Our People

Home Our People

Our partners, leadership and staff embody Caribbean Biodiversity Fund’s drive to deliver lasting protection and impact for the Caribbean’s people and nature.

Board of Directors

Karolin Troubetzkoy

Chair

Karolin Troubetzkoy, is the Executive Director, Marketing and Operations of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts in Soufriere, Saint Lucia. She served as President of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) for 4 terms. During her presidency, Mrs Troubetzkoy was able to gain support from the hotel sector to establish the Saint Lucia Tourism Enhancement Fund and served as chairperson of this fund for several years. She was a board member of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and the Chairperson of the Tourist Board Marketing Committee for many years and also played a regional role with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). In 2014, Mrs Troubetzkoy re- energized CAST (Caribbean Alliance of Sustainable Tourism) and serves as deputy chair of this CHTA initiative. From 2016-2018, Mrs. Troubetzkoy served as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), only the second woman to serve as President in CHTA’s 50+ year history. Since 2019, she serves as Chairperson of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation. In Jan 2019, she was appointed Envoy to the Caribbean Challenge Initiative to bring awareness and build up resilience of the marine and coastal resources in the Caribbean. In July 2020, she became the Chairperson of the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund and in this capacity, joined the board of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund. In April 2022, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of GLISPA ( Global Island Partnership). In 2022, Mrs. Troubetzkoy was appointed as the first female Chair for the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund.

Learn More

Brenda Boddie-John

Vice Chair

Brenda Boddie-John is the Vice Chair of the CBF Board of Directors and Chair of the Saint Christopher and Nevis Conservation Foundation. As a member of the private sector, Mrs. Boddie-John has an extensive background in business, policy development and education. She currently serves as the Managing Director of Junior Achievement St. Kitts and Nevis—one of the world’s largest youth-serving NGOs. She has served as a Director on other local Boards and functions as an Advisor to special interest groups. She is committed to biodiversity conservation as demonstrated by her leadership in local action on UN SDG implementation for a growing number of NGOs and CSOs in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Learn More

Glenn Bannister

Treasurer

Mr. Bannister is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and Chair of the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund. He is presently a Member of the Board/Council of Colina Insurance, Bahamas National Trust and Bahamas Reef Environment and Educational Foundation. He is also a member of Bayroc Condo. Mgt. Co. Ltd. and St. Francis Men’s Association. He was a Former President of the Bahamas National Trust – serving six terms. He was also the Founding Chairman of the Inagua Development Association; Distinguished Past President Kiwanis Club Inagua; Past Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Bahamas Employers Confederation, and a Past Member of the Young Presidents Organization. He has five children and enjoys tennis and gardening.

Learn More

Miguel Gutiérrez

Director

With a passion for the ocean and conservation, Miguel Gutierrez currently serves as a Senior Expert in Strategy and Sustainability at KfW IPEX-Bank. In this role, he is responsible for driving ESG-related projects and strategic initiatives, with a focus on identifying emerging financing mechanisms and new sources for growth. He is also well-versed in sustainability regulations and sustainability-related business development. Prior to this, he held positions as the Head of the Representative Office in South Asia and Head of Portfolio Management & Administration in London. Mr. Gutierrez serves as the KFW Director on the CBF Board.

Learn More

Sixto Inchaustegui

Director

College professor. Researcher. Conservationist. Environmental consultant. With more than 50 years of teaching-administrative experience. CoFounding member and researcher of the National Museum of Natural History “Professor Eugenio de Jesús Marcano”. Has been director of the UASD school of biology, national representative of the CITES Scientific Committee, regional representative (Latin America and the Caribbean) of the CITES Animals Committee, vice-chair for the Caribbean of the World Commission on Protected Areas of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Former Environmental Officer of UNDP-DR. Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic. FONDOCYT researcher. Advisor to the Vice Ministry of Science and Technology, MESCYT. Member of the INTEC Research Council. Principal Researcher, National Researchers Career (MESCYT). Novitates Caribaea editorial board member. Member of IUCN Survival Species Commission (SSC/IUCN). Co-founder of Dominican conservationist NGOs Grupo Jaragua and CEBSE. Co-founder of the Caribbean Biodiversity congresses, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). Regional advisor to the IUCN World Council. DR Director of the Caribbean Biological Fund (CBF).

Learn More

Petipha Lewis

Director

Petipha Lewis is a Director on the CBF Board of Directors. She currently serves as Executive Director and Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce. As Executive Director of the Chamber, she has been credited with effectively restructuring the finances of the organization and has played a key role in the growth of the membership, improvement of services and advocacy initiatives in the interest of the private sector. Petipha has a passion for sustainable development and the preservation of our earth for future generations. She has worked closely with the Department of Fisheries, Grenada, to develop a communication plan for the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). She currently serves as the Deputy Chair of the Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund and represents Grenada on the board of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund. As an advocate for the private sector, Petipha serves as Vice Chair of the Caribbean Network of Chambers (CARICHAM), Vice Chair of The Trade facilitation Task Force, and as a Director of the Bureau of Standards in Grenada, playing a meaningful role in the delicate balance of creating wealth while preserving the environment. She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, as well as a Diploma in Business Management from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, and a Diploma in Sales and Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and Cable and Wireless. Petipha has over thirty-nine (39) years’ experience of working in both the private and public sectors, at senior managerial levels and as a management consultant and events planner. She has conducted and organized numerous training workshops, meetings, media conferences, annual awards and dinners, luncheons, and other events. As part of a team, she has successfully organized and coordinated conferences both locally and internationally.

