Meet Our Amazing Experts
At WEC Nature, our strength lies in the knowledge, passion, and dedication of our experts. Our team is made up of experienced professionals, environmental advocates, researchers, and innovators committed to creating sustainable solutions for communities and the environment.
CEO & Founder, Water Resource Engineer and Climate Scientist
Dr.-Ing. Vincent Ogembo, Ph.D., PMP.
Dr.-Ing. Vincent Ogembo is the Founder and CEO of WEC Nature Solutions, with
over a decade of experience in climate science, hydroclimatic modelling, hydrologic
systems, and environmental planning. He holds a Postdoctoral qualification in
Hydroclimatic Modelling (Belgium, Europe), a Ph.D. in Water Resources Planning
(Kenya), an MSc in Water Engineering and Climate Change (Algeria & Germany),
and a BSc in Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering (Kenya). He is also a
certified PMP and Registered Graduate Engineer in Kenya.
Dr. Ogembo has worked with government, private sector and international
organizations where he led multidisciplinary projects across East and Central Africa
as well as Europe, focusing on nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based adaptation,
and sustainable development. His work integrates geospatial technologies,
indigenous knowledge, and scientific research to inform policy and enhance
environmental resilience. He is recognized for advancing green infrastructure, water
governance, and cross-sectoral collaboration. Under his leadership, WEC delivers
innovative, evidence-based consultancy and research services that support climate
adaptation and resource management across diverse landscapes and development
sectors.
Prof. Dr. Ing. Ann Griensven, Ph.D. – Belgium. Professor of Hydrology and Environmental Modelling
Prof. Dr. Ing. Ann Griensven, Ph.D. – Belgium (External Advisor)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ann van Griensven is a globally recognized expert in hydrology,
environmental modeling, and integrated water resources management. Her
academic contributions have advanced the development and application of modeling
tools for sustainable water management, particularly in the context of climate change
and human impacts on river basins. She is internationally known for her work on the
Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), for which she has developed
methodologies that significantly enhance model calibration, sensitivity analysis, and
uncertainty assessment.
Prof. van Griensven has led and collaborated in numerous international research
initiatives, bridging hydrological science and policy, particularly in vulnerable regions
such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. She has authored and co-authored
over hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, and her research is widely cited (over
14,000) across disciplines including hydrology, environmental engineering, and
sustainability science.
A dedicated mentor and educator, she has supervised many doctoral and
postdoctoral researchers from around the world. Her contributions to science and
international collaboration have been recognized through prestigious awards,
including the International SWAT Conference Achievement Award. Prof. van
Griensven also serves on the editorial boards of several high-impact journals and
frequently advises global agencies on water and climate resilience strategies.
Climate and Water Resources Scientist | Geospatial and Environmental Modeling Expert
Prof. Dr. Wim Thiery – Europe (External Advisors)
Prof. Wim Thiery is a renowned climate scientist whose work has significantly
advanced the understanding of regional climate dynamics, climate extremes, and
human-climate interactions. His research integrates high-resolution climate modeling
with hydrology, land-atmosphere feedbacks, and human water use, providing critical
insights into the implications of global warming at local scales. A leading contributor
to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Prof. Thiery played a key
role as a Lead Author in the Sixth Assessment Report, focusing on regional impacts
and adaptation.
He has received multiple prestigious awards for scientific excellence and societal
impact, including the ERC Starting Grant and the Outstanding Early Career Scientist
Award from the European Geosciences Union (EGU). His groundbreaking work on
compound climate extremes and urban climate risks has been published in top-tier
journals such as Nature, Science, and Nature Climate Change. Prof. Thiery’s
research is frequently cited in international media and policy documents, bridging
science and society.
Committed to fostering scientific leadership, he mentors emerging scholars and
leads interdisciplinary collaborations across climate science, hydrology, and socio-
environmental systems. Prof. Thiery stands at the forefront of climate impact
research, contributing vital knowledge to support resilience in a rapidly changing
world.
Climate Scientist – Government and EU Advisor
Dr. Navneet Kumar, Ph.D. – Germany/India
Dr. Navneet Kumar is an environmental and water resources scientist with a Ph.D. in
Engineering, specializing in water management and climate change impacts. He also
holds a Masters in Geoinformatics and a Bachelors in Agricultural Sciences,
providing him with a strong interdisciplinary foundation.
With over 13 years of experience, Dr. Kumar has worked at the intersection of
hydrology, environmental monitoring, and geospatial science. His research focuses
on sustainable water management, land-use and climate change modeling, flood
and drought risk assessment, and nature-based solutions. He has led projects
across Africa and Asia, specializing in satellite-based environmental monitoring,
wetland health assessment, and climate-resilient planning. Additionally, Dr. Kumar
has expertise in stakeholder engagement, policy support, and developing decision-
support tools for environmental planning and adaptation. He takes a systems-
thinking approach to address water and environmental challenges, aiming for
science-based, sustainable solutions.
