Modi Pontio

Associate Director, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program 

Joining TKCP in 2020 as its first Papua New Guinean Director, Modi has extensive background in the field of conservation, and brings a wealth of experience leading and managing programs in partnership with local communities throughout the country.

Modi leads and represents the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program among its networks in Papua New Guinea and throughout the region, and provides guidance and oversight for the organization, its team, and the delivery of its programs.

Originally from Milne Bay, Modi is inspired and driven by the opportunity to serve an organization which is creating lessons and contributing toward best practices in Papua New Guinea’s conservation space, and empowering communities to take leadership in protecting their natural resources, livelihoods, and cultures. 

Roebeck Bacani 

Accounts Coordinator 

Roebeck grew up in the Highlands of PNG and lives with her family in Lae. As TKCP’s Accounts Coordinator, Roebeck handles bookkeeping and payroll administration including entries, accounts payable and receivable, tax filings, financial documentation, and grant financial reporting. 

Geraldine Tingiran 

Office Administrator 

Geraldine is from East New Britain Province and joined as TKCP’s Office Administrator in 2022. Geraldine supports the team by maintaining effective and efficient administrative systems and processes, coordinating schedules and logistics, handling correspondence and providing clerical assistance.

Desmond Nalong

Logistics Officer

Born and raised in Lae, Desmond supports the TKCP team in organizing and managing logistics for field operations and program activities including procurement, communications, IT support, and driving. With a deep knowledge of Lae, he is the team’s go-to person for logistical solutions.

Patrick Vuet

Protected Area Manager 

Patrick provides leadership and guidance for the team in support of active, participatory management processes, appropriate monitoring, and effective delivery of management interventions in collaboration with the YUS Conservation Area’s government and community partners.

Originally from East New Britain Province, Patrick has been involved in community-based conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea and throughout Melanesia for more than 11 years and joined TKCP in 2023. He is honored to apply his skills and experience to further strengthen the YUS Conservation Area’s operations and management, and contribute to PNG’s body of knowledge for effective protected area management. 

Danny Nane 

Community Conservation Coordinator

Post Graduate Diploma in International Conservation Practice, Oxford University (2021) Undergraduate Degree in Environment Science and Geography, University of Papua New Guinea.

Danny employs his knowledge and expertise in GIS, Wildlife Research, Remote Rensing, Conservation Technology and Analysis through his leadership and facilitation of participatory land use planning and community-based natural resource management throughout the 18 wards across the YUS landscape. Through his continued development of monitoring programs and the appropriate application of data, Danny helps community decision-makers in the effective protection and management of priority flora, fauna, and natural resources.

Danny was born in YUS. Growing up in the village, he observed the commitment and foresight of his elders in their efforts to establish the YUS Conservation Area which inspired him to become a scientist to continue building on their vision for a healthy, sustainable, and prosperous YUS landscape.

Coming Soon

Research & Monitoring Coordinator 

Profile information coming soon!

Alfred Kuke

Governance & Engagement Manager

Alfred’s expertise in Project Management, Community Organization, and Good Governance supports the establishment of appropriate and relevant protected area governance mechanisms to enable effective community participation and representation, as well as accountability of the YUS Conservation Area’s stakeholders in support of communities’ goals and objectives.

Alfred is passionate about people, and is dedicated to ensuring that their voices are heard in consideration of issues and initiatives that affect their lives and livelihoods. 

Danny Samandingke

Community Engagement Facilitator

Danny plays a key role in building and maintaining relationships with Government and Community partners to support and facilitate collaboration in delivering community programs throughout YUS.

Born in YUS into a family of 12, Danny received guidance and mentorship from his dad - a local teacher in Yopno -  which led him to pursue the teaching profession before joining TKCP in 2000 to promote community conservation leadership and environmental education.

Danny is a committed advocate for community-led conservation and stewardship to protect the environment, wildlife, and cultures throughout YUS and sustainable development for the well-being of its local communities.

