Leona is an innovative problem-solver and natural network builder with global work experience in journalism and strategic communications across diverse sectors ranging from media (R­euters, France 24) to private sector (Danone- Livelihoods) to international development (United Nations) across three continents (N. America, Europe, Asia). Dynamic and multilingual (English, French, Mandarin Chinese), she is passionate about building impact-driven start-ups and leveraging the power of creative storytelling to accelerate positive change for the environment.

Robert Nasi has undertaken research activities on ecology and management of tropical forests for almost 40 years. His research interests include the sustainable use of forest products and multiple-use management; the integration of social and biological sciences for better management of tropical forests; the ‘wild meat’ issue and the implications for biodiversity, livelihoods and health.

Ravi is a forester with 30 years of international experience, most of it in research for development. He also has experience in the private sector, academia, and the UN. He has been with World Agroforestry (ICRAF) since 2012. Since January 2020 he is the Director of Innovation, Investment and Impact at CIFOR-ICRAF.

Tony has worked in agriculture and forestry in over 50 countries in private sector, research institutes and official development assistance. He has a PhD in genetics from Cambridge and a Honorary Professorship at Copenhagen. Tony is passionate about the transformative change that the private sector can bring to development having established partnerships with MARS, Danone, Boehringer and Unilever.

Christopher Knowles is an independent adviser specializing in the financing of different types of sustainable assets, often through innovative intermediary vehicles. He has been engaged in the finance of infrastructure, climate and environmental assets for over 40 years, much of this time with the European Investment Bank.

Michael Hailu, an Ethiopian national, has more than 30 years of leadership experience in agricultural development, capacity building and communication. Until February 2020, he was Director of the CTA—a joint institution of the EU and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Michael also served as Director of Communications both at ICRAF and CIFOR.

Howard has been involved with sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems, plant breeding, molecular biology and genetics for over 50 years. He has worked with indigenous communities, NGO’s, governmental agencies and the private sector around the world. His academic career spans 45 years.

Nevena brings 10 years of experience in partnerships, event coordination and resource mobilization, and previously worked for the United Nations (FAO, UNCCD, UNFPA) and for development agencies (USAID). She last worked for the UN-REDD Programme (FAO) as the Global Outreach and Knowledge Management Specialist.

Passionate about digital marketing and storytelling, Laetitia brings in more than 10 years of experience in the field. She founded her digital agency in 2013 in Paris, where she worked with many corporates and organizations such as the OECD, the European Union, SANOFI, VINCI, Estée Lauder and many more.

Stephane graduated as a veterinarian specialized in biodiversity conservation and holds an MBA in sustainability. He worked in grassroot organization for wildlife conservation, as an entrepreneur to create nature-based investments inside corporations, as a consultant for large businesses engaged in landscape restoration targets and in investment funds as a director for project and innovation teams.