COORDINATION TEAM / STEERING COMMITTEE

Francis Asamoah is a Ghanaian wildlife ecologist and a passionate environmental communicator with over seven years of experience in crafting compelling conservation narratives.

He expertly blends field expertise with strategic communication for both local and international organizations, such as the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group and the Amphibian Survival Alliance, to bridge science and public engagement.

When he is not translating complex ecology into impactful stories, he is leading habitat restoration, tracking species and gathering data, or researching to understand factors that influence species habitat selection and distribution.

Nancy Barisoa Andriamiarimbola is an award-winning climate justice, human rights, and gender equality advocate, and a software engineer. She believes in creating change through impactful actions driven by a deep commitment to sustainability and social equity. Nancy has earned recognition for her leadership and contributions, including the Best Team Leader Award from Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program and the 50 Outstanding African Women in Development Award 2024 from Donors for Africa. Her EcoShe project was honored with the Climate Justice Award by the Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN).

As the founder and host of the Tanora Revolution Podcast, Nancy empowers young Africans to embrace resilience, compassion, and a positive mindset. Fluent in Malagasy, French, and English, she has represented Madagascar at prominent international forums focused on climate action, human rights, and youth empowerment. Her work has been featured in Midi Madagascar, Jejoo Madagascar newspapers, on a Youth Spotlight Show in Nigeria, The Responsible Citizen magazine based in Botswana, Place aux jeunes based in Benin and Global Landscapes Forum.

Joshua Laizer is a seasoned professional with over six years of experience in community engagement, regenerative agriculture, and project design and management. With a proven track record in both public and non-profit sectors, Joshua has worked extensively across local and international landscapes, collaborating with various NGOs and providing consultancy services for a range of impactful projects.

Currently serving as the Regenerative Grazing Expert for Afriscout, a global community social enterprise, Joshua offers strategic guidance for the implementation of regenerative grazing initiatives in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, underscoring a commitment to sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both communities and the environment.

In addition to this role, Joshua is the Co-founder and Finance Director of TACCEI, where he focuses on driving sustainable development efforts and enhancing community resilience. He is also the Founder and Coordinator of the GLFx Maasai Steepe Chapter, hosted by TACCEI. In this capacity, Joshua brings together landscape actors to promote landscape restoration and climate action, emphasizing core restoration activities that address environmental challenges.

As the Head of the Indigenous Youth Program at the Youth Initiative for Land in Africa and Secretary General of the African Youth Pastoralist Initiative, Joshua is dedicated to empowering youth and amplifying the voices of pastoral communities.

Passionate about fostering collaborative solutions and sustainable practices, Joshua’s work not only supports local ecosystems but also aims to create lasting social change across the continent.

Mohamed Alaa Eldin is an Egyptian sustainability and finance professional with over a decade of experience driving innovative solutions in green finance and sustainable development.

He has collaborated with major international financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank, contributing to pioneering projects in eco-friendly banking and circular economy initiatives.

Currently pursuing a PhD in Finance and Economic Development, Mohamed’s research integrates sustainable finance and climate resilience to promote environmental and economic progress. His work has been recognized through multiple national and international awards, reflecting his commitment to advancing sustainable development in Egypt and the broader region.

Shahrukh Nasim Khan is an American scientist, environmentalist, and public health advocate with expertise in engineering, Ph.D. candidate in Industrial/Energy Engineering at the University of Tennessee and a current Youth Delegate for UN Conference of Parties (Nuclear For Climate delegation).

Shahrukh has experience with World Wildlife Fund, DOE, and currently an Engineer at FAA and his leadership roles include and are not limited to: World Bank youth delegate, UN Associations national council chair and Global Peace Chain youth ambassador.

Ahsan Habib Saimon is a development professional based in Dhaka, Bangladesh (GMT+6), with a B.Sc. in Agriculture and currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Biochemistry. He serves as a Capacity Building Officer at the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), focusing on climate education and community resilience. He also contributes to climate-induced displacement advocacy as a Climate Mobility Officer at the Migration Youth and Children Platform and supports digital mapping for vulnerable areas as a Climate Resilient Fellow with Humanitarian OpenStreetMap and World Vision.

Ahsan’s work intersects with the UNCCD’s mission through his commitment to climate justice, sustainable land use, and youth leadership. His efforts focus on promoting community-based adaptation, nature-based solutions, and inclusive decision-making for vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by land degradation and climate-induced mobility. As the Regional Focal Point for Asia at the UNCCD Youth Caucus, he amplifies youth voices in regional and global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), while fostering cross-border collaboration, policy advocacy, and grassroots engagement to advance the objectives of the UNCCD across Asia.

Carter Cheng is the European Focal Point of the UNCCD Youth Caucus, Managing Director (London) of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), Engagement Coordinator for the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd) programme at the University of Cambridge, and a World Economic Forum Future 50 Leader.

