All Speakers

Speaker Grygorii KOLOMYTSEV
Grygorii KOLOMYTSEV

Nature Department Expert

Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group

Grygorii Kolomytsev is a biologist and co-founder of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG), active in nature conservation and environmental advocacy for over 15 years. His work combines…
Speaker Paul SMITH
Paul SMITH

Secretary General (CEO)

Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Dr Paul Smith is the Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). BGCI is the largest plant conservation network in the world, comprising 650 member institutions in 100…
Speaker Umang BHATTARAI
Umang BHATTARAI

Energy Specialist

Asian Development Bank

Umang is an Energy Specialist at under the Energy Sector Group at the Asian Development Bank. He is responsible for the origination, processing, financing, and implementation of loans, grants, and…
Speaker Maximin DJONDO
Maximin DJONDO

Benin Environment and Education Society

Established in 2005, BEES ONG is committed to the protection and sustainable management of natural resources, with a particular focus on marine and coastal ecosystems. We implement participatory,…
Speaker Craig HILTON-TAYLOR
Craig HILTON-TAYLOR

Head, Red List Unit

IUCN

I have been head of the IUCN Red List Unit for the past 26 years, the unit is responsible for overseeing the production and maintenance of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. My responsibilities…
Speaker Myrna SEMAAN
Myrna SEMAAN

President

Friends of Nature

MYRNA SEMAAN PhD Brief summaryA- Project Management and Consultancy (over 15 years):International organizations: 7 topics for IUCN, EU Commission, GEFGovernment: - ecological studies to the…
Speaker Laurence PESSEZ
Laurence PESSEZ

Global Chief Sustainability Officer

BNP Paribas

As creator of the Sustainability function within the group, Laurence is managing BNP Paribas related policy and contributed to obtaining several awards such as the “World Best Bank for Sustainable…
Speaker Kim GRUETZMACHER
Kim GRUETZMACHER

Head of Division International Nature Conservation

BfN

Dr. Kim Gruetzmacher is Head of the Division for International Nature Conservation at the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, where she works with a dedicated team on a wide range of…
Speaker Javier FAJARDO
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…
Speaker Ángela PELLIN
Ángela PELLIN

Pesquisadora e Coordenadora de Projetos

Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas

Angela Pellin is a biologist specializing in Conservation Biology and holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering. She has experience in both the government and non-government sectors, working on…
Speaker Alexandra MYSTIKOU
Alexandra MYSTIKOU

Head of Commercial R&D

M42

A scientist who turned corporate to transform research into revenue, I transitioned from academia into government R&D and later into industry—connecting these three worlds to strengthen the full…
Speaker Louie C. Tesalona
Louie C. Tesalona

Interim Executive Director

Foundation for the Philippine Environment

Speaker Cameron CAMILLO
Cameron CAMILLO

Conseiller Développement Durable

LOJIQ

Cameron Camillo (1996) holds a degree in Biology from Université Laval (Canada) and two research master’s degrees in Sustainable Development and Environmental Sciences from Uppsala University and the…
Speaker Erika HARMS
Erika HARMS

Grupo Iberostar

With over a decade of experience in the field of responsible tourism and sustainable ocean economy, Erika holds a combined master's degree in business administration and natural resource management…
Speaker Philip ROCHE
Philip ROCHE

Directeur de Recherche

INRAE

Philip Roche is currently Director of Research in Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Services at INRAE. He is also Co-Director of the research programme on Nature-based Solutions (PEPR SoluBiod, France…
Speaker Sean DICK
Sean DICK

Senior Conservation Education Manager

Chester Zoo

Sean has a background in Zoology and Animal Behaviour and 15 years experience across a variety of roles and zoo education disciplines, both formal and informal. He, and his team, create engaging…
Speaker Muzaffar AHMAD
Muzaffar AHMAD

Senior Environment Specialist

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Muzaffar Ahmad is a Senior Environment Specialist at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where his work is dedicated to ensuring that large-scale infrastructure investments are…
Speaker Silvia VIMERCATI
Silvia VIMERCATI

Coral Reef Conservation Specialist

SHAMS

Dr. Silvia Vimercati is a marine biologist working with the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), where she leads projects on coral reef…
Speaker Fatma ALHANTOUBI
Fatma ALHANTOUBI
Eng. Fatima Al Hantoubi An expert in the field of water and environment, winner of the British Vital Communities Award and Ambassador Award for Awareness and Public also awards from the Emirates…
Speaker Paul ESTEVE
Paul ESTEVE

Coordinateur PPI

Comité national de l’UICN, France

Paul Estève is an agronomist and, after professional experience in Kenya, has worked for the French Committee of the IUCN for 15 years. He coordinates the Small Initiatives Programme (PPI), a…
Speaker Sarah ROBERTS
Sarah ROBERTS

Environmental Journalist

Jamma International

Sarah Roberts is an environmental journalist, author and presenter whose career began in animal behaviour with a focus on sharks. Her work has since taken her all over the world, from guiding grizzly…
Speaker Michael APPLETON
Michael APPLETON

Senior Adviser

IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2021-2025

Thematic Vice Chair, Capacity Development. Mike’s work as a conservation practitioner focuses on applied, area-based conservation, working in more than 40 counties to help establish protected…
Speaker Laura SONTER
Laura SONTER

Technical Director - Science & Policy

The Biodiversity Consultancy

Dr Laura Sonter is Technical Director for Science and Policy at The Biodiversity Consultancy and an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of Queensland. With over 15 years’ experience at the…
Speaker Jampel LHENDUP
Jampel LHENDUP

Forest Ranger

Department of Forests & Park Services, MoENR, Bhutan

Son of former poacher
Speaker Sushil RAJ
Sushil RAJ

Executive Director, Rights and Communities

Wildlife Conservation Society

Sushil Raj is the Executive Director of the Rights and Communities Global Program at WCS, a board member and mediator with the New York Peace Institute, and former member of the Working Group of…
Speaker MEGOLHUSAU BANO HARALU
MEGOLHUSAU BANO HARALU

Project Lead WCS India (IUCN/ITHCP Phase II)

Wildlife Conservation Society -India

Bano Haralu is a veteran journalist turned conservationist.  Her work in 2012, has been instrumental in saving the migratory Amur Falcon from being slaughtered in thousands every year In the…
Speaker Janet SCOTT
Janet SCOTT

Programme Officer (Red List)

IUCN

I have worked in the IUCN Red List Unit since 2012. My key responsibilities include processing assessments for Red List updates and contributing to other activities associated with Red List update…
Speaker Laura MEYER
Laura MEYER

Stakeholder Coordination Officer

UN Ocean Decade, UNESCO-IOC

I am specializing in International Law with a focus on Ocean conservation and my thesis research is currently focused on "Exploring the International Framework regarding Macroalgae Cultivation as a…