Kirsten James

Senior Program Director Water, Ceres

Kirsten James directs Ceres strategy for mobilizing leading investors and companies to address the sustainability risks facing our freshwater and agriculture systems. Her work includes leading the Valuing Water Finance Initiative, an investor-led effort which seeks to drive corporate action on water-related financial risks. Previously, Kirsten served for five years as the director of California policy and partnerships at Ceres. Prior to Ceres, Kirsten worked for nine years at a regional water resource-focused NGO, as their Science and Policy Director. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a master's degree in environmental science and management from the Bren School at University of California Santa Barbara.

Paul Rosolie

Founder, Junglekeepers

Paul Rosolie is a naturalist, explorer, author, and award-winning wildlife filmmaker. For the past 17 years, he has specialized in threatened ecosystems and species in countries like Indonesia, Brazil, India, South Africa and Peru. In the Amazon, Rosolie has spent extensive time travelling with poachers documenting the illegal trade in endangered species. Rosolie’s memoir on Amazonian wildlife and exploration, “Mother of God”, was hailed as “gripping” by Jane Goodall, and the Wall Street Journal applauded Rosolie’s environmental call-to-arms for its ‘rare immediacy and depth’. In 2013 Rosolie spoke at the United Nations global Forum on Forests while accepting an award for his Amazonian wildlife short-film ‘An Unseen World”. He is the founder of Junglekeepers an organization that focuses on protecting threatened habitats in western Amazonia. To date, Junglekeepers protects over 55,000 acres of primary forest.

Dr Valerie Hickey

Global Director of Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy, World Bank

Valerie Hickey is the Global Director of Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy (ENB) at the World Bank. Valerie takes this role having worked as the manager for Advisory and Operations in the Climate Change Group, where she oversaw the implementation of the World Bank’s commitments on climate change, climate mainstreaming and climate finance, and before that the Practice Manager for ENB in Latin America and the Caribbean where she managed a cross-sectoral team that supported countries and communities on issues related to climate change, sustainable forest management, integrated conservation and development, integrated coastal zone management, fisheries, pollution management and environmental health, environmental economics and environmental risk management.. Valerie holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University

Andre Fourie

Global Director Water Sustainability, AB InBev

Andre Fourie is Global VP: Sustainability at AB InBev, the world’s leading brewer- focused on water, climate, packaging, agriculture and entrepreneurship. Andre was previously Head of Water Security and Environmental Value at SABMiller, responsible for managing the group value chain carbon footprint. He was Head of Sustainable Development at the South African Breweries (SAB), with a focus on water stewardship and sustainable agriculture. He is currently a member of the Taskforce on Nature-based Financial Disclosure (TNFD).

Harvey Locke

Vice Chair for Nature Positive, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and Y2Y

Harvey Locke is a nature conservationist, writer, and photographer who is a recognized global leader in the field of parks, large landscape conservation and the interface between nature and the climate. He is co-founder of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, the global Nature Needs Half Movement, and the Nature Positive Global Goal for Nature. He received an Honourary Doctorate from the University of Calgary and is a Fellow of the China Institute at the University of Alberta and of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

Diana Verde Nieto

Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Positive Luxury

Diana Verde Nieto is the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Positive Luxury, a company that since 2011 has been helping companies adapt to a new climate economy by assessing their ESG+ performance, enabling them to mitigate social and environmental risks, drive sustainable economic growth, deliver positive social and environmental impact, and future proof their business. Diana is a pioneer in ESG and a globally recognised figure in the sustainability field. Diana holds a degree in Global Leadership & Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and she has been trained by Former USA Vice President, Al Gore at the Alliance of Climate Protection and subsequently honoured by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.

Rashyid Anwarudin

Chief Sustainability Officer, Sime Darby Plantation

Rashyid was appointed Head, Group Sustainability of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) on 1 January 2020. In this role, he was responsible for implementing on-the-ground programmes to promote responsible and ethical production throughout SDP’s operations and global supply chain. He also engages with a wide range of stakeholders within the sustainable palm oil sphere. He was redesignated as Chief Sustainability Officer of SDP on 1 April 2022. He has over 20 years of experience in corporate and advisory roles around sustainability, corporate responsibility, corporate strategy, programme management and change management across the plantation, forestry, property, telecommunications, automotive, oil & gas and public sectors. Rashyid holds a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Imperial College London, United Kingdom.