Sharon Erick

Livelihoods Coordinator

Sharon’s leads and facilitates TKCP’s partnerships and support for sustainable income-generating activities throughout YUS, with particular focus on capacity and market access for families participating in the YUS Conservation Coffee and Cocoa Cooperatives.

Sharon’s passion for the beauty of nature, culture, language, people and food led her to join TKCP and work alongside communities throughout the YUS Conservation Area. 

Teddy Hesing

YUS Cooperative Operations Coordinator

Born in YUS, Teddy is deeply committed to enhancing livelihood opportunities for the benefit of his communities and neighbors. Since 2022, Teddy has been engaged with TKCP on behalf of the YUS Conservation Cooperative to build its business operations' capacity. Working closely with the Cooperative’s leaders, inspectors, and member farmers, Teddy coordinates the logistics and operations to ensure the quality and profitable sale of each season’s coffee crop. He is proud to play a role in protecting wildlife and forests throughout YUS and enhancing the livelihood of coffee-producing families through environmentally friendly methods.

James Jio

YUS Conservation Liaison Officer (Upper Uruwa Zone) 

James has worked with TKCP in several roles since 2013. Prior to that, he also participated in early research and data collection efforts supporting the 2009 designation of the YUS Conservation Area.

Gunda Domago

YUS Conservation Liaison Officer (Lower Uruwa Zone) 

Gunda, from Boksawin Village in the Uruwa Zone of YUS, served as Ward Member for Ward 3 in Yus LLG for five years prior to joining TKCP as Conservation Liaison Officer for Lower Uruwa in 2023.

Sisinu Noma

YUS Conservation Liaison Officer (Yopno 1 Zone)

Sisinu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology with a Major in Humanities, and joined TKCP in 2024 to support management of the YUS Conservation Area through community engagement and coordination.

Steven Fononge

YUS Conservation Liaison Officer (Som Zone)

Steven is from Mumanarang village in YUS, and has worked with TKCP since 2010 to facilitate community conservation efforts and coordinate the YUS Conservation Area’s management among villages throughout Som Zone.

Luther Obert

YUS Conservation Liaison Officer (Nambis Zone)

Luther, from Singarokai village in Wasu LLG, graduated in 2019 from Martyres Memorial Secondary School in Popondetta, Oro Province. Luther joined the organization in 2023 as Conservation Liaison Officer for the Nambis Zone.

Lisa Dabek, Ph.D.

Sr. Conservation Scientist and Sr. Director, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Woodland Park Zoo

Lisa founded the community –based Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in 1996. As Senior Director, Lisa provides strategic guidance in support of TKCP’s vision, goals, and long-term sustainability. Lisa often represents the program among international networks, including its partnerships among zoological organizations, and leads fundraising efforts to ensure the organization’s financial sustainability.

Lisa is originally from New York city and resides in Seattle, Washington based at the Woodland Park Zoo. Lisa is a worldwide expert on tree kangaroos, and senior editor of the book, “Tree Kangaroos: Science and Conservation” (2020). Lisa has been travelling to PNG since 1994.

Trevor Holbrook

Sr. Manager, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Woodland Park Zoo

Trevor joined the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in 2014 after several years managing long-term community development programs throughout Southeast Asia. He brings knowledge and expertise in strategic planning, organizational development, and program management to support the continued growth and impact of TKCP in Papua New Guinea.

Trevor lives with his wife and three children on an island near Seattle in the Puget Sound.

Dr. Samuel Merson 

Conservation Monitoring Strategist, Woodland Park Zoo

Samuel leads the development and implementation of biodiversity, cultural and socioeconomic monitoring to support evidence-based management of TKCP’s programs and the YUS Conservation Area. Samuel joined TKCP in mid-2023 and brings over ten years experience working as a conservation practitioner and ecologist on research, biodiversity conservation and community development projects across Africa, Asia, and Australia.