Our Team
Arnoud Braun
Founder & CEO
Arnoud is the driving force behind FarmTree. Being an experienced organizer and networker he makes sure all boxes are ticked. A flexible team player with positive attitude and a strong sense for local customs. He grew up in Kenya and studied tropical soil science in Wageningen.
Frank van Schoubroeck
Founder & CTO
Frank has 20+ years experience in supporting smallholder farmers to take up trees in their farm plan. With the motto "everybody can grow trees and earn", he prepared a farm planner, and now guides the IT and Innovation Team to develop the company's FarmTree Tool that fulfills the demands of farm and landscape managers.
Irene Vinkenburg
Chief Modeller
Irene is the software developer of the FarmTree Model. Using dynamic modeling, she translates the science into code. She has a Master in Chemistry and was retrained to become a software developer at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
Steffie Rijpkema
Coordinator Innovation Team
Steffie is the coordinator of FarmTree's Innovation Team, managing different FarmTree projects and coordinating strategic innovations within FarmTree. Steffie studied Environmental Biology in Utrecht. She is experienced in linking real-life smallholder needs to global online platforms and M&E tools.
Roos van Haeff
Agroforestry Impact Quantification Expert / YEP water
Roos has been involved in agroforestry quantification, calibration, and the development of the FarmTree Tool since its inception. Currently based in Tanzania, she is part of the Young Experts Program, focusing on agroforestry projects in East Africa with a strong emphasis on water management. Roos holds an MSc in Climate Studies from Wageningen University.
Germaine van Teeffelen
Finance & Operations
Passionate about social enterprises Germaine joined the team to support the overall business on financial, HR, and operational topics. Germaine has a background in value chains, ERP systems, setting up businesses and working on business strategies. She worked in Europe, Africa and India.
Mia Beyens
Model Validation expert
Mia works on ensuring the scientific integrity of the FarmTree Model and contributes to maintaining and updating its scientific documentation. She collaborates with the Innovation and IT teams to generate and validate model developments and enhance platform functionality. She holds an MSc in Biosystems Engineering from Wageningen University.
Tshering Choden
Agroforestry Impact Quantification Expert
Tshering began her journey in the rural village of her home country, Bhutan, where she developed a deep connection with smallholder farming. While currently pursuing her PhD at Wageningen University, she works part-time with FarmTree. She maintains the tree and crop species database and translates field and literature data into model inputs to enhance the tool. She is motivated to integrate scientific knowledge into agroforestry design and decision-making.
Peter Paap
Senior Agroforestry Advisor
Peter is an agroforestry expert with experience from all over the world, but particularly in Africa. He has worked as an international consultant within the UN system on project development for agroforestry based landscape restoration for over 15 years. He has a MSc in Forestry and Environmental management.