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

President, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is an environmental activist and member of Chad’s pastoralist Mbororo people. She is dedicated to the protection of all Indigenous peoples and to the value of their traditional knowledge in the fight against climate change and biodiversity protection. She began advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental protection at age 16, founding the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) to introduce new income revenue activities and collaborative tools such as 3D participatory mapping to build sustainable ecosystems management and reduction of nature-based resource conflicts. She is a member of the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee and serves as co-chair of the Facilitative Working Group of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform of the UNFCCC. She also serves as a UN Sustainable Development Goal Advocate, Conservation International Board Member, and Earthshot Prize Council Member. Ibrahim’s work with indigenous communities at the local and global level has achieved broad recognition and support including, the 2021 Rolex Award for Enterprise; the 2020 Refugee International’s Holbrooke Award; the 2019 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award and the Daniel Mitterrand Prize.

Divya Mankikar

Global Head of Market Engagement - Sustainability, S&P Sustainable 1

Divya Mankikar is the Global Head of Market Engagement – Sustainability. She brings over 15 years of sustainable investment experience to S&P Global. She is responsible for leading S&P Sustainable1’s efforts to engage with policy makers, regulators, standard setters, multi-lateral agencies, trade bodies and key market participants. She joined S&P Global from CalPERS as Head of Sustainable Investment and Climate Strategy in the office of the CEO. Divya is a co-founder of Climate Action 100+ - a global initiative supported by investors representing over $54 trillion that seeks a low-carbon transition through collaborative engagement of systemically important carbon emitters. She holds a BA/MA from Boston University in Energy and Environmental Analysis, an International MBA in finance from IE Business School in Madrid, and an MA in Law and Diplomacy focused on business and human rights law from Tufts University’s Fletcher School.

Kristian Teleki

CEO, Flora & Fauna International

Kristian has spent the last two decades working on the ground and at the highest levels of ocean policy and science, environment, sustainability and development, as well as building and leading innovative partnerships, and initiatives to improve ocean health. In addition to serving as the global director of the Ocean Programme at the World Resources Institute, Kristian is the director of the Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action for the World Economic Forum, and Heads the Secretariat of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. Kristian is on the boards of a number of environmental, development and social initiatives. He has degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Cambridge University. In July 2023 Kristian became the CEO of Fauna & Flora - an international conservation charity and non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting the planet's threatened wildlife and habitats.

Romie Goedicke den Hertog

Co-Head Nature, UNEP-FI

Romie Goedicke Co-Heads the nature thematic at the UNEP Finance Initiative. She also leads the work on nature-related risk and disclosure, and manages the work on mainstreaming and capacity building. In this ways she supports the work on alignment of financial flows with the goals of the GBF. Romie joined UNEP FI  in 2021, prior to joining she led the work of financial sector and business engagement at IUCN Netherlands. Romie is an experienced senior program manager, with a demonstrated history in managing programs on nature and finance in Asia and Africa. She is passionate about nature and committed to the role that innovation and collaboration can play in creating shared solutions for nature and finance.

Mary Wenzel

Managing Director Corporate Engagement

Mary Wenzel is Managing Director of Corporate Engagement at The Nature Conservancy.    Prior to joining TNC in June 2022, Mary was EVP and Head of Sustainability and ESG Integration at Wells Fargo. She led the development of the company’s climate commitment that set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, including in its financed emissions, by 2050 and deployment of $500 billion in sustainable finance by 2030. Prior to Wells Fargo, Mary worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, managing relationships with tribal nations in the Western U.S., and as a program manager for the Energy STAR and methane reduction programs in the Climate Change Division of the US EPA in Washington, DC. She served on the boards of Grid Alternatives and the NREL Foundation.   Mary received her master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a BA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University.

