All Speakers

Giacomo MONTEREALE GAVAZZI

Science for Policy Researcher/European Commission Contract Agent

European Commission Joint Research Centre

Giacomo Montereale Gavazzi (BSc Animal Biology and Behaviour, MSc Conservation Ecology, PhD hydroacoustics for seabed mapping) is an ecologist working at the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre…

Nihel CHABRAK

Founder & CEO

Vision Nest Consultancy

Prof. Dr. Nihel Chabrak is CEO and founder of VisionNest, a strategic advisory firm championing a "Regenerative Anthropocene for All Forms of Life." With over 25 years of transformative…

Abdul Rahman MOHAMMED ALSHAYEB

Acting Director General

Environment Protection & Development Authority

Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi Dr. Al Naqbi currently serves as the Director General for Ras Al Khaimah Economic Development Department, Acting as Director General for RAK…

Jonnie HUGHES

Co-Founder and Director

Open Planet

I am Co-Founder and Director of Open Planet Studios (an impact producer in the environmental space), Sixth Wave Productions (a factual TV and film indie) and Open Planet (an open-source premium…

Lianchawii CHHAKCHHUAK

Technical Advisor - GEF

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Adeline SERCKX

Strategic Director

The Biodiversity Consultancy Limited

Adeline has more than twelve years’ experience in bio-engineering, specialising in ecology, biodiversity, and conservation biology. With TBC since 2017, she has worked with renewables, oil and…

Tom QUIGLEY

Managing Director

Superorganism

Tom Quigley is the founder of Superorganism, a venture capital firm for tech startups that benefit biodiversity. A coral reef conservationist turned startup operator and investor, Tom has worked at…

Alejandra BOWLES

Global Policy Events Manager

The Nature Conservancy

John SCANLON

Executive President

International Council of Environmental Law

Seasoned leader in the fields of environment, nature and sustainable development, with a unique range of experience gained across multiple continents, disciplines and organisations, and the recipient…

Laura GRUBER

Senior Programs Manager

Wildlife Conservation Network

Laura Gruber is a Senior Programs Manager at the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), where she leads the development and expansion of WCN’s Rising Wildlife Leaders conservation and leadership…

Kirstie RUPPERT

Kirstie Ruppert, Ph.D. is an Associate Director of Conservation Science, Community Engagement at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where her work focuses on social science to understand the human…

Stéphan PLISSON-SAUNE

Head of Environment Department

TotalEnergies SE

Stéphan Plisson-Sauné joined the TotalEnergies Company in 1996. He has been working in the Environmental domain since that date. He is currently the head of the Corporate Environment Department. He…

Tia STEVENS

Branch Head

Australian Government. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tia Stevens, Branch Head – Strategy and Indigenous Protected Areas Parks Australia – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Tia is an experienced Senior…

Nathan BENNETT

Global Ocean Lead Scientist & Chair of the People and the Ocean Specialist Group

WWF & IUCN CEESP

Dr. Nathan Bennett (nathanbennett.ca) is the Global Oceans Lead Scientist at WWF, and has previously worked for various non-governmental, academic, and philanthropic organizations. He has published…

Tatiana LOBATO DE MAGALHAES

Research Professor

Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro

Research Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), QRO, Mexico, and certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist by PCPSWS. She has been honoured with the José Mariano Mociño Medal…

Erik BERGLOF

Chief Economist

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Erik Berglof sets the vision and strategy for the Economics Department and leads the planning, implementation and supervision of its work plan in support of the Bank’s mandate as AIIB’s inaugural…

Julius ARNEGGER

Professor of tourism

DI Tourismusforschung (German Institute for Tourism Research) / FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences

Julius is professor of tourism management at DI Tourismusforschung (German Institute for Tourism Research) at FH Westkuste University of Applied Sciences (Germany), and holds a PhD in geography from…

Jaekyong CHUN

CEO

National Nature Trust

Senior Researcher of Korea Legislation Research Institute (from 1990 to 2014).Adjunct Professor of Global Environmental Management, Seoul National University (from 2014 to 2021)Ecosystem Services…

Paul SMITH

Secretary General (CEO)

Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Dr Paul Smith is the Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). BGCI is the largest plant conservation network in the world, comprising 650 member institutions in 100…

Jihad ALSAWAIR

Ministry of Environment of Jordan

Dr. Jihad AlsawairSenior environmental expert with 25+ years of experience in environmental protection, climate action, green growth, environmental monitoring, and waste management. Proven track…

Steven Ross

Chief Development & External Relations Officer

Wilder Institute

Steven Ross is a dynamic executive leader and lifelong conservationist with nearly 20 years of experience advancing environmental and social impact through strategic fundraising, government relations…

Hari Krishna NIBANUPUDI

Senior Climate Emergencies Expert

IUCN Climate Crisis Commission 2022-2025

Hari Krishna Nibanupudi is an international expert on climate change, humanitarian response, and sustainability with over two decades of leadership across Asia, Africa, and beyond. He currently…

Lakeshia ANDERSON

Executive Director

Bahamas National Trust

Jennifer MAKAMBO

Expert in inclusive sustainable development

GYBN-Québec

Holder of an M.Sc. in International Development Management and Humanitarian Action with a specialization in Gender and Development, Jennifer is an expert in inclusive sustainable development. She is…

Pradeep KURUKULASURIYA

Executive Secretary

United Nations Capital Development Fund

Pradeep Kurukulasuriya is the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund. He is a Sri Lankan economist with a PhD from Yale University in the United States. Prior to…

Gianna MINTON

Consultant

IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group

Gianna Minton started her career in the field of education, but became so inspired by Oman’s marine environment during her 8 years there, that she started a new career in marine mammal research and…

Anurag MOHANTY

Senior Engineer

EGA

B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with over 18 years of experience in maintenance planning, plant maintenance (preventive and reactive), and operation readiness. Expertise includes plant maintenance,…

Yana GEVORGYAN

Director of Secretariat

Group on Earth Observations

Yana is a visionary leader with a unique global perspective, adept at strategic change, and a systems thinker. With over 25 years of experience spanning public, private and intergovernmental sectors…