All Speakers

catherine iorns

Professor

Victoria University of Wellington

I am a law professor at Victoria University of Wellington and an IUCN Councillor for Oceania.

Cheryl CHARLES

President and CEO Emeritus

IUCN Commission on Education and Communication 2021-2025

#NatureForAll Co-Chair Cheryl Charles is an innovator, entrepreneur, educator, author and organizational executive. Throughout her career, Cheryl has focused on the well-being of children, families…

Carlos Augusto DE ALENCAR PINHEIRO

Conservation in Tropical Arid Regions: Experiences and Challenges in Protected A

ICMBio

Forest Engineer, graduated from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), with a Master’s degree from the same institution. A federal public servant at the Chico Mendes Institute for…

James FITZSIMONS

Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies

The Nature Conservancy

Dr James Fitzsimons is the Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies with The Nature Conservancy. His work includes policy and implementation of the global 30×30 protection target and other…

Claudia Velarde Ponce de León

Abogada

AIDA

Claudia Velarde Ponce de León is a lawyer and director of AIDA's Territories Program. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management, specializing in Management and Conservation of Natural…

Jane BUDD

Head Veterinary Services

Environment and Protected Areas Authority Sharjah

Dr. Jane Budd is Head of Veterinary Services at the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, UAE. She has over 25 years of experience in wildlife health and conservation,…

Laith ALRAHAHLEH

Programme manager- IUCN-ROWA

IUCN Secretariat

Dr. Laith ALRahahleh, a seasoned expert with a Doctorate in Forestry and Agricultural Sciences from the University of Eastern Finland, has over 20 years of extensive experience. He is currently the…

Padu FRANCO

Senior Program Manager

Bezos Earth Fund

Evolutionary and conservation biologist with more than 20 years of experience designing, coordinating, and implementing basic and applied research studies and projects. Over 15 years of…

Adriana MOREIRA

Division Head

GEF - Global Environment Facility

A Brazilian national, Dr. Adriana Gonçalves Moreira is an expert in biodiversity conservation, climate change and environmental sustainability. She is currently the head of the Global Environment…

Rabab AL LAWATI

Conservation Outreach Coordinator

Environment Society of Oman

Rabab Al Lawati is an early-career wildlife and conservation biologist and, until June 2025, served as the Conservation Outreach Coordinator at the Environment Society of Oman (ESO), Oman's first and…

Sally WREN

Co-Chair

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

Sally joined the ASG as a Programme Officer in 2013, and had roles as Conservation Planning Officer, then Deputy Chair, before becoming Co-Chair in 2024. One of Sally’s main roles to date was leading…

CHAMBERLAIN EMMANUEL

Head, Environmental SUstainability Division

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Chamberlain Emmanuel is Director of the Environmental Sustainability Division (ESD) at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and a member of the Commission’s Leadership Team…

Justin LANGAN

Executive Director

O'KANATA

Justin Ron Langan is a 26-year-old LGBTQ+ Métis leader, activist, and social entrepreneur from Swan River, Manitoba, Canada. He is the founder and Executive Director of O’KANATA, a federally…

Elise MARQUIS

Senior Director

The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center

Elise is a marine ecologist with a deep passion for studying coastal and pelagic ecosystems, as well as the dynamics of marine food web, with a particular focus on planktonic communities. For more…

AMIAN ARSENE NARCISSE ALPHONSE N'GUESSAN

Ingénieur des Techniques des Eaux et Forêts

Ministère de l'Environnement du Développement Durable et de la Transition Ecologique

Born on 21/10/1989 in Sikensi, Ivory Coast. I am a Forestry Engineer with a Master's degree in Environment, Specializing in Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Ecosystems, with a focus on…

Neema PATHAK BROOME

International Policy Coordinator

ICCA Consortium

Neema Pathak Broome, was born in a small Himalayan village community in India and currently lives in and manages her family-owned urban farm forest in Pune in India. She has studied environmental…

Ivana THOMPSON

Programme Officer, BESTLIFE2030

IUCN EU Representative Office

Ivana Thompson is a former marine biology researcher currently serving as a Programme Officer with the IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas under the BESTLIFE2030 programme. In this role, she…

Haya FAHMAWI

Project Coordinator

IFAW

Haya Fahmawi is a dedicated wildlife conservationist and environmental advocate born in Amman, Jordan. With a Master’s degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management, Haya has spent the past five…

Jenn Eckerle

Jenn is the Deputy Secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency and Executive Director of the Ocean Protection Council (OPC). Jenn serves as a key advisor…

Melinka NAJERA

Coordinadora regional del Programa Enlazando

IUCN

After my graduation in Spain and Belgium as a forestry engineer with a master in tropical forestry and development, I moved to the Central America region in 2011. During my career, I have gained…

Louie C. Tesalona

Interim Executive Director

Foundation for the Philippine Environment

Marc ROSIERS

Senior Advisor

European Landowners Organisation

Since 2016, Marc Rosiers is managing director of MR F&A Consult which serves its clients with independent, evidence-based and applicable advice on strategic management (strategy design, business…

Jose Luis POSTIGO SANCHEZ

Green List Officer

IUCN

Jose Postigo is a passionate environmentalist with a strong background in biodiversity management and international conservation research. His expertise includes endangered and invasive alien species…

MICHEL MASOZERA

Africa Director, Policy and Partnerships

Wildlife Conservation Society

Dr. Michel Masozera is currently the Director of Policy and Partnerships for Africa at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The goal of this position is to enhance WCS Africa’s influence and…

Eunha CHOI

ranger

korea national park service

Gabrielle NUSSBAUM

Senior Manager, Engagement • Global Forest Watch & Land & Carbon Lab

World Resources Institute

Gabrielle Nussbaum is a Senior Manager of Engagement for Global Forest Watch and Land & Carbon Lab at the World Resources Institute. She leads global engagement strategies for geospatial…

EMILY MCKENZIE

Technical Director

Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)

Emily McKenzie is the Technical Director at the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). She has worked for 20 years integrating nature in policy, finance, economics and decision-…

Hugo Miguel COSTA

Director of Business & Biodiversity Impact

IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management 2021-2025

Zoologist, conservation strategist, and biodiversity policy leader with 23+ years turning science into lasting impact across Africa and Europe. Proven expertise in biodiversity management,…