All Speakers

Astrid SCHOMAKER

Executive Secretary

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

In April 2024, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed Astrid Schomaker Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).Prior to her appointment as Executive Secretary of…

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…

Hessa AL-QAHTANI

Conservation Programs Unit Head

Al Ain Zoo

Working as Conservation Programs Unit Head

Matthew COLLIS

Senior Director, Policy

IFAW

Matt Collis is IFAW’s Senior Director for Policy. Matt has been with IFAW for 20 years in a number of different roles, first joining IFAW’s London office to lead IFAW’s engagement with the UK…

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…

Sandrine Enguehard

Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer

Societe Generale

Deputy CSO since March 2024, Sandrine is notably in charge of our Nature task force and Sustainable Business.Previously Sandrine Enguehard was Heading our Sustainable finance team for SG…

Jayant SARNAIK

Joint Director

Applied Environmental Research Foundation(AERF)

A conservation and sustainability practitioner working on innovative solutions for biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems conservation in the Western Ghats of India. I am conservation entrepreneur…

Tamer KHAFAGA

Research & Natural Resources Management Director

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority

My work and study are focused on conservation biology and sustainable use of natural resources. While working with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency as Conservation Botanist in the St.…

Krizzley ORDOñEZ

Perito en Desarrollo Comunitario

Asociación Ak' Tenamit

Krizzley Ordoñez García is an 18-year-old young Indigenous leader. She was born in the rural community of Copal La Esperanza, Coban, Guatemala. During the internal conflict, her parents fled…

Carla DANELUTTI

Mediterranean program coordinator

IUCN

15 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental conservation, project management, and internationalcollaboration, aligning closely with the responsibilities and objectives…

Joséa S. DOSSOU BODJRENOU

President

Comité National des Membres de l'UICN au Bénin

Né en 1964 à Porto-Novo d’une famille très modeste de Hozin, Commune de Dangbo, Monsieur Dossou-Bodjrènou S. Joséa a fait ses études primaires à Hozin et à Pobè et ses études secondaires à Dangbo,…

VIliame WAQALEVU

Senior Researcher

Miral Experiences LLC

Experience in working as a marine biologist and academic researcher in the Pacific, Asia and more recently in the Arabian Gulf region. Have worked across a diverse number of coastal marine ecosystems…

Victor DAVID

Chargé de Recherche

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement

Dr. Victor DAVID is a Research Fellow at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD). After spending several years in…

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…

Azzedine DOWNES

President and Chief Executive Officer

IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare

Azzedine T. Downes, President & CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)As President and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) since 2012 and since joining the…

Hind ALKAABI

Student

United Arab Emirates University

Hind Alkaabi is a 4th-year veterinary medicine student who is passionate about the current involvement of veterinarians to succeed in portraying what One Health is all about. The study of veterinary…

Susanne PEDERSEN

Director

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature

Susanne Pedersen has 30 years of experience as a board member, director, and strategic advisor from international organizations, a science-based advisory centre, an innovation community, industry…

Long Thang HA

Chairman

GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre

I am currently working with the Frankfurt Zoological Society. I began working in the field of nature conservation in 1999 with the Primate Rescue Center, Cuc Phuong National Park. In 2009, I…

Ryan LANCLOS

Director of Global National Government Solutions

Esri

Ryan Lanclos is a director of Esri’s global public sector strategy and solutions. He supports national governments, NGOs, and multi-national organizations working to maximize their impact for people…

Samuel de Carvalho

GCELS Staff Intern

Center for Environmental Legal Studies

Samuel Fonseca de Carvalho is a Brazilian attorney and legal consultant who completed his LL.M. in Environmental Law with a specialization in Energy and Climate Change Law at the…

Veefeni Ingaveuya Priscilla MUNDILO

Programme Lead: Community Conservation Partnerships & Safeguards

Namibia Nature Foundation

I have worked in Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Programme since 2016, championing conservation that is led by and benefits local communities. My work focuses on…

Renée BRUNELLE

Environmental Advisor

SOCODEVI

Renée Brunelle has worked in the environmental sector and international cooperation for over 25 years, serving as an environmental advisor, environmental consultant, project manager, and…

Zoe JAFFLIN

Programme and Grants Associate

IUCN Secretariat

Sue Miller

Head of Global Networks

Stop Ecocide International

Working to protect the Earth by making ecocide an International crime. Former lawyer, marketing director and business founder/owner.

Raul FONTOURA

Head of the International Affairs Division

ICMBio

Raul Fontoura is Head of the Division of International Affairs at ICMBio, where he advises senior leadership on foreign affairs and explores opportunities for international partnerships. A career…

Anssi MIKOLA

CEO

Riverrecycle Oy

With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and a background in engineering, Anssi Mikola has emerged as a pioneer in turning waste management into a circular economy opportunity in emerging…

Janaina TORRES CARREIRA

Ekthar

Janaina Torres Carreira holds a DVM (2005), MSc (2008), and PhD (2012) in Animal Reproduction from São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in sperm nuclear…

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.…