Martin Harper, International CEO, BirdLife International

Biologist by training, Martin Harper has 27 years’ experience of conservation leadership in a variety of Non-Governmental Organizations. This includes 17 years at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) - BLI’s UK Partner – his last decade there as Global Conservation Director. Martin joined the BLI’s Global Team in 2021 and was appointed as CEO in November 2023.

Meskerem Bhrane, Regional Director, Sustainable Development, Middle East and North Africa, World Bank

Meskerem Brhane leads the formulation of the Bank’s strategy, lending, technical assistance, partnerships, and policy advisory work for sustainable development in the MNA region. Prior to her current role as Regional Director, Dr. Brhane held several leadership positions in urban development, disaster risk management, and land, including as Practice Manager for these sectors in Africa West, Africa East, and South Asia.

Gary Allport, Sr. Adviser to the CEO, BirdLife International

Gary Allport is a conservation expert with over 20 years of experience in biodiversity policy and strategic advisory. He is Senior Adviser to the CEO at BLI, where he guides global conservation priorities and partnerships. Previously, he served as Senior Policy Adviser at IUCN, contributing to international biodiversity frameworks. He holds a PhD in Waterfowl Ecology and a BSc in Ecology from the University of East Anglia.

Ruth Tiffer-Sotomayor, Sr. Environmental Specialist, World Bank

Ruth Tiffer-Sotomayor leads the AEFI initiative at the WB, where she works as a Senior Environmental Specialist in the Global Environment Department. With over 25 years of experience, she has worked across regions on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and environmental assessment of large infrastructure. Ruth is a core team member of the Global Program on NBS for Climate Resilience and the NBS Invest Program.

Hon. Ibrahim Nura Kazaure, Commissioner Environment and Chairman Jigawa State, ACReSAL Project, Nigeria

Dr. Kazaure leads the implementation of the World Bank–supported ACReSAL Project, a six-year initiative to restore degraded landscapes, strengthen climate resilience, and improve livelihoods across Northern Nigeria. Formerly Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, he is recognized for his leadership in advancing sustainable environmental management and community-driven development.

Khaled Noby Mohamed, CEO of Nature Conservation Egypt

Based in Cairo, Khaled Noby Mohamed has over 18 years' experience in environmental science and conservation. As CEO of Nature Conservation Egypt, he leads efforts to integrate biodiversity conservation into Egypt’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, ensuring the protection of migratory birds and native species. Khaled was recently honoured as one of the 50 Impact Makers for COP29 Global Communications Campaign.

Blessings Chingagwe, Programmes Manager for the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi

Blessings Chingagwe is a prominent figure in Malawi's wildlife and environmental conservation sector. She is involved in numerous projects aimed at protecting ecosystems like Michiru Forest and Chia Lagoon. Blessing also has a background in scientific research, contributing to studies on habitat conservation and is affiliated with the Malawi University of Science and Technology.

Duncan Lang, Principal Environment Specialist, Asian Development Bank

With over 20 years’ experience in environmental management and biodiversity conservation, Duncan Lang leads ADB’s Regional Flyway Initiative and oversees the biodiversity component of ADB’s updated Environmental and Social Framework. Duncan also led ADB’s collaboration with BLI on AVISTEP and serves as the Bank’s focal point for Sustainability Reporting.

Franz Gerner, Lead Energy Specialist, World Bank

Franz Gerner has over two decades of experience in energy policy, advisory services, and investment operations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He has led major World Bank programs, including support for Vietnam’s power sector reforms and South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, which featured the Bank’s first coal plant decommissioning and repurposing operation. Since 2023, he has focused on sector reform and regional power trade across Eastern and Southern Africa. He is the Task Team leader of the Regional Energy Transmission, Trade & Decarbonization Project (RETRADE).

Lesley Dickie, Executive Vice President for Conservation and Regions, Birdlife International

Dr Lesley Dickie is the Executive Vice President of BLI.  With over 25 years’ experience in both ex situ and in situ conservation, she joined BirdLife International in 2024. At BLI she has responsibility for conservation programmes, the six regional offices of BLI and the Partnership function. She has particular oversight of BLI's global work on flyways, the migratory routes of the world's birds.

Genevieve Connors, Acting Global Director, Environment Department, World Bank

Genevieve Connors manages corporate engagements and global programs on the blue economy, forests and landscapes, the economics and finance of nature, biodiversity and wildlife, and chemical, air, and plastics pollution. From 2022-24, she was the Practice Manager for Environment, Natural Resources, and the Blue Economy in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.