The people behind Kenono

Ruchinilo Kemp

From the region, back in it since 2020, and running the Foundation since 2022.

Ruchinilo holds a master’s degree in development studies from IIT Guwahati. As an SBI Youth for India Fellow he built an app connecting farmers in Rajasthan with agricultural experts, an experience he has described as a turning point that taught him to feel the pulse of a community. He then spent five years with Seva Mandir in Rajasthan before returning to Nagaland in 2020.

He founded the Kenono Foundation in 2022 to advance community conservation through grassroots work and policy formulation, in response to the rapid loss of biodiversity and the fragmentation of community-based conservation across the region. The Foundation is promoted by the Zunpha Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd., which he works with on coffee and the other enterprise units.

Education

Master’s in development studies, IIT Guwahati

Expertise

Community conservation, cooperative enterprise, policy engagement

Background

SBI Youth for India Fellow; five years with Seva Mandir, Rajasthan; Kenono among six social ventures funded at the SBI Youth for India Conclave, 2025

Soyhun Tep

Manages the day-to-day functions of the Foundation and coordinates its programmes.

Soyhun holds a master’s degree in history from Assam University’s Diphu campus. A community development and operations specialist with more than ten years in education, enterprise, and conservation, he leads the poultry, carpentry, and machinery units at Zunpha MPCS Ltd. alongside the Foundation’s programme coordination.

He is a former vice principal, the current secretary of the Terogvuthun Wildlife Committee, and has three start-ups behind him.

Education

MA in History, Assam University, Diphu campus

Expertise

Operations and programme coordination, GIS, monitoring, and evaluation, grassroots enterprise

Background

Former vice principal; Secretary, Terogvuthun Wildlife Committee; founder of three start-ups

Chenogi H Kent

Drives enterprise development and market linkages for the Foundation and the cooperative.

Chenogi holds an MBA in marketing and finance from the Pune Institute of Business Management. With more than six years in enterprise development and marketing, she manages marketing for Kenono Foundation and Zunpha MPCS Ltd., bringing experience in rural market linkage and institutional sales from earlier roles at Chabou & Co., JCB, and Wildcraft India.

Education

MBA in Marketing and Finance, Pune Institute of Business Management

Expertise

Enterprise development, marketing, rural market linkage, institutional sales

Background

Chabou & Co., JCB, Wildcraft India

Amos Kent

Coordinates responsible tourism and the coffee value chain.

Amos holds a BA in sociology from Baptist College, Kohima. A tourism and multimedia professional with more than six years in conservation and storytelling, he leads the responsible tourism and coffee initiatives. He trained with the Royal Enfield and Green Hub programme, has contributed multimedia work through Artifex Ka since 2019, and is a trainer with North East Network’s Farm Field School.

Education

BA in Sociology, Baptist College, Kohima

Expertise

Responsible tourism, coffee, multimedia, and storytelling

Background

Royal Enfield and Green Hub training; Artifex Ka since 2019; trainer, North East Network Farm Field School

Eunice Khing

Oversees the Foundation’s financial systems.

Eunice holds a master’s degree in commerce from Nagaland University and brings experience in financial management across nonprofit organisations, cooperatives, Farmer Producer Companies, and community enterprises. She oversees the Foundation’s financial systems and supports sound, transparent, and accountable financial management.

Education

Master’s in Commerce, Nagaland University

Expertise

Financial management, accounting, budgeting, compliance, nonprofit and cooperative finance

Role

Overall responsibility for accounts and finance, including financial planning, reporting, compliance, and strategic financial management.

Jochusin Himb

Accounting, budgeting, reporting, and compliance for the Foundation.

Jochusin holds a BSc in chemistry and a Diploma in Computer Application from Kohima Science College. He supports Kenono’s financial management through accounting, budgeting, reporting, and compliance.

Alongside his professional responsibilities, he has a strong interest in nature and actively contributes to greening initiatives in his village.

Education

BSc in Chemistry and Diploma in Computer Application, Kohima Science College

Expertise

Accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, financial records management

Role

Manages financial records, accounting, budgeting, and compliance to support transparent and accountable financial operations.

Shwisolo Kemp

Community research, documentation, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), in service of his own community.

Shwisolo holds a master’s degree in divinity from Mt. Terogvü Theological College, grounding his work in a strong ethical framework, social responsibility, and moral leadership. He works across community research, facilitation, documentation, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), with a deep personal commitment to empowering his own community.

Guided by a conviction that true education and research must serve the collective good, Shwisolo actively engages with emerging youth initiatives focused on active citizenship, environmental stewardship, and local governance. He brings a community-first perspective, ethical sensitivity, and a passion for intergenerational dialogue to Kenono’s research and field operations.

Education

Master’s in Divinity, Mt. Terogvü Theological College

Expertise

Community-led research and ethical facilitation, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and local governance, youth engagement, active citizenship and social responsibility, community documentation and intergenerational dialogue

Role

Leads Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) initiatives and community-driven documentation, while supporting field research with an emphasis on local ethics, environmental awareness, and civic responsibility.

Tizunlo Wanth

Coordinates field logistics and community mobilisation.

Tizunlo holds a BA from ICFAI University, Sovima. A grassroots development worker, he handles field logistics, works with the poultry unit, maps land for the restoration programme, and mobilises communities for conservation and livelihoods.

Education

BA, ICFAI University, Sovima

Expertise

Field logistics, office operations, land mapping

Background

Poultry unit; land mapping for the ARR programme; community mobilisation

Shyerhunlo Kent

On the ground for field operations, logistics, and community engagement.

Shyerhunlo is a grassroots professional supporting Kenono’s field operations, enterprise activities, logistics, and community engagement. He coordinates field activities and assists with administrative and logistical requirements.

He has also contributed to land and forest mapping under the ARR project and supports community mobilisation for conservation and livelihood programmes.

Education

BA in History, Unity College, Nagaland University

Expertise

Field coordination, logistics, community engagement, enterprise operations, land and forest mapping

Role

Coordinates field operations, logistics, enterprise activities, and community mobilisation while supporting day-to-day administrative requirements.