About Us
Learn more about the history and goals of the Global Mangrove Trust
Global Mangrove Trust is a Singapore-based non-profit organization dedicated to leading the preservation and regeneration of mangroves worldwide. Our diverse team—comprising innovators, educators, and environmentalists—operates under the guidance of an esteemed advisory board of forward-thinking individuals and organizations. Driven by a blend of urgency and hope, our mission is to develop self-financing regenerative easements to protect all mangrove ecosystems globally. These critical habitats are not only essential for combating climate change but also provide significant socio-economic benefits to local communities. By collaborating with local impact partners and leading teams across the globe, we ensure that families and businesses are actively involved in community-based mangrove forestry. Aligned with twelve of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we strive to create a sustainable and equitable world where mangroves thrive and communities prosper.
Our Story
It was beneath the dense canopy of the Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park in Myanmar where our co-founders, Ryan and Simon, found their calling. Initially there to draft a narrative on environmental strategies for Harvard Business School, they stumbled upon something far more elemental. Wandering between the sprawling mangroves, Simon paused—a moment of stillness amidst the lush, muddy labyrinth. There, stripped of the day’s high-tech discussions and complex climate debates, they realized that true environmental impact extends beyond advanced tools like drones and carbon sequestration. It resides in the living, breathing earth itself. At Global Mangrove Trust, we embrace this profound truth: the real power lies in nature’s intricate systems and vibrant life.
Our Values
At the core of our identity and actions lie our values—principles that guide us in making decisions, shaping interactions, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth. Here are the five values we stand by:
Our Promise
At GMT, we believe in the power of nature. It was a serene moment among the mangroves that opened our eyes to the incredible value hidden just beneath our feet. We are committed to making climate action straightforward, transparent, and impactful.
Utilizing peer-to-peer funding, we plant mangroves to achieve three critical goals: sequestering carbon, supporting local communities, and enhancing biodiversity. This approach not only tackles environmental challenges but also strengthens the very fabric of the ecosystems we help to restore. By connecting donors directly with reforestation efforts, we ensure that every contribution has a direct and measurable impact on the planet.
Team
Ryan Merrill
Ryan is a Doctoral Research Fellow in Sustainability, Strategy and Innovation and an Adjunct Professor at Singapore Management University. Ryan has spent 10 years in higher management in institutional finance, energy research, education, and consulting, and holds a PhD in Environmental Policy from the University of Southern California. Ryan is passionate about the promise of mangrove forestry to lead the fight against climate change.
Simon Schillebeeckx
Simon is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Innovation at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business of Singapore Management University. He holds a PhD in Management from Imperial College London alongside advanced degrees in Corporate Social Responsibility and Commercial Engineering. Simon founded Global Mangrove Trust in partial inspiration from his ongoing academic study in Digital Sustainability and Sustainable Resource Management.
Mohamed Els. Abdelwareth
Mohamed is an Electrical Engineer specializing in optimization theory and Artificial Intelligence with applications in remote sensing for renewable energy grids. He is serving as GMT’s Lead Impact Analyst and the Project Coordinator of the Mangrove Conservation Project (OBC-01) in North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is also an Assistant Researcher at KMITL University, Bangkok, Thailand. An Egyptian national, Mohamed also boasts deep roots in Indonesia, where he supports several communities in developing off-grid energy solutions for sustainable development.
Celeste Tan
Celeste Tan leads key projects at the Global Mangrove Trust, driving innovative environmental solutions. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainability from Tufts University, she combines academic insight with practical experience from roles at Handprint and Accenture. With a background in Politics, Law, and Economics, Celeste brings a strategic and analytical approach to her work. A pet lover, she finds inspiration in her furry companions, infusing her passion for sustainability into her efforts to protect the planet.
Matteo de Besi
Matteo is a sustainability and ESG specialist , with a decade of experience across the environmental consulting, international development and impact finance sectors. Matteo joined GMT in 2023 as a Senior Project Advisor, supporting the team on ESG management, strategic engagement, and investor and donor relations. He holds a joint master’s degree in Environmental Science Management and Policy from four leading european universities under the Erasmus Mundus program.
Siddharth Samal
Siddharth, a digital marketing maven from India, masterfully steers GMT’s digital presence and PR campaigns, breathing life into their mission and initiatives. With a rich background spanning over five years across diverse marketing realms, his expertise is a cornerstone of success. Siddharth’s academic journey in Metallurgical Engineering adds a unique blend of analytical prowess to his creative endeavors. A connoisseur of art, he finds inspiration and innovation in the vibrant interplay of colors and forms, infusing this passion into every project he undertakes.
Advisors
Elsa Lillford
Elsa is the Chief Development Officer for the Global Mangrove Trust. She has a bachelors of Environmental Science and Laws double degree from the Univerisity of New England, serves as Mangrove Coordinator for International Coastal Cleanup for the Sunget Buloh Wetlands in NW Singapore and is an Officer at Mastermark. From this experience, Elsa brings a keen appreciation for balancing stakeholder interests in restorative land use.
Richard Cohen
Richard Cohen: After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UCSB, Rich worked as a fund manager in the US financial markets. He then earned a Master’s degree in International Relations at UCSD and returned to working in the financial markets, this time in Asia where he worked as an institutional stockbroker and fund manager at tier-one local and international banks. After more than twenty years as a top-ranked institutional equities broker, Richard took his customer service and analytical skillset to the world of Asian start-ups where he developed two core areas of interest, both of which are applicable to GMT: digital currencies and sustainability.
Linzi Hawkin
Linzi is a brand strategist. She’s experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From teaching kids to surf, to running music festivals and working as a freelance brand & marketing consultant. For the last three years her focus has been on teaching start ups, entrepreneurs & non-profits how to build brands with purpose and guiding companies through the B Corp Certification process. Her latest project, SUPKids, is an educational program for kids, teaching sustainability, water safety & stand up paddleboarding. SUPKids is now partnered with Starboard, 5 Gyres, Parley for the Oceans & Sustainable Surf and has 38 SUPKids Schools teaching the curriculum in 18 countries.
Daniel Swid
Daniel is a software engineer with a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Engineering and Mathematics from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Daniel is an accomplished product design and engineering leader dedicated to accelerating social and technical capacity for ecological regeneration. Daniel is a co-founder of Generation Blue, contributor at Regen Network, and coordinator of Earth Pulse—an innovation lab that seeks to reward protectors and stewards of Mother Earth by embedding the mission and purpose of non-profits into the heart of our economy. He has contributed to the foundational success of 5 startups in Silicon Valley and Asia Pacific, and developed education programs including the prototyping practice at VMware, R&D User Experience; the technical fellowship program for the Climate Foundation in Wood Hole, Massachusetts; and for youth, the Software & Climate curriculum at Credo High School. He also serves as president of the Sebastopol Entrepreneur Project.
