EARTH University Board of Directors
The EARTH University Board of Directors is comprised of 12 volunteer members, led by a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary who will serve for up to 4 terms. Among its responsibilities, the Board of Directors appoints the University’s President, and approves the strategy – both administrative and academic – and the annual operating and capital investment budgets.
Members
Alan Kelso
Position: Chair
Country: Costa Rica
Show Bio
Mark S. Brouse
Position: Vice Chair
Country: United States
Show Bio
Alejandra Cobb
Position: Secretary
Country: Costa Rica
Show Bio
Ana Regina Aguirre de Riojas
Position: Member
Country: Guatemala
Show Bio
Marisa Brenninkmeyer
Position: Member
Country: England
Show Bio
Franklin Chang-Díaz
Position: Member
Country: Costa Rica
Show Bio
Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz is chairman and CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company, a Texas based US aerospace firm developing high-power in-space electric propulsion. Ad Astra’s Costa Rica subsidiary focuses on green hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure globally. A former NASA astronaut and veteran of 7 space missions, he logged over 1,600 hours in space, including 19 hours in three space walks, during his 25-year NASA career. In 1994, he founded and directed NASA’s Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory to develop the physics of his 1980 invention, the VASIMR® rocket, and founded Ad Astra in 2005 to commercialize the technology. Inducted in the US Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2012, Dr. Chang Díaz is a four-time recipient of NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, the agency’s highest honor. He holds a PhD in applied plasma physics from MIT and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut. He is an Adjunct Professor of Physics at Rice University and the University of Houston.
Francis Durman
Position: Member
Country: Costa Rica
Show Bio
Adriana Echandi
Position: Member
Country: Costa Rica
Show Bio
Oliver Niedermaier
Position: Member
Country: Germany/United States
Show Bio
Khan Nedd
Position: Member
Country: Grenada
Show Bio
Dr. Nedd is a native-born islander from Grenada who founded Infusion Associates in 2001. He’s responsible for all clinical and quality activity. He’s also devoted to building a strong work community with a passion for addressing healthcare disparities, as well as extensive work on the issue of healthcare diversity through research and advocacy. Additionally, he serves as the Process Improvement Leader for several clinical trials.
He completed his high school education before immigrating to the United States. He received his B.S. from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. After Andrew University, he attended and received his M.D. degree from Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Following his post-graduate training, he has completed fellowships in Process Improvement and Leadership. Dr. Nedd serves on several boards, such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Board, and has extensive experience as a leader in the physician community through physician organizations and clinical integrated networks. He’s committed to building strong communities and strong families where the young can thrive.
Dele Olojede
Position: Member
Country: Nigeria/United States
Show Bio
Dele Olojede is the first African-born winner of the Pulitzer Prize, journalism highest honor. A writer, publisher and media entrepreneur, Dele is also a public speaker, particularly on what constitutes the good society, and how we might hope to achieve it, preferably in our lifetimes. He is a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative as well as the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and a moderator of Aspen leadership seminars. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he is also a winner of the McNulty Prize and numerous others. Dele serves on the board of EARTH University, in Costa Rica, and is a Distinguished Alumnus of Columbia University in the City of New York.
Emeriti Directors – Board of Directors
Isabel Abreu | Country: Dominican Republic
Pedro León Azofeifa | Country: Costa Rica
Theodore (Tim) Solso | Country: United States
† Salvador Alemany | Country: Puerto Rico
† Luis Alberto Monge | Country: Costa Rica
† Eduardo King Carr | Country: Brazil
† Norman A. Brown | Country: United States
† Jorge Manuel Dengo O. | Country: Costa Rica
† Hernán Fonseca | Country: Costa Rica
† Rodolfo Cortés R. | Country: Costa Rica
† José Elias Sánchez | Country: Honduras
† Glen Taggart | Country: Estados Unidos