Development
+44 (0) 1865 318***
Michael Triff
Director of Development - Extn: 836
Michael was appointed Director of Development of Earthwatch Europe in February 2007 and is responsible for new corporate partnership development; individual giving and major donor development; and grant fundraising from trusts and foundations, lottery, UK and European government agencies, and international institutions. Michael also manages the marketing and sales of expeditions to paying volunteers and is currently interim managing the communications department.
Prior to moving to the UK, Michael served as Director of Marketing, Development, and Alumni Relations for the Environmental Careers Organization (2004-06) and as Director of Marketing and Communications for The Trustees of Reservations (1997-2003), both located in Massachusetts, USA. In these roles, Michael developed and implemented new strategies for raising brand awareness and for generating increased levels of income to support growing annual operations.
Michael completed a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987 and was recruited by the Leo Burnett Company in Chicago to begin a career in advertising, planning and buying media for clients Kellogg's, First Brands, and Allstate Insurance. In 1991, Michael took off a year to travel around the world, and upon returning, completed a Master of Science degree in horticulture at the University of Georgia in 1994. He then moved to London, where he provided press and public relations services under contract to the National Trust, Royal Horticultural Society, and National Gardens Scheme.
Michael is married and lives with his wife and two children in Oxfordshire. He enjoys vegetable gardening and garden design, ethnic cooking, home improvement, and ice hockey.
Laura Howells
Development Officer - Extn: 815
Laura joined Earthwatch in August 2007 having just completed a BA (Hons) in Political Science from The University of Birmingham. In her role as Development Officer, she is responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with all individuals who donate money to Earthwatch, organising private events such as the annual Oxford lecture, and fundraising events including the SustainaBall.
Laura's interest in charity fundraising and event organising seeded when she was elected as President of the university's RAG Society - Carnival. She excelled in this role and established a live music festival - the first of its kind at Birmingham University - to raise funds for the SE Asian Tsunami Appeal in 2005. The festival has since grown and is now in its fourth year, raising over £20,000 for various charitable appeals.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys netball, yoga, cycling, listening to live music and is a keen allotmenteer! She is also passionate about travel and has backpacked though Kenya, South America, Cuba, Eastern Europe and the UK.