Jake Kheel

Roles: Special Guest

Jake is an environmental leader. For fifteen years he has confronted social and environmental challenges in the Dominican Republic as Vice President of the Grupo Puntacana Foundation and Vice President of Sustainability for Grupo Puntacana. Under his leadership, the company’s sustainability programs have been recognized by numerous prominent international awards: The World Tourism Travel Council “Tourism for Tomorrow” award, The Conde Nast Traveler “World Saver’s Award,” The Travel & Leisure “Global Vision” award and the National Geographic Traveler “Leader in Sustainable Tourism Award.” Jake is a sustainability innovator. As Vice President of the Grupo Puntacana Foundation, he has led creative projects that make Dominican tourism more competitive and environmentally sustainable. He helped pioneer one of the Caribbean’s largest coral reef restoration projects. He helped design and implement Zero Waste, the DR’s largest integrated solid waste program. He directs the Center for Sustainability, a think tank that works with some of the world’s best universities to conduct research and devise experiments related to sustainable development.