Arnold Puech D´Alissac

President, World Farmers Organization (WFO)

President of the World Farmers' Organisation (WFO) since June 2022, Arnold Puech d'Alissac is a dedicated family farmer from the Normandy region in northern France, running a farm that produces free-range poultry, beef cattle, and various crops in Pissy-Pôville. Arnold Puech d'Alissac has always dedicated his life to advocating for farmers at the national, regional and global levels. His strong commitment and sense of responsibility towards the farming community began during his role as President of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) from 1999 to 2001.Bureau member of the Fédération National des Syndicats d'Exploitant Agricoles (FNSEA), he represented the European Constituency on the WFO Board of Directors from 2017 to 2022, holding the positions of Treasurer and Vice President of the Organisation

Helen Crowley

Managing Director, Pollination

Helen is a recognised nature and biodiversity expert, delivering pioneering and impact led climate and nature focused solutions for our clients. Formerly the Head of Sustainable Sourcing Innovation at the French company Kering, Helen advised luxury brands on best practices in sustainability. Prior to this, Helen worked with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for over a decade on conservation strategy. Early in her career, she worked as a senior consultant to companies on building out environmental health and safety programs to encompass broader sustainability issues. In October 2019, Helen took a year-long sabbatical as a Fellow and Senior Advisor for Resilient Supply Chains at Conservation International, developing new approaches for business to address climate and biodiversity challenges. Helen has a PhD in Zoology from the Australian National University and is on the Boards of non-profit organizations including Textile Exchange, Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature US. She is also on the advisory boards of the GEF Planet Gold Program and Alante Capital. Helen contributes to the business and biodiversity work of the World Economic Forum as an advisor and member of the Global Futures Council.

Louis Chang

Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), E.SUN Financial Holding Company

Louis L.Y. Chang, the Chief Sustainability Officer of E.SUN Financial Holding Company, has extensive experience spanning over 26 years in the financial industry. He has excelled in various roles throughout his career, including consumer banking, wealth management, and corporate banking. Louis's tireless dedication and passion drive him to deliver outstanding results in all his endeavors consistently. He considers his work at E.SUN a lifelong vocation, continuously striving for excellence. Louis completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard Business School to further enhance his leadership skills. Additionally, he holds a Master's degree from the Institute of Business and Management at the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. Through his expertise and unwavering commitment to the vision of E.SUN, which "endeavors to become a first-rate global corporate citizen," Louis plays a vital role in driving sustainability initiatives within the organization.

Sophia Cheng

Chief Investment Officer, Cathay Financial Holdings

Sophia Cheng is the Chief Investment Officer of Cathay Financial Holdings and also acts as Chair of Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC). Sophia has near 30 years of experience in research and investment with her last position acting as Chairman and head of research of Merrill Lynch Taiwan. Sophia is highly regarded by the government. She is well known for her work in financial sector research and her proactive participation in forming government policies, including promoting banking reform and tax reform. Sophia was appointed as the member of Taiwan National Sustainable Development Committee and has been actively promoting Corporate Sustainability and Responsible Investment in Taiwan. Sophia has been selected as 2019 Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen, 2021 Global Top 50 Women in Investment Management, and 2022 Taiwan’s Outstanding Corporate Sustainability Professionals. Sophia holds M.S. in finance-banking from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California and B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from National Taiwan University

Toshihiro Fukui

CEO, b-ex group

Mr. Toshihiro Fukui was born in Tokyo, Japan 1969. After studying in the United States, he joined “Moltbene” (previous company name of b-ex) which his farther Mr. Akira Fukui founded in 1974. Mr. Fukui became the President of the company in 2001 and gained his MBA in Waseda Business School of Waseda University. Under Mr. Fukui leadership, b-ex produced well-known hair care brand“ Loretta”, and hair color “THROW”. Recently, Mr. Fukui is leading b-ex group to focus on green and sustainability, and become the “clean beauty” pioneer in professional hair care category in Japan.

