All Speakers

Andrew RHODES ESPINOZA

Head for Public Affairs and Policy for Innovaciones Alumbra

innovaciones Alumbra

Andrew John Rhodes Espinoza has over 20 years of professional experience dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. He possesses deep expertise in political and socio-…

Nicole CAVENDER

Telleen/Jorgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens

The Huntington

Dr. Nicole Cavender is the Director of the Botanical Gardens and serves on the executive team at The Huntington in San Marino, California. She manages 207 acres of gardens and grounds and one of the…

Ami VITALE

Photographer, filmmaker and journalist.

Vital Impacts

Ami Vitale’s career stands as a testament to her deep dedication to documenting and addressing global crises. As an acclaimed National Geographic photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker, as…

Charles DOUMENGE

Researcher

CIRAD

Trained in botany and tropical forest ecology at the University of Montpellier (France), I have been a researcher at CIRAD since 1999. I began my career in 1983 as manager of the Ipassa-Makokou…

Natacha Tullis

Senior officer

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Pritpal SOORAE

Programme Officer

IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group

I am Deputy Chair of the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group and have been involved with group for nearly 30 years. During this time Ihave worked on developing various guidelines and…

Fatima EL-AARABY

Phd student

IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy 2021-2025

Fatima El-Aaraby is a Moroccan researcher, biodiversity advocate, and PhD candidate at Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Tetouan. Her doctoral research focuses on the distribution and conservation…

Jes LEFCOURT

Senior Director, Conservation Technology

Ai2 / EarthRanger

Jorge Liber Saltijeral Giles

Asesor

Secretaría del Medio Ambiente del Gobierno de la Ciudad de México

Jorge Liber Saltijeral is a biologist. He currently serves as an advisor at the Ministry of the Environment of Mexico City, where he coordinates the Environmental Information System and contributes…

Babafemi OYEWOLE

CEO

Panafrican Farmers Organisation

Babafemi Oyewole, PAFO CEO.Babafemi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Panafrican Farmers Organisation (PAFO). In this role, Babafemi leads an organisation that represents over 80 million…

Houria DJOUDI

Jeff WORDEN

Global Director, People and Places Department, WWF International

WWF International

Jeff Worden is an ecologist and conservation leader with over 20 years of experience working at the interface of conservation and development. Jeff is dedicated to transforming the way we think about…

Benjamin FITZPATRICK

Marine Ecologist

IUCN CEM

Ben is a Marine Ecologist and Director of Oceanwise Australia. He is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia Oceans Institute and Leads the Coastal and Marine Specialist…

Jona OLAVSDOTTIR

PhD Researcher

Centre for Nature-based Solutions, Aarhus University

I am a PhD fellow at the Centre for Nature-based Solutions at Aarhus University, where I research governance processes and the implementation of nature-based solutions. Before joining academia, I…

Marina KOSMUS

Head of Competence Centre Biodiversity, Forests and Agriculture

GIZ

Marina Kosmus is Head of the Competence Centre for Biodiversity, Forests, and Agriculture at GIZ HQ (German Agency for International Cooperation). She brings over 20 years of professional experience…

Osgur MCDERMOTT LONG

Data Lead

UNEP-WCMC

I am Data Lead at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), where I guide the use and provision of global biodiversity data to support evidence-based decisions…

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…

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…

Dario PINELLO

Unit Head Fisheries Assessment and Research

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

My expertise lies in integrating the ecological and economic dimensions of marine resource management. Over the course of my career, I have served in diverse roles as project manager, UN officer, and…

Roshani ADHIKARI PATHAK

Board Member

SMCRF

I am a seasoned communication professional and biodiversity conservation advocate with over 25 years of experience in policy advocacy, media engagement, and environmental governance. I have led…

Shelly EMIA

Artist and healer

WHAIA

Whaia is a Māori sound artist who specializes in "sonic weaving," using her voice, traditional instruments like the taonga puoro, and other sounds to create works with a profound cultural and…

Yuting LIU

IUCN Secretariat

Carly COWELL

Head of Conservation Policy and Practice

IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management 2021-2025

A qualified and experienced botanical horticulturalist and a plant conservation scientist with a PhD. Having worked in different sectors including research, operations and policy, my experience spans…

SANJOG THAKALI

Master in Environment Science and management

Teen Gaule Thakali Community

My name is Sanjog Thakali, and I am an indigenous youth from Gharapjhong-5, Mustang, Nepal. I hold a Master of Science in Environmental Management. I have been actively engaged in conservation…

Helene WILLEM

Mubadarat IUCN CSO Programme Officer

IUCN Mediterranean Centre for Cooperation

Hélène Willem is a programme officer at the IUCN Mediterranean Centre for Cooperation, where she coordinates initiatives supporting civil society organisations in North Africa and across the…