WWF appoints two exceptional conservation leaders to its International Board

WWF International is pleased to announce the appointment of two exceptional conservation leaders, the biodiversity scientist Prof. Alexandre Antonelli and environmental economist Prof. Juan Camilo Cárdenas, to its International Board of Trustees. 

Prof. Antonelli is an internationally leading biodiversity scientist working to understand the diversity of life on Earth and how best to protect and sustainably use it. He is Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a Professor in Systematics and Biodiversity at the University of Gothenburg, a Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, leader of the Atlantic Forest Research and Conservation Alliance and a Trustee of WWF-Sweden. Born and raised in Brazil, Prof. Antonelli’s research focuses on the distribution and evolution of species and developing new methods to accelerate research and conservation, through the integration of fieldwork, remote sensing, genomics and artificial intelligence. His work focuses on the tropics, where biodiversity is highest and threats to nature are most acute. 

Prof. Juan Camilo Cárdenas is an eminent economist and expert in collective action, rights-based conservation and environmental justice. He is currently Director of the Center of the Sustainable Development Goals for Latin America and the Caribbean (CODS), which sits at the Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, and a member of the Earth Commission. He is also a Professor at the Department of Economics at Universidad de Los Andes and a Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Based in Bogotá, Prof. Cárdenas is Colombian and a member of the Board of WWF-Colombia. His work focuses on local and global environmental justice and policy, particularly concerning the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Prof. Adil Najam, WWF International President, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Prof. Alexandre Antonelli and Prof. Juan Camilo Cárdenas to the WWF International Board of Trustees. They are exceptional conservation leaders who share a passion and commitment to conserving the diversity of life on Earth for the benefit of people and nature. Prof. Antonelli’s extensive work in conservation science, practice and innovation will bring new expertise to WWF’s International Board as the world faces the ever escalating crises of nature loss and climate change. Prof. Cárdenas’ knowledge of inclusive and rights-based conservation will be invaluable as WWF continues its work to ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are at the heart of our conservation efforts. I look forward to working with them both as we pursue together WWF’s mission to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.”   

Prof. Alexandre Antonelli said: “I am honoured to be joining the Board of WWF International at a time when bending the curve on biodiversity loss is not only a necessity for safeguarding the future of our societies and all life on Earth, but is also our moral responsibility. WWF is ideally positioned to mobilize the private and public sectors to join forces in conserving, restoring and sustainably using nature. The challenges are huge, but based on my experiences at Kew and working ‘on the ground’ in Brazil, I feel confident that we will succeed – through approaches that build on scientific evidence, collaboration and inclusivity.”

Prof. Juan Camilo Cárdenas said: “The stakes could not be higher at a time when global scale cooperation is  the only path for preserving our planet and its capacity to sustain human life and economic well-being for all. WWF is an organization that has long combined rigorous science with policy advocacy and working with communities who cherish and protect our most valuable ecosystems. It is an honor to be part of this board, and I hope to contribute from my work on understanding local to global collective action to shape the way WWF continues to drive conservation for all and for the future of all.” 

Prof. Alexandre Antonelli and Prof. Juan-Camilo Cárdenas will take up their positions on 1 January 2025. WWF International expresses its gratitude to retiring Trustees, Roseline Beudels and Sam Muller, for their remarkable service and dedication.