Learn More

Ingrid Parchment

Director

Ingrid joined the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) in 1998 and has served as Executive Director since 2008. She leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen the lives and livelihoods of stakeholders in the Portland Bight Protected Area while safeguarding its natural and cultural heritage. Her role covers the full management of C-CAM’s daily operations, oversight of all projects and organizational activities, preparation of reports and engagement with the Board of Directors, and active collaboration with funding and government agencies to pursue new partnerships. She supervises staff, consultants, contractors and volunteers, facilitates workshops, provides financial oversight, develops project proposals, and represents C-CAM on a range of local and national boards and committees. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys sewing, cooking, exploring new places, learning about the history of communities, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. She serves as Chair of both the Jamaica Fish Sanctuary Network and the projects committee of the Clarendon Parish Development Committee, and she represents C-CAM at national, regional and international meetings. She is also a director of the National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica.

Learn More

Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi

Director

Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi is a Director on the CBF Board of Directors. Anne-Isabelle’s passion for protecting the environment and restoring Haiti’s biodiversity prompted her to work at Haiti National Trust/Société Audubon Haiti where she currently serves as Executive Director. She has previously resided in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, French Guyana and Vietnam, exposing her to various ecosystems and cementing her passion for conservation and socio-ecological resilience. She obtained her degrees in biology, agronomy, and her MBA in Canada, and has more than a decade of management and leadership experience in Haitian non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. Throughout her years, she successfully developed, implemented, and evaluated projects and innovative strategies, contributing to collaborative efforts to conserve Haiti’s threatened wildlife and ecosystems. These activities have been in partnership with local communities, national and international non-governmental organizations, and governmental organizations. Anne-Isabelle is fluent in French, English and Haitian Creole and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Haiti Biodiversity Fund.

Learn More

Albert Paul

Director

Albert Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Accounts. He is a cooperative banking and management professional with over 25 years of experience in delivering innovative member services, financial accounts administration, transaction auditing, loan underwriting, and credit counseling. He is particularly skilled in team coordination and empowerment, with a strong emphasis on project implementation and achieving favorable outcomes. Albert has received training and certification in Credit and Loan Underwriting, Fraud Intervention and Prevention, HR Management and Supervision, Industrial Relations, Information Technology and Computing, Marketing and Promotion, Tactical and Strategic Planning, Project Management, and Time and Resource Management. He actively contributes to his community as the Treasurer of the Elmshall Community Development Association and as Vice President of the Roseau-South Constituency Association. Currently, Albert manages the Loans Department at the National Cooperative Credit Union. Additionally, he serves as a board member of the DNCTF.

Learn More

Shyam Nokta

Director

Mr. Shyam Nokta is a leading natural resources, environment, and climate change specialist. He is the founder of Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC), one of Guyana’s premier environmental service companies, and the non-profit EMC Foundation. Currently, he serves as Technical Advisor to the President of Guyana on climate change and biodiversity, Honorary Consul General to Norway, and Chair of the Protected Areas Trust Fund. Previously, as Head of Guyana’s Office of Climate Change, Mr. Nokta played a pivotal role in developing the globally acclaimed Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). He was also a principal negotiator for the landmark US$250 million Avoided Deforestation (REDD+) Partnership with Norway. A prominent figure in both conservation and the private sector, he has served as Chairman of the Protected Areas Commission, President of the GMSA, and currently serves as Vice President of AMCHAM Guyana. Mr. Nokta holds an MSc in Environmental Assessment and Management with Distinction from Oxford-Brookes University. His pioneering work has earned him the 2020 Strait of Magellan Award and the 2022 Anthony Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence.

Learn More

Gale Branch

Director

Gale Branch is an accomplished leader and strategic advisor with a proven track record of driving business growth and success. As Founder and President of Branch Strategic Solutions, she leverages her extensive expertise in project management, strategic planning, and business development to deliver results for her clients. Gale serves on the Board of Directors of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Conservation Fund Inc. (SVGCF), whose mission is to provide funding to support conservation of biodiversity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition, Gale serves as a director and trustee of the Dame Susan Foundation, founded by former Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dame Susan Dougan. The foundation focuses on empowering and supporting at-risk youth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Gale holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. She is the mother of one son. Her interests are travel, reading, entertaining, cultural and environmental heritage preservation, community development, and the arts.

Learn More

Secretariat Team

Karen McDonald Gayle

Chief Executive Officer

Karen McDonald Gayle is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund – the CBF. The CBF is a regional umbrella environmental fund that uses a flexible structure to facilitate innovative solutions and consolidate regional conservation impacts. With over 25 years of experience in civil society participation, public sector policy development and project design, Karen is a regional expert in Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) management. She has served as the CEO of Jamaica’s largest environmental grant-making institution – the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and has worked regionally with the United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations Environment Program. A Jamaican national, Karen has served on multiple national boards and is also a founding member of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals.

Learn More

Barrington Lewis

Chief Finance Officer

Barrington Lewis brings over 30 years of experience in accounting, finance, and organizational leadership. His career spans roles as an external auditor, chief accountant, strategic planner, and consultant across a range of organizations. Most recently, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, an organization who’s core mandate is supporting the conservation of Jamaica’s natural resources and environment, and promoting child survival and development. Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Economics and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of the West Indies, Mona. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica. He is also a Level III candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program.

Learn More

Ulrike Krauss

Program Manager, Climate Change Program/EbA Facility

Dr Ulrike Krauss is the Program Manager for the Climate Change Program/EbA Facility. Ulrike is a German-Saint Lucian dual national with over 25 years of experience in natural resource management. Since 2014, much of her efforts are focussed on climate change adaptation in the insular Caribbean. Her past experiences include Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Agroforestry projects in South and Central America; Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Insular Caribbean; as well as Integrated Watershed and Land Management, and Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) reporting in Saint Lucia.