Dr Maria Honeycutt

National Director for All - Hazards Resilience, AtkinsRéalis

Maria is Atkins’ National Director for All-Hazards Resilience and its Resilience Global Practice Leader. Maria enhances delivery of resilience science and services across the firm’s planning, design, construction, and asset management portfolios, and was recently appointed to the National Academies’ Resilient America Roundtable. She brings 25 years of risk-management experience to help clients maximize the resilience benefits of investments across critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, health, housing, economic development, and environment. Maria rejoined Atkins after 14 years with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office for Coastal Management, where she developed national flood policy and decision-support tools. From 2019-2022, she was detailed to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, serving two Presidential Administrations as Assistant Director for Resilience Science and Technology. There she led the Federal interagency in developing a novel framework for identifying and aligning investments toward five societal dimensions of resilience (safety and security, health, economy, social cohesion, and trusted governance). Maria earned a B.A. in geology from Smith College, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Delaware, and is professionally registered as a Certified Floodplain Manager.

Eva Zabey

CEO, Business for Nature

With a background in natural capital and environmental management, Eva is an experienced leader, facilitator, speaker, writer and media spokesperson who has led Business for Nature since 2019. Business for Nature is a global coalition that works with partners, businesses and governments to drive credible business action and policy ambition to achieve a nature-positive economy for all by 2030. Prior to joining Business for Nature, Eva spent 15 years leading multiple projects at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). This included work on natural, social and human capital measurement and valuation for business decision-making, towards integrated performance management, and ultimately reporting for investors. She led the development of the Natural Capital Protocol as well as the establishment of the Social and Human Capital Coalition, both of which now sit under the leadership of the Capitals Coalition. Eva writes on LinkedIn, is on Twitter, @EvaZabey1 and gave this TEDx talk.

Dr Susan Gardner

Director, Ecosystems Division, UNEP

Dr. Susan Gardner is Director of the Ecosystems Division of the UN Environment Programme where she leads global programmes to promote nature-based solutions for sustainable development including for food systems transformation, climate resilience, global biodiversity protection and disaster risk reduction. Her work on combating ocean pollution included leading the process that achieved a global agreement to negotiate a treaty to end plastic pollution. She has three decades of experience in international environmental policy working for both the Mexican and United States governments, including as a senior official in the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Science and Technology Cooperation, and as an environmental scientist at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste. In these positions Dr. Gardner’s work has advanced women and girls in science and established the ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women. Based on her contributions to the Global Mercury Partnership and the Minamata Convention, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Exceptional Services from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the highest national honor award this agency bestows. Her research has generated over 30 publications including a book and book chapters on topics related to natural resource management and sustainable development.

H.E. Razan Al Mubarak

UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28

Elected President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in September 2021, Razan Al Mubarak is the second woman to lead the organization in its 75-year history and its first president from West Asia. She also serves as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the leadership team of COP28 UAE, which will take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

Martine Stillman

Vice President of Engineering Synapse Product Development

Martine Stillman is the VP of Engineering at Synapse Product Development, a Capgemini Invent company. She focuses on centering their engineering team at the cutting edge of innovation, ideation, and technical excellence, from concept through manufacturing. She is the architect and lead of Synapse's Sustainable Product Development initiative, which promotes a quantifiable sustainable design practice for all products, with a goal of Scope 3 reduction and mitigation. She is also actively involved in growing Synapse’s Climate Tech and carbon capture portfolio.

Johan Bergenas

Senior Vice President, US Oceans, World Wildlife Fund

Johan is the Senior Vice President of Oceans at WWF-US. He leads a diverse team and global programming cutting across ocean health, climate resilience, and environmental security in the Arctic, Eastern Pacific, Asia-Pacific, and Southwest Indian Ocean, markets and finance, and technology and innovation. Prior to joining WWF, Johan worked for Paul Allen’s Vulcan, representing the organization in Washington, DC, and working globally to develop, launch, and scale science, technology, environmental, and national security programs. Johan has co-founded and served as CEO of a technology start-up, and he has also led programming at the intersection of the environment, national security, and technology at the Stimson Center and the Monterey Institute. Johan holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from Georgetown University. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and two children.

