Our Team
We are a dynamic team of conservation practitioners. We combine our knowledge, skills and fieldproven methodologies, and apply them to on-the ground projects. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we empower stakeholders and believe participatory processes are essential for long-term success.

Taufik Hidayat
Interim Director
Taufik@starlingresources.com
Taufik Hidayat has over 13 years’ experience in environment and community development specializing in the engagement of local communities and environmental managers in natural resource management. He has deep experience working with local governments and organizations and to assess and develop regulations and policies to support environmental management. Taufik has been leading the development, implementation and monitoring of community and government engagement strategies with Starling Resources since 2012. Taufik’s regional experience extends from the provinces of Aceh, Riau, West Sumatra, South Sumatra to West Papua. Taufik is cofounder of Yayasan Laksana Samudera an organization focusing on people-centered coastal and marine resource-management in Indonesia, and also worked on the Aceh reconstruction and development, implementing community granting mechanisms.
Taufik obtained a master’s degree in Sustainable International Development from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fisheries from Riau University, Indonesia. He has also completed certified courses in Sustainable Communities from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and Aalto University.
Santi Wongso
Finance and Administrative Associate
santi@starlingresources.com
Santi has over 20 years of experience in managing and overseeing financial administration and the operation of both public and private organizations. She has demonstrated skills in financial accounting, human resource management, legal permits, procurement and daily office operations. Santi joined Starling Resources in 2013, and currently oversees organizational administration and human resources. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from Tarumanagara University in Jakarta.
Agus Saptono Hadi
Consultant
Agus@starlingresources.com
Agus Hadi has over 15 years of experience in collaborative natural resource management, community organization and capacity development, institutional development for conservation, and regional policy development. Before joining Starling Resources in 2017, he has worked with a number of organizations including WWF, The Nature Conservancy, International Catholic Migration Commission, and the Agency for Public Service Development in West Papua. At Starling Resources, he works as Governance Coordinator, and supports the process of institutional transition and capacity building for effective MPA management in West Papua.
Naya Hariyani
Accountant
Naya@starlingresources.com
Naya has over 10 years of experience in accounting. Naya joined Starling Resources in 2011, and has been responsible for day-to-day bookkeeping, financial reporting, invoicing and tax reporting. She holds a diploma (D3) in accounting from the University of Bali State Polytechnic.
Junita Manuputty
Consultant
Junita@starlingresources.com
Junita has over seven years of experience in community development and the management of protected areas, and in providing technical and institutional support for rural communities to effectively manage natural resources. Junita has extensive experience conducting outreach and awareness-raising for communities and local governments. Since Junita joined Starling Resources in 2016, she has led capacity building and mentoring programs in Raja Ampat and Kaimana, assisting local governments and communities to gain better understanding of the financial and administrative processes and practices required for effective conservation and natural resource management in the region, including the development of a community fund mechanism for local villagers in Raja Ampat. Junita also has experience in data analysis for the monitoring of natural resources, with a focus on fishery production. Junita graduated from Pattimura University of Marine Science. She is certified by the Coral Triangle Center as a facilitator for communities and local governments.
I Wayan Sudana
General Affairs
info@starlingresources.com
Pak Wayan has been a valued member of the Starling Resources team since 2007, supporting the daily operations of the office with care and consistency. In his role managing office maintenance and logistics, he ensures that the workspace remains clean, functional, and welcoming for staff and guests. His dedication, reliability, and warm presence have made him an integral part of the team and a constant source of support behind the scenes.
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Robert Delfs
Senior Associate
Robert@starlingresources.com
Robert Delfs has more than 19 years’ experience consulting for corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Indonesia, China, Hong Kong and Japan. For the past ten years, he has focused on conservation and sustainability issues, including marine protected areas (MPAs) governance, sustainable fisheries, deforestation and land use issues in Indonesia, as well as wetlands conservation and live seafood supply chains in China and Hong Kong. As part of the International Trade Practice for Mayer Brown LLP, Robert supported clients with government relations, strategic planning and market access issues in China and Japan. Robert was a Director and co-led a successful large-scale sustainable silviculture project to establish a citrus nursery, demonstration grove and 3,500 ha of processing citrus groves in China’s Three Gorges region. He also represented corporate and NGO clients in negotiations with ministries, agencies and local governments in China and Japan. Robert was previously a correspondent and editor for the Far Eastern Economic Review, a weekly news magazine based in Hong Kong.