Learn More

Tanja Lieuw

Program Manager, Conservation Finance Program

Tanja Lieuw is the Program Manager for the Conservation Finance Program. With over 10 years’ experience in biodiversity conservation, she has worked on water sanitation, environment and climate change projects and policies. A Suriname native, Tanja served in Guyana at the IDB in REDD+ and at the regional office of FAO in Chile. She holds a MSc in both Hydrology (Civil Engineering) and Conservation of Biodiversity in the Caribbean.

Learn More

Rachel Ramsey

Program Manager, Nature-based Economies Program/ACE Facility

Rachel Ramsey is an Environmental Project Manager with a strong focus on Sustainable Development and Waste Management, specifically in the Caribbean. Currently serving as a Program Manager at the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, she leads efforts to manage marine pollution through the promotion of sustainable circular economy interventions. Rachel oversees the implementation of a grant facility that supports projects aimed at minimizing waste’s impact on the marine environment, while fostering multi-sector collaboration for a circular economy across the region. With over 15 years of experience, Rachel has led and contributed to a wide range of initiatives and is continuously driven by her desire to make a tangible impact on environmental sustainability in the Caribbean.

Learn More

Junior Buchanan

Senior Finance Officer

Junior L. Buchanan is a highly accomplished finance professional with over nine years of experience in financial management, accounting, procurement, and operations. Currently serving as the Senior Finance Officer at the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Junior oversees assets totaling US$200 million and manages projects funded by international donors, including Germany, Canada, the United States, and various UN agencies. His expertise lies in strategic financial planning, regulatory compliance, and optimizing resources to drive organizational success. In his current role, Junior leads financial operations, ensuring compliance and accuracy in budgeting, financial reporting, and grant management. He supervises a multidisciplinary team, manages disbursements to over 40 grantees across 10+ Caribbean countries, and provides strategic financial advice to the CEO. Previously, as Finance Officer at the same organization, Junior managed resources of US$180 million, led procurement processes, and ensured compliance with donor requirements. Junior’s career also includes roles at Cuso International, where he provided financial and programmatic support, and at Tetratech DPK, where he managed USAID-funded projects. He has a proven track record of cost optimization, achieving an average of 26% budget savings annually, and has successfully led over 30 professionals in finance and operations. Junior holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Services Management and is pursuing a Chartered Banker MBA at Bangor University. He is also a Chartered Business Administrator (ChBA) and holds professional certificates in Applied Corporate Finance (University of Cambridge) and Sustainable Finance (University of Oxford). A member of the Chartered Bankers Institute UK, Junior is proficient in financial software such as QuickBooks, Zoho CRM, and TruBudget. His dedication to fostering collaborative environments and delivering impactful results makes him a valuable leader in complex and diverse settings.

Learn More

Patrice Ali

Finance Officer

Patrice Ali is an accomplished finance and administrative professional with over a decade of experience in local and international finance operations within the NGO sector. She has experience in donor budgeting planning and monitoring, sub-award compliance, and sub-award management, including sub-recipient monitoring. Her expertise in financial management and reporting has enabled her to make significant contributions to the organizations she has served. She is passionate about contributing to meaningful work and is committed to utilizing her skills and knowledge to drive positive change and support the mission of the CBF. She currently holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bedfordshire.

Learn More

Ji Hye Jeon

Finance and Procurement Officer

With a wealth of experience spanning national and organizational projects across the Caribbean, Ji Hye Jeon embraces diversity in skill sets and culture. She is a determined professional in the accounting, management, and branding industry, and is a Level 3 candidate for the Capital Markets and Corporate Finance Qualification by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. Notable contributions include her role as an organizing member for the HFLD Climate Finance Conference 2019, where she headed digital branding and adeptly served as a liaison between stakeholders and South Korean counterparts, demonstrating her proficiency in fostering international partnerships and facilitating impactful initiatives.

Learn More

Lyanne Martinez

Adminstrative and Finance Assistant

Lyanne Martínez is a business administration professional with extensive experience in procurement, contracts management, and event coordination within international development cooperation. With a strong background in acquisitions, financial proposal review, SAP systems, and donor-compliant procurement. She holds a Business Administration degree (Cum Laude) from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and has completed specialized training in procurement, financing contracts in the international cooperation field.

Learn More

Renée Smith

Communications Officer

Renée Smith is the Communication Officer She is a communications specialist who has worked in digital marketing for over a decade and led teams to achieve and often exceed clients’ expectations for brands such as Heineken Jamaica, Ministry of Tourism Jamaica, Wray & Nephew, Magnum Jamaica and the Caribbean among others. Additionally, she has experience in Public Relations, Corporate Communications and Media Management. She has a BSc. in Communication Studies and an ASc. in Computer and Information Science.

Learn More

David Jenkins

Systems Administrator

David Jenkins is an IT professional with a Bachelor of Science in Computing, boasts a rich tapestry of experience garnered from notable tenures at UNESCO and The Enterprise by IR. His journey is punctuated by a commitment to continuous learning and professional development, exemplified by his attainment of certificates in Network Defense Essentials and Fortinet Network Security Expert. During his tenure at UNESCO, David leveraged his comprehensive knowledge to drive innovation and streamline processes. His strategic insights and technical acumen played a pivotal role in supporting UNESCO’s mission to promote peace, eradicate poverty, and foster sustainable development through education, science, and culture. Transitioning to The Enterprise by IR, David further fortified his expertise, specializing in system administration, cybersecurity, infrastructure management, and system optimization. His contributions were instrumental in enhancing operational effectiveness and reducing risks for the organization’;s diverse clientele. Throughout his career, David’s unwavering commitment to excellence and proactive approach to staying abreast of emerging technologies have positioned him as a trusted leader in the IT domain. His ability to navigate complex IT landscapes, anticipate emerging trends, and lead creative projects underscores his readiness to guide IT teams towards triumph in any organizational setting.

