STAFF
Marcy Summers, PhD
Director & Co-Founder
Home Base: Vashon Island, Washington, USA
Joined AlTo: 2006
Favorite part of the job: Sleeping in the rainforest.
Marcy Summers is a 4th-generation native of the islands of the Puget Sound, Washington, USA. She has a bachelor’s in Comparative Religion from Harvard University, a master’s in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from University of Maine, and a PhD from Newcastle University, U.K.
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Sukendra "Ken" Mahalaya, PhD
Indonesia Program Director
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2018
Favorite part of the job: Enjoying the moonlight from the beaches near our guard huts.
Sukendra “Ken” Mahalaya was born in a rural area of West Java. Raised primarily by his grandmother, Ken’s academic abilities were recognized early on with a scholarship to IPB (Institut Pertanian Bogor), Indonesia’s premier agricultural college,
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where he earned both a BS in Soil Science and an MS in Communication for Development. Ken also received a full scholarship to complete a PhD in Natural Resource Management at University of Adelaide in Australia.
Ken’s work experience includes 13 years as a government agricultural official and a researcher for the International Potato Center (CIP). Later he spent another 13 years leading a project for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) doing outreach to farmers in Papua to improve their pig husbandry and sweet potato farming, which was recognized as one of the five most successful ACIAR projects in the world. Ken is valued as both a wise leader and everyone’s Uncle. His superpower is Friendship; he can be friends with anyone, including animals and ghosts.
Agustian "Agus" Laya
Program Coordinator
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2006
Favorite part of the job: Traveling to do fieldwork in other parts of Sulawesi, for instance for the Maleo survey.
Setting an example of leadership among the AlTo team and within his family, Agus is always cheerful, enthusiastic and field-ready… especially if there’s food involved!
Noval Suling, S.T.
Government Relations Manager (part-time)
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2007
Favorite part of the job: Teamwork and kayaking on the beach.
As a respected Civil Servant, Noval is the team’s premier guide for building relationships with government and navigating regulatory requirements. Noval is also a talented nature photographer, with a skilled eye for capturing birds on camera.
Pandji Ariyo Kresno
Field Program Manager
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2009
Favorite part of the job: Seeing the Maleo nesting ground FULL of Maleos.
Hardworking and highly skilled in everything he does, Pandji is thoughtful, respected and admired by all… and is the best camp cook on the team.
Ezra Parker
Office and Communications Manager
Home Base: Vashon Island, Washington, USA
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Learning new things and being able to figure out solutions for challenging problems.
Ezra was born and raised in the irrigated desert of Southern California, and is exceedingly grateful to have been able to relocate to the cool, gray and rainy Pacific Northwest.
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He has experience working in a variety of different fields, including web software development and digital prepress, with a brief stint as an aquarium specialist in the pet trade. He has been an avid birder for about thirty years, and has an extensive history of volunteer work with citizen science projects focused on avifauna, including coordinating and managing the Vashon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for almost a decade, leading routes for the Vashon, Seattle and Tacoma CBCs, conducting the Breeding Bird Survey on Vashon, and surveying multiple sites for the Puget Sound Seabird Survey. One of his favorite activities is carrying his indoor cat “Mau” out to the meadow on his property to sit and watch birds together.
Achmadina "Dina" Mega Kartyka, S.S.
Conservation Information Specialist
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Learning new things every day, working as a team, and seeing people become curious and ask questions about Maleo.
Dina is a former teacher, and now serves AlTo by helping with planning events, researching conservation-related regulations in Indonesia, and a wide variety of other tasks.
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Dina speaks excellent English and her cheerful and professional manner sets inquirers and visitors to AlTo’s Luwuk office at ease. “I didn’t grow up with many experiences in nature,” Dina says, and she appreciates that through AlTo she’s had many “first-time” experiences such as climbing hills, riding in small boats, and seeing Maleos. “Conservation must begin now, not later… If forests and wildlife disappear, we cannot simply bring them back… The work of conservation is not easy, but it’s very meaningful.”
A. Bagus Santoso. S.H., M.A.
Head Legal Advisor
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Discussing legal matters with local people—sometimes for hours!
Originally from Pekanbaru, Sumatra, Bagus holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Riau University in Indonesia, and a Master’s in Human Rights and Democratization from universities in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
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He is a member of the Indonesian Bar Association. Bagus has previous experience representing Talang Mamak indigenous communities defending their lands against mining and oil palm companies, and in advocating for children, women, and other less-powerful groups through the Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation. “Conservation is not just about protecting specific species… it’s for raising awareness and understanding amongst communities, government, and industry to care about nature…. AlTo offers a combination of meaningful conservation, community involvement, and adherence to the law.”
Vivi Octavia, S.H., M.S.W.
Deputy Legal Advisor (part-time)
Home Base: Jakarta, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: The opportunity to learn directly from experts about conservation impacts, scientific knowledge, and the Maleo.
Based in Jakarta, where she is well-placed to advance AlTo’s networking and media-relations goals, Vivi holds an Indonesian law degree and a Master’s in Social Work from a Chinese university. Her experience includes previous non-profit work advocating for migrant workers and for animal welfare.
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She says, “My background in law and social work has shaped my commitment to supporting marginalized communities and standing up for those who are voiceless. I have seen how environmental harm and weak accountability disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, including animals. AlTo’s focus on conservation and ethical practices aligns with the impact I want to contribute.”
