Mr. Somphou Choummalavong, MSc. Forest Silviculture, Founder of LAF, had attended the Forestry Practicum School in Lychen, Templin city, in Germany from 1977 to 1980 and had continued studying for his BSc. in Forestry at Swarzburg Engineering School of the Dresden Technique University in Germany from 1982 to 1985, and finally he had made his MSc. in forest silviculture at University Putra in Malaysia from 1995 to 1998. Thereafter, he returned to Lao PDR, where he worked as a government employee in the leading positions for all his time, and he retired in 2018. During his time, he had joined many domestic and international projects, including NGOs and iNGOs. He is good at the management of projects and M&E but also worked as a technical expert in forest inventory, land use planning, and conservation activities, as well as environmental impact assessment.

Mr. Saysamone Phothisat, MSc. Forest Protection Management, Founder of LAF, obtained in 1998 at University Putra in Malaysia, and finished his Bachelor of Science in 1986 at Vietnam Forestry University. He taught about forestry from 1987 to 1989 at the Meuang Mai Forestry School in Paksan, Bolikhamxai Province, Lao PDR. He holds many leading positions as a government employee and retired in 2020. He has experience in forest regeneration and restoration, protection forest management and ecotourism, and biodiversity and wildlife conservation, and he has also attended important UNCCD, UNFCC, and UNCBD conferences.

Mr. Bandith Ramangkoun, Founder of LAF, had studied at Dresden Technical University, in Germany, from 1978 to 1982. He taught about forestry from 1982 to 1985 at the Faculty of Forestry Sciences in the National University of Laos. After that, he worked as a government employee in the Department of Forestry (DOF) and in the National Forest Research Institute (NAFRI), and retired in 2020. He has experience in forest management, ecotourism, and agroforestry.

Mr. Phonesavanh Homnabounlat, Founder of LAF, has many years of experience in teaching forestry-related subjects and holds many positions in the forestry college in Muang Mai, Paksan District, Bolikhamsay Province, Lao PDR, and retired in 2020.

Mr. Phoukhong Phongsa, holder of an M.Sc. in Tropical Forestry and Founder of LAF, began his career with a foundational German education. He first completed a Forestry Practicum in Lychen (1986-1989) and earned a B.Sc. in Forestry from Raben Steinfeld Fachhochschule in Schwerin (1989-1992). Following his return to Lao PDR, he launched his professional journey with a volunteer role at the Forest Inventory and Planning Division (1993-1994) before contributing to the GTZ Forest Cover Assessment for the Lower Mekong Region (1994-1997). He subsequently returned to Germany to obtain his M.Sc. in Tropical Forestry from the University of Göttingen (1997-1999). Since 2000, he has built a distinguished career, working with a range of international and domestic organizations, including UNDP, WB, ADB, GIZ, KfW, JICA, and FAO, on development projects implemented nationwide.

He possesses comprehensive expertise in forest management and economics, covering the entire cycle from seed collection and nursery propagation to forest stand thinning, timber harvesting (90-120 trees/day), and timber transport to the sawmills. He fluently uses ICT tools such as Excel, Access, and MS-Project for project planning, implementation, and M&E. Additionally, he is skilled in spatial analysis and advanced remote sensing, applying software ranging from ArcGIS and QGIS for cartography to ERDAS and eCognition for satellite image processing. He also develops digital field survey forms using ODK/KoboToolbox.

Another major accomplishment was serving full-time for over nine years (three phases) on the SUFORD project, where he played a central role in the development and finalization of all 53 PFA Management Plans across the Lao PDR. Key responsibilities included remote sensing analysis (satellite imagery classification), on-the-ground forest inventory, and subsequent survey data analysis.

Mr. Chanhsamone Phongoudom, PhD in Forest Environmental Sciences, had obtained a BSc in Forest Sciences from Vietnam National University of Forestry in 1988. In 2000, he had obtained an MSc in Forest Sciences from the Faculty of Forestry, University Putra in Malaysia. In 2012, he then obtained a PhD in Forest Environmental Sciences from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. In addition, in 2018, he obtained a Higher Diploma in Administration and Political Sciences from the National Administration and Political Institute, Lao PDR. In his leading positions, he had written many papers and publications of high quality that met international standards. He has extensive professional experience in forestry and agricultural sciences, spanning from grassroots rural operations to central management levels. His roles have included mentoring and advising individuals at all stages of their careers, ranging from trainees and students to senior staff and trainers. His research focuses on the restoration of degraded forests in Laos, with expertise in agroforestry systems, enrichment planting, and natural regeneration studies. His work includes investigating tree seed improvement, light intensity effects on growth, and biomass dynamics, particularly in areas affected by logging and shifting cultivation. He has also conducted significant forest biodiversity assessments within the Nam Ha and Nam Ka Ding Conservation Areas.

Mr. Sianuvong Sawathvong, MSc. Regional Study, had obtained a BSc in 1990 from the Faculty of Forestry Sciences, National University of Laos. In 2000, he then obtained the MSc from Chiang Mai University in Thailand. He holds many leading positions as a government and university employee in Louang Prabang Province, Lao PDR.

Ms. Khambay Khamphilavong, PhD ...  (ປອ ຄໍາໃບ ຄໍາພິລາວົງ) had obtained her BSc in 2008 from the Faculty of Forestry Sciences of the National University of Lao PDR. In 214, she obtained her MSc from Beijing Forestry University in China and obtained a PhD in 2025 from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in China. She has experience in lecturing and undertaking research in many topics. She also works as a consultant but also as an expert in community extension, agroforestry, forest restoration, and non-timber product management.