She is also serving on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and the judging panel for the FAO World Food Forum Youth Policy Board. She has experiences across the UK Cabinet Office, Spanish Ministry of Youth, United Nations ESCAP, Peking University, the University of Hong Kong and more.

At Cambridge, Carter’s MPhil and PhD research focuses on designing governance models to turn climate tech innovation into a catalyst for equity, inclusivity and resilience. She holds a LLM (Yenching Fellow) from Peking University, a MSc in Economic History from the LSE, and a BA in International Relations (Dean’s List) from the University of St Andrews.

Ahsan Habib Saimon is a development professional based in Dhaka, Bangladesh (GMT+6), with a B.Sc. in Agriculture and currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Biochemistry. He serves as a Capacity Building Officer at the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), focusing on climate education and community resilience. He also contributes to climate-induced displacement advocacy as a Climate Mobility Officer at the Migration Youth and Children Platform and supports digital mapping for vulnerable areas as a Climate Resilient Fellow with Humanitarian OpenStreetMap and World Vision.

Ahsan’s work intersects with the UNCCD’s mission through his commitment to climate justice, sustainable land use, and youth leadership. His efforts focus on promoting community-based adaptation, nature-based solutions, and inclusive decision-making for vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by land degradation and climate-induced mobility. As the Regional Focal Point for Asia at the UNCCD Youth Caucus, he amplifies youth voices in regional and global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), while fostering cross-border collaboration, policy advocacy, and grassroots engagement to advance the objectives of the UNCCD across Asia.

Daniela Solis is the Coordinator of the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH), a multi-stakeholder community dedicated to improving soil health globally. She has over five years of experience leading initiatives at the intersection of sustainable land and soil management, food systems, climate resilience, and livelihoods.

Her work focuses on mobilizing diverse actors through strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, international dialogue, and knowledge co-creation. Through CA4SH’s #Youth4Soil Initiative, she has coordinated youth participation at the three Rio Conventions and worked to amplify the voice of youth advocates in international processes.

She holds a master’s degree in environmental management from Bocconi University and previously worked at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as an Associate in Food & Agriculture (WBCSD).

Audrey S-Darko, is a Land Youth Negotiator, climate tech entrepreneur and sustainable land advocate. She leads Sabon Sake, an organization at the intersection of regenerative agriculture (restoring soil health and degraded ecosystems) and carbon financing for climate vulnerable farming communities.

She is committed to deploying nature and tech-based solutions that restore soil health and biodiversity, improve the economic wellbeing of land stewards and accelerates the transition towards climate resilient farming and food systems, especially in rural landscapes. Her organization collaborates with climate-committed organizations and individuals to build and scale climate action strategies and land restoration projects (e.g. waste-to-biochar initiative) that provide practical pathways to achieving a Just Transition to NetZero.

Audrey is keen on ensuring policy, governance, culture work well for land and its people, bringing about systemic change. She enjoys grassroot mobilization, stakeholder engagement, convening youth and creating a knowledge-sharing environment that provides solutions to land degradation, climate change issues, governance and other thematic areas that preserve land and climate.

Xiomara Acevedo, Internationalist, Mphil in conservation leadership, climate, gender, and environmental justice activist, and social entrepreneur from Colombia. She is the founder and director of Barranquilla+20, a women-led NGO focused on women and youth, which began its impact in 2012 and whose mission is to educate and recognize the leadership of women, children, and youth on issues of climate change, biodiversity, land and water in Colombia and countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Barranquilla+20 has reached more than 35,000 people with its various campaigns, projects, and initiatives, and she was one of 10 Generation Equality youth fellows.

Xiomara also co- coordinates the Global Youth Biodiversity Network in Colombia and the Women for Climate Justice network. She is passionate about intergenerational equity, a rights-based approach, and promoting feminist action for environmental justice. In 2021, she was selected as one of the 50 “rising stars” in ESG by Women of the Future. She is also a One Young World Ambassador, and a Big Bet Climate Fellow by Rockerfeller Foundation.

Mahathi Aguvaveedi is a policy and communications professional focused on soil and land restoration. Currently working with the Save Soil movement, she operates at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, soil health, and public policy—building cross-sectoral coalitions that connect grassroots organizations, think tanks, scientists, and policymakers. She has also collaborated closely with media and social media influencers to promote ecological causes over the past few years.

A Columbia University alumna, Mahathi holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Economics. Over the past decade, she has worked with UN agencies and social enterprises across food systems, public health, and refugee support.

She is a strong advocate for ecological generalists—leaders who can bridge disciplinary silos to build integrated responses to global challenges. Mahathi believes that youth play a pivotal role in shaping our collective future—economically, socially, and environmentally—and is committed to empowering them. She also serves as a Youth Innovation Coach with the India Youth Climate Network.