Team

Based in Indonesia, Andre brings 20 years of campaign and advocacy experience championing Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Andre belongs to Watunapatto tribe, the northernmost Indigenous community in Indonesia. The tribe occupies tiny islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean.

He also served as the Senior Campaigner for Kaoem Telapak – a Bogor-based NGO that works to combat illegal timber trade, deforestation, and violation of IPLCs rights. During this time, he helped to establish and was appointed as the focal point for the Indonesian civil society coalition that works together to echo impacted communities’ concerns about the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR).

Andre was the Director of Information and Communication for the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara/AMAN), that serves more than 22 million people. There he trained Indigenous youths on reporting and documenting the crimes and abuses against Indigenous communities. He was among the first who raised the concern of the O Hongana Manyawa, a nomad tribe in Central Halmahera that is impacted by the nickel mining.

In 2018, he co-founded Indigenous Eyes, a network of Indigenous filmmakers, photographers, and visual artists in Southeast Asia who work to amplify and promote Indigenous Peoples causes in the region. In 2024, the network launched For Indigenous!, a not-for-profit news channel focusing on the Indigenous struggle in the region where Andre serves as the chief editor.

As Executive Director, Aimee provides direct service to IRMA’s multi-stakeholder leadership and manages IRMA’s staff and consultant team.  She has worked on mining issues for more than 20 years, with substantial experience supporting communities directly affected. In addition, Aimee has been Program Director and Executive Director for children’s environmental health and women’s leadership not-for-profit NGO organizations. She specializes in communications between diverse networks of scientists, businesses, nonprofit advocates, government agencies, healthcare professionals, and citizens striving toward common goals. Aimee holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Politics from Mount Holyoke College and has served IRMA’s leadership since 2012.

With over a decade of experience in corporate sustainability and philanthropy, Rebecca believes there is enormous capacity within the private sector to propel positive change and lead the way in driving responsible business practices.

Upon joining IRMA in 2020, Rebecca focused on serving the purchasing and finance sectors, collaborating with members to influence market uptake and ultimately forward more responsible mining practices. As of January 2023, she transitioned to serve as the organization’s Deputy Director, focused on strategy and growth.

Prior to joining IRMA, Rebecca was an independent consultant in sustainability, following nearly 10 years at Tiffany & Co. where she helped advance initiatives in responsible sourcing. She has a double BA in Linguistics and International Studies from the University of Utah and a Master’s in Economic and Political Development from Columbia University.

Cecilia joined IRMA in 2024 as the Europe Regional Lead serving as the main contact point for stakeholders based in the region as well as representing the organization in policy-making circles in Brussels and at national level.

Prior to joining IRMA, Cecilia was leading the responsible sourcing work at environmental NGO Transport & Environment focusing on automotive supply chains and regulatory frameworks. Cecilia worked extensively on the European Battery Regulation and on other key EU laws linked to raw materials, ensuring not only human rights but also the environment obligations were covered.

Before that she worked in the public affairs team for a leading Tier 1 in the automotive sector. Cecilia holds a degree in International Business from the University of Sussex, specialising in strategy and corporate social responsibility.

Davidzo Muchawaya is a sustainability expert with extensive experience in human rights, social compliance, research, development of sustainability standards, and standards benchmarking. She brings to IRMA over fifteen years of experience in developing ESG management systems, designing supply chain due diligence tools and procedures, conducting human rights risk assessments, and conducting sustainability audits for Fortune500 companies. She has also developed and revised various Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) standards for multiple schemes across a variety of industries. She has conducted and managed social and human rights audits, having conducted over 700 audits in different industries. She holds the highest industry qualification for social compliance auditors globally, through the APSCA certification accreditation. Davidzo is also a certified SA8000 lead auditor and has undergone Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Social Risk Analysis, Occupational Health (OSHA) and ISO 19011 auditor training. She has expert knowledge of ILO Conventions and recommendations, OECD DDG, IFC Performance Standards, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Voluntary Principles on Business and Human Rights among others. She has worked in industries ranging from agriculture, manufacturing, textiles, mining, retail, processing, wood products and food & beverages in over 20 countries. She holds a Master of Social Science from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool, UK.

Clara Pizarro joined IRMA in 2023 to serve as an assistant to the Executive Team and support the organization’s service to all sectors. Clara has been an entrepreneur for the past years, promoting conscious consumerism by connecting a global community with local craftspeople, fostering sustainable value creation while preserving intangible heritage.

