"Meet the Experts: The Leadership Team of the CBEN Conference and IBI Biochar Academy in Kenya"

The International Biochar Initiative and the Circular Bio-nutrient Economy Network (CBEN) joyfully introduce the leadership team for the upcoming CBEN Conference and IBI Biochar Academy, set to take place in Kenya from 2–6 June 2025. This dynamic, multi-day event will bring together global stakeholders, biochar producers, smallholder farmers, carbon professionals, and industry leaders to collaborate on biochar business development and nutrient and carbon recovery for soil health.

Interested in attending? Fill out the interest list to get registration updates.

Meet the Leadership Team

The event’s leadership team consists of five exceptional individuals who will oversee curriculum development, lead program planning, and serve as key facilitators and trainers throughout the event. Their diverse background, expertise, and dedication will be instrumental in creating an enriching, hands-on learning experience for all participants.

Chelsea Akulet

Chelsea Akulet works on biochar business development initiatives at PlantVillage. With a background in agroforestry and growing expertise in carbon management, she collaborates on projects that enhance carbon sequestration and drive market adoption. She has a keen interest in the intersection of policy development and regulatory frameworks with climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. She is a student member of IBI.

Joy Nyang'or

Joy Nyang'or is a Kenyan Civil Engineer and consultant turned sustainability entrepreneur. She combines her technical expertise with entrepreneurial acumen and is innovating around microbial treatments for biochar in Africa. Her journey from management consulting to co-founding EcoRestore, based out of Cape Town, reflects a commitment to proving that profit and purpose can harmoniously coexist.

 

Samuel Thuo

Samuel Thuo is an experienced agronomist, entrepreneur, and startup founder with a strong background in farming, farmer engagement, and sustainable agriculture. He specializes in biochar production and sales, leveraging innovative solutions to enhance soil health and improve agricultural productivity.

Charles Waweru

Charles Waweru is the Director of Carbon Projects Development. He leverages his extensive knowledge and expertise in carbon methodologies and project management to ensure that projects adhere to the highest standards of environmental integrity and carbon accounting. To date, he has overseen the development of several projects in clean cooking, biochar, and AFOLU, as well as leading capacity-building initiatives in the carbon markets.

Bhavana Pramod

A serial entrepreneur, Bhavana has three decades of experience in running successful ventures in fuel monitoring, RFID tags in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda. She is a ACCA & FCA, holds a Masters in Business Administration from University of Notre Dame, Australia and ISO 9001, 14000, 18001 auditor. Bhavana is a recipient of the World Bank SDG award for her contribution toward women empowerment through her NGO, Taxshe, India. She is currently co founder of Deep Carbon Africa Ltd domiciled in Mauritius.

Support Team

 Luisa Marin, IBI’s Executive Director, will act as the Agenda Master of the program, responsible for curating a comprehensive and engaging IBI Academy curriculum for individual leadership team expertise. In support, Isabella Culotta, CBEN Program's Manager, will provide strategic oversight and direction with Erick Abala, CBEN Head of Communications.

What to Expect from the Program

The IBI Biochar Academy and CBEN Conference will offer a robust learning experience for attendees, covering essential topics such as market expansion, carbon certification, and sales strategies. The leadership team will play a pivotal role in:

• Developing and delivering high-quality curriculum content

• Facilitating hands-on workshops and discussions

• Connecting attendees with industry experts and project finance representatives

• Identifying solutions to regional challenges in biochar production and nutrient management

With the guidance of this team, we are confident that the 2025 IBI-CBEN event will provide an unparalleled opportunity to advance biochar business development and global collaboration. If you have questions please see our FAQ page and reach out with further questions.

We expect to publish a draft program in March, in parallel with the application form.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow along as we prepare for this exciting event!

By Lauren Boritzke Smith(IBI) and Erick Abala(CBEN)