All Speakers

Kate Brown

Executive DIrector

Global Island Partnership

With over 25 years dedicated to building partnerships that advance resilience and sustainability, I work across sectors and regions to create practical solutions for island communities facing…

Brett HILL

Policy Advisor, Environment and Wildlife

Inuit Issittormiut Siunnersuisoqatigiifia

Brett Hill is from Kamloops B.C. and is of settler descent. Brett studied at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and completed his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Economics and Political…

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-…

Jean-Pierre COLIBEAU

CLS

I am part of CLS, a CNES subsidiary pioneering satellite-based solutions for environmental monitoring. My work focuses on strengthening international cooperation and advancing innovative technologies…

Akbar JOHN

Associate Professor

University of Khorfakkan

Jose MONTEIRO

Executive Director

ReGeCom

With a Master's degree in Forest Ecology, from Copenhagen University, José has a strong focus on the community governance of land and natural resources, as path for sustainability and livelihood…

Ksenia Chernaya Scanlon

Chief, Communications, External Relations and Partnerships

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Xenya Scanlon is the Chief of Communications, External Relations and Partnerships at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). She brings 20 years of experience on…

Magda ZACHARA

Programme Officer

IUCN

Magda Zachara is an educator and advocate for nature conservation with a strong scientific background. She holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Geneva and a PhD in Molecular…

Heather DE-QUINCEY

Land and Nature Specialist

Anglo American

Heather De Quincey is a sustainability expert specialising in the strategic integration of land rehabilitation, ecological restoration, and conservation within the mining sector. With a PhD in post-…

John KAMANGA

Director

SORALO

With a background training in Anthropology and community development, John has worked with various communities across the country, especially in rural areas of Kenya, for over fifteen years.…

Andrew WILLSON

CEO

Future Seas

After completing a BSc in Marine Geography Andrew spent his early career developing practical skills in marine environmental monitoring and wildlife conservation, including coral reef monitoring,…

Thiri Dawei Aung

Executive Director

Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA)

Dr. Thiri Da Wei Aung serves as Executive Director. She received Ph.D (Ornithology) from University of Yangon in 2012. A large part of her work is to provide leadership to BANCA (internally and…

Amran HAMZAH

Professor

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Dr. Amran Hamzah is a Professor in Tourism Planning at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and his area of specialisation is the interface between community-based ecotourism and conservation. In addition…

Michael BROMBACHER

Michael Brombacher is a trained environmental scientist. From 2001 to 2011 he worked and lived (since 2004) in Central Asia where he developed the Important Bird Areas Programme in the region on…

Thomas Andersson

President

IKED

President of the International Organisation of Knowledge Economy and Enterprise Devcelopment (IKED) Previously: Vice-Chancellor of Jönköping University, Sweden Deputy Director of Science Technology…

Sarah MASTON

Co-Chair, Impact Technology Champions

Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime

Sarah is an award-winning inventor and futurist. She has a unique ability to look at the world differently, to see the interconnectedness and inner workings of people, processes and planet. She…

Giuseppe VILLALAZ

Directivo

Alianza Mesoamericano de Pueblos y Bosques - FTM

Originally from Usdub, Gunayala Comarca (Panama), he holds a degree in Business Administration and is the founder of TV Indígena, a platform that highlights the voices and realities of Indigenous…

Velvizhi S

Area Director, Coastal Resources and Fisheries

M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation

Dr. S. Velvizhi, holding a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Oceanography, has dedicated 22 years to small-scale fisheries development. Since 2002, she has worked with marine fishing communities along…

Vivek MENON

IUCN Councilor and Executive Director

Wildlife Trust of India

Vivek Menon is a leading Indian wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, author, photographer and policy think tank with a passion for elephants. Founder of five environmental and nature…

Ioannis MANIKAS

Senior Researcher

Czech University of Life Sciences

Dr. Ioannis Manikas is a senior academic leader with over two decades of experience in directing research, developing academic strategy, and managing large-scale international projects. He currently…

Roman JASHENKO

President

Tethys Scientific Society

Director General of Institute of Zoology CS MSHE Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of the Kazakhstan National Committee for the UNESCO Program “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB), adviser of the UNESCO…

Morgan MARTIN

GCELS Staff Intern

Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies

I am a recent graduate from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. I received my Juris Doctor Magna Cum Laude with an advanced certificate in Environmental Law.

Paulina ARROYO

Director, Global Portfolio

Enduring Earth

Paulina is an environmental leader and manager with over 20 years of experience dedicated to rights-based conservation in Latin America, the U.S., and globally, with a specific emphasis on Indigenous…

Penny BECKER

Chief Executive Officer

Island Conservation

Penny joined Island Conservation in January 2020 and then became the organization's Chief Executive Officer in 2024. She has a passion for learning and practicing leadership around conservation…

Paulina KARIM

Assistant Professor

National Dong Hwa University | Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency

I’m an Assistant Professor at the College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography and CEO of the @ScapesLab Research Centre at National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan. With a PhD in Landscape…

Emaan KHAN

Founder

Earth Warriorz

Gerry CREIGHTON

Curator of Elephant Care and Conservation

Al Ain Zoo

Gerry Creighton has spent over 25 years working with elephants and has nearly 40 years of experience in a professional zoo environment. Gerry started work in Dublin Zoo in 1983 as a trainee keeper,…

Kartikeya SARABHAI

Director

Centre for Environment Education

Kartikeya V. Sarabhai is an eminent environment educator and founder director of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), India. He holds Tripos in Natural Science from Cambridge University, UK…