Our Founders
Resilience Maldives was founded by Abdulla Fisam and Shajaan Muaz Shaheem, driven by a shared commitment to marine ecosystem restoration, research-based environmental action, and long-term sustainability advocacy in the Maldives.
Shajaan Muaz Shaheem
Founder & Chief Environment Officer
Chair of the Board
Works at the intersection of climate resilience, marine conservation, and environmental governance in the Maldives. Focuses on transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in environmental policy and practice. Supports long-term protection of marine ecosystems through structured advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Contributes to governance-led approaches that strengthen inclusive participation and conservation outcomes.
Abdulla Fisam
Co-Founder & Chief Marine Science Officer
Vice Chair of the Board
Specialises in marine research, conservation science, and environmental management. Focuses on field monitoring and applied research for effective protection of marine ecosystems. Committed to operational excellence and a strong culture of quality in marine conservation and protected area management. Provides technical support for evidence-based decision-making and successful conservation outcomes.
Naziya Hassan
Secretary General
Naziya Hassan serves as Secretary General of Resilience Maldives, leading the Executive Secretariat and overseeing governance, coordination, and operational alignment across programmes and partnerships. She ensures effective communication among the Board, leadership, and external stakeholders while supporting strategic implementation and continuity.
With extensive experience in international tourism systems, market development, and leadership, Naziya excels in cross-sector coordination, stakeholder engagement, and operational management. Her work emphasises aligning economic systems with environmental responsibility, especially in island and marine contexts.As Secretary General, she ensures institutional processes are structured, responsive, and aligned with Resilience Maldives’ mission of advancing environmental governance and sustainable development.
Dr. Fathimath Ibthihaj Aathif
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Dr. Fathimath Ibthihaj Aathif serves as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Resilience Maldives Inc., providing strategic leadership in financial governance, fiscal accountability, and institutional resource management. She oversees budgeting, financial planning, taxation compliance, and fiduciary controls, ensuring that the organisation operates with transparency, financial integrity, and long-term sustainability.
Her role includes establishing financial governance frameworks, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and supporting responsible allocation of resources across programmes, research initiatives, and institutional development activities. She also plays a key role in financial risk management and regulatory compliance.
Dr. Mohamed Shainee
Chair, Environmental Policy, Climate Diplomacy & Multilateral Governance
Board Director
Dr. Mohamed Shainee is a senior environmental policy and marine governance specialist with extensive experience in public administration, sustainable resource management, and international environmental cooperation. His career spans leadership in national government, technical marine systems research, and multilateral environmental engagement, with a sustained focus on strengthening the governance of ocean-dependent economies.
He served as Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Republic of Maldives from 2013 to 2018, where he oversaw national fisheries policy, marine resource management, and sectoral sustainability initiatives. During his tenure, he represented the Maldives in international environmental forums and high-level policy dialogues, contributing to global discussions on sustainable fisheries, ocean governance, and the environmental vulnerabilities of small island developing states.
Dr. Shainee holds a Doctorate in offshore mariculture engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), with research focused on the structural and operational performance of offshore fish cage systems. His academic training also includes graduate studies in marine technology and naval architecture, marine management, and marine systems engineering across institutions in Norway, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
At Resilience Maldives, he provides strategic leadership in environmental policy and multilateral engagement, supporting the organisation’s work in advancing science-informed governance and strengthening institutional participation in international environmental processes.
Ibrahim Naeem
Chair, Environmental Regulation & Ecosystem Protection
Board Director
Ibrahim Naeem is a senior environmental governance leader with more than three decades of experience in regulatory administration, ecosystem management, and institutional environmental oversight in the Republic of Maldives. He previously served as Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he led national environmental regulatory functions, environmental impact assessment systems, and the implementation of environmental protection frameworks across multiple sectors of development.
During his tenure, he contributed to the advancement of protected area governance and sustainable conservation mechanisms, including institutional support for the management of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and associated marine conservation initiatives. His work has focused on strengthening regulatory accountability, promoting science-based environmental decision-making, and supporting the integration of environmental safeguards within national development planning.
He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Queensland, Australia, and has participated in numerous international environmental governance and climate policy engagements. His professional career reflects sustained commitment to institutional integrity in environmental regulation and the long-term protection of small island ecosystems.
At Resilience Maldives, he provides strategic leadership in environmental regulation and compliance systems, supporting the organisation’s mandate to advance accountable environmental governance and ecosystem protection through structured regulatory and institutional frameworks.
Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed
Chair, Institutional Integrity & Public Systems Governance
Board Director
Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed is a senior public administration and governance professional with more than two decades of experience in institutional oversight, public sector accountability, and financial governance in the Republic of Maldives. His career has focused on strengthening transparent, rules-based systems that support the integrity and resilience of national institutions.
He has held several senior leadership positions within government, including Commissioner General of Customs and State Minister for Homeland Security and Technology. He previously served as President of the National Integrity Commission, the independent oversight body responsible for safeguarding accountability across key national law enforcement and regulatory institutions, including the Police, Customs, Immigration, and Correctional Services.
Earlier in his career, he served as Director General at the Auditor General’s Office, where he contributed to strengthening compliance with the Public Finance Act and promoting sound public financial management practices. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Sifainge Co-operative (SIFCO), supporting institutional welfare and resource management within the Maldives National Defence Force framework. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Federation University Australia and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Northumbria University, United Kingdom.
