The Board
Martin Alvsvåg (b. 1964)
Martin Alvsvåg, martin@rivers.global, founder of Rivers.Global and chairman of the board. Cand.Philol. in Religions, Music, English and Pedagogy.
This father of 3 told his teenager kids a few years ago that if they really wanted to make a change in the world, and work with something their own children and grandchildren would thank them for, then work for a cleaner ocean. Our greatest source of clean air and fresh water. And food of course! None of his kids were very enthusiastic, one of them said: Why don’t YOU do it!
Since then he has studied areas like pollution, plastics, waste management and effective ways to obtain a cleaner ocean. He founded Rivers.Global in 2018.
Arild Fehn (b. 1967)
Deputy chair of the board. Arild Fehn is born in Oslo, lives in Trondheim. Bachleor in International studies from Norwich, England. Country Director 4 years for NMAV, Vietnam. Currently adminitrative leader of Kirkens Bymisjon in Trondheim. Loves running, with or without a ball, loves travelling, hiking in the mountains. Father of 4. Active in church-work, both local and international.
Kristin Mestad (b. 1975)
Kristin Mestad (b. 1975) is from Alversund and lives at Frekhaug north of Bergen. I am a nurse with a clinical master’s degree in pulmonary nursing, as well as pedagogy as a basic subject. Her place of work is the Department of Pulmonary at Haukeland University Hospital, where she mainly works with rehabilitation for lung disease. Has previously worked for four years for the Mission Alliance in Vietnam. Worked then as a health coordinator, and for a year as country director. Loves music and sings in choirs and church. Otherwise active as a volunteer in the church and loves to go for walks. Thinks that it is important to work with good solutions for the environment and sustainability, both as a society and as individuals. Hope to be able to contribute to this through involvement in Rivers.Global.
Nora Bjørke Lehne (b. 2003)
My name is Nora Bjørke Lehne. I am 20 years old and come from Porsgrunn. I just finished 2 years at Nordhordland Folk High School. I love a lot of different things, everything from trips to the theater. The first year of folk high school, I took an aid and sustainability line. Became very fond of garbage picking and got a great commitment to this. Furthermore, I really want to become an engineer and research sustainable solutions:)
Steinar Dale Wessman (b. 1983)
Steinar really cheers for Rivers.Global and this organizations strong commitment to combating marine litter. Works as a teacher. Makes annual trips to Asia with students and has seen the many challenges with plastic pollution in this region. As a board member of Rivers, Steinar wants to be a part of the solution. Works at Nordhordland Folk High School at Frekhaug.
Sunniva Bergo Aarvik (b. 1999)
Working on a bachelor’s degree in work and organizational psychology at UiB. In addition, she has a position as a personal assistant, and is Sunday school leader in Salem, Bergen.
Her commitment to the environment has gradually evolved. She is now regularly seen on the side of the road to pick up the boss astray, and is also an advocate for a more frugal lifestyle. Otherwise, she is interested in outdoor activities and is happy to participate in game nights.
Simon Sortland (b. 1966)
After having experienced first-hand the problems that plastic litter causes both on land, in rivers and lakes during stays and trips abroad in Asia and Latin America, there is a strong commitment to contribute more. As a board member of Rivers.Global, he wants to become a bigger part of the solution. With many years of journalistic and communication experience, as well as fluency in English and Spanish, the father of three from Bømlo wants to create more attention for Rivers.Global both locally, nationally and internationally.
Håkon Rekstad (b. 1966)
Father of 3 and grandfather of 5.
I have broad experience from administration, management and finance in several industries, and I have been engaged in volunteering all my life.
23 years in Elbe Normark AS, where I had several roles, and most years as CEO and board member. We were Norway’s largest distributor of fishing equipment, and the preservation of the sea and watercourses was of great importance.
10 years as chairman and co-producer of Animando AS, which is the company behind the series and films about the rescue boat Elias.
6 years as sales manager, co-owner and board member of Automatikk-Service AS.
Volunteering has largely taken place in Skedsmo Red Cross, where I have held many positions over the years, and in recent years as a board member and financial manager in addition to an active role in the Auxiliary Corps.
I am a committed outdoorsman, an avid fisherman, and interested in nature and the environment. I believe I can contribute with a versatile experience, commitment to the cause and a large network of contacts.