Jane Ewing

Senior Vice President, Walmart Sustainability

Jane leads Walmart’s sustainability strategy. With deep roots in business operations, development, and talent management. Jane excels at embedding and operationalizing sustainability across the enterprise. Before joining Walmart, Jane held various general management roles in several countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Global Travel at Diageo PLC. She joined Walmart in 2012 as a Senior Vice President for the International division and has since served in multiple leadership roles, including in Walmart U.S. Merchandising, Business Development, store reinvention and digital acceleration, and more recently as Chief People Officer for Walmart International. Her personal motto: let’s go faster than we think is possible.

James Cross

CEO, Environment Bank

Specialising in strategic leadership and board effectiveness, James is a Chartered Director with a background in Economics and a proven track record for driving organisations forward. He was former CEO of Natural England and Marine Management Organisation, founding CEO of Urban Green Newcastle, founding Chair of the Newcastle National Park City campaign, and a former Board Trustee for the University of Teesside’s Audit & Risk Committee. James was appointed by the Lord Chief Chancellor to HM Assistant Chief Inspector of Courts in England & Wales in 2005, invited to review the Northern Ireland Coroner Service following the Good Friday Agreement, and appointed by the Lord Chief Justice to lead a review into events at Leeds Magistrates Court in 2007.

Prof Dr Johan Rockström

Director, Potsdam Insitute for Climate Impact Research

Johan Rockström is Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor in Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam. He is an internationally recognized scientist on global sustainability issues and led the development of the Planetary Boundaries framework for human development in the current era of rapid global change. Professor Rockström is a leading scientist on global water resources, with more than 25 years experience in applied water research in tropical regions, and more than 150 research publications in fields ranging from applied land and water management to global sustainability. He is i.a. member of European Commission expert group: Mission Board for adaptation to climate change including societal transformation, chair of the Earth Commission, Chief Scientist of Conservation International, and elected member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

Martin Præestegaard

CEO, ATP

Martin Præstegaard joined ATP on September 1, 2019, as Deputy CEO and CFO. He became CEO of the ATP Group on July 1, 2022. Martin Præstegaard came from the Danish Ministry of Finance, where he has worked in different roles. He was an administrative officer, ministerial secretary, and head of office in the period 2002 - 2010 and Permanent Secretary from August 2014 - 2019. Martin Præstegaard was at the Danish Broadcast Corporation from 2010 to 2014, where he was Director of Finance, Technology and Media Production and Deputy Director General. Martin Præstegaard was born on March 24, 1976 and holds an MSc in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen.

Katrine DiBona

Corporate Vice President, Global Public Affairs and Sustainability

Katrine DiBona serves as Novo Nordisk's Corporate Vice President for Global Public Affairs and Sustainability, with the responsibility of driving, guiding and supporting the company's efforts towards being a sustainable business – adding value to society and to the future business of Novo Nordisk. Katrine is responsible for Novo Nordisk's social strategy focusing on preventing serious chronic diseases and improving access to care for vulnerable patients, as well as the company’s environmental strategy setting the path towards eliminating its environmental footprint. In addition to this, Katrine’s responsibilities include Novo Nordisk’s global public affairs function and the ESG reporting strategy.

Rasmus Skov

Head of Global External Affairs & Positioning, Ørsted

Rasmus draws on two decades of experience in the fields of stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and international affairs as he leads Ørsted’s Global External Affairs team. As former head of sustainability and a driving force on Ørsted’s journey to be ranked as the world’s most sustainable corporation in 2020, he now works on several fronts: To accelerate global action on renewable energy, climate, and sustainability To deliver multiple societal benefits from Ørsted’s renewable energy projects in partnership with the company’s customers and stakeholders To strengthen company resilience in light of geopolitical tension and increasing stakeholder expectations Rasmus is a frequent speaker at international conferences on sustainability and serves/has served on boards and committees including: Chairman of the Board for the Danish chapter of United Nations Global Compact Danish Government Council on Social Responsibility and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Confederation of Danish Industries Sustainability Policy Committee Various corporate sustainability and venture fund advisory boards Education and background Rasmus holds a master’s degree in international affairs and political science from the University of Copenhagen. In addition, he has learnt Russian and Serbian languages in the army and holds the rank of Captain of the Reserve. In the first half of his career, Rasmus has worked for the EU, NATO, and OSCE to promote post-conflict reconciliation and the rule of law in the Balkans and the post-Soviet area. Privately, he lives with his wife and three children in Copenhagen. He enjoys creative pursuits in music and photography and privately admits that his hardest leadership challenge was fronting a rock band.

