Chair

Alex is a Melbourne based lawyer with experience in both the private and public sectors. Alex provides governance and compliance support to the board. Alex led H-ELP’s successful application to obtain “deductible gift recipient” status with the Australian Taxation Office and assists H-ELP in meeting its ongoing legal responsibilities.

Founder
As an accredited horse trainer for over 30 years, Andrew developed and manages the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre, specialising in horse training and behaviour modification. He holds a PhD in equine cognition and learning and is the winner of the Eureka Prize, the highest Australian Science Award. Andrew is also the co-founder of H-ELP.

Using Learning Theory and humane training methods similar to when he's training horses, Andrew trains working elephants in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Andrew has written numerous books (including an International Best Seller) and has authored 35 peer-reviewed journal articles. One of Andrew's books is the Elephant-Friendly Training for Working Elephants: A practical manual for foundation training from first handling to riding and trunk control.

Board Member
Nicki Stuart is a foundation member of H-ELP. She was inspired to become involved after accompanying Dr McLean on his first trip to Nepal in 2007, from which she made a documentary about the training camp. As a professional horse trainer, Nicki was already aware of the many benefits science-based training brought to her work in terms of handler safety and animal welfare. Nicki has held the role of Chair and is a director with the H-ELP board.

Board Member
Dr Portland Jones is a writer, lecturer and horse trainer. She has been on the board of H-ELP since its inception. Although she is passionate about improving animal welfare through the use of evidence based training methods she also believes that one of H-ELP's most important roles is to enhance the quality of life for mahouts and their families through increased understanding, education and safety. She is excited about the future for H-ELP and in particular is looking forward to being able to share some of the organisation's training experiences with others.

Board Member
Marlee Horobin is responsible for marketing and communications at H-ELP. Marlee is continuing to develop corporate and long term relationships with supporting organisations and individuals; currently concentrating on projects surrounding Laos Elephant Conservation through fundraising initiatives.

Trainer
Kevin has a Bachelors in Emergency and Disaster Management. He has been working in the emergency services for the past 20 years as a paramedic around the world and currently lives in Hermanus South Africa where he works in the Emergency Department. Congruently to his love and career in medicine, Kevin has had a life-long passion for horses. Additionally, Kevin studied under Dr Andrew McLean in Australia at the renowned Australian Equine Behaviour Centre and earned his diploma in Equitation Science from ESI. Kevin is founder and director of Equitation Science Africa which educates students and their horses in the principles of Equitation Science and Learning Theory. Continuing with his experience working with horses, Kevin has been passionately working with H-ELP as a trainer in SE Asia to improve the welfare of elephant and Mahouts.

Marketing Manager and Secretary
With a Bachelor of Media and Communications (Journalism) and a curious eye for understanding how individuals react to marketing initiatives, Breanna takes interest in using the digital space to draw attention to brands and companies. As part of her role at H-ELP, Breanna helps to raise support for H-ELP, whilst maintaining their online presence.

Board Member

Mark is a strategy and marketing leader with considerable non profit experience but first and foremost loves animals. He remembers at age 8 meeting elephants in the wild at Chitwan National Park in Nepal and later in India. He still looks at these gentle giants with wonder.
He has a B.Sc.(Econ)Hons from University of London (UCL), MBusLaw from Monash University, MBA from Columbia University, GradCertEduStudies from University of Sydney and is a Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. Mark has been published in Gulf Marketing Review, Marketing Magazine, The Educator, Journal of Banking & Financial Services, inFinance and Journal of Law.