Susan Lucas is the Founder and Executive Director of the WBO. She has a professional background in horticulture and a B.Sc. degree from Colorado State University. The past 30 years of research and travel to see bamboo in situ have convinced her that bamboo is unparalleled for its environmental benefits and sustainable development merits. 

Durai Jayaraman is the Director of Global Programme at the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR). Durai has designed and managed large-scale bamboo and rattan-based livelihood development and environmental management programmes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America for over two decades. Durai has extensive expertise and knowledge in bamboo-based livelihood and ecological development, capacity building, partnership development, standards, and policy aspects. 

Emosi Balenaivalu is currently working as a Research Officer with the Economics Policy Team for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Recently joined PIFS in September 2024, and part of his work has been supporting economic policy development and ongoing regional initiatives that promote economic integration and cooperation across the Blue Pacific.

David E. Sands is the Founder and Chief Innovations Officer of RIZOME (Bamboo Ecologic Corporation), a climate tech company developing giant bamboo as a primary global building material to sequester gigatons of carbon. RIZOME, a Top 30 Carbon Removal XPrize solution, is reforesting thousands of acres and producing laminated bamboo products. The company received the 2024 U.S. Department of State Award for Corporate Excellence.