Antonella Battaglini

CEO, Renewables Grid Initiative

Antonella Battaglini is the CEO of the Renewables Grid Initiative-RGI, which she founded in 2009. RGI is a unique collaboration of NGOs and TSOs from across Europe, promoting transparent, environmentally sensitive grid development to enable steady growth of renewable energy and the energy transition. In addition, Antonella has been an expert member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Clean Electrification and of the European Commission Interconnection Target Group. For many years, Antonella has also held the position of senior scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

Harry Quicke

Senior Science Fellow , Envu

Senior Science Fellow with Envu, a company focused on developing solutions to accelerate the restoration and protection of native ecosystems and to be a force with nature, not against it. Prior experience managing tree plantations in South Africa followed by an academic career in the US focused on quantifying outcomes from efficient vegetation management for establishment and maintenance of tree plantations. Industrial experience includes stewarding and developing products for forest establishment, rangeland restoration and crop protection. Current focus is developing and stewarding products for western US rangeland restoration and forest establishment. Education includes a BS in Forest Science from Stellenbosch University, MS in Economics and PhD in Forest Science from Auburn University

Monika Henn

Senior Sustainability Manager, AXA XL

Monika Henn is a Senior Sustainability Manager at AXA XL, where she leads environmental sustainability initiatives, including the organization’s carbon reduction strategy as well as nature and biodiversity initiatives. Prior to AXA XL, Monika spent over 8 years at the Urban Land Institute’s Greenprint Center for Building Performance, leading research on topics at the intersection of real estate and sustainability, including renewable energy, embodied carbon, and climate policy. She also has extensive experience in ESG data collection and reporting. Monika is a LEED Green Associate and Fitwel Ambassador. She holds a B.S. in Biology from The University of Virginia and an M.S. in Aquatic Resources from Texas State University.

Marie-Neige Couriaut

Deputy Head of Sustainability Business, Capgemini

Marie-Neige Couriaut is a VP in the Global Sustainability Services team from Capgemini Group. She is in charge of the acceleration of sustainability solutions for all their biggest clients, in all the industries. She also monitors the ecosystem of partners to support technological innovation in the sustainability field, with whom she launches new solutions such as in 2023 a circular economy in the aerospace sector. She has a strong focus on agriculture and agritech, published a point of view on technology for biodiversity with a partner in 2022. She started her career in a construction company where she was notably in charge of land rehabilitation. She holds a PhD in economics and history from the École Nationale des Chartes and recently received the Exeter University training for sustainability.

Darci Vetter

Senior Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy, PepsiCo

As Senior Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy at PepsiCo, Darci Vetter leads the development of PepsiCo’s global policy positions and strategic engagement, leveraging her extensive experience in international trade, agriculture and environmental policy. Prior to joining PepsiCo in April 2023, Darci worked as Global Head, Policy and Government Relations at The Nature Conservancy. She was also Vice-Chair for Food, Agriculture and Trade at Edelman, a Diplomat in Residence at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and held the position of Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Darci also served as Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture and a member of the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

Britt Groosman

VP Climate-Smart Agriculture, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

Britt Groosman is Vice President of Climate-Smart Agriculture at Environmental Defense Fund, where she helps create environmentally effective and economically sound solutions for the transition towards more climate-smart agriculture in the US, China, EU and India. Britt is an economist and has been with EDF since 2008. She has served in different capacities across a range of programs and regions. She started as an economist in the US climate program, established EDF’s first European operations, and served as Vice President of Global Climate until mid-2020. Britt has over 25 years’ experience as a strategic leader, environmental economist and advocate working across sectors (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy and biodiversity) and regions (US, EU, India, China, Brazil). Prior to EDF, Britt worked as an economist in London for over a decade. Britt studied Economics (BA) and Law and Economics (MA) at the Universities of Gent, Belgium, and Oxford University, UK. She is fluent in English, French and Dutch and lives in New York City

