Who we are 


Collaboration in action: respecting differences, creating impact.

Staff

Pip Cohen

Co-Lead, Tasmania, Australia

Kama Dean Fitz

Co-lead, Denver, CO, USA

Gabriela Anaya

Americas Partner Liaison and Senior Participatory Grantmaking Advisor, Mexico City, Mexico

Sisir Kanta Pradhan

Senior Climate Change Advisor and South Asia Partner Liaison, India

Lowine Hill

Knowledge and Learning Advisor, Canada

Shabeen Ikbal

Head of Operations and Project Management, Malaysia

Mercy Obonyo

Partner Liaison (Africa), Gender, Economic and Social Justice Advisor, Nairobi, Kenya

Lena Westlund

Global Partners Liaison, Stockholm, Sweden

Steering Committee

Gaoussou Gueye

Dakar, Senegal

Aarthi Sridhar

India

Myrna Cunningham Kain

Nicaragua

Joseph Ole Simel

Nairobi, Kenya

Vivienne Solis Rivera

Costa Rica

Hugh Govan

Spain

Turning Tides is legally and fiscally hosted by the Tenure Facility Fund, which is a US 501(C)3 non-profit subsidiary of the International Land and Forest Tenure Facility. We recognize the potential value addition that can be achieved through this collaboration when we get it right and we respect each other’s distinct approaches and partners.

Our Partners

Our Funders

Connect and collaborate!
info@turningtidesfacility.org

Where does Turning Tides work?

We have pilot projects ongoing in Honduras, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Indonesia. Additionally, we are co-developing strategies for Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

© Turning Tides. 

All Rights Reserved

Pip Cohen

Co-Lead
Tasmania, Australia
pip.cohen@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
I have been an applied environmental social scientist and inclusive governance advisor for 25 years. I have always focused on small-scale fisheries, coastal communities, and women in fisheries – from research, processing, trading and governance. I am an islander – living and working in Australia (Tasmania), Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Malaysia (Penang). I dove deeply into tenure in my PhD which looked at the merging of cultural and contemporary practices and rights to govern coastal seas. Since then I have worked at village level to the level of international policy to examine what conditions are challenging, or enabling more equitable oceans. Most recently, I led a multi million-dollar research-for-development program for the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, which brought together research, government and civil society partners to build resilience in small-scale fisheries. After that, I was easily drawn to Turning Tides. In my previous role I was alarmed by the prevalence of unintended and deliberate erosion of tenure and rights, globally. In terms of aid or ‘development’, business-as- usual was failing – regularly, and at great expense. Turning Tides is an opportunity to do things in new ways – a fit for purpose Facility that has been carefully designed; strong and firm, but adaptable in response to our partners. My role is to ensure the Turning Tides’ team is continually able to be responsive to partners. Under the guidance of our Steering Committee, I ensure that our strategy is based on best evidence and partner experience. I lead on partnerships and policy engagement, and work toward inclusive communications and knowledge generation. Whilst dedicated to Turning Tides full time, I am also an Adjunct Professor at James Cook University, and maintain positions as an affiliated senior researcher for programs like Vulnerability to Viability, and SNAPP Group on Governing Changing Oceans – programs that are concerned with equitable and just ocean and climate governance.

Kama Dean Fitz

Co-Director
Denver, CO, USA
kama.deanfitz@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
I bring to this role over 20 years of experience in human-centered natural resource management and philanthropy. I spent 10 years as an Executive Director of a small nonprofit organization, four years as the Vice President of Programs at the Ocean Foundation, and eight years as a Program Officer with the Walton Family and David and Lucile Packard Foundations. I am experienced at building strong and collaborative partnerships with civil society, nonprofit organizations, partner funders, governments, and the private sector to accomplish shared goals. I also bring deep knowledge and experience supporting strong and effective nonprofit institutions. Outside of my work with Turning Tides, I am a Contract Program Officer with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, a Strategic Advisor to the Small-Scale Fisheries Funders Network, and an Affiliate with the Meridian Institute.Upon graduating from a masters program in 2001, I co-founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to channeling resources and support to coastal communities. In my work with Turning Tides, I am supporting a very similar endeavor, this time bringing to bear a career’s worth of growth and learning. Today, I am inspired to bring a deeper knowledge of frontier funding practices such as participatory grantmaking, decolonization of philanthropy and trust-based philanthropy. In my role as Co-lead, I am responsible for institutional governance, participatory and ethical grantmaking, and funder relations. I am deeply committed to building a funding and support mechanism dedicated to centering power with our partners. Working hand in hand with our Steering Committee, I supported the articulation of a set of core values and am now linking them to actionable steps within the institution’s formation and funding processes. We are building an institution that is fit for purpose- shaped by, responsive to and governed by our partners, through which we will support a transition to philanthropy based on trust and empowerment