Learn More

Judith Campos

Administrative Officer

Judith Campos is a hospitality management professional with over 10 years’ experience working with NGOs and government institutions. She has worked on local and international contracts (particularly related to the procurement of services, construction, materials and equipment), financial agreements and travel arrangements throughout the Caribbean. She enjoys working with other cultures and countries and is always eager to learn about new topics.

Learn More

Shalini Maharaj

Technical Officer

She is a Project Management Professional and has been successfully managing programmes and projects for over 15 years. Shalini has experience in large scale, multi-country programmes spanning national, Latin American and The Caribbean, and international hemispheres with concentrations in youth, education, gender, climate change and risk management. Her experience combines 10 years of working in the USA with local and regional expertise. She has contributed to the development of White Papers for policy in education as well as spearheaded projects to inform policy. Shalini has also successfully executed the Caribbean’s first regional, multi-country readiness programme from the United Nations Green Climate Fund in agriculture, and spearheaded symposia to advance evidence-based work to inform policy in the agriculture sector. Shalini has successfully lead programmes under the United Nations Green Climate Fund, European Development Fund, Inter-American Development Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Goldman Sachs, Guardian Holdings and Ministry of Education (TT). Some of the countries Shalini has worked closely with for project planning and successful implementation include: The Bahamas, Belize, Curacao, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Her passions are wellness, youth and gender which led her to complete a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Youth Guidance (Distinction) as well as international certification in Yoga. Her aim is to fuse her passions and experience to create and integrate wellness programmes for all populations.

Learn More

Fabian Kyne

Technical Officer, EMPAC Project

Fabian Kyne has over 10 years’ experience working as a solutions-driven scientist and conservation planner in the wider Caribbean. He holds a strong track record in the design and delivery of ecosystem-based adaptation, small-scale fisheries, marine protected area (MPA) and coastal zone management, including leading socio-ecological research, capacity building, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation to support multiple non-governmental organizations, public and private sector partnerships. Most notably, Fabian has led multi-year projects to establish adaptive management plans for vulnerable species and habitats; implemented climate change adaptation strategies in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre and KfW Development Bank in Jamaica; developed a national conservation management strategy and policy with the Belize Fisheries Department that trained and supported community-based organizations to engage more effectively in fisheries and conservation management mechanisms across Latin America and the Caribbean. Fabian is a Marine Science PhD candidate at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica and holds an MSc in Marine Environment and Resources from the University of Southampton, UK.

Learn More

Theresa Erin Sanderson

Technical Officer, CRAB Project

Theresa Erin Sanderson is the Technical Officer for the Caribbean Regional Architecture for Biodiversity (CRAB) Project. Erin has over 15 years’ experience in project management for environment and development that spans several sectors including agriculture, education, health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public and private sector entities. She has worked with the World Wildlife Fund in Dominica, the Division of Tourism, Dominica-EU Development Assistance, Green Climate Fund and the Intra ACP GCCA+ Program: Enhancing Climate Resilience in CARIFORUM with the team at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. Erin has a Master of Philosophy degree in Environment and Development from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of the West Indies.

Learn More

Shan Oliver-Julien

Project Officer

Shan Oliver-Julien is a project management professional with over four years of experience in grants and capital funding allocation within the U.S. international market. She has successfully secured and managed multi-year financial resources, ensuring strategic budgeting, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. With over four years of experience in the public sector, she has developed a strong understanding of government operations and policy-driven project implementation. As a Project Manager at Tropicalfete, Inc., a non-profit cultural organization, she leads funding initiatives that support cultural and educational programs, fostering financial sustainability and organizational growth. Beyond funding management, Shan is deeply committed to sustainable development, integrating regenerative practices, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience into her work. She holds a Master of Project Management with a concentration in sustainable and regenerative development, as well as a Bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources. Currently, she serves as a Project Coordinator with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Dominica, where she supports climate resilience, sustainable land use, and ecosystem-based fisheries management initiatives. Her passion for sustainability, particularly in land and marine conservation, drives her commitment to projects that create lasting environmental and social impact.

Learn More

Asha-Gaye Cowell

Program Officer, Conservation Finance

Asha-Gaye Cowell is the Conservation Finance Program Officer. She has a diverse academic background, which includes a BSc. Economics and Statistics with first class honors, MSc. International Public and Development Management and a Visiting Fellowship Certification from the University of Oxford where she studied Behavioral Economics along with Strategy and Ethics. Complementing her academic prowess is a cross-section of professional experiences, including work with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), UNECLAC, USAID, the Permanent Missions of Jamaica to the UN, among others. With extensive civic involvement, volunteerism, and strategic partnerships, Asha is very passionate about leadership, international and regional development, economics, youth and climate change.

Learn More

Eléonore Dal

Technical Officer, Conservation Program

Eléonore Dal is a conservation finance and nature-based solutions specialist with over seven years of experience developing and managing multi-country programmes and projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. She has worked on conservation finance, carbon markets and agricultural investments in the region. Based in Mexico, Eléonore has designed and implemented conservation and restoration projects, and provided technical assistance to governments on carbon markets, blue debt, fiscal reforms and NDC implementation. At FAO, she also coordinated rural development programs with governments and donors, facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration. Eléonore holds a double MSc in Agronomy and Rural Development and a Bachelor's in International Economics.

