.png)
The people behind the community
Ellen Sandvik Mikkelsen
Executive Director
She is a values-driven leader and community builder with over 25 years of experience in politics, inclusion, and local community development. She is known for developing, driving forward, and anchoring initiatives that create lasting structures - and for building bridges between people, sectors, and communities.
For Ellen, sustainability is about people. She connects the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the principle of Leave No One Behind to everyday life, from inclusive communities to concrete actions that strengthen both health and belonging.
Write me!
ellen.mikkelsen@vaarthav.org
Christina Koch
Project Leader
Christina lives in beautiful Tromsø and was born and raised in the heart of Berlin. Her love for Norway began when she came to Alta at the age of 18 to work as a volunteer for a year. Since then, she has had the joy of studying in several exciting countries, including Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, and Germany, and she holds a master’s degree in Global Studies.
Over the years, she has worked extensively with volunteering and youth work,
and she is passionate about a more sustainable future.
Write me!
christina.koch@vaarthav.org
Wladimir Sabando
HR- og HMS-ansvarlig
Multicultural background (Chile–Norway).
Trained chef, bachelor’s degree in hotel management (UiS) and master’s degree in HRM (CBS). Over 15 years of experience in HR, administration and organizational development in Stavanger, Oslo and Copenhagen - always with people, quality and solid structures at the center. He has also worked closely with several start-ups and has developed a strong understanding of what it takes to build new organizations from the ground up.
Wladde combines structure and professionalism with an ability to create culture, engagement,
and strong processes.
Write me!
wladimir.sabando@vaarthav.org
Emily Reast
Subject Advisor
Emily is originally from Alaska and moved to Tromsø in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in Arctic Marine Biology. Her main focus has been Arctic plants and marine algae, but she also enjoys contributing to other local projects happening in the community.
She cares deeply about the environment and has always valued sustainability work,
both as a volunteer and as an employee.
Write me!
emily.reast@vaarthav.org
Anahi Johnsen
Kommunikasjon & visuell formidling
With over 20 years of experience in creative work, communication, and project development, she brings a broad and deep perspective. After working in documentary film and living 21 years in Chile, she has gained close insight into both the vulnerability of nature and the living conditions of people - experiences that have shaped her commitment to the environment, social justice, and animal welfare.
Anahi is currently studying backend development, combining technological insight with
a creative background and values-based work.
Write me!
anahi.johnsen@vaarthav.org
The Board
Maja Bernoff
Chair of the Board
Maja lives in Alta and was born and raised in Helgeland. She works as an environmental advisor in construction and development projects, and holds a master’s degree in environment and natural resources, including an exchange period in Svalbard.
Through volunteer work and time spent in several small Arctic communities near the ocean, she has seen how climate change, waste, and loss of biodiversity affect both nature and people. These experiences have shaped her commitment to being a voice for nature and contributing to communities that balance value creation with environmental stewardship.
Sten Helberg
Board Member
Sten is best described as an idea-maker and project leader. He is known for getting people involved in simple, impactful concepts - including the Coastal Lottery, Marine Care, and now the Wooden Boat Collective.
He thrives when multiple processes are happening at once, and when new people come together to find shared solutions to challenges they didn’t think could be solved collectively.
Bo Eide
Board Member
Bo has led beach clean-ups in the Tromsø region since 2010/2011, and rightly says that the region “probably has the cleanest coastline in the country.”
As a climate and environmental advisor in Tromsø municipality and project manager for Ren Kyst, he has mobilized thousands of volunteers and built strong local engagement.
