Meet the Team
Meet the team behind Sumaco Conservation—professionals committed to scientific research, conservation, and sustainable development.
Benjamin Camper
Board President
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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
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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
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​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
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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
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​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
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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.