IUCN Leaders Forum Changemakers

Damilola Aminat Adeyemi brings a wealth of expertise and a visionary outlook to her role as CFO, having dedicated four years to the banking sector with a primary focus on agriculture and energy financing. Her extensive experience in this field has equipped her with a deep understanding of the financial mechanisms that drive sustainable energy initiatives, a vital asset in her work with D-Olivette.

In addition to her career, Damilola is a distinguished fellow of several prominent organisations, including the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Her commitment to advancing clean energy accessibility, environmental education and sustainability is further underscored by her recognition as a UN Women, WIA54, and SHEQUITY & FAO Laureate as well as winning the prestigious Les Margaret Award 2024.

Damilola's multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication to environmental and economic empowerment make her a pivotal figure in driving D-Olivette's mission forward, as she continues to advocate for innovative solutions that empower women and promote sustainable development.

I am Youssef Bouzariata. At 25 years old I define myself as a person who enjoys every moment of my life. I enjoy interacting with people, and I prefer listening to talking. Today I am co-founder and CEO of Wayout, where we work to develop adapted solutions to African underground infrastructure. We launched "Zigofiltre", a rainwater filtration system designed to capture waste and keep rain networks clean, thus, preventing marine pollution and reducing the risk of flooding. Today, we have 2000 "Zigofiltre" installed across 22 regions in Tunisia. With that, we reduced 70% of the annual cleaning costs for our clients, and we accelerated 30 times the manual process, by providing workers with decent work conditions. My priority at work is to build a strong and dedicated team prepared for upcoming challenges.

Isaac Brenya attended St. Mary's Boys Senior High School, he also holds BSC in Development Planning from University for Development Studies, certificate on Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture from Leuphana University and Leadership in business from Lehigh University.

Brenya is an entrepreneur and also the Co-founder and CEO of Ecovon, an ecologically focused business that engineers building materials out of sustainably sourced coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse. He is the winner of the Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge 2021, Global Innovation Challenge (future for building) winner 2022, Venture for ClimaTech, DSM Resource and Circularity Scholarship Winner 2019, ISC3 Best Regional Impact Award in Sustainable Building and Living 2019/2020, One Young World 2019 ambassador, Tony Elumelu Foundation scholar 2018 and Mandela Washington Alumni 2024.

As a green entrepreneur he has participated in several incubators and accelerators, including Ghana Climate Innovation Centre 2018, Think Beyond Plastic Innovation 2020, Because International 2021 and Africa Youth Climate Action Hub 2023.

Carlo is the co-founder of Flint, a deep-tech climate startup from Singapore, that's pioneering a new sustainable paper battery technology. Growing up in the Philippines, he witnessed the effects of climate change firsthand, which ignited his passion for creating impactful solutions. By the age of 18, Carlo had led tech projects addressing environmental challenges, earning recognition from institutions like Google, the US Embassy, National Geographic, and more.

At Flint, Carlo and his team have developed paper batteries that are built with no scarce materials such as Lithium, Nickel, and Cobalt. Using natural and non-toxic elements, this new chemistry is not only safer and more sustainable, but also produces over 90% lower carbon emissions and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional lithium batteries. Their mission is to redefine how the world makes, uses, and thinks about batteries—pushing the boundaries of a more sustainable future.

Carlo has also built strong collaborations with major global organizations, including Apple, Google, the US Consulate, the European Union, and the United Nations. He believes innovation should push past the compromises usually seen with sustainable technologies and through Flint, Carlo aims to make a lasting global impact and show that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand.

I am an agri-insurtech entrepreneur who started his journey in 2019 with a mission to protect South Asian farmers, starting from Nepal, from both agriculture and climate risks. My startup harnesses the power of satellite, picture and weather-based big data analytics, along with machine learning, to provide precision agriculture intelligence to farmers, insurance companies, and extension officers. We are piloting digital enrolment and remote risk assessment services to insurance companies aimed not only to help insurance companies cut operational costs but also to build the resilience of farmers in times of climate crisis. I have a degree in Geomatics Engineering and MSc in Remote Sensing based Precision Agriculture with a passion for food security, climate resilience, and geospatial climate tech. To summarize with a quote, “In the realm of climate-insurtech, I reside, empathizing farmers' resilience with innovation as my guide.

Brigitta Gunawan is a National Geographic Young Explorer who strives to connect communities with nature through science, education, and storytelling. As an ocean-climate advocate, she leads environmental education and habitat restoration initiatives to advance marine conservation. She is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, the climate change specialist group, and the Asian Youth Network for Protected Areas. She was a keynote speaker and member of the Youth Working Group at the 8th IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum.

Brigitta founded 30x30 Indonesia (advocating for Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) and Diverseas (an open-source asset for tech-enabled ocean literacy). She has been recognized as a High Seas Youth Ambassador, Global Citizen Youth Leader Awardee, listed in the NAAEE 30 Under 30, and winner of the Ocean Awards Young Initiative by Blue Marine Foundation, Millennium Oceans Prize by Millennium Campus Network, and the Youth Innovation Challenge by GEEP.

