to driving change.
We are fortunate to have people across the globe dedicated to our cause, comprised of experienced field workers, passionate volunteers, dedicated project managers, professional staff, and trusted scientific experts. By working together closely, we are committed to driving our mission forward.
On this page, we provide a more in-depth introduction to our foundation’s international and local governance and management teams.
Apprx. 370
staff in Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Norway, USA, and Panama
In addition to staff, we have over 3,000
trained seasonal Mangrove planters
Global office
Dr. Arne Fjørtoft
Founder
Dr. Arne Fjørtoft is a development communication specialist with more than five decades of experience advancing sustainable development and community empowerment across Asia and beyond.
Since co-founding WIF in 1979, he has guided projects in over 25 countries strengthening community agency, communications capacity, and sustainable livelihoods — from establishing community radio networks to pioneering mangrove restoration initiatives.
A former prime-time news anchor and foreign correspondent for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, and former Chairman of Venstre, Norway’s Liberal Party, Dr. Fjørtoft serves as Chair of the Board of WIF. He is widely recognized for his lifelong commitment to communication as a driver of inclusive development, receiving honors for his contributions to community resilience and sustainability.
Kim Noguera Gabrielli
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO since 2024, Kim N. Gabrielli leads our mission to restore mangrove ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience in partnership with coastal communities.
Kim’s career spans sustainability, policy, and global development. Before joining WIF, he was CEO of the UN Global Compact Norway and chaired the UN Global Compact’s Regional Council for Western Europe and North America. He has also worked as CEO of UNICEF Norway, and served at the UNICEF HQ in New York. His educational background is in Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the Norwegian School of Economics.
As a frequent voice in international policy dialogue, Kim focuses on responsible business, foreign policy, and economic development.
Kim loves nature outside of work too – spending time at his off-grid cabin in the middle of the forest, or at an art gallery he founded with friends, called SKOG (Norwegian for ‘forest’).
Nick Laidlaw
Chief Operating Officer
As COO, Nick Laidlaw leads WIF’s global operations, aligning partnerships, country development, and commercial functions to advance high-integrity blue carbon projects with measurable ecological and socioeconomic impact.
Nick’s background spans strategic consulting, business development, and international cross-sector collaboration. Before joining WIF, he worked across hospitality, fintech, and healthcare, leading innovation projects and collaborating with organizations such as USAID, the United Nations, and private-sector partners.
He frequently speaks at international forums on carbon project development, climate finance, and technology for sustainability.
Roar Fjørtoft
Chief Communications Officer
As Chief Communications Officer, Roar Fjørtoft leads WIF’s communications strategy and internal coordination, aligning the organization’s operational and narrative coherence across global programs. He plays a key role in ensuring that WIF’s values of integrity and collaboration are reflected throughout our communication systems.
With two decades of leadership experience in the film and television industry, including at the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and international productions across Europe, Roar combines creative direction with structured operational insight.
Managing directors
Former Director of Myanmar Forest Department and Director Myanmar Watershed Management. International experience as a specialist and a representative on global climate and environmental solutions. He oversees the strategic planning of our Myanmar based blue carbon projects, and leads our Myanmar team in project execution following regulatory requirements.
Dato’ Selvakumar was the Chief Executive Officer of an airline in Myanmar when he volunteered his services to Worldview International Foundation to establish WIF in Myanmar, 2012. Presently as the Country Director in Malaysia, he oversees strategic planning, project execution, and stakeholder engagement, sustainable practices, secure funding, and lead the team to achieve their goals in compliance with local regulatory requirements and that of Verified Carbon Units issuing bodies.
Board of trustees - WIF Global
Founder and President of Myanmar Health Consortium and former executive of World Bank, UNDP, Global Health, and coordinator of large regional multi-stakeholder projects.
Board of trustees - WIF Myanmar
Founder and President of Myanmar Health Consortium and former executive of World Bank, UNDP, Global Health, and coordinator of large regional multi-stakeholder projects.
Founder and CEO Worldview Development USA and founder/CEO of Srina Tea and Health Corporation. Partner with WIF since 2002.
Entrepreneur and social inventor, Founder of Metazone, Vice Chairman Singapore Sailing Club.
Partner and Co-Founder of VNTX AS, Former executive in Telenor, Background in journalism, corporate events and communication. She has shown great interest in WIF for many years together with her husband Tor Bratli, who has given broad support to WIF for many years.
Founder and CEO of Oman Lanka Corporation. He joined WIF from the start as Finance Manager from 1979, and as Assistant Secretary-General in 1998.
Founder and CEO Starboard with representatives in 82 countries. Starboard is a 10 times climate positive company planting 1,000,000 mangrove trees in Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park.
Team Myanmar
Meet the dedicated leaders of our Myanmar operations.
Team Sarawak, Malaysia
Meet the dedicated leaders of our operations in Sarawak, Malaysia.