Gabriela Anaya

Americas Partner Liaison and Senior Participatory Grantmaking Advisor
Mexico City, Mexico
gabriela.anaya@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
As the Americas Partner Liaison and Senior Participatory Grantmaking Advisor, I bring 25 years of experience in marine and coastal issues, environmental policy, and collaborative networks in Latin America. I’ve held leadership roles in government, the non-profit sector, and philanthropy, collaborating with international foundations, individual donors, and agencies to develop culturally sensitive, collaborative strategies for equitable ocean governance. My role as Americas Partner Liaison involves serving as the primary point of contact for partners and allies in the region, facilitating Turning Tide’s support for partners’ rights and tenure over marine, coastal, shoreline, and aquatic spaces and resources. My focus as a liaison extends beyond financial support, striving to forge connections with other funders and partners and fostering transparent dialogue and mutual learning. Cultivating trust with our partners is paramount to me, and I am dedicated to nurturing these relationships over time. In my capacity as a Participatory Grantmaking Advisor, I work closely with the Turning Tides team and the Steering Committee to promote participatory, people-centered grantmaking principles and practices within Turning Tides. I also provide support to other regional partner liaisons to foster their professional development and enhance trust-based norms of partnership, collaboration, and service. I came to Turning Tides driven by a profound curiosity and humility about philanthropy’s potential to contribute to challenge and dismantle oppressive systems, advancing social justice for local communities, small-scale fishers and fish workers, and Indigenous Peoples. While I allocate 75% of my time to Turning Tides, I also work as a licensed leadership coach collaborating with global South change-makers. In this capacity, I support other women engaged in driving positive change by facilitating self-directed learning spaces. Through this role, I pursue my passion for observing how women assume agency in ways that honor not only their own lives but also those around them. Emphasizing conscious leadership, self-care, and the well-being of their communities and teams, I aim to foster growth and resilience.

Sisir Kanta Pradhan

Senior Climate Change Advisor and South Asia Partner Liaison
India
sisir.pradhan@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
My work with Turning Tides draws on my experience, skills and passion on issues related to climate justice, sustainable social and ecological relationships on coasts and strengthening agency of indigenous people and coastal communities. As the Senior Climate Change Advisor and South Asia Partner Liaison, I ensure our operational strategies are climate responsive and that our partnerships and program implementation are used in the Asian contexts in which we work. My career has focussed on pro-poor development and community-level research with a focus on rights, justice and governance.  I have worked closely with communities in both South Asia and Africa supporting natural resource management, livelihoods, sustainable agriculture, aquatic food systems, environmental health, climate change adaptation and disaster management. In total I have more than 26 years of professional experience working with NGOs, international agencies, government UN agencies. I hold a PhD in Sustainability Management (University of Waterloo) through which I dived deeply into the often hidden labor, values and social relations associated with dried fish value chains.  My 21 publications (refereed journal articles, book chapters and policy papers) all reflect connections across different disciplines, a bridge of diverse perspectives and strong place-based knowledge. In addition to my role with Turning Tides I am an  Assistant Professor (adjunct) in the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo. I am also an active member of professional knowledge and research networks like the Common Ground Collaborative Initiative, Vulnerability to Viability Global Partnership,Too Big to Ignore, and Dried Fish Matters. With Turning Tides partners I draw on both my academic and real world exposure, and a deep commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation (as an individual and an institution) to this quest for security and just recognition in the real world of complexity and uncertainty.

Lowine Hill

Knowledge and Learning Advisor
Canada
lowine.hill@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
My career focus is on power, rights, and positionality. For more than eight years, I have worked in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and resource management and conservation in coastal areas and islands. I have a PhD in Social and Ecological Sustainability (University of Waterloo, Canada) developed new and deeper understandings of patterns of marginalization and processes of inclusion of diverse community groups, including fisherfolk, LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous Peoples in the governance of disaster and risk. In my role as the Knowledge and Learning Advisor, I will center action learning, participatory approaches and qualitative, collaborative methods to monitoring, evaluation and learning. I was drawn to Turning Tides’ due commitment to the power and rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and Indigenous Peoples, and its foundational principles of accountability, learning, and humility. I am excited to bring my technical knowledge in inclusive design and implementation of projects, knowledge translation, capacity strengthening, facilitation toward more equitable and meaningful participation. I have lived and worked across the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and North America. Outside of my professional interests I love traveling—often to Japan—where I indulge in local culinary specialties.

Shabeen Ikbal

Head of Operations and Project Management
Malaysia
shabeen.ikbal@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
I have more than 20 years of experience in supporting the design and implementation of international development and research projects, I have worked with a broad range of project leaders – from women’s fisher groups in Africa, to international scientists from the Global North. I have partnered with a range of funders, including USAID, the European Union, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, OAK Foundation, and The WorldBank. I have a Bachelor in Business Organization Management with Honors and a speciality in Political Science. I bring a high standard of management skills, strong analytical abilities, and a strong understanding of the implementation of projects in “messy” contexts. To Turning Tides I bring my skills and love for weaving together teams and partners – and know first hand the challenges and opportunities of drawing together different world views, cultures and knowledge systems. People describe me as assertive, solution oriented and an excellent listener. I am not afraid of the sticky problems – and love creating solutions that enable teams and partners to achieve their goals, with fewer bureaucratic administrative challenges. My strong interest in efficient management, novel processes and coordination serving partners has brought me to sail with Turning Tides. In my role I’ll ensure we are a stable yet adaptive institution, set up in ways to support our partners, and create a work and partnership culture in line with our values.

Mercy Obonyo

Partner Liaison (Africa), Gender, Economic and Social Justice Advisor
Nairobi, Kenya
mercy.obonyo@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
To my role as Partner Liaison for Africa, and the Gender, Economic and Social Justice Advisor, I bring my expertise and passion for gender equity, business and human rights, environmental and climate justice, and natural resource governance. I have over 10 years of experience designing, implementing, and evaluating programmes and/or projects in these spaces. I consider myself an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals. I hold undergraduate and graduate qualifications in Environmental Sciences, Climate Justice and International Human Rights Law, and I am certified as an Associate Expert on Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit. I have lived and worked in 46 countries of Africa and beyond the continent. I have authored and/or co-authored more than 10 publications on human rights, sustainable oceans, and fact finding missions with diverse right holder groups. In all my roles I am passionate about, providing technical and capacity support to human rights actors, specifically rights holders, toward empowerment and agency in decision making processes. My role as the Gender, Economic and Social Justice Advisor allows me to focus on our partnerships and programming to ensure we are supporting work that challenges patterns of programming, funding and engaging that have perpetuated inequities. As the Partner Liaison for Africa my role is to be a responsive and proactive point of contact for Turning Tides with partners, allies and initiatives focused in the African region. I was drawn to Turning Tides’ innovative, renewed, rights-holders centered approaches. I am keen to be part of this rethinking how rights holders are positioned in aid and development for rights holders. In the spaces between work I am discovering the world, listening to music and enjoying quality time with loved ones.

Lena Westlund

Global Partners Liaison
Stockholm, Sweden
lena.westlund@turningtidesfacility.org
LinkedIn
As a Global Partner Liaison, I bring more than 30 years of experience from fisheries and development cooperation at the international and local levels. I have lived and worked both long and short term in-country, in particular in Africa and South Asia, engaging in projects on poverty alleviation and food security in small-scale fishing and fish farming communities. At the global level, I have been involved with policy, especially for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and was supporting the development of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication(the SSF Guidelines). I have also worked on how to implement the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security in the fisheries sector. I am passionate about small-scale fisheries and its importance for food and nutrition security and sustainable development, which is what has drawn me to the Turning Tides: Working with small-scale fishing communities, I have often seen how insecure tenure and rights are among the root causes of their challenges and this is something that we need to address urgently. Turning Tides is taking this on in a serious and innovative way. I have a Master’s degree in International Economics and Business Administration from Gothenburg University, Sweden, where I also complimented my studies with courses in international relations and social anthropology as I was taking an interest in development cooperation early on. In my role as Global Partner Liaison, I support the global dimension of the work of the Turning Tides, working with global partners and international policy processes.

