John SCANLON

Seasoned leader in the fields of environment, nature and sustainable development, with a unique range of experience gained across multiple continents, disciplines and organisations. Dynamic public speaker and a sought after advisor, advocate and commentator. Led the development and implementation of multiple organisational strategies, and spearheaded impactful legal, governance and policy reforms at local, national and international level. Served in senior positions in the private sector, with government, international organisations, the UN, and not-for-profit organizations, and as chair or member of many boards. 

After starting out in private legal practice, held senior roles with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs (Adelaide), Environment Protection Authority (Sydney), Murray Darling Basin Commission (Canberra), World Commission on Dams (Cape Town), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Bonn), UN Environment Programme (Nairobi), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Geneva) - as Secretary-General from 2010-2018. 

Current roles include CEO, Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, Chair, UK Government Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, Chair, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, Trustee, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, Commissioner, Lancet Commission on Preventing Pandemics, Executive President, International Council of Environmental Law, Board Member, Accounting for Nature, and President, Scanlon Advisory LLC. Awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for distinguished service to wildlife conservation and protection through roles with international organizations, the distinguished Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2023 and the Adelaide University Distinguished Alumni Award in the same year.