All Speakers

Ilysa IGLESIAS

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

As an ocean scientist, I am deeply interested in the ecological connections between ocean twilight zone communities and the broader ocean ecosystem. My current research as a Postdoctoral Fellow at…

Sonia PEñA MORENO

Director, Centre for Policy and Law

IUCN

Sonia is a Colombian and Italian national. She is the Director of IUCN's Centre for Policy and Law. Graduated from Political Sciences and Modern Languages at the University of Los Andes in…

Milcah MACHUA

Regional Communications Officer

IUCN

I am a communications professional with over 15 years of experience turning complex ideas into clear and impactful messages. My career started in advertising and marketing, where I built a foundation…

Abir BEN ROMDHANE

Environementalist

Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel

Abir Ben Romdhane is a senior expert in water, biodiversity, and sustainable development, with over 13 years of experience in environmental policy advice, project coordination, and strategic planning…

Malgorzata BONNAVEIRA

Senior Global Communications Manager

IUCN

Goska Bonnaveira manages press relations and content at IUCN. She has over 15 years' experience in communications, with a background in environmental journalism. She holds Masters degrees in…

Bibiana SUCRE SMITH

Directora Ejecutiva

Provita

Biologist with a master's degree in public management. Her technical experience has focused on the recovery of endangered species, ecosystem restoration, local community participation, and…

Olivier LANGRAND

Executive Director, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

For the past ten years, Olivier Langrand has been the executive director of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a multi-donor fund dedicated to protecting biodiversity hotspots through…

Karl BURKART

Deputy Director

One Earth

Karl Burkart has been at the forefront of scientific research that explores the connections between human systems, the natural world, and climate change. Formerly the Director of Science &…

Tania ROMERO BAUTISTA

Doctoral Student

Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Florida International University

Tania is a PhD candidate in Earth and Systems Science at Florida International University. Tania's current research interests focus on making conservation and sustainable development strategies more…

Emad HLAYEL

Project Coordinator

IUCN Secretariat

Jonnie HUGHES

Co-Founder and Director

Open Planet

I am Co-Founder and Director of Open Planet Studios (an impact producer in the environmental space), Sixth Wave Productions (a factual TV and film indie) and Open Planet (an open-source premium…

Eman SABBAGH

Senior Specialist in Marine and Coastal Conservation

Nationl Center for Wildlife (NCW)

Dr. Eman Sabbagh is a marine scientist with experience in marine ecology, conservation, and environmental management in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. She specializes in seagrass ecology, coral…

Kirstie RUPPERT

Kirstie Ruppert, Ph.D. is an Associate Director of Conservation Science, Community Engagement at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where her work focuses on social science to understand the human…

Mickael CLEMENT

Water Stewardship and Stakeholder Engagement Lead

Nestle Waters & Premium Beverages

Since 2019: Head of Water Stewardship & Stakeholder Engagement at Nestle Waters & Premium BeveragesBefore 2019: managing director, AZAO Consultancy (Sustainability)

Pippa HOWARD

Chief Nature Strategist

NatureMetrics Limited

Pippa Howard is Chief Nature Strategist at NatureMetrics. Pippa has degrees in Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Zoology and International Development. She is a registered Professional Natural…

Ilka HERBINGER

Deputy Director, Director Environmental and Social Safeguards

Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF)

Dr. Ilka Herbinger directs the environmental and social safeguarding at Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF) since the start of 2022. She was appointed to serve on the management board of LLF as Deputy…

Mukhtar BABAYEV

Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, UNFCCC COP29 Pres

Azerbaidjan

Mukhtar Babayev was appointed Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on climate issues on 5th February 2025. Mr Babayev is the official envoy appointed by the President of…

Paula PRIST

Senior Programme Coordinator

IUCN

Dr. Paula Ribeiro Prist is a Senior Programme Coordinator for Forest and Grasslands Unit at IUCN. A biologist by training, Dr. Prist holds a master's, doctorate and post-doctorate in landscape…

Dörte SEGEBART

Advisor

GIZ

Geographer (PhD), currently advisor at GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), focus on protected and conserved areas, governance, equity, human rights-based approaches. Over…

Fahd ALGUTHMY

Senior Environmental Finance & Blue Economy Specialist

SHAMS

Dr Al-Guthmy is a multi-disciplined professional with over 15 years of experience spanning the private sector, government, and non-governmental organizations.He is currently a Senior Environmental…

Alfredo Vargas Pio

Independiente

Federación Nativa del Río Madre De Dios y Afluentes

Ram NARAYAN

Principal - Land and Biodiversity (Onshore)

Exxon Mobil Corporation - Management Support Services

Ram Narayan, is currently the Principal for Land and Habitat (Onshore) with Exxon Mobil Corporation in their corporate Global Operations and Sustainability organization. He is based in Houston, Texas…

Lyraya SCHABLEIN

Events Manager

The Nature Conservancy

Lyraya works for The Nature Conservancy as an Events Manager on high visibility events. Her background spans work in marketing, fundraising, community engagement, project management, event management…

Olivier HABIMANA

Regional Programme Delivery Manager, GEF/GCF

IUCN

Olivier Habimana is an experienced program manager and agro-ecological economist with expertise in climate resilience, market systems development, sustainable finance, private sector development and…

Anand Punja

Director of Stakeholder Relations

Forest Stewardship Council International

Anand has worked on sustainability through its different core lenses (Social, Environmental and Economic) for 25+ years now at varying scales from local level to international. Anand has held…

Jomha Djossi DONALD

Data Analyst

IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2021-2025

Natalie COX

IUCN Commission on Education and Communication 2021-2025

Natalie Cox is a Program Officer with IUCN, based in Washington D.C. and supporting the Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) and the North America Regional Office. She joins IUCN with…

Annette LANJOUW

Chief Executive Officer

Arcus Foundation

Behavioural ecologist, primatologist, conservationist and philanthropic officer. I have worked in ape conservation, primarily in the Congo Basin, since the early 80's, including the International…