TAYLOR, Richard (UK)
Executive Director

Richard Taylor is the Executive Director of the International Hydropower Association (IHA). He reports to the IHA Board of Directors, and is responsible for managing the activities of the Association. Since 1986 he has worked in the water resources sector. He has been, or is currently, engaged in various UN, IEA and WEC programmes. He has helped to edit two technical journals and reviewed numerous development projects. Richard Taylor has an honours degree in applied science (water resources), with post-graduate studies in water quality, environmental science and hydropower. He is a Fellow of the British Institute of Energy.

Languages: English

Michael Fink joined the International Hydropower Association as a Programme Director on March 1st, 2008. His main responsibility lies in coordinating IHA’s Sustainability, Climate and Finance programmes and in ensuring that synergies between the programmes are utilised. In addition, he deputises for the Executive Director as and when necessary. Currently, one main focus of his work is the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum. Prior to working for IHA, he was in charge of the German development cooperation agency’s advisory project on sustainable dams. In this capacity, he advised the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development on policies and decisions concerning large dams worldwide. His background degrees are in urban and regional planning and in development planning and management.

Languages: English, German and French.

LOCHER, Helen (Australia)
Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum Coordinator

Helen Locher joined IHA in May 2008 as coordinator for the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum, the goal of which is to establish a broadly endorsed sustainability assessment tool to measure and guide performance in the hydropower sector, integrating economic, social, and environmental considerations.  Helen has worked with the hydropower sector for the past fifteen years, both through her PhD research and with Hydro Tasmania in environmental management and sustainability roles.  Helen has a BSc in Earth Science, a MSc in Environmental Science, a PhD in Civil Engineering (river hydraulics and sediment transport), and has commenced a Bachelor of Economics degree.  She has also held several roles with government in licensing, regulation and major project approvals; with the NGO sector; and with CLP Group, the largest private energy investor in China.

Languages: English

GOLDENFUM, Joel (Brasil)
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Research Project Manager

Joel Goldenfum joined IHA in August 2008 as Project Manager of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Research. His task is to coordinate an international research effort aiming to obtain a better understanding of the impact of reservoirs on natural GHG emissions, working in close collaboration with a scientific forum established by UNESCO. Joel has worked with private and public companies for the past twenty five years, performing and coordinating research and technical engineering projects within the fields of hydrology, hydropower and water technology. He has a degree in Civil Engineering, an MSc in Civil Engineering/Water Resources and a PhD in Civil Engineering/Hydrology. Prior to working for IHA, he was Professor at the Federal University of RS, in Brazil, performing academic teaching and supervision (in Brazil, Argentina, Cape Vert and France), publishing on national and international forums, working in multidisciplinary programmes (inclusive WMO and UNESCO-IHP) and also organizing scientific and technical meetings.

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

HAJEE, Aliya (Canada)
Communications Officer

Aliya Hajee joined IHA in February 2007 as the IHA Communications Officer. Aliya has a MSc in Management of NGOs from the London School of Economics and a BSc in Business and International Development from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Previous to joining IHA, Aliya worked at the United Nations Volunteers headquarters in Bonn, Germany as a Junior Professional Consultant. She also worked on several Corporate Social Responsibility assignments including roles with Lloyds TSB, the Smart Company and Business Action for Africa.  Aliya’s main responsibilities at IHA are to provide support on the Sustainability, Climate Change and Renewable Energy Initiatives, to liaise with the IHA Board as well to coordinate the external communications including the membership recruitment initiative, media relations, the IHA Connect and the website.

Languages: English, French and Spanish.

STEEL, Kate (UK)
Executive Secretary

Kate Steel is the Executive Secretary of the Central Office. After studying English Literature and Art at Bath University, UK, she spent 10 years with Vodafone UK where she managed the Database Department and the Customer Relations Team. She went on to work at a law firm before becoming the Operational Support Manager for the London Wildcare Trust. Kate joined IHA in March 2007. She is currently responsible for membership administration, congress planning and logistics, accounting, office management, health and safety coordination, and general assistance to the Executive Director.

Languages: English

Ray Jarrard, FCA (UK)
IHA Auditor

Ray Jarrard is a Partner at Clemence Hoar Cummings (CHC), Chartered Accountants. Ray's expertise is in taxation with particular interest in VAT and Capital Taxes. He specializes in property matters and the construction industries. He merged his own practice with CHC in 1993, and has been engaged as the Auditor of the International Hydropower Association since 2001. CHC also conducts IHA’s payroll administration through its Management Services Division.

Languages: English