Our leadership team is dedicated to Planet Aid's mission.

Fred has been part of the Planet Aid family since 1998, starting as General Manager and later becoming COO in 2010. In 2019, he took on the role of CEO and President when Ester Neltrup retired. Before joining Planet Aid, Fred worked in textile collection and recycling at Development Aid from People to People in Sweden. Growing up on a farm in the north of the country, Fred has enjoyed a lifelong love for nature.

Mikael Norling earned his Ph.D. in Sociology of Education from the University of Copenhagen, with a focus on Zimbabwe. He has since taught and managed schools focused on international development in Denmark and the United States. He has lived in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, while engaged in development project management and program development. He has been a valuable member of Planet Aid's board since 1998.

Eva has been a dedicated member of Planet Aid's board since 2003. She is the CEO and President of the Gaia Movement USA, bringing over 20 years of experience in the secondhand clothing industry from various global locations. A qualified teacher who has traveled extensively across Asia, Africa and Central America, Eva brings a wealth of knowledge and a profound passion for people, communities and the environment.

Brian joined the board in 2023 and brings 43 years of experience in environmental engineering and consulting. He has developed and managed hazardous waste programs for USEPA and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, among others. Brian was recognized with consecutive Exceptional Performance Awards from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the prestigious Special Act and Service Award from the USEPA. Brian also specializes in the use of In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) technology, addressing organic contaminants in soil and groundwater for projects in the U.S. and Europe.

Fernando lives in Guinea-Bissau and brings over 27 years of development experience in West and Southern Africa and beyond. Before joining Planet Aid in 2016, Fernando served on the Board of Humana People to People in Spain and held leadership, technical and training roles in various organizations. His association with Planet Aid dates back to the early stages of his career when he participated in Planet Aid’s manager-in-training program.

Samuel Rosenthal is an accomplished attorney with an extensive background in criminal law, anti-trust litigation, and regulatory and compliance matters. He is a member of the Government Investigations and Litigation practice group in New York and Washington, D.C., and served the U.S. Department of Justice as Chief of the Appellate Section, Criminal Division. In 2015, The National Journal named Rosenthal as a "trendsetter" in regulatory and compliance affairs. Aside from his work as a legal practitioner, Rosenthal shares his considerable knowledge at numerous speaking engagements and is a well-respected mentor to professionals in the legal and corporate sectors.

Rusty joined Planet Aid as Chief Financial Officer in July 2022. With over 30 years of accounting experience in the non-profit sector, Rusty brings a wealth of knowledge in US accounting, auditing and compliance with state and federal regulations. His expertise enables him to navigate complex issues, take decisive action and drive results. Outside of work, Rusty finds joy in boating, gardening and giving back to his community.

Marie has dedicated over 27 years of her global development expertise as part of the Humana People to People Federation. In 2011, she brought her extensive experience to Planet Aid. Marie leads Planet Aid’s International Partnership Team and is responsible for mobilizing cooperative action among local, national and international organizations, government agencies and business partners.

Wayne Michaud is Planet Aid's Chief Operations Officer (COO) and is a long-time operations and management professional. His career with Planet Aid began in early 2011 and he has previously served as a Regional Manager, notably overseeing the 2013 opening of a 136,000-square-foot textile processing facility in Milford, MA. The facility significantly expanded the organization's capacity to divert textiles from U.S. landfills and incinerators. As COO, he oversees donation collection and processing and infrastructure, including the logistics of Planet Aid's signature yellow donation bins and larger donation centers. He also serves as a community liaison for municipalities, schools, businesses and other organizations that partner with Plante Aid to collect and reuse textiles. He also represents Planet Aid and the larger textile reuse industry, sharing his expertise with partners like MassRecycle, to promote efficient waste stream solutions and textile reuse.