Candidate info
Particular qualifications:
After completing my studies in tropical ecology in the Netherlands and Colombia, I began working at the Dutch IUCN National Committee managing a Tropical Rainforest Grants Program, that supported grassroots organizations, Indigenous groups, and NGOs focused on rainforest conservation, legal land rights, and species protection. As Director of IUCN NL (2000–2012), I expanded membership and secured Dutch ODA funding for nature conservation. We also launched policy initiatives, engaging government and business, called Leaders for Nature, leading to a 2010 biodiversity agreement between industry leaders and IUCN members in the Netherlands. Driven by the need for a shared language on large-scale restoration, I developed the 4 Returns framework, inspired by the Ecosystem Approach. Founding Commonland in 2013, we piloted this in five countries, and today, it's being used by many actors world wide. I have a deep appreciation for IUCN and bring in my experience as strategic visionary thinker and doer. At a time of rising polarisation, wars, and politicians ignoring the environmental challenges, I am convinced that we need a strong IUCN in its role as convener. Bringing together governments, businesses, and communities is more vital than ever before. What I will bring to IUCN's board is a supportive, neutral yet critical voice, with a strong focus on how we should support people on the ground to conserve, restore and sustainably manage nature because that is where real change happens.
Experience in fields of concern to IUCN:
(tropical) ecology and agriculture international conservation / restoration in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa ecosystem management stakeholder management (Theory U) convening fundraising experience with business, governments and NGOs strong supporter of bringing in indigenous knowledge in western thinking as we need to solve the environmental crisis, which is in fact a consciousness crises.