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CDF's Board of Directors

The CDF Board comprises nine members of the General Assembly who are elected for six-year terms to work with the Executive Director and make decisions on behalf of the General Assembly.

Dr. Peter Kramer, President of the CDFPeter Kramer, Ph.D., President
Gland, Switzerland
Since 1984, Peter Kramer has worked with WWF International in Switzerland as international program director, director of network development, and network relations director. When Kramer was director of the Charles Darwin Research Station from 1970 to 1974, he played a key role in the establishment of the Galapagos National Park Service. He first served as president of the Charles Darwin Foundation from 1974 to 1984.

Sylvia Harcourt, SecretarySylvia Harcourt-Carrasco, MBE, M.Sc., Secretary
Quito, Ecuador
Kenyan-born Sylvia Harcourt has been a member of the Charles Darwin Foundation's general assembly since 1991 and has actively participated in the revision of documents such as the application to recognize the Galapagos Marine Reserve as a World Heritage Site. She has been involved in research in the islands since 1978 and was an assistant to the director of the Charles Darwin Research Station from 1986 to 1989. In 2006 Ms. Harcourt was appointed Member of the British Empire (MBE).
Dr. Robert Bensted-Smith, TreasurerRobert Bensted-Smith, Ph.D.
Quito, Ecuador
Robert Bensted-Smith directs Conservation International's Center for Biodiversity Conservation in the Andean region. He worked as a naturalist guide in Galapagos from 1981 to 1982, prior to spending 10 years in Africa, working with IUCN, the Kenyan Wildlife Service and the Zanzibar Department of Environment. He served as director of the Charles Darwin Research Station from 1996 to 2002.
Escudo de la Republica del EcuadorThe Government of Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
The Charles Darwin Foundation is able to carry out its mission thanks to a long-standing agreement with the Ecuadorian Government to provide technical advice in relation to conservation in Galapagos. The Government has a permanent position on the CDF Board.

Dr James Thorsell, Board memberJames (Jim) Thorsell, Ph.D.
Banff, British Columbia, Canada
Beginning as a park ranger in Banff National Park in 1962, Dr. Thorsell worked as a researcher, planner, trainer and project manager in Canada before working on international conservation work for more than 20 years. He joined IUCN Headquarters in 1984 as Executive Officer of IUCN's Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA, today WCPA). Since 1990 he has served as the Senior IUCN Advisor to UNESCO's World Heritage Committee and has personally evaluated over 145 sites nominated for World Heritage listing.

New members elected November 2007:

Rodolfo Rendón, Vice Presidente

Pablo Iturralde, Treasurer

María Eulalia Arízaga de Balfour

Randal Keynes

Bio's and photos to come...