Rumi
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Armiadi Gani
Consultant
Armiadi@starlingresources.com
Armiadi has more than 14 years’ experience in capacity development and has worked closely with regional governments and communities focusing on environment, health and education initiatives. His expertise includes institutional development, organizational effectiveness, policy development and mentoring of government officials and community members. He has extensive knowledge and on-the-ground experience in Aceh, West Papua and Lampung. Since joining Starling Resources in 2013, Armiadi has played a critical role in the implementation of our institutional capacity development work, serving as seconded Operations Advisor for the Raja Ampat MPA management body as well as field officer working with local government on sustainable fisheries management in Lampung.
Armiadi holds a bachelor’s degree in Dakwah Guidance and Counseling and Communication from Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
Taufik Hidayat
Associate
Taufik@starlingresources.com
Taufik Hidayat has over 13 years’ experience in environment and community development specializing in the engagement of local communities and environmental managers in natural resource management. He has deep experience working with local governments and organizations and to assess and develop regulations and policies to support environmental management. Taufik has been leading the development, implementation and monitoring of community and government engagement strategies with Starling Resources since 2012. Taufik’s regional experience extends from the provinces of Aceh, Riau, West Sumatra, South Sumatra to West Papua. Taufik is cofounder of Yayasan Laksana Samudera an organization focusing on people-centered coastal and marine resource-management in Indonesia, and also worked on the Aceh reconstruction and development, implementing community granting mechanisms.
Taufik obtained a master’s degree in Sustainable International Development from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fisheries from Riau University, Indonesia. He has also completed certified courses in Sustainable Communities from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and Aalto University.
Artanto Palentek
Consultant
Anto@starlingresources.com
Artanto has 15 years of experience working in both public and private sectors in Indonesia. Before joining Starling Resources in 2015, he worked primarily in Papua for various organizations including the Nature Conservancy, UNDP and Clinton Health Access Initiative. His expertise includes field coordination, stakeholder engagement and participatory decision-making, and public and private finance and administration. Artanto supports Starling’s Bird’s Head Seascape initiative in Raja Ampat and Kaimana and works closely with local governments to develop and monitor the process of budgeting, financial plans, administration, human resources and logistical matters. He also leads outreach and communication for local governments in Raja Ampat and Kaimana.
Nawa Thalo
Consultant
Nawa@starlingresources.com
Nawa Thalo has over 15 years’ experience in natural resource management in Indonesia with specialization in environmental economics and policies. Since 2001, Nawa has worked for policy think-tanks, multilateral organizations, donor agencies, an academic institution, private companies, international and local NGOs and state agencies, and has led numerous projects on environmental economics, financial modeling and environmental policy analyses. He has extensive knowledge and experience in developing micro-scale businesses and financial mechanisms at the village level, as well as engaging with various government agencies both at national and sub-national levels, state-owned and multinational corporations, academic institutions and business associations. Nawa holds a degree in financial economics from Kwik Kian Gie School of Business and a certificate in International Academy for Leadership (IAF) from Germany.
Carla Kerstan
Associate Program Manager
carla@starlingresources.com
Carla Kerstan is an environmental professional with over 10 years of experience across the Indo-Pacific, with a strong focus on Indonesia. Background spans marine and terrestrial conservation, sustainable finance, circular economy, and community-based eco-tourism. She has proven ability to design and manage large environmental programs, develop financing strategies for protected areas, and engage cross-sectoral stakeholders including local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
She has demonstrated commitment to integrated natural resource management that balances ecological goals with socio-cultural realities. Carla is also experienced in applying circular economy principles to reduce corporate plastic use and develop on-the-ground recycling systems. She is skilled in stakeholder communication, institutional coordination, and crafting compelling donor and public-facing materials. She operates with cultural fluency, particularly within the Indonesian context, and brings a collaborative and strategic approach to environmental problem-solving.

Taufik Hidayat
Interim Director
Has deep experience working with local governments and organizations...
Read More...
Santi Wongso
Finance and Administrative Associate
Has demonstrated skills in financial accounting, human resource...
Read More...

Junita Manuputty
Consultant
She has led capacity building and mentoring programs in Raja Ampat and Kaimana...
Read More...

Armiadi Gani
Consultant
He has extensive knowledge and on-the-ground experience in Aceh, West Papua and Lampung...
Read More...
Carla Kerstan
Associate Program Manager
Has demonstrated commitment to integrated natural resource management...
Read More...
I Wayan Sudana
General Affairs
Has been a valued member of the Starling Resources team since 2007...
Read More...