Learn More

Nayari Diaz

Technical Officer, CORE Project

Nayari Diaz is a Belizean professional in the conservation sector with over 20 years’ experience in protected areas and biodiversity financing, particularly in grant management and project planning, development and implementation. She also has 6 years’ working experience in climate finance mobilization for Small Island Developing States. Additionally, Nayari also has expertise in Conservation Trust Fund administration and most recently served as the Executive Director of the Belize Protected Areas Conservation Trust, where her major achievements included raising the institutional profile of the Fund through accreditation to the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund and establishment of a climate finance work program along with strengthening of its conservation finance program. Throughout her extensive work, Nayari served on various national and regional Boards and Committees and has been actively engaging with private, public, civil society, and community-based organizations, both nationally and regionally as well as with multilateral and international institutions such as the World Bank, Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, World Conservation Union (IUCN), German Development Bank (KfW), German Technical Cooperation Agency (GIZ), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and, the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), among others. She pledges continued commitment towards a sustainable future for people and the natural environment.

Learn More

Laura Teixeira

Technical Support Officer, CORE Project

Laura Teixeira is a dedicated environmental professional with over seven years of experience managing sustainable development projects across the Caribbean region. She most recently served as Project Coordinator for the Caribbean Child Projects under the GEF ISLANDS programme at the Basel Convention Regional Centre for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean), where she led multi-country initiatives focused on chemicals and waste management and capacity building in Small Island Developing States. Her expertise extends to project development, execution and monitoring, stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation and fostering regional collaboration. She has worked with government agencies, private sector partners and civil society across 15 Caribbean nations, building a deep understanding of regional environmental challenges and opportunities. She also has unique experience working with rural and gold mining communities in Guyana during the development of their National Action Plan under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Laura has worked with multilateral and international institutions such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) and the Minamata Convention. She is a dual citizen of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago and is passionate about biodiversity conservation, community development and environmental sustainability.

Learn More

Cordia Chambers-Johnson

Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness and Justice Officer, Conservation Finance Program

Cordia Chambers-Johnson is a development professional who bridges academic scholarship and practical expertise in gender studies. Her career spans critical areas such as gender- based violence prevention, climate resilience, and social justice, working with organizations like United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women HQ, UN Women Caribbean, United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), Oxfam Canada, and Global Affairs Canada. As an adjunct lecturer at both the International University of the Caribbean and the University of the West Indies, she has enriched undergraduate education through courses exploring gender dynamics, Caribbean cultural contexts, and social structures. This academic work complemented her extensive consulting practice in gender analyses, gender mainstreaming, stakeholder engagement and policy development. She is an international best speaker from the 10th World Conference on Women's Studies held in Sri Lanka in 2024, where she presented on “Food sovereignty and Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment in Jamaica: An In-depth Analysis.” Throughout her almost two-decade career, Cordia has demonstrated a nuanced understanding of gender issues across government, civil society, and international development sectors, integrating scholarly rigor with practical implementation. She holds a Master of Science in Gender & Development Studies from the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Learn More

Ingrid Sylvester

Technical Support Officer, BluEFin Project

Ingrid Sylvester (she/her) is a project management, monitoring and evaluation, and grant administration professional with more than 15 years of experience. Ingrid has worked with a swath of local, regional and international organisations in the Caribbean, Honduras, Canada and beyond. She has worked on initiatives spanning protected areas creation and management, endangered species recovery, mangrove rehabilitation, invasive species control, ecotourism, water and soil quality assessments, and environmental education and public awareness. She has a broad breadth and depth of education including a Masters in Integrated Environmental Studies (University of Southampton), Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Evaluation (Carlton University), Bachelor’s in Biology (University of the West Indies), and Certificate in Sustainability Management and Enterprise Process Excellence (Toronto Metropolitan University).

Learn More

Hayden Billingy

Technical Officer, EbA Facility

Hayden Billingy is the Technical Officer for the Ecosystem-based Adaptation Facility under the Climate Change program. Hayden has worked for multiple international multilateral and academic Organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, UNESCO, The World Bank, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), and the University of the West Indies. He has a BSc. in Forest Engineering and MSc. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management with a specialization in Applied Meteorology. He also received training from Florida International University in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and the United Nations University in Climate Change Diplomacy.

Learn More

Kurt Prospere

Technical Officer, EbA Facility

Kurt Prospere is a natural resource manager that has been contributing professionally to multi-sectoral programs inclusive of Climate Change, ecosystem services quantification and valuation, gender mainstreaming, agriculture, and ecosystem management in the Caribbean for over 10 years. He has experience in large-scale, multi-country programs focused on increasing the resilience of Caribbean citizens to the impacts of climate change, natural and human-induced disasters, and other natural and social risks. His experience combines over five years of working with the Government of Saint Lucia in various capacities, the Inter-American Institute for the Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other regional and international consulting firms. His passions include agriculture, nature, remote sensing and consciousness, which led him to pursue academic studies in Agricultural Engineering, Agroforestry and Environmental Biology. He has used his multicultural background from study and work related experiences in Cuba, China, Denmark, Malaysia, Wales (UK) to complement his passion for equality and equity for all, especially the vulnerable, poor and differently abled population with the aim of building a more inclusive society for all populations.

Learn More

Rosa Lamelas

Program Officer, EbA Facility

With a degree in Biology, her professional career has been forged in integrated ecosystem management and environmental projects, including transboundary watershed management projects. Her experience in non-profit organizations and international cooperation has crystallized into a unique ability to address environmental challenges from diverse perspectives, covering key areas such as biodiversity, sustainable forest development, and agroforestry. Over the last 18 years, her focus has evolved toward watershed management, reforestation/restoration projects, and awareness about the impact of endangered species. She has a strong track record, including participating in projects funded by entities such as USAID, World Bank, GEF, BMZ, and the European Union. Her skills extend to project formulation and evaluation and technical report writing. She has exceptional skills in communication, leadership, and multi-level strategic alliances. She is a professional committed to sustainability and climate change adaptation and is a founding and board member of two highly recognized environmental NGOs in the Dominican Republic.