Kevin Conrad

Executive Director, Coalition for Rainforest Nations

Kevin Conrad founded the non-profit Coalition for Rainforest Nations in 2004, where he remains Executive Director. He served as Ambassador and Special Envoy for Environment and Climate Change in the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council of Papua New Guinea from 2005-2014 TIME Magazine named Ambassador Conrad a “Hero of the Environment” and #1 for “Leaders & Visionaries”. UN Environment named him a ‘Champion of the Earth’ for Policy Leadership. Kevin Conrad’s background is in investment banking and financial advisory services along with operational experience in both industrial and emerging markets working in agriculture, energy, sea foods, telecommunications, and textiles. He was raised in Papua New Guinea and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California and MBAs from both Columbia Business School and the London Business School – receiving the ‘Distinguished Service Award.’

Lucky Halach Medina Estrada

Minister of Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment , Government of Honduras

Lucky Halach Medina Estrada was born on July 28, 1989 in the city of Tegucigalpa, department of Francisco Morazán. In 2010, He graduated as a forestry engineer with a focus on watershed management at the National School of Forestry Sciences (Esnacifor). By 2019, he achieved a master's degree in business administration at the European School of Management and Business (EUDE Business School). Likewise, he has a certification from the United States Forest Service, also in management and environmental impact assessment at the Technological University of Central America (UNITEC). He has worked as a production assistant since 2008 on the family farm in Comayagua, from August 2019 to 2021 he was the national coordinator of more than 4,500 volunteers for reforestation activities, solid waste management and digital cleaning of Let's Do It World organization. In addition, from 2018 to 2021, he served as an undergraduate thesis research advisor in environmental statistics and fire management at Esnacifor. He was also a consultant to the Foundation for the Integral Development of the department of Olancho (Prolancho). In the political arena, he joined the ranks of the Libertad y Refoundación (Libre) Party, and served as secretary for farmers affairs, and was a member of the Advisory Council of the National Electoral Council (CNE), as a representative.

Rob Cameron

Global Head of Public Affairs and ESG Engagement, Nestlé

Rob Cameron is Nestlé’s Global Head of Public Affairs and ESG Engagement. He brings 25 years’ experience in the fields of sustainability and corporate responsibility.   Rob leads Nestlé’s Public Affairs and ESG Engagement in its work both internally and externally. He was closely involved in the development of Nestlé’s Net Zero Roadmap, represented Nestlé in the World Economic Forum Global Future Council and is Secretary to the Sustainability Committee of Nestlé’s Board of Directors. Rob joined Nestlé in February 2020 from SustainAbility, the internationally respected think tank and consulting firm, now part of the ERM Group, where he was Chief Executive and Executive Director from 2012.   Prior to SustainAbility Rob was Chief Executive at Fairtrade International, the global umbrella organization for the Fairtrade movement and was previously owner and Executive Chairman of Flag, an international communications agency specializing in corporate responsibility.

Emily McKenzie

Technical Director , Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)

Emily McKenzie is the Technical Director at the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). She has worked for 20 years integrating nature in policy, finance, economics and decision-making. Most recently, she led the analytical team that produced the independent, global Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity, based at HM Treasury in the UK. Emily previously was seconded to the Capitals Coalition Technical Group where she helped develop the Natural Capital Protocol. Emily worked for a decade in the WWF Global Science team, where she helped establish and lead the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University. She also helped design the Environmental Land Management scheme in England – a major national agricultural subsidy reform programme – based at the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Other previous roles include working with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission.

Kaveh Zahedi

Director, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) - FAO

Mr Kaveh Zahedi is the Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment. Prior to joining FAO, from 2016 to 2023 Mr Zahedi served as the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, overseeing ESCAP’s programmes on environment, climate change, natural disasters, finance, energy, trade, transport, social development, and statistics, all in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. From 1995 to 2016, Mr Zahedi served at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in positions of increasing responsibility, including as Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok, Thailand); Deputy Director of the Economy Division and Climate Change Coordinator (Paris, France); Acting Director/Deputy Director of the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (Cambridge, United Kingdom); Regional Coordinator (Mexico City, Mexico); and Environmental Affairs Officer (Nairobi, Kenya). Mr Zahedi started his career in 1993 as Economic Consultant at the non-governmental organization Cooperation for Development (London, United Kingdom), where he was responsible for managing agricultural credit and micro finance projects in Latin America and the Middle East.

