Candidate info
Particular qualifications:
Growing up in Africa, Latin America and Europe has shaped my understanding of the of environmental and development challenges we face. Living in 20+ countries inspired me to dedicate my professional life to making systemic change. In 1997, I was among the first environment economists working for the IUCN Secretariat, where I spent 13 formative years in the following positions: Environmental Economist in the Biodiversity Policy Division drafting IUCN’s Private Sector Engagement Guidelines (1997-1999); Special Assistant to the Director General leading business development and change management process along with supporting the drafting of the IUCN’s gender policy (1999-2000); Acting Head, Conservation Finance & Donor Relations leading outreach and fundraising so as to double the unrestricted income to annually 19 million and co-founder of the Conservation Finance Alliance (2000-2003); Senior International Policy Advisor redesigning IUCN’s approach to policy allowing for greater membership engagement (2003 - 2005), and; Senior EU Policy Advisor and Founder of the Countdown 2010 Movement which gathered more than 2000 business, cities, NGOs and governments to make commitments to reverse the loss of biodiversity (2005-2010). Since 2010, I have continued to advance IUCN’s mission working in senior positions with government (Negotiator for the Spanish EU Presidency leading to adoption of CBD 2020 Aichi Targets), business (setting ambitious environmental standards for the extractive industries sector), IUCN members (Global Footprint Network, Forest Trends, CIC), and international partners (i.e. UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration and Global Crop Diversity Trust’s Head of Partnerships establishing a $400M Endowment Fund).
Experience in fields of concern to IUCN:
I maintain an office at IUCN HQ, working with the IUCN family, and I am taking an active role in IUCN as a member of SCC and CEESP. As a Mexican-French-German-Swiss national, I am fluent in all three IUCN official languages, as well as German and Italian. I have 30 years of professional experience as a trusted broker and bridge-builder in the UN, Government, Business and NGOs. I have helped set targets and accountability mechanisms for many multilateral environmental processes, with strong expertise in climate change, biodiversity, food systems, wildlife management, innovative sustainable finance. I serve(d) as a Board member on the frontlines of community development, including Global Nature Fund, Resurgence, Bioregional, Internews and I am also President of Global Village Operational Board - a new initiative to deliver a fully funded programme of action – to reverse climate change and biodiversity loss. A career spanning three decades in conservation has taught me one overriding principle: lasting solutions are forged at the intersection of multilateral dialogue, multidisciplinary research and evidence-based decision-making. As an IUCN Councillor, I will apply this experience to advance inclusiveness, bold positions and rigorous scientific practice to maximize IUCN’s influence in shaping our planet's future.