Born and raised in Brazil, with degrees in Design and Marketing from PUC University and COPPEAD Graduate Institute of Business, and international courses in Central Saint Martins – University of the Arts London, and London College of Fashion, Clara´s academic background, and experience in the Fashion & Events industry was later combined with travels, living in sustainable eco-villages and working in Hospitality. Residing in Portugal since 2020, Clara has a strong alignment with IRMA’s values, being driven to work towards a sustainable world that leaves a positive legacy for the future, while protecting and uplifting people and communities.

Scott Sellwood leads IRMA’s engagement and partnerships with NGOs and mining-affected communities. Scott is an environmental lawyer and geographer with fifteen years of experience partnering with civil society actors to advocate for structural reform of the mining sector. He has advised Indigenous and social justice leaders across Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific on how to use law, policy, and voluntary standards to ensure mining respects human rights and contributes to sustainable development. Prior to joining IRMA in October 2023, Scott worked with Oxfam’s extractive industries global program for almost a decade supporting campaigns for land, climate, and economic justice. He holds postgraduate degrees in geography and peace and conflict studies (as a Rotary World Peace Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and undergraduate degrees in law and environmental management from University of Queensland.

Michelle’s 25+ year career in sustainability consulting has focused on developing credible and effective environmental, safety, and health management systems and performing audits of a broad spectrum of operations worldwide, including a focus on the extractive industry, minerals processing, energy, and technology.  Prior to joining IRMA she consulted to IRMA in the final development phases of the standard. As a senior leader with the certification body, ERM CVS, she oversaw third-party assessments against a variety of management system standards and minerals and mining-related standards; this included the delivery of third-party audits at mines in Central and South America and Africa during the launch phase of IRMA’s responsible mining standard.  Michelle is from the Pacific Northwest region of the US, and received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Whitman College.  She has participated in a variety of community-based organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for a local salmon habitat restoration organization, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA).

Kristen Vissers joined IRMA in 2019 after 13 years at Rainforest Alliance as part of the executive office team where she directly supported the organization’s President and Executive Vice President.  Kristen has experience in operational due diligence, project and budget management, all aspects of governance, Board committee meetings, and external events and conferences. Prior to joining the Rainforest Alliance, Kristen was involved in hands-on conservation projects with The Nature Conservancy, the US Forest Service, and the Grand Canyon National Park, among others.  She also coordinated the CEO Forum Group from which the current successful Appalachian Woods Alliance was developed.  She has a BS from Northern Arizona University with a specialty in Environmental Education.

Beth Borody is a sustainability leader and a mining executive. She recently served as the Vice President of Sustainability at New Gold Inc., where she led the development and implementation of the company’s ESG strategy, policies, and practices. She also fostered strong relationships with stakeholders, communities, and regulators to advance the company’s social license and reputation.

Beth is also the founder of Femina Collective, a social enterprise that empowers women in mining and related sectors through mentorship, networking, and advocacy. She was recognized as one of the Globe and Mail’s top 50 changemakers in Canada for 2021, for her work in pushing the boundaries for mining to be more diverse and inclusive. Beth is passionate about feminism, Indigenous rights, and climate crisis action, and has worked extensively in Sub-Saharan Africa and North America, bridging worldviews and creating impactful strategies around sustainability and ESG.

Kristi is an attorney with 20 years of experience working on complex law and policy issues with governments, communities, companies, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. She assists with IRMA’s public engagement, partnerships, communications, and ongoing work to improve standards and audits. Her experience includes over a decade of leadership at Sustainable Development Strategies Group, working to align management of renewable energy and natural resources with sustainable development objectives. She is an adjunct professor of climate change law, sustainable development and international trade, and community engagement courses at law schools in the US and Scotland. Kristi has a BS in Social Work with minors in Journalism and Economics from the University of Tennessee and a JD and LLM from the University of Denver with specializations in Environmental Law and Policy and International Resources Transactions Law and Policy.

Aquinar brings just under a decade of diverse experience and an unwavering commitment to responsible mining practices. Her journey in the mining sector first began as a geologist, with technical proficiency in Geometallurgy (Kumba Iron Ore Corporate), Exploration Geology (Kumba Iron Ore), and Production/Pit Geology (Anglo Platinum, SA and Geometallurgical Coal, Australia). Prior to joining IRMA, Aquinar held the position of Sustainable Business Opportunities Specialist managing initiatives like the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) at Anglo American, where she spearheaded transformative change, training, and implementation efforts across operations. Her contributions as Anglo’s IRMA Implementation Manager, in the past three years, played a pivotal role in introducing and embedding IRMA’s standards for responsible mining and processing at various South American operations (Chagres Smelter, El Soldado Mine, and Los Bronces Mine). Within Anglo, Aquinar has worked closely with a wide set of stakeholders, ranging from teams on mine sites to the c-suite. Committed to leadership and mentorship, she actively participated in initiatives such as the Anglo Women in Mining Committee and WeCan Foundation Mentorship program. Aquinar hails from a small mining town in South Africa (Phalaborwa) and earned her BSc. Degree (with Honours) in Geology, with a second major in Environmental & Geographical Sciences from the University of Cape Town and an. MBA from the University of Suffolk. Aquinar is also a member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), embodying a dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.

