Our Team

ELIE was registered with the MOI as a local NGO in 2006. We have a local board of directors and the management team is made up of Khmer & Bunong nationals and some Western staff. As of 2025, ELIE has 54 core staff and additional part time staff for project work, including 48 indigenous Bunong staff who make up the majority.

Local Board of Directors

ELIE is a local registered Cambodian NGO, this means we are governed by a local board.
  • Mr. Koy Veasna
    Board Director – Lawyer
  • Mr. Cheng Sophal
    Deputy Board Director – From ICC
  • Mr. Chhum Sakhorn
    Board Member – From ICSO
  • Mr. Touch Shina
    Board Member - Gov. Education Department
  • Mr. Prat Neth
    Board Member – From Bunong Indigenous Peoples Association

Head Honchos

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Our team is spear headed by these workaholics, who have been here forever and keep the entire show running 24/7 – 365 days a year!
  • Gheam Phounda  – ELIE Director
  • Jemma Bullock – ELIE Deputy Director
  • Yorn Maryna – Finance & Admin Officer
  • Chhaeul Plouk – Head Mahout and Bunong Manager

Ecotourism Crew

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The core of EVP and the people you will interact with most when you come for a visit!
  • Cynthia Knuppe – Ecotourism Project Manager
  • Jack Hetherington – Volunteer, Forest & Site Coordinator
  • Kherl Touern – Head Forest and Elephant Guide
  • Chral Ian – Forest and Elephant Guide
  • Pjel Kyo – Forest and Elephant Guide
  • Sareth Son – Forest and Elephant Guide
  • Sach Bros – Forest and Elephant Guide

Vet and Research Team

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The staff that keeps elephants healthy and happy at EVP, and provide support for elephants and their owners across Mondulkiri Province!
  • Yel Chan – Elephant Researcher and Vet Assistant
  • Chaal Touk (Norm) – Elephant Care Assistant
  • Cheng Heir – Counterpart Veterinarian from Ministry of Agriculture

Mahouts

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Our skilled professional elephant caretakers, these individuals are the core of our sanctuary and have a deep conneciton with each elephant.
  • Chhaeul Plouk – Head Mahout – Bunong Manager
With our main group of eles, and an every expanding herd coming in for rest and recuperation, we now have an awesome team of core mahouts and are training new guys each year. The team is now 16 strong:
  • Mahouts: Chroed Da, Sraeum Noeun, Yel Yan, Sraeum Yel, Pyer Sophea, Ne Soch, Phrach Den, Blav Thouen, Chroeb Vy, Pluk Nek, Krat Mloin, Yel Vihn, Leak Nak, Nhan Peav, Plouk Nek,  Chray Savon.

Lovely Cleaners

We could not keep the EVP running without these hardworking wonderful ladies. Often with children in toe these girls keep things shiny for visitors!
  • Soel Pjouk – Head Cleaner
  • Cleaners – Chroeb Thy, Yan Rai, Soel Nhouk, Marouen Molida, Soel Book, Noeun Niem

Master Cooks

The true heroes of the EVP for many, the talented kitchen staff who deliver culinary miracles day in and day out!
  • Cooks – Chray Keahun, Saron Krak, Sareth Sok, Chenda Phorn, Sareth Ngeth, Soel Kles, Den Heam

Da Boys!

A motley crew we refer to as “Da Boys”; these guys keep EVP and ELIE standing. Our maintenance staff, gardeners, driver, and all around handymen!
  • Day Boys: Chroeb Pha, Pjean Pli, Pjean Reat, Tan Somrech, Touc Sovandy, Reat Ngav, Pye Chhut, Preal Rakaim