Our Team
Founder & CEO
Hassan Sachedina, Ph.D
Founder & CEO
Hassan Sachedina, Ph.D
Dr. Hassan Sachedina is the CEO and Founder of Sayari Earth. He is a senior leader with more than 25 years of experience in climate action, conservation, and sustainable development. Prior to Sayari, he founded and served as CEO of BCP (BioCarbon Partners), which became one of the world’s largest and most impactful REDD+ project developers.
Hassan has held executive roles in nature-based carbon development for over 15 years and has contributed to the design and implementation of 11 verified or in-process nature-based carbon projects spanning up to 18 million hectares. His career is driven by a commitment to advancing high-integrity climate solutions grounded in science, community partnership, and ecological resilience.
Co-Founder & COO
Joke Sachedina
Co-Founder & COO
Joke Sachedina
Joke Sachedina is the COO and Co-Founder of Sayari Earth, a distinguished senior executive with deep expertise in climate change mitigation, sustainability, and strategic operational leadership. She has led complex, mission-driven organisations through phases of growth, transformation, and impact, bringing a strong blend of operational discipline and values-driven leadership to the nature-based carbon sector.
Executive Assistant
Elmé Coetzer
Executive Assistant
Elmé Coetzer
Elmé Coetzer is the Executive Assistant at Sayari Earth, bringing a strong foundation in project coordination, documentation, and cross-functional operational support. With experience spanning research, compliance, and quality management systems, Elmé helps drive structure, efficiency, and disciplined execution across fast-paced initiatives. She combines analytical thinking with a deep passion for conservation, applying both field experience and organisational rigor to advance Sayari’s mission.
Carbon Scientist
Kudzai Mpakairi, Ph.D
Carbon Scientist
Kudzai Mpakairi, Ph.D
Kudzai Mpakairi is a Carbon Scientist at Sayari Earth, specializing in natural resources management, remote sensing, and spatial data analytics. He brings strong expertise in applying geospatial technologies to advance carbon removal and conservation initiatives across Africa. Kudzai brings cutting-edge research depth to the data-driven environmental insights he contributes to Sayari Earth’s mission.
Impact & Safeguards Lead
Kozette Myburgh
Impact & Safeguards Lead
Kozette Myburgh
Kozette Myburgh is the Impact & Safeguards Lead at Sayari Earth, specializing in environmental and social safeguards, ESIA, compliance auditing, and stakeholder engagement. She brings extensive experience in managing regulatory processes, assessing socio-environmental risks, and ensuring that projects deliver positive, equitable outcomes for people and nature. Kozette is known for her collaborative and detail-driven approach, safeguarding community well-being, biodiversity, and environmental integrity across complex project landscapes.
Partnership Building Officer
Marcel Van Der Merwe II
Partnership Building Officer
Marcel Van Der Merwe II
Marcel van der Merwe II is the Partnership Building Officer at Sayari Earth, a career conservationist with over 10 years of experience in conservation management, community engagement, and sustainable development. He brings deep expertise in landscape-scale connectivity and restoration ecology, informed by his intimate knowledge of South Africa’s Cape region. Marcel is also the Founder of the Gora Wilderness Foundation and the author of Rewilding the Lost Wilderness: Green Heritage of the Forgotten Cape.
Rangeland Ecologist
Elsa van Ginkel
Rangeland Ecologist
Elsa van Ginkel
Elsa van Ginkel is a Rangeland Ecologist at Sayari Earth, with strong experience in vegetation surveys, ecological monitoring, and environmental data collection across remote and challenging landscapes. She is skilled in plant and invertebrate identification, botanical research, and coordinating field logistics. Elsa brings a science-driven, detail-oriented approach to generating high-quality ecological data and supporting restoration and sustainable land management efforts.
Customer Success Officer
Martin Van Staden
Customer Success Officer
Martin Van Staden
Martin van Staden is the Customer Success Officer at Sayari Earth, bringing over 21 years of multi-sector experience across business development, sales, marketing, and strategic operations. He is passionate about driving growth, cultivating strong partnerships, and delivering meaningful value to clients and teams. With a solid foundation in leadership, communication, and community engagement, Martin is committed to contributing to sustainable, purpose-driven organisations.
Financial Operations Coordinator
Ashleigh Van Wyk
Financial Operations Coordinator
Ashleigh Van Wyk
Ashleigh van Wyk is the Financial Operations Coordinator at Sayari Earth, bringing a strong foundation in executive support, strategic administration, and project coordination. She is experienced in budgeting, financial tracking, and operational reporting, enabling effective decision-making across the organisation. Ashleigh is known for her structured communication, strong stakeholder management, and ability to deliver high-quality outputs in fast-paced environments.
CDR Officer
Wayne Roland Van Wyk
CDR Officer
Wayne Roland Van Wyk
Wayne Roland van Wyk is a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Officer at Sayari Earth, bringing strong organisational, coordination, and project administration skills to support the delivery of high-integrity carbon removal initiatives. He is experienced in managing complex administrative processes, maintaining accurate project documentation, and facilitating effective communication across teams and stakeholders. Wayne is dedicated to supporting environmental programs through structured execution and reliable operational support.
Principal Carbon Scientist
Cameron Wesson
Principal Carbon Scientist
Cameron Wesson
Cameron Wesson is the Principal Carbon Scientist at Sayari Earth, a technical specialist in GIS, remote sensing, and advanced data analytics for carbon project development. He is a recognised academic leader in environmental monitoring and conservation technology, with expertise in UAV applications and machine learning for vegetation analysis. Cameron has a proven track record of implementing innovative technical solutions to address complex environmental challenges.
Chairperson of the Executive Advisory Board
Prof. Piers Cumberlege
Chairperson of the Executive Advisory Board
Prof. Piers Cumberlege
Prof. Piers Cumberlege is the Chairperson of the Executive Advisory Board at Sayari Earth, an experienced global leader whose career spans multinational corporations, private equity, governments, and civil society across multiple continents. He has served on numerous public and private boards, including the South Pole Group, and currently advises on climate finance and fund structuring. A former Head of Partnership at the World Economic Forum, Piers holds advanced degrees from Oxford University and Coventry University and is a certified corporate director.