All Speakers
Nirmala SÉON-MASSIN
Director of Expertise
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
Kathy Lene CIELO
Deputy Executive Director
Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc.
Kathy Lene Cielo, also fondly known to colleagues as Kyle, is a wildlife biologist with over 10 years of experience in conservation science and environmental management. She holds a B.Sc. in Wildlife…
Susan CHEYNE
Vice-Chair
Borneo Nature Foundation International
Originally from Scotland, I have worked in Asia since 1997 and in Indonesia since 2002. My PhD at Cambridge was focused on the scientific assessment of gibbon rehabilitation – can gibbons raised as…
Prishani VENGETAS
I am conservation veterinarian with over 15 years of experience in animal health, including field work with local communities and wildlife organisations in Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia…
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…
Hind AL AMERI
Acting Section Head Marine Biodiversity Assessment & Conservation
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2021-2025
Dr. Hind Al Ameri is a marine conservation scientist and has joined the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in 2014. Dr. Al Ameri has a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Exeter and…
Tekau FRERE
Tekau Frere, a French Polynesian consultant, serves as the coordinator of the Marine Protected Areas working group of the High Seas Alliance, a network of over 70 international non governmental…
Edwin BERNBAUM
Senior Fellow, Instituto de Montaña; Co-Chair, CSVPA
Instituto de Montaña; IUCN
Edwin Bernbaum, Ph.D., is Co-chair of the IUCN Specialist Group on the Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas (CSVPA). A scholar of comparative religion and mythology, his research and work…
Serah PYAWA
GEF Fonseca Fellow
Lincoln University
Serah Pyawa is an Indigenous Papua New Guinean and Research Scholar at Lincoln University, New Zealand, pursuing a master’s in applied science under the GEF Gustavo Fonseca Scholarship 2025. Her…
Jonathan CAZABONNE
Ph.D. student
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue / Mycosphaera
My research aims to document the diversity of fungi and their interaction with other kingdoms, understand the mechanisms that shape fungal community assemblages, and determine their implications for…
James DALTON
Global Director, Water and Wetlands
IUCN
James is the Global Director for Water and Wetlands at IUCN Headquarters near Geneva, Switzerland. With degrees in rural development, science and politics, and irrigation engineering—as well as…
Angel MARCOS RAMOS
Geógrafo
IUCN
Angel Marcos brings over 20 years of experience in international cooperation initiatives for development in Central America. He holds a master's degree in Geography and Spatial Planning from the…
Gregg CASAD
Ocean Policy Advisor
Allen Institute for AI
Mr. Gregg Casad serves as the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) Advisor for Skylight, where for over four years he has supported governments and conservation partners in strengthening…
Luciano RéGIS CARDOSO
PhD Candidate
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
Luciano is a biologist and a geographer with a Master’s degree in Protected Areas and a postgraduate specialization in Theatre of the Oppressed Studies: Political-Pedagogical Practices. As a…
Paul SALAMAN
President
Conservation Allies
Dr. Paul Salaman is a leading expert in global biodiversity conservation with more than 35 years of research and field experience across the tropics. He has dedicated his career to bridging academic…
ARGHADEEP SAHA
Head of Policy
Good Food Institute India
Arghadeep is the Head of Policy at Good Food Institute India, India’s leading think tank and convening body on alternative proteins. He provides strategicoversight and leadership to the policy and…
Nabegh GHAZAL ASSWAD
Programs Manager / Senior Scientific & Technical Advisor
Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife
Dr. Nabegh Ghazal Asswad had a PhD. in Wildlife Ecology and Management. He works as a Programmes Manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) for the Middle East and North Africa…
Mercy MULENGA
Journalist
BBC MEDIA ACTION
Mercy is a Zambian and seasoned journalist working for Yar FM radio, with over five years of experience. Driven by the passion to uncover untold stories, Mercy is committed to amplifying marginalized…
Kotoko YADOMARU
President
NatureLit Japan
Kotoko Yadomaru is a dedicated environmental communicator, committed to fostering meaningfulchange. She has committed herself to youth engagement in environmental action for over five years.…
John EWEN
Professor
Zoological Society of London
Professor John Ewen is a conservation scientist in ZSL’s Institute of Zoology, leading a research group focussed on species recovery including conservation translocations. He has published more…
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…
Chloe HANS-BARRIENTOS
Senior Director
Conservation International
Chloe Hans-Barrientos is Senior Director at Conservation International and Project Director for the GEF-7 Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI). She leads a global partnership with Indigenous…
ADIZA OWUSU ADUOMIH
PROGRAMMES MANAGER(Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)
HEN MPOANO
Adiza Ama Owusu Aduomih is a Programs Manager and Gender Equity & Social Inclusion (GESI) Team Lead at Hen Mpoano, Ghana. She has extensive experience in coastal resource management, gender…
Scott HAJOST
Board Vice-Chair/Senior Environtal Policy Addviser
ASOC/NWC
Scott is an international environment and conservation policy law expert and manager with over 40 years’ experience working with the US Government, NGOs, multilateral institutions and leading global…
Chloé ORLAND
Ecology Advisor
Action Against Hunger
Dr. Chloé Orland is an ecologist specializing in the impacts of climate and environmental change on biodiversity and vulnerable populations. She is currently the Ecology Advisor at Action Against…
Ristika Putri ISTANTI
Head of Secretariat
LTKL
She began her career as a primate researcher with expertise in interpreting data and transforming it into compelling narratives. A graduate of Provision for Leaders, a leadership program supported by…
Melanie ZURBA
CEESP Steering Committee Member/Associate Professor
IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy (CEESP)/Dalhousie University
Chair, Theme on Governance, Equity and RightsProfessor Zurba’s work focuses on projects that are developed and implemented in collaboration with communities. Professor Zurba has worked…
Khaled MARAFI
I am honored to be the official candidate nominated by the Jordanian National Committee for the position of Regional Councillor for West Asia. With over 27 years of experience in environmental…