At Resilience Maldives, he provides leadership in institutional integrity and governance systems, supporting accountability frameworks and strengthening organisational standards for transparent and responsible environmental governance.
Fahud Faiz
Chair, Marine Ecosystem & Biodiversity
Board Director
Fahd Faiz is a marine practitioner and ocean systems specialist with extensive experience in underwater environments, marine observation, and public engagement in ocean stewardship in the Republic of Maldives. His work focuses on advancing non-intrusive approaches to marine ecosystem monitoring and strengthening community connection to ocean conservation through experiential engagement with underwater environments.
He is a nationally recognised freediving practitioner and multiple national record holder in breath-hold diving disciplines, reflecting advanced technical capability in underwater immersion and observation. He has contributed to large-scale public marine engagement initiatives, including nationally coordinated mass freediving events that achieved international record recognition and served as platforms for promoting ocean awareness and responsible interaction with marine ecosystems.
Through his work in marine engagement and underwater practice, he supports approaches that prioritise observational sensitivity, minimal ecological disturbance, and increased public awareness of reef and ocean health.
At Resilience Maldives, he provides leadership in marine ecosystem observation and biodiversity monitoring, supporting initiatives that integrate experiential ocean knowledge with environmental research, conservation education, and science-informed marine stewardship.
Mohamed Husam
Chair, Operations & Systems Governance
Board Director
Mohamed Husam is a researcher and educational specialist whose work focuses on the intersection of technology adoption, institutional readiness, and organisational systems development. His professional and academic interests centre on strengthening the capacity of public institutions to integrate advanced digital technologies responsibly and effectively, particularly within small-island and resource-constrained environments.
He is a graduate of the Kulliyah of Education at the Islamic University of Maldives and is engaged in advanced research in the field of research and publication studies.
In addition to his academic work, he has contributed to administrative and institutional processes within national development and public service contexts, including engagement with governmental and community-based initiatives. His professional experience reflects a focus on strengthening organisational structures, improving operational coordination, and supporting evidence-based institutional decision-making.
At Resilience Maldives, he provides leadership in operations and systems governance, supporting the development of institutional infrastructure, implementation processes, and organisational readiness frameworks that enable effective programme delivery and long-term operational resilience.
Environmental Legal Action Chambers (ELAC)
Internal Legal Division of Resilience Maldives
The Environmental Legal Action Chambers (ELAC) serves as the internal legal arm of Resilience Maldives. ELAC provides strategic litigation capacity, regulatory analysis, statutory compliance oversight, and environmental justice interventions in support of the organisation’s mission. The Chambers strengthens institutional governance, safeguards legal integrity, and advances accountability within environmental systems.
Uz. Amhar Mohamed
Director, Environmental Legal Action Chambers (ELAC)
Uz. Ali Thihnan Fazeen
Senior Environmental & Regulatory Counsel
(ELAC)
Uz. Ahmed Iyad
Environmental Justice & Compliance Counsel (ELAC)
Scientific Advisory Council
To ensure our work is guided by credible science and global expertise, Resilience Maldives is supported by Our Scientific Advisory Council and specialists. This board provides strategic guidance, technical review, and scientific oversight across our research and conservation activities.
Dr. Ameer Awad Abdulla
Marine Conservation Scientist
Dr. Ameer Abdulla is a marine and environmental scientist affiliated with the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science (RSMAS), University of Miami. His work focuses on strengthening ocean science and environmental resilience through research, data-driven monitoring, and long-term ecosystem protection strategies. As an advisor to Resilience Maldives, he supports scientific direction and research integrity across marine-focused initiatives.
Dr. Charlotte Moritz
Quantitative Ecologist and Ecological Modeller
Dr. Charlotte Moritz is an environmental scientist and consultant at CMOANA Consulting, with expertise in sustainability planning, conservation strategy, and applied environmental research. She provides technical guidance to help translate scientific insights into realistic, measurable conservation and climate-resilience outcomes. At Resilience Maldives, she contributes strategic advisory support to strengthen project planning and impact.
Dr. Dominic Bryant
Coral Reef Ecologist
Dr. Dominic Bryant is a Coral Reef Ecologist specialising in coral reef health, resilience science, and ecosystem response to environmental stressors. His work supports reef monitoring and conservation efforts that help protect biodiversity and sustain reef-dependent communities. As part of Resilience Maldives’ advisory council, he contributes scientific expertise in reef ecosystems and conservation-driven research.
Dr. Shreya Yadav
Marine Biologist
Shreya Yadav is a Researcher specialising in environmental science and research-based sustainability solutions. Her work contributes to understanding environmental challenges through academic research, innovation, and evidence-based approaches to conservation and climate resilience. As a member of the advisory council, she supports Resilience Maldives with research insights and academic collaboration.
Partners In Action
At Resilience Maldives, we know that no battle for resilience is won alone. Our Partners in Action are the allies, thinkers, and doers who join us on the frontlines of climate, community, and innovation, bringing strategy, skill, and vision to every endeavour.
From local communities to international institutions, each partner adds strength to our mission, turning ideas into action, research into policy, and ambition into tangible change. Together, we navigate the complexities of climate challenges, crafting solutions with precision, insight, and unwavering dedication. In unity and strategy, our partners ensure that every initiative is more than a plan, it is a movement, shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the Maldives and beyond.
Strength lies in unity. Our partners stand with us on every front, guiding, shaping, and empowering communities toward resilience.