THE TEAM
Brando Crespi
Biochar Pioneer | Reforestation | Carbon Restoration | Biodiversity
CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Over four decades, Brando Crespi has worked at the crossroads of sustainability, regenerative development, biodiversity and climate-smart innovation – pioneering the use of biochar and biocarbons to restore ecosystems and build circular economies. Co-founding Pro-Natura International (PNI) in Brazil in 1986, he pioneered biochar in agroecology and helped lift over 7 million people out of poverty by facilitating the deployment of €1.6 billion into the sustainable development of 63 countries. PNI's impact earned the 1997 US Academy of Sciences' Mitchell Prize, widely considered to be the “Nobel Prize of Sustainability.” Brando has driven or advised major reforestation and carbon restoration initiatives, including Amazonian reforestation, the "Green Great Wall ” projects in China and Africa, and the creation of biochar companies in Nigeria, Brazil, and Senegal.
Jim Butcher
Biochar Pioneer | Reforestation | Carbon Restoration | Biodiversity
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jim has created and led global and U.S. sustainability initiatives his entire career. In the 1980s, he led the Ford Foundation’s environmental programs globally, including forestry and agriculture projects in Indonesia, India, Nigeria and the U.S. Under Al Gore in the Clinton Administration, he created the first Sustainable National Energy Plan for the U.S. In 2004, he joined Morgan Stanley, where he created their first global Sustainability Office (as CSO and MD) and the bank soon became the #2 leading global green bank, including launching many new green successful start-ups, such as Solar City, and co-investing in early green VCs and PE funds. During the last decade, he has helped start two green private equity (PE) funds, advised many new green start-ups, such as Fisker (EV). Most recently, he was in the Middle East, designing the new sustainable, green city NEOM and creating a $3-5Bn green global PE fund.
Richard Murray
Venture Backed Technology | Senior Executive | CFO | COO
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Rich brings over 50 years of experience in active leadership roles as a senior executive and entrepreneur. He is a former partner with PwC where he specialized in early stage, venture backed and technology companies. Over the past 30 years Rich has served as the CFO/COO for many early-stage mid-market companies, has co-founded several for profit and not-for-profit initiatives. He currently works with companies in a consulting role principally as a board member/advisor with oversight involvement in operational, financial and administrative functions. He has extensive experience in the management of operational, financial and administrative functions.