Carlos DREWS

Dr. Carlos Drews has been appointed as WWF's Biodiversity Practice Leader, bringing over 30 years of international conservation leadership to the role.

A native of Colombia, Carlos grew up inspired by a dream to work in Africa as a biologist - a dream he realized as a Ph.D. student at the University of Cambridge, conducting pioneering research on baboon behavior in Tanzania, for which he was awarded the John Napier Medal of the Primate Society of Great Britain. His academic path also includes two Master's degrees in biology and extensive field work in Latin America.

Carlo's professional career bridges science, strategy, and people-centered conservation. Early in his career, he served as academic and interim Director of the International Institute for Wildlife Conservation and Management in Costa Rica, studied bat pollination services, human attitudes toward wildlife, and contributed to Costa Rica's national human sustainable development report and climate change strategy. He has since held senior leadership roles as Executive Vice President for Conservation at Ocean Wise in Canada, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, and as WWF's Director of the Global Species Program.

At WWF, Carlos led marine conservation in Latin America & the Caribbean, and oversaw dedicated strategies for flagship species. He championed the network's wildlife crime campaign, which helped secure recognition of wildlife trafficking as a serious crime at the UN level. Carlos has pioneered climate adaptation for marine turtle nesting beaches, promoted innovative bycatch solutions with artisanal fishers, and launched award-winning Indigenous-led kelp restoration initiatives in Chile and Canada. In recognition of his lifetime conservation achievements, he was honored with the LiVerdPress International Award in 2015.

Carlos brings a global perspective grounded in his Latin American roots, extensive work across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, and fluency in Spanish, English, German and French. Known for his collaborative leadership and ambassadorial skills, he remains deeply committed to advancing WWF's mission to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework and WWF's Roadmap to 2030. Outside of work, Carlos is an avid runner, mountain biker, photographer, a cappuccino and Darjeeling tea enthusiast, and enjoys Asian cuisine.