J.J. Messner de Latour is the Sector Lead for the Purchasing Sector at the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). Prior to joining IRMA, he led Minerals Integrity and Traceability for Microsoft Corporation.

He has over 15 years’ experience on issues related to responsible business, extractive sector governance, political risk, socially responsible investment, and use of security forces. J.J. previously led the Downstream Purchaser sector on the Board of Directors of IRMA and was a long-time former Steering Committee member and recent Commissioner of the Strategic Review Commission of the Voluntary Principles on Security & Human Rights (VPSHR). He also represented Microsoft in the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) and Global Battery Alliance (GBA). J.J. previously served as the Executive Director of The Fund for Peace, an international NGO based in Washington, D.C. He designed, managed, and implemented programs for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), IDB Invest, African Development Bank, U.S. State Department, USAID, foreign governments, and companies in the oil and mining sectors.

Notable achievements include directing the Fragile States Index over a decade and co-authoring the IFC’s “Guidance Handbook on Use of Security Forces” and leading the development of “From Commitment to Impact,” a joint study with DCAF on the in-country implementation of multistakeholder initiatives.

He holds a Masters in Science from George Mason University in Arlington, Virgina and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide, Australia.

Adan serves as IRMA’s lead point of contact for stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders across the Americas and the Caribbean. He has 10 years of experience working on challenges related to mining. He first spent over 5 years within the mining industry, gaining experience both in field engineering (open-pit geotechnical, tailings construction, and mine waste reclamation) and in continuous improvement. His passion for improving mining’s socio-environmental issues arises from his mining engineering experience and his personal connection to Latin America, having been born and raised in Colombia.

Adan holds a BASc. in Geological Engineering from the University of British Columbia and a MASc. in Mining Engineering from Queen’s University. He is a registered member with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia.

Pierre Petit-De Pasquale joined IRMA in 2023 with over 10 years’ experience in the mining sector. He brings experience in developing tools and methodologies to evaluate and improve corporate performance on sustainability, social responsibility and enabling constructive multi-stakeholder dialogue. Pierre’s work in the sector began as a mining engineer specialized in drilling & blasting and process optimization, and he has provided expertise and training on technical and environmental issues at dozens of mines, quarries, and construction sites across three continents. At the Responsible Mining Foundation, he was involved in worldwide consultations with mining-affected communities, mine workers and trade unions, as well as local governments and NGOs, and helped bring to life the Responsible Mining Index Report. As Head of Stakeholder Engagement, he led strategic engagement and collaboration with mining companies, investors, communities, workers and unions, governments and other relevant stakeholders.

Pierre is a member of the ISSA Mining Advisory Council, the UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition, and the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum. More recently he has provided consultancy services and expertise to think tanks, mining and downstream companies, NGOs, research organizations, media, and multilateral organizations. He led the recent work of NRGI on revamping the Resource Governance Index methodology and implementation guidance. Pierre studied at ICAM Lille, the University of Manchester, and CNAM Paris, and holds an MSc. in Engineering.

Sole joined IRMA in 2022 to serve as engagement with indigenous communities, affected communities and NGOs in the Southern Cone of South America. Soledad is a passionate professional with a deep commitment to social justice, indigenous rights, and environmental protection. With 15 years of experience in non-governmental organizations, her focus has been on policy formulation and project management aimed at preserving the natural environment and empowering indigenous communities. Prior to joining IRMA she has worked for over a decade as a Climate Change campaigner with Greenpeace Argentina and Greenpeace International. She also served as a special Advisor for the Mining Committee at the Argentinian Congress.

Soledad’s mission is to contribute to building a more equitable and sustainable world, where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive and where respect for cultural diversity and the conservation of our planet are fundamental priorities. She is convinced that through collaboration and working together, we can make a positive and lasting impact on society and the environment.

Prior to joining IRMA full-time in June 2022, Alan worked for 25 years with communities to protect the environment from the adverse impacts of resource extraction. He did this at Earthworks – as policy director, research director, and communications director, among other roles. In those roles he lobbied the U.S. House and Senate,  testified before Congress, and authored analyses regarding various aspects of mining policy reform. Alan lives with his family in Maryland’s Appalachian Mountain region. He graduated cum laude with a political science undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, and with Environmental Science and Public Affairs masters degrees from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He sits on SkyTruth’s Board of Directors and volunteers with his local chapter of the NAACP.