All Speakers

Speaker Karsten SACH
Karsten SACH
Dr. Karsten SachKarsten worked for the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety for more than three decades. From 2016 to 2022, he was Director General of…
Speaker Susan LEOPOLD
Susan LEOPOLD

Executive director

United Plant Savers

Dr. Susan Leopold is an ethnobotanist and conservation biologist known for her work in the fields of plant conservation, sustainable agriculture, and ethnobotany. She is the Executive Director of the…
Speaker Charlotte SMITH
Charlotte SMITH

Conservation Education Director

Chester Zoo (North of England Zoological Society)

Charlotte has extensive experience in conservation and nature based education, behaviour change and community engagement. As Director of Conservation Education she is responsible for the Chester Zoo'…
Speaker Fanny ROUXELIN
Fanny ROUXELIN

Terrestrial Biodiversity Director

WWF France

Fanny Rouxelin has dedicated over a decade to supporting public and private organisations with their climate and nature transition strategies. She is now Director of the Terrestrial Biodiversity Unit…
Speaker Simangele MSWELI
Simangele MSWELI

Senior Manager, Youth Leadership Program

African Wildlife Foundation

Simangele is a conservationist with an interest and experience in environmental education, community engagement, research and policy development. At AWF, Simangele serves as the Associate Director,…
Speaker Marianne KETTUNEN
Marianne KETTUNEN
Marianne Kettunen is a senior policy expert and advisor, currently working as Biodiversity Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF). Marianne has 20 years of experience on the science-policy…
Speaker Shamen VIDANAGE
Shamen VIDANAGE

Country Representative, IUCN Sri Lanka

IUCN

Shamen Vidanage brings over 30 years of experience in natural resource management at government, academia and non-government sectors. He is currently the Country Representative of IUCN Sri Lanka…
Speaker Arthur BISPO
Arthur BISPO

Professor

Goias Federal University (UFG)

I am biologist who seeks to become involved in actions that promote nature conservation throughout his career. Specializing in ornithology and landscape ecology, he has developed research that seeks…
Speaker NGIMBI DANIEL MABENGO
NGIMBI DANIEL MABENGO

FACILITATEUR COMMUNAUTAIRE

Alliance Nationale d'Appui et de Promotion des Aires et Territoires du Patrimoine Autochtone et Communautaire en RDC (ANAPAC)

Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)Memberships:  Alliance Nationale d’Appui et de Promotions des Aires et Territoires du Patrimoine Autochtone et Communautaire en RDC (ANAPAC-…
Speaker Jesús BELLIDO
Jesús BELLIDO

Technical Office Coordinador

IUCN Spanish Committee

Biologist and conservation professional with over 25 years of experience dedicated to reversing biodiversity loss and tackling climate change. I have authored more than 100 publications, including 22…
Speaker Marianela ARAYA
Marianela ARAYA

Program Officer Biodiversity and Health/Invasive Alien Species

Convention on Biological Diversity

Marianela is a biotechnology engineer, with a MSc on Biosafety in plant biotechnology.Marianela started her career working for the private sector in industrial biotechnology and wastewater treatment…
Speaker Milton RIEBACK
Milton RIEBACK

Zoological Education Director

SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Milton Rieback, Zoological Education Director for SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, has worked in conservation and the zoological field, since 1996.…
Speaker Hussein Alfa NAFO
Hussein Alfa NAFO
Ambassador Seyni Nafo is an influential voice in global climate diplomacy and a driving force behind Africa’s climate and sustainable development efforts. Currently serving as Co-Chair…
Angelito TENORIO
Angelito TENORIO
Speaker Thomas VIEGAS
Thomas VIEGAS

Nature Strategy Lead

Aviva

Thomas Viegas is an experienced professional with deep expertise in environmental economics, finance, and policy making.  He has worked for the Bank of England, HM Treasury, the Taskforce…
Andrew MALHERBE
Andrew MALHERBE
Speaker Manal ALNAQBI
Manal ALNAQBI

GIS Technician

Ekthar

Manal Alnaqbi is an Emirati GIS and Remote Sensing Technician with a Master of Science in Remote Sensing and GIS. She works in the wildlife conservation field, focusing on spatial analysis, habitat…
Speaker Aaron HENDERSON
Aaron HENDERSON

Associate Professor

University of Khorfakkan

Speaker Lyraya SCHABLEIN
Lyraya SCHABLEIN

Events Manager

The Nature Conservancy

Lyraya works for The Nature Conservancy as an Events Manager on high visibility events. Her background spans work in marketing, fundraising, community engagement, project management, event management…
Speaker Nutdanai TRAKANSUPHAKON
Nutdanai TRAKANSUPHAKON

Social Enterprise del. & communication coordinator

Pgakenyaw Association for Sustainable Development

Mr. Nutdanai Trakansuphakon has an academic background in law. He now actively runs his social enterprises while simultaneously working as a researcher. He is a co-founder of The Rotate (Digital…
Speaker Edy Reynaldo DARIQUEBE LAURA
Edy Reynaldo DARIQUEBE LAURA

Indigenous Expert

FENAMAD

Edy Dariquebe, community leaderand director of the Native Federationof the Madre de Dios River and Tributaries.
Speaker Anushri TIWARI
Anushri TIWARI

South Asian Region Lead

Urban Biodiversity Hub

Anushri Tiwari is an urban planner and ecologist exploring socio-ecological systems (SES), with a focus on the interlinkages between blue-green infrastructures and communities. She recognizes the…
Speaker Liang Jim LIM
Liang Jim LIM

Senior Director, International Biodiversity

National Parks Board

veronique VERMETTE
veronique VERMETTE

Consultant écologie

Reseau de milieux naturels protégés

Speaker James HARDCASTLE
James HARDCASTLE

Director, Protected and Conserved Areas

IUCN

James Hardcastle leads IUCN’s Protected and Conserved Areas work. James helped develop the IUCN Green List, the flagship sustainability standard for fair and effective area-based conservation.James…
Speaker Carlos Mario Gutiérrez Arrubla
Carlos Mario Gutiérrez Arrubla

Alcalde municipio de La Estrella

Alcaldía de La Estrella

Zootechnician and Lawyer graduated from the University of Antioquia, Specialist in Public Management, and currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Management and Political Representation. With…
Speaker Kristina GJERDE
Kristina GJERDE

Senior High Seas Advisor

IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law 2021-2025

Kristina M. Gjerde, J.D., is Senior High Seas Advisor to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Ocean Team and an honorary professor at the University of Edinburgh. For…
Ross HAMPTON
Ross HAMPTON