David Aldridge
Data analyst & Rating System Researcher (Ph.D.)
Born and raised in the UK with over 8 years of academic research and 4 years as a valued analytics asset, David brings a strong background in the intersection between big data and biology, marine and human life sciences. David studied marine biology at the University of Southampton before completing a PhD in biological oceanography at the same university. Following his entrepreneurial instincts, he then founded and ran a sailing business for two years. Returning to research, David taught himself to program in Python in order to work with “big data” and worked as a data analyst in the UK before moving to Norway.
David joined ACT as a data analyst in May 2017 and has helped build one of the world’s largest databases of grocery product categories, additionally assisting in the planning and analysis of ACT’s successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. He now works on the development of the ACT app.
Abby Finkelstein
International Development (M.A.)
Sustainability Researcher, Market Communication & Funding Management
Based in Israel, Abby has background in international development and community social work and is passionate about addressing global development challenges as they relate to Sustainable Development Goals. Her experience includes working in climate change mitigation, corporate social responsibility, disaster management, and community intervention.
Abby has contributed to the social impact of NGOs, public institutions and businesses through program development and coordination, research and reporting, and grant management. Abby supports ACT through a variety of roles, including market and sustainability rating research, business marketing, and managing funding opportunities.
Thomas Jepsen
CEO (MScEE)
Raised in Denmark and residing in Norway, Thomas’ passion for environmental and social responsibility and collaborative technology led him to found ACT in 2015. With background in electrical engineering and collaborative technologies, Jepsen has over 10 years of relevant experience in project management, software development, entrepreneurial startup and quality management. His areas of specialty include agile project management, quality assurance, collaboration methodologies and technologies.
Thomas previously handled infrastructure and software development projects at Maersk, Wilhelmsen Maritime Services, Netcom, and Telia Sonera.
Katerina Karatzia
Marketing and Communication Manager (M.A.)
Katerina has a background in international development and marketing, and has worked at the United Nations, the European Commission and as a marketing consultant. She holds degrees from the Universities of Yale and Sussex. In her free time, she likes to paint, sculpt and hang out with her pets.
Clemens Knoppe
Data Analyst (MSc)
Clemens holds degrees in economics from the University of Münster (BSc) and Glasgow (MSc). In his previous job as a research economist at the Central Bank of Malta he found a passion for data and analytics and has since focussed on learning programming in Python and machine learning applications.
Currently residing in Norway, he is passionate about all kinds of outdoor activities, especially surfing (yes, the water is cold).
Yves-Michel Lefebure
Analyst (MBA)
Yves Lefebure holds a MSc in Business Analysis and Performance Management from the Norwegian Business Schrool (NHH). Besides his bi-cultural background by growing up in France, Norway and Africa, he acquired international experience at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nigeria in 2014, as Head of Research for International Business Projects in Morocco and as a consultant for a non-profit organization..
Yves has strong analytical skills and a flair for product development, market research and fundraising. Currently working as Product Manager at Elis. Yves focuses his free time on working with projects within ecology. In 2016 he founded together with three friends an import business selling and serving ecological products to the Norwegian market. In 2017, Yves continued working on his passion for sustainability in the ACT Team as Business Analyst.
Daniel Moura
Data Analyst (MSc)
Daniel holds an MSc degree in Agro- and Environmental Nematology by Ghent University and BSc in Environmental and Biological Science by Federal University of Pernambuco and Eötvös Loránd University. He has a wide research background in Environment, Ecology, Zoology, Physiology, Ethology, Forensic Science, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. During his studies, his huge interest in Computing Science began.
Living in Brazil and passionate for photography, science, and rollerblades. His mission is to show how technology and sustainability can work together for a better world.
Florian N'gbala
Frontend Developer (Msc.)
Experienced frontend and backend developer and entrepreneur. Core competencies: Android, React Native & Firebase, Java. Developed apps with Android, React Native & Firebase. He’s highly motivated for using his powers for sustainability and is currently working on the android version of the ACT app while pursuing the last year of his Msc. in computer science. When he doesn’t code he plays rugby where he has represented the Ivory Coast national league.
Jordan Phillipson
Data Analyst, Computer Vision & Algorithms (Ph.D.)
Data Analyst and Algorithm Expert
Jordan holds two Master’s degrees, one in Mathematics from the University of Manchester, and the other in Data Science for Lancaster University. He is currently based in the UK at Lancaster University working towards a Ph.D. in Computer Science. His research focuses on the use of machine learning techniques; specifically, in the domain of land cover maps based on satellite imagery.
Given Jordan’s past experience as a consultant in data analytics with multiple SME’s, he can advise on technical matters and how methods interact with other aspects at higher levels. Jordan currently works with ACT on the optimisation algorithm to improve the ACT shopping list optimization as a service.
Brennan Purtzer
Investor manager (M.A.)
Brennan Purtzer is a recognized international development specialist.
With 15+ years in journalism and a Masters Degree in development management (University of Agder) Purtzer has been awarded for his outstanding entrepreneurship skills by the American SBA, founded multiple media companies, and worked on projects in environments as diverse as Ukraine, Africa, Sri Lanka and Micronesia. His focus is on new applications of technology — including energy, communication and agriculture — to address age-old and emerging global issues.
In his personal time he enjoys exploring new cultures, brewing beer and hiking.
John Slotylo
UX/UI Designer (M.A.)
Product Designer with 7+ years of overall design experience and more than 5+ years of UI/UX design experience in applying the customer-centered design on web-based & mobile products, responsible for the overall user experience, visual language, and product interfaces of the platform. His main focus is Human-Centered Design - developing solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process.
Isak Swahn
Data Analyst & Developer (Ph.D. Candidate)
Based in Norway, Isak brings 20 years of experience in development and management of various technical and numerical domains, including process simulation, electronic design automation, oil and gas, and artificial intelligence. He has an M.Sc. in applied mathematics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in multiphase flow at the same university.
Isak works with ACT as a data analyst and developer, developing the ACT in-store navigation feature as a service.
Ole Johan Ulvaaen
Financial Manager & Controller (B.B.A.)
Ole is experienced in finance, strategy and operations development with a strong working knowledge of most business disciplines including product development, customer service, human relation and accounting.
His background includes: Strategy development, Financial planning and management, turnarounds – strategy development, recapitalization and execution, transaction management & analysis including financing, recapitalizations, sales, acquisitions, joint ventures, and project systems development.
Sharon J Walker-Larsen, Esq.
Corporate Counsel (J.D., LL.M)
Based between Norway and the United States, with over twenty years of experience providing legal guidance to small businesses. Sharon provides legal advice and counsel on various business and digital law topics and policy issues to the ACT teams that create and operate the Company’s mobile app, website, social media channels and other digital platforms; perform legal research and other special projects.
Sharon holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Contracts & Arbitration from the Université de Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland; and a Master of Laws in Environmental Sustainability from St. Thomas University, Miami, Florida U.S.A.
In her free time, she likes to cook exotic meals for friends and go for long walks in the Norwegian forest.