Thusi Bonandito
Mining Outreach Manager
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2022
Favorite part of the job: Working with local people to get them what they need.
Thusi Bonandito has a degree in law and a background working for other NGOs, on disaster relief and community well-being. In this newly-created post as Mining Outreach Manager, Thusi is helping local communities understand the
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risks and their rights with respect to mining; he encourages government to enforce regulations to protect nature and communities; and he builds relationships with mining companies to encourage them to institute safer and less-destructive mining practices. Thusi says “We need to better understand about the future of nature and what nature needs. People say ‘I need this, I need that’ but nature is quiet and can’t ask for what it needs. We have to be proactive in protecting it!”
Ritfan "Ipan" Djano
Conservation Officer and Artist
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2007
Favorite part of the job: Interacting with guest teachers/experts who come to build the team’s knowledge and skills.
AlTo’s gifted Conservation Artist-in-Residence, Ipan enoys outreach activities and weaves art and beauty into all AlTo’s work.
Adrianus "Sandhy" Bawotong
Conservation Officer and Maintenance Manager
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2012
Favorite part of the job: Experiencing the peacefulness of the beach.
Despite his nickname, “Crocodile,” Sandhy is a gentle, friendly soul, and keeps AlTo’s facilities, fences, and equipment in ship-shape. And as a skilled photographer, Sandhy helps show the world the beauty of Tompotika and its residents, both human and non.
Ahmad Muh. Nur, S.P.
Conservation Campaign Coordinator
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2014
Favorite part of the job: Having all-staff meetings at AlTo’s base camp “Home Sweet Home.”
Ahmad’s sunny disposition makes him a favorite co-worker. He says, “I never thought I would have the opportunity to work in conservation, especially for Maleo and sea turtles… but here I am, working for AlTo!”
Mega Pumalasari Djafar
Assistant Manager for Operations
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2017
Favorite part of the job: The reward of being able to watch Maleo birds and release sea turtle hatchlings at the beach during family vacations.
As Rule Administrator Number One, Mega is both loved for her cheerfulness and feared for her fierceness by all team members.
Moh "Pandy" Isfanddri
Conservation Officer and Assistant Maintenance Manager
Home Base: Luwuk, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2017
Favorite part of the job: Studying and playing games with his fellow staff members.
Like his beloved Maleos, Pandy loves to be together with his teammates. Versatile and flexible, he is valued for his easygoing and willing attitude.
Wiranto Abas
Assistant Field Program Manager
Home Base: Teku Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2017
Favorite part of the job: Conducting the Sulawesi-wide Maleo survey and guarding in different places.
A star “native son” from AlTo’s partner village Teku, Wiranto is hardworking, willing, and always has a big smile. His villager neighbors are proud that he works for AlTo.
Nurhidayah "Dayah" Andi Rihu
Conservation Officer
Home Base: Baruga Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2019
Favorite part of the job: AlTo’s Tompotika International Maleo and Sea Turtle Festival.
Dayah is strong, dedicated, amiable, and careful in her work in the field and beyond. She can run up and down ladders with great agility–even while pregnant!
Yiska "Dina" Kolmusu
Conservation Officer
Home Base: Tanah Merah Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2021
Favorite part of the job: Observing birds while doing guard assignments.
Dina grew up in AlTo’s partner village, Sampaka (Tanah Merah), and has known AlTo since childhood. Now she is thrilled to be part of the AlTo team… especially when she gets to go hiking!
Agil Pas
Conservation Officer
Joined AlTo: 2021
Favorite part of the job: Working as a team in the field. It is serious, but can also be full of laughter.
As a high school student, Agil was a member of AlTo’s Festival drama company in 2018. After that, he was keen to join AlTo as an apprentice and then permanent staff. Agil loves patrolling forest and beaches to protect wildlife.
Kartika "Tika" Kali
Conservation Officer
Home Base: Pangkalaseang Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Enjoying the beauty and quiet of the beach, and seeing the Maleo every day.
A recent high school graduate, Tika is a resident of AlTo’s partner village Pangkalaseang. A strong and cheerful team member, she appreciates the chance to learn about animals and forests through working for AlTo.
Samsuri "Sam" Namli
Conservation Officer
Home Base: Taima Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Seeing and observing the Maleo bird.
Though quiet, Sam is a hard and willing worker and a resident of AlTo’s partner village Taima. He is glad to have the chance to learn about conservation through AlTo.
Yuli Yanti Kunjae
Nursery and Restoration Officer
Home Base: Sampaka Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Taking care of plants: watching them grow from seeds to healthy plants, tending and watering, and patiently waiting to see the results.
The daughter of farmers, Yuli joined AlTo to help run nursery and reforestation programs after AlTo sponsored her to attend an organic farming program in Java. She hopes her expanding skills in plant care can contribute to her community and to conservation.
Riyal Kunjae
Nursery and Restoration Officer
Home Base: Sampaka Village, Tompotika, Indonesia
Joined AlTo: 2025
Favorite part of the job: Seeing my work succeed, as with restoration, and raising community awareness.
The son of farmers, Riyal joined AlTo to help run nursery and reforestation programs after AlTo sponsored him to attend an organic farming program in Java. He enjoys working in teams. “I love the animals that AlTo protects, and I love the beauty of nature… conservation is a way of taking responsibility for living beings and nature.”
