Our team

The people behind BARC’s mission

Board of Directors

A woman outdoors holding a small black puppy and a white dog, with a small brown monkey leaning on her shoulder.

Marianne Guillet

President

Born in France, Marianne began rescuing animals after moving to Bhutan in 1997. She was awarded the Order of Merit Gold by His Majesty the King in 2016.

An elderly man with gray hair and a beard holding a fluffy puppy outdoors in a forested area.

Hendrik Visser

Treasurer

Dutch engineer and sociologist, dedicated to the harmonious co-existence of humans, animals, and nature. Has lived in Bhutan since 1997.

Kinlay Gyaltshen

Executive Director

Alongside his own hotel and tourism business, he is an animal lover and travel entrepreneur focused on ethical travel.

Close-up portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing traditional clothing with a patterned scarf.

Peldon Tshering

Board member

Works on the crossroads between animal welfare and human mental health, advising on civil society collaborations.

Yeshey Choden

Board member

A space engineer and aspiring astronomer, currently serving as a public servant at the GovTech Agency of Bhutan.

Thinley Dorji

Board member

As a former Chief Environment Officer, involved in Bhutan’s dog population management programs, he is now a social entrepreneur.

BARC board members

Group of eight people standing outdoors on grass with trees in the background, dressed in traditional and casual clothing.

Mr. Kinlay Gyaltshen, Ms. Peldon Tshering, Rinpoche Mynak R. Tulku (former board member), Yuem Sonam Chuki (former board member), Ms. Marianne Guillet, Mr. Tashi representing Khandroma Dorji Phagmo Rinpoche, former board member, Ms. Yeshey Choden, and Mr. Hendrik Visser. Photo taken in 2022.

The Team

How BARC contributes to animal welfare education in Bhutan

Group of people dressed in traditional Bhutanese clothing outdoors, with trees in the background, some individuals kneeling in front and others standing behind, including a dog on the right.

BARC team in 2016 celebrating receiving the National Order of Merit Gold from his Majesty the King. This is the highest civilian medal for service to the nation.

Collaboration with JSW School of Law

Group of seven people standing outdoors in front of traditional Bhutanese buildings, with mountains in the background, all wearing face masks and traditional attire.

BARC collaborates with the JSW School of Law to develop and deliver a course on Environmental Ethics and Animal Welfare Law & Policy. The course examines the ethical frameworks and values that shape human-animal relationships and their influence on animal welfare considerations in society.

Thank you to our volunteers

BARC relies on dedicated volunteers from around the world. 
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and expertise.

Join our volunteer program →

Frequently asked questions

  • All BARC Board members conduct office and operational work without compensation, volunteering their time and expertise to support our mission. Founders Marianne Guillet and Hendrik Visser go further by personally covering all overhead expenses, which means 100% of donor contributions go directly to animal care, medical treatment, and sanctuary operations.

  • BARC's annual financial accounts are independently audited by the Royal Audit Authority of Bhutan, and we have received clean audits on all accounts since 2014.

    Since 2023, we have also been undergoing annual organizational performance audits from the Bhutan Civil Society Organization Authority to ensure accountability.

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