Learn More

Shanna Prevost

Program Officer, EbA Facility

Shanna Prevost is a development professional with over 15 years of experience working on a wide range of projects in the Caribbean in the areas of agriculture, disaster recovery, climate change and gender. A native of the commonwealth of Dominica and based in Trinidad and Tobago, Shanna has worked with national, regional and international organisations such as the Trinidad and Tobago Agribusiness Association (TTABA), the Caribbean Agricultural Research Institute (CARDI), the University of the West Indies Faculty of Food and Agriculture (UWI FFA) St. Augustine, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). One of her proudest (and most humbling) career moments was using her project management skills to implement an Emergency Employment Programme in her homeland, Dominica, after the country was struck by a category five hurricane in 2017. Shanna is passionate about contributing to regional development through project management and by supporting policymakers, communities, and vulnerable populations to become more climate and environmentally resilient. She holds a BSc. Management from UWI Cave Hill Barbados, and an MSc. Agricultural Diversification from UWI St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Learn More

Janine Boodram

Program Officer, ACE Facility

Janine Boodram is a Project Management Professional with over eight years of experience in the chemicals and waste cluster in the Caribbean. Following her pursuit of a combined BSc/MSc programme in Chemistry with Biomedicine at King’s College London, she kicked off her professional career at the Environmental Management Authority in Trinidad and Tobago. There, she contributed to the development of national legislation on waste management. She then progressed towards environmental project management at the regional level and directly supported fifteen Caribbean countries with the implementation of UN treaties related to chemicals and waste. An ardent ocean lover, Janine is enthusiastic about collaborating with stakeholders to deliver tangible solutions to mitigate marine pollution and protect coastal communities via regionally suitable circular economy initiatives.

Learn More

Daniela Sifontes

Program Officer, ACE Facility

Daniela Sifontes is an Environmental Management and Climate Change Specialist with nine years of experience leading high-impact projects in the Dominican Republic. As a Marine Biologist with advanced diplomas Project Management and Climate Diplomacy and, she has a proven track record in administering complex international funds. Joining the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund in March 2026, she serves as the Program Officer for the ACE Facility. In her role at the CBF, Daniela leverages her expertise in grant administration, circular economy, and coastal governance to support the ACE Facility’s mission of reducing marine litter. Her previous experience as National Coordinator for the Blue Flag Program and her technical support for the Dominican Republic’s climate change adaptation initiatives highlight her ability to bridge the gap between regional policy and local action. Beyond the technical, she is a strong advocate for community-led impact; she believes that for environmental regulations and circular models to succeed, those on the “front line” must be empowered through capacity building and reliable access to resources.

Learn More

Stephanie Lalla

Program Assistant, ACE Facility

Stephanie Lalla possesses valuable professional experience in waste management and circular economy initiatives in the Caribbean region. Her qualifications include a BSc. in Geography and Environmental and Natural Resource Management. She is an advocate for environmental and biodiversity conservation and strives to promote sustainable environmental practices. Her goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the environmental issues faced by Small Island Developing States, and to help contribute to their environmental protection.

Learn More

Anisha Cephas

Technical Officer - GEF CHO IP TTO Project Lead

Anisha Cephas is a policy and project management professional with over 15 years of experience in the public sector, spanning social development, ICT, and water and wastewater governance. She most recently served as a Senior Planning Specialist and Water Sector Lead at the Ministry of Public Utilities in Trinidad and Tobago, where she provided strategic direction for the utilities sector and led the coordination and implementation of key national initiatives. Anisha has extensive experience working across multi-stakeholder environments, including serving as the National Focal Point for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) and contributing to donor-funded programmes such as the National Water Sector Transformation Programme and Development of the Climate Risk-Informed Water Resources Master Plan for Trinidad & Tobago. She holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Governance and a Master of Science in Public Sector Management. She is passionate about advancing sustainable water management and strengthening institutional systems to deliver meaningful environmental and social outcomes.

Learn More

Executive Committee

Karolin Troubetzkoy

Chair

Learn More

Brenda Boddie-John

Vice Chair

Learn More

Glenn Bannister

Treasurer

Learn More

Miguel Gutiérrez

Director

Learn More

Finance Committee

Glenn Bannister

Treasurer

Learn More

Petipha Lewis

Director

Learn More

Bruno Roberts

Member

Director of Operations – The Private Trust Corporation Limited

Learn More

Gregory Hinkson

Member

Gregory E. Hinkson is Principal Consultant and Managing Director of SAMDOR Services Limited. SAMDOR Services Limited is an independent boutique financial services firm, specializing in investment and financial advisory services, particularly pensions. Mr. Hinkson was Vice President, Investments with a regional insurance company where he was responsible for the management of the investment portfolios encompassing the territories of Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, Netherlands Antilles and Belize. He also served as Manager, Investments with the National Insurance Department in Barbados. Mr. Hinkson is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI). He is a Member of the Certified Professional Accountants (CPA) of British Columbia and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB). He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). Mr. Hinkson is currently the Chairman of the Barbados Diocesan Trustees and Chairman of the Diocesan Pensions Board. He is also a Director of First Citizens Bank (Barbados) Limited and serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Bank, as well as being a Member of the Corporate Governance Committee of First Citizens Bank Limited, Trinidad. Mr. Hinkson is also a Chairman of the Barbados Environmental Sustainability Fund Inc, and Trustee and Chairman of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Pension Plan. He is also a former Commissioner on the Barbados Fair Trading Commission. He is also a Temporary Lecturer for both the Graduate and Undergraduate Programme in Accounting and Finance, at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados and also a Tutor in Basic Accounts at the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP).

Learn More

EbA Committee

Karen McDonald Gayle

Chief Executive Officer

Learn More

Montserrat Acosta-Morel

EbA Committee Chair

Montserrat Acosta-Morel is an Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group where she is applying her economics degree to climate change adaptation, climate risk management, and nature-based solutions. Her past experience has involved managing climate change projects for The Nature Conservancy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Caribbean region with a focus on ecosystem-based adaptation.

