The Darfur Stoves Project is delighted to announce that Ashok Gadgil, Senior researcher and inventor of the Berkeley-Darfur Stove®, has been named recipient of the 2009 Heinz Award for his strides in creating a more sustainable and cleaner environment. Gadgil is being recognized for his progressive humanitarian efforts to improve energy efficiency and enhance the quality of life in developing countries with cutting-edge appropriate technologies. Gadgil, along with his work on the Berkeley-Darfur Stove, has also helped develop an inexpensive and reliable water purification system using ultraviolet light and utility-sponsored compact fluorescence.

The Heinz Awards were created in memory of U.S. Senator John Heinz. Previous recipients include Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health, and the environmentalist Amory Lovins. This year, the 15th Annual Heinz Awards are being awarded to individuals focusing on improving global environmental conditions to commemorate the Senator’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. According to Teresa Heinz, widow of Sen. Heinz and chair of the Heinz Family Foundation, “these awards honor those guardians of our future who value our natural resources….and create policies and the new technology that will ensure a sustainable planet for generations to come.”

The Darfur Stoves Project is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director, Andree Sosler.  Andree joins the Darfur Stoves Project with many years of experience working in international economic development, microfinance, and management consulting.

Previously, Andree was an Associate at the Trickle Up Program, a New York-based nonprofit organization that provides seed capital and business training to low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries. As Program Associate for Africa, Andree co-managed Trickle Up’s microfinance programs in nine African countries and Haiti.  Andree helped expand Trickle Up’s programs in Niger and northern Mali, and led international training-of-trainers workshops for more than 50 staff members of Trickle Up’s local grassroots partner organizations.

Andree has also worked in fundraising for an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) operating in Vietnam, and conducted research on group decision making at the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions (CRED), based at Columbia University.

Most recently, Andree spent a year based in Rwanda working with the OTF Group, a consulting firm that advises organizations and countries on private sector-led economic development.  Andree led OTF’s engagements in the Republic of Congo and Angola, and contributed to OTF’s work advising the Government of Rwanda.

Andree holds an AB in Development Studies from Brown University and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.