Dr. Pema Choephyel, Director
pema.choephyel@bhutantrustfund.bt

Dr. Pema Choephyel joined the Fund in July 2010. As the bridge between grant seekers and the Fund’s Management Board, he has responsibility for strategy development, program design and monitoring, outreach, human resource development.

Over the past 22 years, Dr. Pema Choephyel’s career has covered environmental conservation, research in renewable natural resources and commercial finance. He began his career with the Royal Civil Service Commission; as a civil servant he held various positions as the Principal at Royal Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Husbandry, Pedagogic Head (VP) at the Natural Resources Training Institute, Chief Research Officer, Chief Extension Officer, Director, Council of RNR Research of Bhutan and recently as an Advisor to the Bhutan Development Finance Corporation Limited.

He has held various professional membership such as the Permanent Representative of World Meteorology Organization (2004-2007), member of the Project Steering Committee of various area Development Projects in Bhutan.(1997-2007), Board Director for Bhutan Development Finance Corporation Limited (2002-2007), Druk Seed Corporation, (2001-2007), Bhutan Agro Industry Limited (2001-2003),  and Food Corporation of Bhutan, (2002-2003),  He was also the Chairman of Audit Committee for BDFCL (2004-2007) and  a member of Good Governance Plus (2006).

A graduate of Bombay Veterinary College, Bombay, India Dr. Pema Choephyel received his master’s degree in Rural Development and Communication from Lincoln University, New Zealand in 1991. He is from Mongar and has three sons and a daughter.

Chukey Wangchuk, Chief Program Officer
wangchuk@bhutantrustfund.bt

Chukey Wangchuk joined the Fund in 1999 as its program officer. He is now the Chief Program Officer and on the BTFEC secretariat management team. He plays a leadership role in the continued growth of the organization by designing and implementing environmental management programs. Under the supervision of the Director,  Chukey assist with the direction, management and coordination of program activities, and ensure that business strategies and grant making are grounded in sound science and business management to enhance cost-effectiveness of BTF’s philanthropic efforts; Chukey previously worked for the Asian Development Bank funded project on technical and vocational education during 1994 to 1998.

Since 2004, he has been actively serving on technical committees in Bhutan pertaining to water, climate change, human-wildlife conflicts, and solid waste management. Chukey has been volunteering for forest fire management, RENEW, and Kuzoo Radio.

Chukey is a graduate of Punjab University in India, and in 2003, received his master’s of science degree in natural resources management and policy from Cornell University. A native of Zhemgang, Chukey grew up in Thimphu.

Singye Dorji, Finance Officer
singye@bhutantrustfund.bt

Singye Dorji has been the Fund’s finance officer since 1997. He looks after all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, monitoring investments, and maintaining the Fund’s tax-exempt status. He also oversees the day-to-day administration of the organisation. Singye is also member secretary to the Board’s asset management committee.

Over a career of 20 years, Singye has gained valuable financial and administrative experience. Prior to joining the Fund, he served in the Royal Court of Justice in Thimphu as deputy chief accountant during 1989 to 1995. During 1996 to 1997, he served as deputy chief accountant in the secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Singye received his MBA in international business in 2007 from Escuela De Alta Direccion Y Administracion in Barcelona, Spain. He is from Wongmey Nang, Tashi Yangtse.

Sonam Wangmo, Administrative Officer
sonam.wangmo@bhutantrustfund.bt

Sonam Wangmo joined the Fund in 2001 as an administrative assistant. In 2007, she became the administrative officer, with overall responsibility for office management, human resource administration, logistics coordination, and day-to-day financial management. She previously worked for a successful transport business for a year.

Sonam graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999 from Punjab University in India and in spring 2010, she received her master’s degree in Public Administration with concentration in Leadership from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), which is popularly acknowledged to be the home of Bhutanese architecture in America.

Sonam is from Samkhar in Tashigang.

Dorji, Program Officer
dorji@bhutantrustfund.bt

Dorji joined the Fund in 2006 as assistant program officer. As program officer, he ensures the smooth operations of the entire grants program,  assists program colleagues with proposal review, planning and coordination, management and evaluation of environmental grant activities in the country.

Dorji graduated from Sherubtse College in Bhutan in 2005, with a first division degree in geography (Honors). As an undergraduate, he was local project coordinator for the largest book in the world project, which produced “Bhutan, A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom”. During 2002 to 2005, he was also project director of the Friendly Planet-funded school photography clubs at Sherubtse College and five schools throughout the country.

As a volunteer, Dorji provided valuable assistance in organizing Bhutan’s participation as the feature of the 42nd Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC, in June and July 2008. 150 artisans, farmers, dancers, officials, and monks presented Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage at its largest and most successful event organised outside the country.

Dorji is from Phongmey, Tashigang.

Yeshey Peldon, Assistant Finance Officer
yeshey@bhutantrustfund.bt

Yeshey Peldon joined the Fund as assistant finance officer from October 2010.She assists Finance Officer in all financial operations. Before joining the Fund, she worked for a private company as assistant finance officer for three and half years.

Yeshey graduated from Darjeeling Government College in 2006 with a B.Com degree. She is from Changchena, Punakha.

Pema Wangmo, Office Assistant
pema@bhutantrustfund.bt

Pema Wangmo joined the Fund in April 2010 as an office  assistant. She previously worked for a successful private  business for almost three years.

Pema Wangmo graduated from Rinchen High School in 2007. She is from Bidung, Trashigang.

Choki Wangmo, Personal Assistant
choki@bhutantrustfund.bt

 

Choki Wangmo joined the Fund in November 2010 as a personal assistant to the Director. Before joining the  fund, she  worked for Office Automation and Ranglug Consultancy.

She graduated from Kuengaa Higher Secondary School, Paro in 2009. She is from Tamshing, Bumthang.

 

Pasang, Driver cum Messenger

Pasang joined  the Fund in December 2004.  He had previously worked with Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park for four years before joining the fund.

He is from Kurtakey, Jurmey, Mongar.

Gembo Tshering, Driver cum Messenger

Gembo joined the Fund in November 2009.  He had previously worked with Ministry of Labour & Human Resources(Rural Skill Development) for two and half years.

He is from Chuwabari, Dekling, Sarpang