Learn More

Steven Canty

Committee Member

Steve Canty is the Director of MarineGEO, a pan-Smithsonian Institution initiative that partners around the world dedicated to tracking the vital signs of coastal marine life, diagnosing the causes of change, and informing science-based solutions to build coastal resilience, using standardized and coordinated methods. The groups research focuses on the biodiversity of coastal systems nearshore because this is where biodiversity and people are concentrated and interact most.

Learn More

Leslie John Walling

Committee Member

Leslie John Walling is a project manager and technical lead with experience managing development initiatives in the areas of coastal resource conservation and management, climate change adaptation planning, and disaster risk management. Many of the development initiatives in which Leslie has been involved have been cross-cutting and multi-disciplinary in nature. His experience in ocean and coastal resource management (OCZM) has included: contribution to the design and establishment of multi-use marine protected area systems, and guiding the review, analysis, and enhancement of OCZM policy and governance frameworks.

Learn More

Petipha Lewis

Director

Learn More

Lylle Shermaine Clauzel

Committee Member

Shermaine has worked in areas covering Climate Change, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development and Environment for over 25 years. Her career objective is to contribute to the social and economic advancement of the region while safeguarding the fragile ecosystems that support our current and future ambitions, and those of the generations to come. She currently manages the World Bank-funded Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project, within the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy, Saint Lucia. This 5-year, USD 29M Project supports a range of governance activities and investments in 3 key sectors namely, Tourism, Fisheries and Solid Waste Management, to support sustainable economic expansion in marine and coastal areas. Prior to this, she worked for 2 years with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, in Belize, as Project Manager responsible for the implementation of projects in Haiti, Belize, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, among many others. Most of her efforts were focused on preparing countries for accessing climate financing. She also worked for 8 years with the Caribbean Public Health Agency as a Programme Officer and then Programme Manager in their Sustainable Development and Environmental Health Department where she supported projects funded by the Global Environment Facility, Inter-American Development Bank, GIZ and PAHO focused on protecting the health of local populations dealing with climate change adaptation and supporting resilience efforts. For 13 years prior, she worked as aTechnical Officer at the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) where she performed a wide range of programme and project activities supporting improved environmental performance and policy across 13 Caribbean Member States. In recent times, she also had the opportunity to provide consultancy support to the EbA Facility for a period of 1 year, where she became familiar with their processes, procedures and objectives. She supported the review of project implementation progress with Grantees and assisted with strengthening reporting procedures. Shermaine has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management, a Post-graduate diploma in Project Management and a Bacholor’s degree in Biology.

Learn More

Liliana Betancourt Fernández

Committee Member

Liliana Betancourt Fernández is a biologist with doctorate studies in environmental sciences finished during 1997, in Spain. Since then, I live in Dominican Republic collaborating with the environmental sector as a consultant in the environmental management, both in Environmental Impact Assessment of development projects and their environmental monitoring, as well as, with ecological characterizations for management plans on basins, provinces or in protected areas. Furthermore, as a researcher I have worked in several publications and books about biodiversity inventories, as well as environmental management. Through all these years in the environmental sector I have been working together with different national or international NGO’s in several projects focusing on the natural resources conservation with the communities’ involvement. All these projects have been implemented with the collaboration of Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Dominican Republic and the support of different international cooperation agencies as UNDP, Germany GIZ, Oxfam Quebec and USAID.

Learn More

ACE Committee

Maíra Valladares

Chair of ACE Facility Committee

Maíra Valladares is a Project Manager at the Marine Conservation Department of WWF Germany where she is applying her social innovation management degree to initiatives in the Caribbean and Southwest Indian Ocean regions. Thematically, her experience involves the implementation of projects related to circular economy, waste management, marine litter, EPR regulations, livelihoods, fisheries and MPA strengthening in Africa, Central and South Americas.

Learn More

Derek Luk Pat

Committee Member

Derek Luk Pat is a father of one, an entrepreneur, a business consultant and, most recently, a circular economy specialist who believes strongly in impact, efficiency, and balance. Aside from recently launching three start-up companies, he has two decades private sector experience at senior levels in several industries across the Caribbean. He has led teams as small as 25 to as large as 800, worked in the manufacturing, distribution, hospitality, finance, FMCG and QSR sectors for multinational corporations as well as family-owned businesses. He has served at the Board level of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality, the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Safety and Health Authority, the Trinidad and Tobago National Quality Council and is currently the Chairman of the Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation, a Non-Profit organization dedicated to special needs children. More recently, he has been immersed in the world of Standards and Quality and now, the Circular Economy, in which he is presently engaged in an LAC regional project and is actively involved in the current international standards development for the Circular Economy as a member of the ISO Technical Committee 323, the ISO TC 323 Chairman’s Advisory Group and also serves as the Chair of the Trinidad and Tobago National Mirror Committee for ISO TC 323. He holds an MBA from Heriot Watt University, a BSc. Chemistry & Management (Hons) from UWI and is also a Certified Circular Economy Specialist.

Learn More

Dr. Chaney St. Martin

Committee Member

Dr. Chaney St. Martin is an International Technical Specialist in Water and Soil Management at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). He has over 19 years of experience across 18 countries in academia, field work and project design, management and implementation at the international and regional levels. Dr. St. Martin has served on High level Technical Panels/Committees at the global, hemispherical and regional level on climate change and disaster risks management, and food and nutrition security. He is currently a member of the UNFCCC expert group on agriculture and food security and knowledge to action hub, a core member of the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH), and a founding member of IICA’s Living Soils of the Americas Initiative. Dr. St. Martin who Co-led the Global Soil Hub-Solution Cluster under Action Track 3 of the United Nations Food Systems Summit is also a certified Trainer of Trainers in Climate Risk Management and damage and loss and has > 45 publications on themes related agriculture, climate change, green product development and circular economy. Dr. St. Martin describes himself as a farmer at heart, and a curious person who is genuinely interested in positively impacting lives.

