All Speakers

Carolina MARQUES

Consultant

Consultant

Biologist, project manager, and content/publications coordinator with over 10 years of experience in socio-environmental initiatives, particularly with international and network-based organizations…

Hana MATSUZAKI

Hana Matsuzaki has joined IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas team after seven years' experience as an officer in the nature conservation sector at the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. Among her…

AMIR IQBAL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SINDH ENGRO COAL MINING COMPANY

Amir Iqbal has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and its community development arm, Thar Foundation, since 2021. As Pakistan’s pioneering coal mining…

saeed ALZAABI

Senior Animal Keeper

ALAINZOO

My name is Saeed Al Zaabi, I’m 31 years old, and I’ve been working in the zoo industry for the past 10 years. My passion for animals started when I was a child, I’ve always been curious about their…

Heloise HEYER

Conflict Sensitivity Lead

PeaceNexus Foundation

Heloise Heyer brings over 15 years of experience at the intersection of peacebuilding, international cooperation, and organisational development. She works with civil society, governments, and…

Jenn Eckerle

Jenn is the Deputy Secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency and Executive Director of the Ocean Protection Council (OPC). Jenn serves as a key advisor…

Javier FAJARDO

Posdoctoral Researcher

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

I am a conservation scientist focused on the relationship between biodiversity conservation and society. My research integrates ecological, social, and economic dimensions into conservation planning…

Aziz Abdukhakimov

Aziz Abdukhakimov currently serves as the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a position he has held since December 30, 2022. Born in 1974…

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…

Toby GIFFORD

Lecturer

University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr. Toby Gifford is an interdisciplinary design researcher, working at the intersection of art, science and technology. He specialises in the interdisciplinary study of sound and digital art.…

Marwa ALAWADHI

Head of Awareness and Conservation Section

Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

Marwa Alawadhi is Head of the Awareness and Rationalization of consumption section within the Productivity and Demand Management Department at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure. She is also…

Jason WONG

Economic Analyst

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

.Jason's interest in conservation economics stems from a love of exploring and protecting the outdoors. His main interest is in investigating alternative economic approaches that value and safeguard…

Nikhil SEKHRAN

Chief Conservation Officer

WWF US

Nik Sekhran is the Chief Conservation Officer at the World Wildlife Fund- US, overseeing WWF’s global work on nature conservation and climate change. He earlier served at the United Nations…

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…

Manal BAHMAN

Chief Operations Officer

Emirates Nature - WWF

Manal Bahman is the Chief Operations Officer of Emirates Nature–WWF, where she shapes strategy, governance, and operations to accelerate high-impact nature and climate action across the UAE and the…

Marina MELANIDIS

Patricia LEON

Associate Director of Nature Conservation

Bezos Earth Fund

Patricia León Woolfson is Associate Director for Conservation at the Bezos Earth Fund, where she leads global strategies and partnerships to help protect 30% of the planet by 2030. She’s…

Cecilio SOLíS LIBRADO

Presidente

Federación Indígena Empresarial y Comunidades Locales de México. A.C.

Geógrafo egresado de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Origen: Nahua mexicano de la Sierra Norte de Puebla, servicio social Instituto Nacional para la Educación de los Adultos…

Peter LEIMGRUBER

Director of Conservation and Science

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Peter Leimgruber is the Director for Conservation and Science of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI).Previously, he served as the director of NZCBI's Conservation Ecology…

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…

Bas VERSCHUUREN

Research and Conservation

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

I do research on conservation and rural development issues in protected areas, World Heritage sites and the wider land and seascape. I link practical conservation experience with applied scientific…

Faizah SLEHAT

Manager of NbS

IUCN-ROWA

Faizah Slehat is the Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Manager at the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Regional Office for West Asia (IUCN ROWA). She leads the design and implementation of…

Vance Martin

Board member, director

Union of Nature

Vance G. Martin created and built-out the WILD Foundation over 40 years as its President and on its board. In that capacity he served as International Director of the World Wilderness Congress…

pauli merriman

Interim Senior Director, Oceans

WWF International

Pauli is a committed global leader in ocean conservation, policy, and advocacy, dedicated to driving transformative solutions for people and nature. As Interim Senior Director of Oceans for WWF…

Saebyeol SEO

Programme Officer, Protected Areas

IUCN Secretariat

Saebyeol Seo is a program officer for protected areas at the IUCN Asia Regional Office (ARO), where she primarily supports the Secretariat of the Asia Protected Areas Partnership (APAP). Seconded…

Nathaniel NG

Southeast Asia Programme Coordinator

SHOAL

Nathaniel is a conservation biologist by training, with research background in population and conservation genomics. While his doctoral work was conducted on avian diversification and evolution in…

Lama SALEH

Programme Development and Partnerships Director

Goumbook

Lama has been leading several impactful education and awareness programmes at Goumbook, including the Take a Breath initiative that focuses on improving indoor air quality in the UAE and…

Rima JABADO

Founder and lead scientist

IUCN Species Survival Commission 2021-2025

Deputy Chair Dr Rima Jabado is the Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. As a scientist and conservationist, she has spent…