Meet the Team
Meet the team behind Sumaco Conservation—professionals committed to scientific research, conservation, and sustainable development.
Benjamin Camper
Board President
Founder of Sumaco Conservation. Scientist with over 7 years of research experience between ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology. Having lived and worked in the neotropics for nearly 4 years, a lot of my recent work emphasized tropical ecology and conservation in the world’s most biodiverse regions.
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Robert LaFrance
Board Treasurer
Senior transaction advisory consultant and marathoner based out of Germany. Over 6 years of experience in transaction advisory and auditing that I am excited to share with Sumaco Conservation. Knowledgeable in US, German, and international financial reporting standards.
Pasquale Caccavella
Board Secretary
Worm farmer, mycologist, and composter. I combine a background in packaging science and regenerative agriculture to contribute to the intersection of regenerative land care, ecological education, and sustainable materials. As founder of Salem Soil Solutions, I rebuild living soils through composting, biological testing, and grower support.
María Reinoso
Board Member
Member of the firm El Sindicato Arquitectura. With over 10 years of experience in design, construction, and project management, I promote projects that prioritize collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. I view architecture as a craft learned through practice and maintains a constant pursuit of creating spaces for teaching and learning.
Sharon Bewick
Affiliate Researcher
Canadian ecologist. After receiving a PhD in Chemistry from Princeton University, I went on to study community and spatial ecology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the University of Maryland. Now an assistant professor at Clemson University, I lead a research group (Bewick Lab) studying how processes across different spatial scales impact ecology, evolution, and conservation.
Ana Quiñones
Social Projects Coordinator
Social project manager and communications specialist with over 8 years of experience driving impactful results. Over the past 4 years, I have worked on projects across the South American Amazon, combining strategy, creativity, and a community-based approach.
Marco Orozco
Affiliate Sustainable Tourism Advisor
Professional guide with 7 years of experience in ecotourism and founder of the tour agency Costa Rica Extreme. In recent years, I have guided groups throughout Costa Rica, combining knowledge of local biodiversity, sustainability, and community well-being. I have worked with communities and small businesses to develop tourism products in a sustainable way.