Learn More

Dr. Tilman Floehr

Committee Member

Tilman Floehr is an environmental scientist with focus on pollutants in water bodies and their socio-ecological impacts on humans and nature. He holds a PhD from RWTH Aachen University, Germany and published his dissertation on a holistic assessment of the pollution of the Yangtze River in China. He is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the social enterprise everwave, which is dedicated to support the circular economy and preserve water bodies as precious habitats, food sources and economic regions. Everwave has received several awards for its holistic approach, which combines: Artificial intelligence methods to detect waste in the environment, cleanups through innovative technologies, development of local recycling infrastructures, collection of data along the waste stream and environmental education as preventive measure.

Learn More

Carl Ryan-Hunter

Committee Member

Carl Ryan-Hunter has 28 years’ experience of managing the maintenance and development needs of Caribbean hotel and resort facilities. Special passion for management of energy and leveraging environmental initiatives to drive down operation costs and enhance marketing ability. He has passion for training and information sharing with a special focus in overcoming cultural barriers to change. He has a degree in Engineering (from Imperial College and is a Certified Engineering Operations Executive. Carl Ryan-Hunter is a Former Director of St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority and strong proponent of the Caribbean Centric approach to engineering and managing projects that are regionally appropriate and sustainable. He was also one of UNEP/TraveLife’s main implementation partners for the Transforming Tourism Value Chains (TTVC) program and a Chairman of the St Lucian Hotel and Tourism Environmental Committee.

Learn More

Dr. Dayne Buddo

Committee Member

As the Director of Global Ocean Policy, Dr Dayne Buddo leads Georgia Aquarium’s involvement in state, national and global policies for ocean conservation. This involves identification of policy needs and strengthening the interface between GAI’s Science Program to champion, advise and improve these policies. These mission-based interventions support our Research, Conservation and Education programs. Georgia Aquarium is an IUCN Center for Species Survival and a UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions. Prior to joining Georgia Aquarium, Dr Buddo was the Director of the Bay Academy – Bay Ecotarium, San Francisco CA, USA. Before moving to the United States, he served as a tenured faculty member at the University of the West Indies (Jamaica) in marine sciences for a decade, with responsibility for marine research and teaching at the Discovery Bay Marine Lab. Dr Buddo was also CEO and Research Director for the Alligator Head Foundation and Marine Lab focusing on marine protected areas. He was also the Marine Conservation Adviser for the TBA21-Academy, an Art Foundation in Europe centered on ocean conservation and climate change. Dayne has published several papers on marine invasive species, shark conservation and fisheries management in the Atlantic region, including the co-authored book on Lionfish Management in the Caribbean, Global Assessment of Sharks (Nature) and the IUCN RedList for Atlantic Shorefishes. He is also one of the Lead Authors of the Americas Assessment for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Dayne has been a consultant for CARICOM, Government of Japan, the World Bank, International Maritime Organization, the Nature Conservancy, among others, and has conducted work in over 30 countries. He has worked closely with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) among other agencies. Dayne currently sits on the Board of Advisers for The Ocean Foundation (USA), Board of Directors for NAUI Green Diver Initiative (WAV Alliance) (USA), International Ocean Film Festival (USA), Black in Marine Science (USA), Fisheries Development Management Fund (Jamaica), National Conservation Trust Fund Grant Committee (Jamaica), UNESCO Caribbean Coordinator for Early Career Ocean Professionals (Ocean Decade Program – ECOP) and continues to support several delegations to major United Nations Conferences on climate change and ocean conservation. Dayne is a certified PADI Master Instructor, Advanced Rebreather Diver, an Emergency First Response® (First Aid/CPR/AED) Instructor, as well as a Hyperbaric (Recompression) Chamber Safety Director. He has conducted over 8,000 scientific dives mainly assessing marine habitats, lion fish research and control as well as habitat restoration.

Learn More

Guilherme Suertegaray

Committee Member

Mr. Guilherme Suertegaray is associated with both the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Circular Economy Coalition of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC Circular Economy Coalition). His role at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation involves being a Senior Project Manager for Latin America. In this capacity, he is responsible for the foundation’s relationships with major companies in the region, aiming to expand the availability of circular economy products and services. He works with these companies to develop and implement projects that introduce scalable circular economy solutions in the Latin American market. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a charity focused on accelerating the transition to a circular economy globally. This economic model is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials at their highest value, and regenerate nature. The foundation plays a strategic partner role in the LAC Circular Economy Coalition via partners such as Mr. Suertegaray.

Learn More

Julia Koerner

Committee Member

Julia Koerner works with the PREVENT Waste Alliance on the financing of circular economy initiatives. A consultant with GIZ (the German development agency) and a member of PREVENT’s working group on financing the circular economy, she is an author of the study Financing Circularity Part 1. Her work aims to address the significant funding gap that exists for circular economy projects, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in low and middle-income countries. She’s also worked directly on the alliance’s study, Financing Circularity Part 1, which identifies the barriers preventing circular economy organizations from receiving adequate funding. Her work targets the systemic mismatch between the needs of circular economy (CE) organizations and the criteria used by financial institutions, with only a small percentage of funders prioritizing CE projects. As an employee of GIZ, Koerner was instrumental in commissioning and developing the financing study on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Her work with The PREVENT Waste Alliance also aligns as this is an international platform that promotes a circular economy and minimizes waste globally.

Learn More