Alvaro Lario

President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Alvaro Lario is President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD). A seasoned international development finance leader, he has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD. Under his stewardship, IFAD became the first United Nations Fund to enter the capital markets and obtain a credit rating, enabling the IFAD to expand resource mobilization efforts to the private sector. Before joining the Fund in early 2018, he was the Treasury Capital Markets Lead and Principal Portfolio Officer at the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, where he focused on local capital markets development and emerging markets investments. President Lario received a PhD in Financial Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid after completing a Master of Research in Economics at the London Business School and a Master of Finance from Princeton University

Dax Dasilva

Founder, Age of Union Alliance

Dax Dasilva is a global tech leader and environmental activist who is well known as the creative mind behind Lightspeed Commerce Inc. and Age of Union. Dasilva founded Lightspeed in 2005 as a payments software which has evolved today into a one-stop commerce platform for retail, hospitality, and golf merchants in over 100 countries. In 2019, Dasilva released his debut book, Age of Union, as a compelling guide for igniting today's changemaker. This would later inspire Dasilva’s non-profit environmental alliance Age of Union that supports and makes visible a global community of changemakers working on the ground to protect the planet's threatened species and ecosystems. This alliance launched in October 2021 with Dasilva’s initial pledge of $40 million towards conservation efforts that help solve critical environmental challenges around the world and inspire high-impact change by showing the positive impact that every individual can make

Jennifer Tauli Corpuz

Global Policy and Advocacy Lead, Niatero

Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, from the Kankana-ey Igorot Indigenous People of Mountain Province in the Philippines, is a lawyer by profession and is Managing Director, Policy for Nia Tero, a US-based foundation that supports Indigenous guardianship of territory and culture worldwide. She is the former coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Policy Advocacy Program of Tebtebba – Indigenous Peoples’ International Center for Policy Research and Education. She is passionate about developing capacities of the next generation of Indigenous leaders. Jennifer graduated from the UP College of Law and obtained her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy (IPLP) Program of The University of Arizona at Tucson, Arizona. She was the 2012 Indigenous Intellectual Property Fellow at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and since then has been an active participant in the WIPO IGC negotiations on the protection of traditional knowledge. She was involved as negotiator and expert for the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), representing indigenous peoples, at the negotiations leading to the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Atossa Soltani

Director of Global Strategy, Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance

Atossa Soltani is the director of global strategy for the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative, an alliance of 30 indigenous nations in Ecuador and Peru working to permanently protect 86 million acres of rainforests in one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. She is also the founder and board president of Amazon Watch and served as the organization’s first executive director for 18 years. In response to the Amazon fires in 2019, Atossa helped co-found Artists for Amazonia to catalyze global action for the Amazon. In recognition for her life’s work as rainforests and indigenous rights campaigner, Atossa was named the Hillary Institute’s 2013 Global Laureate for Climate Leadership. Atossa is also a member and contributing author to the Science Panel for the Amazon.

Olivia Bisa Tirko

President, Autonomous Territorial Government of the Chapra Nation (GTANCH)

Olivia Bisa Tirko is descendant of Chapra, Wampís and Awajun families. She is currently president of the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Chapra Nation (GTANCH) in Peru. At 34 years of age, she has a degree in Sociology at the Simón Bolívar Andean University of Ecuador and received a scholarship to study a master's degree in Human Rights, Indigenous Populations and International Cooperation at the Carlos III University of Spain. This training process has been crucial for her to assume leadership as one of the first women leaders of a Peruvian Amazonian indigenous organization. Olivia is currently studying Law and Political Science at the Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru, to strengthen her skills in the path of governance of her nation, one of the first Amazonian governments. Olivia is a member of the board of directors of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance.