All Speakers
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Louie C. Tesalona
Interim Executive Director
Foundation for the Philippine Environment
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Jampel LHENDUP
Forest Ranger
Department of Forests & Park Services, MoENR, Bhutan
Son of former poacher
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…
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…
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…
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…