Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation

Managing Director
karma@bhutantrustfund.bt

Karma Tshering, Ph.D. is the Managing Director of the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation. He joined BTF from 07 October 2022 for a period of three years. Dr. Karma has Ph.D. in Conservation and Development from University of Sydney, Australia. A passionate conservationist, Dr. Karma has served for more than 27 years in various agencies in the field of environmental conservation and ecotourism. He has been actively involved in the promotion of incentive-based conservation through transformation of conventional system of forest and park management by establishing and institutionalizing nature recreation and ecotourism in the country. He continues to dedicate his time and services for environmental conservation with no institutional boundaries.

Dr. Karma Tshering is from Lamgong, Tsendona, Paro.

Chief Finance Officer
singye@bhutantrustfund.bt

Singye Dorji is the Chief Financial Officer since 1^st July 2017 selected through open competitive process. As the CFO, he plays a leadership role in the continued growth of the organization by designing and implementing financial policy for sustainability.  Under the supervision of the Managing Director, he directs all finances and business administration of BTF to: (i) ensure an efficient and clean financial management structure, (ii) optimize revenue generation while preserving the endowment’s inflation-adjusted capital, and (iii) manage a minimum of US$1 million in annual expenditure. He also provides essential input for financial planning, monitoring and evaluation to ensure all finances are grounded in sound business management to enhance cost‑effectiveness of BTF’s philanthropic work. Singye is also the Member Secretary to the Board’s Asset Management Committee.

Prior to his current position he served as BTF’s Finance Officer since 1997 till 2010 and served as the Acting Chief Financial Officer (ACFO) for more than seven years. Over a career of 28 years, Singye has gained valuable financial and administrative experience. Prior to joining the Fund, he served in the Royal Court of Justice, High Court 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, Trashi Yangtse.

Chief Program Officer
kinley@bhutantrustfund.bt

Kinley Tshering started working as the Chief Program Officer for BTF since May 2023. As the program team lead, he will primarily be responsible for assisting the Managing Director in overseeing the Trust Funds environmental conservation grants program.

Prior to his current post, he worked with the Department of Forests and Park Services in various capacities since 1996. He has worked in the field, including as Park Manager for Jigme Dorji National Park and also at the Department headquarters as Chief of forest resources management and Chief of enforcement. He has extensive experience in natural resource management, forest fire and formulation of natural resources policy and legislation.

Kinley has a MS in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana and a MA in Climate and Society from Columbia University. He is from Changsima, Paro and is enthusiastic about birding and outdoor recreation.

Head of Administration & HR Division
sonam@bhutantrustfund.bt

Ms. Sonam Wangmo oversees the office operation, human resources and procurement service besides assisting in donor funded projects. She is the Member Secretary of the Board of Trustee and the Governance and Audit Committee, as well as focal officer for Ethics & Integrity and the Grievance Redressal system. Sonam holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration with concentration in Leadership from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), United States. 

Sonam is from Samkhar, Trashigang.

Program Officer
leki@bhutantrustfund.bt

Leki Tshewang, Program Officer of the BTF was selected through an open competitive process in April 2023. As the Program Officer, he plays a vital role in programming and ensuring successful implementation of BTF projects.
Prior to joining BTF, he served as Dy. Chief Planning Officer in the Department of Macro Fiscal and Development Finance, Ministry of Finance, the erstwhile Gross National Happiness Commission. Leki also served as Planning Officer in Bumthang, Chhukha and Gasa Dzongkhags since he joined Civil Service in 2007.
Leki received his Master’s in Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development in 2012 from Australian National University, Canberra. He is from Tashithang, Sarpang Dzongkhag.

Kinzang Lhamo
Assistant Human Resources Officer
kinzang@bhutantrustfund.bt

A graduate in Business Administration from the Institute of Management Studies, Dehra Dun, India, Kinzang Lhamo joined the organization in August 2014. Prior to that, Kinzang worked for Puni Gaki Handicraft, a project under Sustainable Development Secretariat and Handicraft Association of Bhutan. 

Kinzang is from Nanong, Pemagatshel.

Phuntsho Choden
Assistant Program Officer
phuntsho@bhutantrustfund.bt

Phuntsho Choden joined the Trust Fund as Assistant Program Officer in December 2014, as primary support to the program division in all business matters related to program management.
Phuntsho is a graduate from Sherubtse College, Kanglung, Bhutan in 2013. 

Phuntsho is from Galing, Trashigang.

Rinchen Wangmo
Assistant Procurement Officer
rinchen@bhutantrustfund.bt

Rinchen Wangmo joined BTFEC in October 2014 as Assistant Finance Officer. She now serves as Assistant Procurement Officer with the Administration Division.  She is a graduate of Business Administration with specialization in Accounting from the Gedu College of Business Studies (class of 2012). 

Rinchen is from Kurtoe, Lhuentse.

Thinley Wangdi
IT/Data Manager
thinley@bhutantrustfund.bt

Thinley Wangdi joined BTFEC in September 2014 as Data Manager. He previously worked for Bhutan Telecom as Network Administrator and at USD Dot Com as Technical Head. Thinley is a recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award for the year 2013 from Royal Thimphu College, where he received his Bachelors in Computer Applications.

Thinley is from Kanglung, Trashigang.

Pema Wangmo
Admin Assistant
pema@bhutantrustfund.bt

Pema Wangmo joined the trust fund in April 2010. She completed her higher education from Rinchen High School, Thimphu.

Pema is from Bidung, Trashigang.

Pasang
Driver/Messenger

Pasang joined BTFEC in 2004. He had previously worked for Department of Forests and Parks Services under Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park for four years before joining the trust fund. 

Pasang is from Jurmey, Mongar.

Mani Kumar Shingdan
Driver/Messenger

Mani Kumar joined the Trust Fund in January 2018. He previously worked at Bhutan Brewery Pvt. Ltd and CSO office. He completed Class X from Wangchhu Middle Secondary School, Chhukha in 2007.

Mani Kumar is from Dagana.

Karma Yangzom
Office Attendant

Karma Yangzom joined BTFEC in 2004. She is from Jamkhar, Trashi Yangtse

Pema Yangzom
Office Gardener

Pema Yangzom joined BTFEC in 2019. She is from Kanglung, Trashigang