Restoring reefs together
for a better future

Max van Aalst

Director

Max is a MSc marine biologist graduate. After finishing his studies in the Netherlands he decided to move back to the island where he grew up, Curaçao, to fight for the coral reefs he fell in love with as a child. Besides being a biologist, Max has a passion for diving, teaching and entrepreneurship. Working with nature, rather than against it is his mission.

Maarten van der Kuijl

Board member

Max van Aalst

Secretary

Max has a Master in Informatics and is an experienced business consultant and manager. He has a strong affinity with diving, nature and sustainability. In 2006 he emigrated to Curacao together with his family and started his own diving school. Since 2008 worked as a consultant and as a director of a government owned entity. He now had his own business and focusses on Consultancy and Marketing. He strongly believes that only a combination of passion and business will lead to excellent results.

Noëlla Bérénos-Ruivenkamp

Board Member

Noëlla Bérénos-Ruivenkamp can be characterized as passionate with a high positive energy. She is specialized in the areas of Vision development, Strategy planning, Organizational development and HR management. Noëlla has extensive experience in supporting companies in setting their long term ambitions and making sure these are translated into yearly realistic goals and operational plans.

Daniel Corsen

Board Member

Olle Juch

Intern

Olle Juch is currently pursuing a degree in Coastal and Marine Management at the Hogeschool van Hall Larenstein in the Netherlands. During her 4-month internship at BRANCH, she will concentrate on the growth and survival of our corals in different environments.

Olivia Grubenmann

Intern

Olivia Grubenmann grew up in Switzerland and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Marine Conservation at the Université Côte d'Azur. With her background in communication and her passion for Ocean Literacy she will support the foundations' communication efforts and maintenance of the coral nurseries.

Jente van Langerak

Intern

Jente van Langerak is currently doing her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Radboud University in Nijmegen. As part of her thesis she is conducting research on coral restoration with BRANCH.

Monica Lafon

Volunteer

Monica Lafon is based in Mexico. She has a Masters Degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po Paris. With her background in public relations and outreach, she helped BRANCH become a member of the Ocean&Climate Platform as well as connect with Accenture Development Partnerships and Sustainable Ocean Alliance.