All Speakers

Michael Esgro

Senior Biodiversity Program Manager & Tribal Liaison

California Ocean Protection Council

Senior Biodiversity Program Manager & Tribal Liaison at the California Ocean Protection Council/California Natural Resources Agency

Annie Mark

Senior Director, Global Partnerships

Environmental Defense Fund

Annie Mark is the Senior Director of Global Partnerships in the executive office programs at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a leading international NGO dedicated to climate and environmental…

Laith ALRAHAHLEH

Programme manager- IUCN-ROWA

IUCN Secretariat

Dr. Laith ALRahahleh, a seasoned expert with a Doctorate in Forestry and Agricultural Sciences from the University of Eastern Finland, has over 20 years of extensive experience. He is currently the…

Samuel Geller

Senior Protected and Conserved Areas Advisor

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Samuel Geller is a Senior Protected and Conserved Areas Advisor for Environment Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Canadian Wildlife Service. In his role, Sam leads an ECCC Screening Task Team…

Ouhoud AL-RAGAM

Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

Rob WALTON

Founder

Rob Walton Foundation

Rob Walton is a business leader, conservationist, and owner of the Denver Broncos.After serving as a partner at the law firm of Conner & Winters in Tulsa, Rob held several positions at Walmart,…

Yasmin QUINTANA

Manager of the Center for Species Survival: Freshwater

Shedd Aquarium

Dr. Yasmin Quintana is a fisheries scientist, ecologist, and conservation biologist with over a decade of experience working across academic, governmental, non-governmental, and international…

Lucy MULENKEI

Executive Director IIN and Co chair IIFB

Indigenous Information Network

Lucy Mulenkei is a Masaai from Kenya: a gender specialist and a human rights activist. Ms. Mulenkei has many years of experience in Environmental issues and community development work, focusing on…

Helen TUGENDHAT

co-Executive Director

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

Helen Tugendhat is the co-Executive Director of Synchronicity Earth, a conservation funder based in the United Kingdom that works to support under-funded and over-looked ecosystems and species and…

Basilia Shivute

Senior Operations Manager

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC)

Basilia Shivute grew up in a rural village in northern Namibia, where a subsistence lifestyle and a strong sense of community shaped her early years and ignited a deep connection to nature. These…

Tania ROMERO BAUTISTA

Doctoral Student

Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Florida International University

Tania is a PhD candidate in Earth and Systems Science at Florida International University. Tania's current research interests focus on making conservation and sustainable development strategies more…

Maya SUMI

Expart

National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan

With a background in forest ecology, I first worked in the international division of a private company, managing overseas offices. After three years at the Japan Committee for IUCN, I joined my…

Malgorzata BONNAVEIRA

Senior Global Communications Manager

IUCN

Goska Bonnaveira manages press relations and content at IUCN. She has over 15 years' experience in communications, with a background in environmental journalism. She holds Masters degrees in…

Juan LEóN

Coordinator of the Office in Guatemala

International Indian Treaty Council

Juan León is Maya K’iche from Guatemala. From a young age, he participated in cultural and political youth movements. He was actively involved in several Maya organizations supporting human rights…

Mariana SABA

Technical Assistant

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Technical Assistant at IUCN's Brazil office, working with the implementation of the Green List and Tech4Nature project. Graduated in Political Science at the University of Brasília (2023).

Peter CUTTER

Director, Program Coordination and Technical Services

RECOFTC

I am an experienced scientist, trainer, and team leader with an international work and publishing track record of leveraging emerging technologies for solving complex conservation and development…

Emad ADLY

Chairperson

Arab Network for Environment and Development “RAED”

International Environmental Expert with extensive experience of over 40 years in dealing with international agencies, governments, civil society, grass root organizations and media. Professional…

Rashed ALSUWAIDI

PUBLIC EVENTS SPECIALISTS

Department of culture and tourism

My name is Rashed Al Suwaidi, and I work as a Public Events Specialist at the Zayed National Museum. I’m also the Vice Chair of the Department of Culture and Tourism Youth Council, where I focus on…

Luis Alberto CAMARGO

Founder & Director

IUCN Commission on Education and Communication 2021-2025

Nature Education for Sustainability Co-Chair & South America Regional Vice Chair Luis Alberto Camargo is the founder and Director of the Organization for Environmental Education and…

Zein ALTAWIL

Founder / CEO

Yello Sustainable Clothing

Zein Altawil is the founder of Yello, the GCC’s first circular, zero-waste, and ethical abaya brand, which she launched in February 2023. Zein holds a master’s degree in Blockchain and Sustainable…

Daxita RAJCOOMAR

With over 18 years of experience Daxita has established herself as a thought leader and an influencer in the sustainability sector. She is an advocate for environmental protection and climate change…

Stefanía KARLSDóTTIR

Research Assistant

University of Oxford

Stefania is an Oxford University MBiol graduate from Iceland, specialising in applied marine biology and conservation. She is currently a Research Assistant at the University of Oxford, working on…

Ameera MOHAMMAD

Instructor

UAEU

Dr. Ameera F. Mohammad is an Instructor in the Engineering Requirements Unit at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). She holds a dual Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from UAEU and KU Leuven. Her…

Naomi KINGSTON

VP Global Resource Mobilization Strategy

Conservation International

Naomi Kingston is a strategic leader in global conservation, currently serving as Chair of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Partnership and Vice President of Global Resource Mobilization with…

Ying LI

Ministry of Natural Resources of China

Tessa HEMPSON

Chief Scientist

Mission Blue

Dr Tessa Hempson is Chief Scientist at Mission Blue, where she leads global science strategy to advance Dr Sylvia Earle’s vision of protecting the ocean through the Hope Spot network. A marine…

Violeta BARRIOS AQUINO

Chief Operating Officer

Sahara Conservation

Violeta Barrios is Chief Operating Officer at Sahara Conservation, based in France. In this role, she oversees the organization’s programs across countries, ensuring effective project delivery,…

Marie Bjornson-langen

Directrice exécutive adjointe AFD/SDD

Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères

Marie Bjornson-Langen, Deputy Executive Director for Sustainable Development Solutions at AFDMarie holds a Master’s degree in History, a postgraduate diploma (DEA) in Political Science, and a Master’…