PROGRAM DIRECTOR – Lyly Njinga (lyly@earthchildinstitute.org)

Originally from Cameroon, Lyly holds a Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainable Development from the University College London in the U.K. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on Global Environmental Policy from American University in Washington D.C. With a passion and interest to address challenges within the fields of environment, climate change, sustainable development, and education, she has been involved in various related research, field work, and advocacy projects. Prior to joining Earth Child Institute, she worked within several local and international organizations in Africa, South America, Europe, and the U.S

PROGRAM COORDINATOR – Winnie Hagemeyer (winnie@earthchildinstitute.org)


A native of Rio de Janeiro, Winnie has worked at different non-governmental organizations both in Brazil and the US. She joined Earth Child Institute after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she focused her studies in global civil society and the United Nations. While working at ECI she also plans to pursue a law degree and focus on international law and human rights.

INTERNS

Manna Hara (manna@earthchildinstitute.org)

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in Mauritania, Manna is currently working on her Master’s degree in Environmental Conservation Education at NYU. She has a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan, and has developed a passion to alleviate poverty while sustainably conserving the environment for the world’s most disenfranchised and marginalized people. Having experience working with people of all backgrounds and ages, educating children is the most important way that environmental work will be sustainable. She is working on a joint project with UNICEF in creating applicable environmental lessons into a resource pack that countries can use. Manna plans to continue to advocate, support, and educate environmental sustainability both domestically and internationally.

Miriam Heinonen (miriam@earthchildinstitute.org)

Saloni Sharma (saloni@earthchildinstitute.org)

Saloni is currently pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Education at New York University with a focus in environmental economics, policy and governance. She earned her undergraduate in Economics from St. Olaf College. Previously she has worked in the fields of economic and community development and in advertising.

After completion of her studies, Saloni hopes to be involved with education initiatives and economic development strategies for green entrepreneurs in southern Africa. She is also deeply committed to and interested in cross-cutting issues of climate policy, development, biodiversity conservation, energy and the green economy.  Having grown up in Zambia, Saloni continues to remain engaged with and excited about all things Zambian.

Yvonne Maingey (yvonne@earthchildinstitute.org)

Valeria Lauria (valeria@earthchildinstitute.org)