Senior Environmental & Geospatial Science Expert | Natural Resources Management Specialist
Joseph Okotto-Okotto – Kenya
Joseph Okotto-Okotto is a distinguished environmental and geospatial science
expert with over 35 years of experience advancing sustainable development across
Sub-Saharan Africa. His work spans natural resources management, land and water
planning, ecosystem restoration, sanitation, plastic waste management, and public
health. Holding advanced degrees in environmental science, geospatial science, and
natural resources management, Joseph has led major initiatives involving
participatory mapping, spatial analysis, environmental assessments, and climate
adaptation—consistently integrating science, policy, and community engagement to
drive lasting impact.
A respected scholar and policy advisor, Joseph has authored over 60 peer-reviewed
publications and book chapters, earning nearly 700 citations and an h-index of 10.
He was honoured with the Best Policy and Planning Report Award in South Korea
for his outstanding technical writing and strategic policy work. Throughout his career,
he has held key roles in government, academia, and NGOs, promoting nature-based
solutions and institutional capacity building. He currently serves as a senior expert
with WEC Nature Solutions Consultancy and Research, where he champions
climate-resilient, ecosystem-focused, and community-led responses to
environmental challenges.
Dr. Ing. Albert Nkwasa, Ph.D. – Austria/Uganda
Dr. Albert Nkwasa is a water and climate scientist with expertise in modeling the
interactions between water resources, agriculture, and climate change. He holds an
MSc in Water Resources Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences. His
research experience focuses on integrating land use, climate change, and
hydrological models to assess non-point source pollution in African water bodies,
with a particular focus on water pollution issues in Africa.
Throughout his career, Nkwasa has contributed to projects promoting open data and
software for water resources management. He has a strong background in
environmental modeling, water quality, and ecosystem research. In addition to his
academic achievements, he has gained valuable experience working on various
water security and climate change initiatives, advancing the understanding of water
resource management under changing environmental conditions.
GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist
Gavin Akinyi – Kenya
Gavin Akinyi is a dedicated GIS and Remote Sensing specialist with expertise in
applying geospatial technologies to monitor, map, and interpret Earth’s surface
characteristics. Her work integrates satellite imagery analysis, spatial modelling, and
geographic data processing to support the assessment of environmental changes,
land use dynamics, and ecological patterns. She plays a critical role in translating
raw spatial data into actionable insights for sustainable resource management and
policy development.
Gavin has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications focused on freshwater
ecosystems, land cover change, and climate-related monitoring. Her research efforts
emphasize the value of remote sensing in tracking anthropogenic impacts and
supporting conservation planning. Through collaborations with academic and
research institutions, she supports data-driven decision-making in environmental
governance. Her technical skills, scientific contributions, and commitment to
leveraging spatial data for real-world solutions position her as an emerging leader in
the geospatial and environmental monitoring field.
Environmental Sustainability and Nature Based Solutions Expert
Dr. Analy Baltodano Martínez, Ph.D. – Nicaragua/Belgium
Dr. Analy Baltodano Martínez is an environmental researcher and practitioner from
Central America with a strong background in sustainable water and forest resource
management. With academic training in environmental science and interdisciplinary
natural resource management in Latin America and Europe, she has built extensive
expertise in ecological restoration, watershed governance, and climate-resilient
landscape planning. Her work spans environment–water interactions, community-
based conservation, and nature-based solutions, with field experience across Costa
Rica, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Cuba, Kenya, Uganda, and the broader Mesoamerican
region. Her core outputs demonstrate how participatory approaches can strengthen
environmental awareness, support evidence-based advocacy, and contribute to
sustainable water governance.
Analy has contributed to multi-country research initiatives on ecosystem services
and biodiversity, often engaging with indigenous and rural communities to co-
develop inclusive conservation strategies. She brings experience in both qualitative
and geospatial research, policy analysis, and environmental facilitation. Her
interdisciplinary perspective and regional knowledge significantly support
consultancy and research work focused on nature-positive water and land use
planning.
Water Resource Specialist
Dr. Eng. Erasto Mukama, P.E – Tanzania
Eng. Erasto Benedict Mukama, P.E is a highly experienced engineer specializing in
hydrology and water resources management. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering
sciences and has extensive academic and professional expertise in water resource
management, hydrology, climate change and environmental engineering. Eng.
Mukama is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) with a robust background in
managing small to large-scale water-related projects.
Throughout his career, he has worked on various projects related to sustainable
water and land management, drought risk assessment, and climate resilience,
particularly within the context of East Africa. His work also includes significant
contributions to improving water infrastructure, water supply systems, and
wastewater management practices. Eng. Mukama has been involved in both
academic research and practical applications, with a focus on developing innovative,
science-based solutions to address water challenges. His expertise is grounded in
systems thinking, and he has demonstrated leadership in addressing critical
environmental and water resource issues.