Gaoussou Gueye

Dakar, Senegal
Has more than 30 years of experience in the Senegalese artisanal fishing sector, 10 years of experience in Africa, and 10 years of experience in industrial fishing. He is the President of the African Confederation of xProfessional Organizations for Artisanal Fisheries (CAOPA) and the Non-State Actors Platform for the Fishing and Aquaculture Sector in West Africa (WANSAFA/PANEPAO). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI). Gaoussou is a strong voice in support of commitments made to fishers and was one of the key champions behind A Call to Action from Small scale Fishers, which was launched at the 2022 World Oceans Conference.

Aarthi Sridhar

India
Is a founder trustee of Dakshin Foundation and heads its “Communities and Resource Governance Programme”. Trained in the social sciences and social work, her interests cover a range of historical and contemporary socio-legal studies, with a focus on regulating resource use, environmental justice and democratic practices. She has also facilitated the creation of some of India’s first collaborative experiments for coastal and marine environmental governance. She has researched and produced documentary films on fisheries, photo-essays, field manuals and other learning material on environmental subjects.

Myrna Cunningham Kain

Nicaragua
is a Miskito feminist, indigenous rights activist and medical surgeon from Nicaragua. She has participated in political-social processes linked to the struggle for the rights of women and indigenous peoples in Latin America. She has been coordinator of the Indigenous Chair of the Intercultural Indigenous University. In September 2010, she obtained an Honoris Causa Doctorate from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the first time that the UNAM granted such recognition to an indigenous woman. From 2011 to 2013, she was chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues of the UN. She served as; the chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: the president of the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) where she works to advance the rights of indigenous women and knowledge on indigenous peoples and the impacts of climate change: adviser to the president of the UN World Conference of Indigenous People, and on boards of the Global Fund for Women, the Center for Autonomy and Development of Indigenous People, the Latin American and Caribbean Indigenous People Development Fund, the Permanent UN Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, The Hunger Project, and the International Land and Forest Tenure Facility.

Joseph Ole Simel

Nairobi, Kenya
Is the Executive Director of Mainyoito Pastoralists Integrated Development Organization (MPIDO). Furthermore, he also joined the Global Steering Committee representing the Africa region for the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC). Joseph is a member of the Steering Committee of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at IFAD (‘The International Fund for Agricultural Development’), which is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. Joseph has firsthand experience with regranting and localized grant making with IFAD; he ensured that their grants reached communities working in the ground in many African nations. Joseph has worked for decades on tenure security for indigenous people, and he believes that, “For indigenous peoples to be secure, for nutrition to be possible, the security of land, waterways, and natural resources must be a priority.” Joseph now leverages his experience to serve the marginalized needs of all Indigenous peoples across Africa, and Globally.

Vivienne Solis Rivera

Costa Rica
Has oriented her professional work towards the community-based management of natural resources, protected areas governance, and local communities’ participation in conservation with a special interest in marine ecosystems and gender. In the last years, she has worked on the promotion of community-based and shared governance models for the management of sea resources. She has promoted civil participation in policy-making that responds to the strengthening of a human rights based rights approach to marine conservation. She is also a member of ICSF and an honorary member of the Indigenous People and Local Communities Conserved Areas Consortium (ICCA Consortium).

Hugh Govan

Spain
Has been working since 1999 to help governments, NGOs, and donors build on communities’ capacities and aspirations to achieve better and more sustainable livelihoods. He has worked with the Locally Managed Marine Area Network, which promotes community-based adaptive management in Asia and the Pacific since its inception and is active in sharing the lessons learned to develop appropriate collaborative management approaches globally. His current interests are developing national and provincial government systems to support decentralized natural resource management, and training. Hugh is an ‘action’ researcher, working in collaboration with early career and established scholars to ensure that research on small-scale fisheries and coastal governance is impactful, relevant, and, in many cases, more participatory than it would have been without his coaching and support. Hugh is a critical voice in many global forums; he calls out rhetoric or tokenistic participatory efforts.