Our Team & Governance Structure

EIF is a registered non-profit structure composed of an Executive and Advisory board, an acting Team and a supporting Network of members. The Board is currently composed of two of its Co-Founders, Alexandre Brutelle, acting as a Chair, and Friedrich Hirler acting as a Secretary.

Our team solely works thanks to grant support since 2020 and EIF does not benefit from structural or operational funding as of today. Individuals can consider supporting us using the button below. Potential donor structures should contact our director. We do not accept donor support requests from corporate foundations.

Alexandre Brutelle

Alexandre is EIF director and one of its co-founders. He is an investigative journalist, mentor and trainer specialized in cross-border collaboration and environmental issues. He is responsible for carrying out the NGO’s development by setting out its goals, activities and external partnerships.

Christina Orieschnig

Christina is a PHD researcher in hydrology and earth observation. She is EIF’s point of focus regarding the experimentation and well implementation of remote sensing technology in the field of environmental journalism through satellite image monitoring and analysis.

Mais Katt

Mais is an investigative journalist, international media trainer and training designed. She has conducted trainings for over a hundred of journalists in the MENA region, including for ICFJ, and currently supports EIF’s activities in the MENA region, as well as in environmental impacts of military conflicts.

Aïda Banani

Aïda Banani is a master degree graduate from the French journalism school EDJ (Ecole Du Journalisme de Nice). She supports EIF’s daily activities while learning introductory investigative techniques. Aïda joined our team in 2024 for an internship finishing at the end of the year.

EIF’s advisory board aims to welcome regional environmental investigative units in order to enhance cross-regional cooperation, but also collectively shape the future of our organization.

Annika McGinnis

Annika McGinnis is a multimedia/data journalist and media development specialist from the U.S., based in Kampala, Uganda. With Water Journalists Africa, she is the co-founder of InfoNile.org, a geojournalism platform and journalists’ network focused on data-based stories on water and environment in the Nile Basin.

Fiona Macleod

She is pioneering the use of new media tools to expose eco-offences in southern Africa, and to track offenders around the world, most notably through the development of the Oxpeckers environmental investigative unit, our partner covering anglophone Africa, which she directs. Fiona is also a member of the EIF advisory Board.

Ibanga Isine

The Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO), is our partner and regional representative for francophone and anglophone West Africa . Cenozo’s representative Ibanga Isine, as well as Arnaud Ouedraogo, both represent the CENOZO unit within EIF’s advisory Board.

Omair Ahmad

Omair Ahmad is managing editor for South Asia at The Third Pole since 2015. He has worked as a political analyst and journalist, with a particular focus on the Himalayan region. He is the author of a political history of Bhutan, and a few novels. He has a background in international politics and conflicts, with a focus on Kashmir and Tibet.

Mark Shapiro

Mark is an award-winning investigative journalist and author specializing in the environment. He was formerly senior correspondent at the Center for Investigative Reporting (2003-2012) and his work has been featured in PBS Frontline, The Guardian, The Atlantic and others. He represents the SEJ (Society of Environmental Journalists) in our board, covering the north american region.

Munir Khatib

As ARIJ’s editor in chief, journalist and media consultant, Munir has over 30 years of experience as an editorial leader, mentor and coach in digital publishing and news industries. Munir represents ARIJ as a panarabic representative within EIF’s Advisory Board.