Brigitta is a KC Kuok Scholar at Monash University where she studies a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology. She is a scientific scuba diver and an avid learner keen to strengthen intersectional social impact to shape a better future for people and planet.

Gloria Amor Paredes is an environmental education and community development specialist. She is the co-founder of Salumayag Youth Collective for Forests, an Indigenous youth- and women-led initiative in Mindanao, Philippines that empowers upland Indigenous communities in the stewardship of their ancestral forests through regenerative practices and narratives. Amor has been working with communities in her region through various forest and water restoration programs for the last 11 years. She is also a pioneering environmental educator in her country championing culture-based education while fostering dynamic collaborations with local government and civil society to advance farmer-led seed and food sovereignty efforts.
As a climate justice advocate, she has worked with fellow youth leaders from across the globe but especially from Oceania and Asia in weaving voices and stories of transformative change - forging strong networks of changemakers. For her work, she has received distinctions from the likes of North American Association for Environmental Education and Global Landscape Forum. Today, she continues to accompany marginalized communities in amplifying the call for greater support and recognition of grassroots actions for climate, biodiversity, and just transition.

Sheherazade is the Co-Executive Director of PROGRES (Sulawesi Regional Ecological Conservation Initiative). Since 2018, PROGRES has been the catalyser in the biodiversity hotspot of Wallacea to build a network of empowered communities in protecting Sulawesi’s endemic yet overlooked wildlife, from bats and tortoises to cuscus and fish. Acting on compassion, PROGRES weaves together people-oriented and scientific-based approaches to create just, collective, and impactful conservation strategies.

Shera, for short, felt the need for different strategies to address conservation challenges which resulted in her involvement in local to international initiatives to advance conservation practice. Her ten years of experience have ranged from leading essential biodiversity research to addressing unequal access to capacity-building opportunities. She co-founded and led Tambora Muda, one of the first national-level networks for Indonesian young conservationists. She recently became part of the steering committee that together established the IUCN SSC Indonesian Species Specialist Group (IdSSG) to foster Global South leadership and bridge collaborative conservation across regions.

Stanley Anigbogu, Nigeria, is the C.E.O. and Founder of LightEd, a company that recycles electrical and electronic waste to provide energy solutions to rural families. He is deeply committed to using technology to help mitigate climate change and create a world where everyone has equal access to clean, affordable energy. Stanley Anigbogu is an award-winning, internationally recognized innovator and filmmaker. He received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award in 2022, Winner of the World Bank Group Pitch Competition in 2022, J & J Champions of Science 2020, Swarovski Creative for our Future 2023, Amazon/Social Shifters Grand Challenge winner in 2023, The Opportunity Desk Impact Challenge Winner in 2021, a Google Creative Campus Fellow for 2020, a Fishbowl Grand Prize Winner.

Augusto is a 29-year-old Argentine greenpreneur, he has a background in Economics and Business Administration. He is the co-founder of HD Photovoltaics, a youth-led startup where they developed a new affordable and sustainable BIPV solution that helps rural families and businesses access affordable, safe and sustainable energy.

Augusto's passion for sustainability has also led him to collaborate as a Business Analyst at Globant's Sustainable Practices Studio, an IT company where he helps drive sustainable development and digitalization in other industries and organizations. He has been affiliated with several sustainability organizations such as the IEA, IRENA and UNIDO. He has participated in several workshops related to community participation in sustainability issues organized by the City of Buenos Aires, providing him with a deeper knowledge of the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable development in urban areas.

Dumenyo Theophilus Delali is a visionary entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of Ento Farms, a groundbreaking agribusiness startup. With a mission to transform animal husbandry through sustainable feeding solutions, Delali spearheads operations and finance as the CEO. His leadership led Ento Farms to notable achievements, including the Circular Economy Challenge Ghana 2020 victory and a first runner-up position in the Presidential Pitch Ghana 2019.

Beyond business, Delali is deeply committed to social impact. Through the Australian Direct Aid Program, he initiated the ENTO Women Network project, empowering women farmers with farm inputs, advocacy, and farm-management training to address sustainable agriculture in combating climate change. This project has earned recognition from the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. Delali is pursuing an AFAS Masters scholarship program on Nature Based Solutions regarding Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation in African Savannas at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB) in Abidjan with the Universities of Bonn (UoB) and Cologne (UoC) in Germany.

Havyas Kuduapje Somppa is a seasoned professional in the domain of Agriculture Entrepreneurship, specializing in sustainable practices and innovative technologies. With over five years of experience, he is a passionate advocate for integrating cutting-edge solutions into forestry, agriculture, including hydroponics, aquaponics, and drone technology. Currently serving as the CEO and Co-Founder of Beegle Agritech and Agriproducts Pvt. Ltd., Havyas plays a pivotal role in the company's operations, strategy development, and research initiatives. He has driven significant growth and successfully executed international projects.

Ismaela Magliotto Quevedo is an Environmental Engineer with specialising in climate change and corporate sustainability. She is the Head Coordinator at Climatech Chile, the first guild of enterprises in Chile and LATAM to gather technology-based companies focused on climate change, where she leads efforts in technological solutions to combat climate change. Additionally, she holds the position of Coordinator of the Water Security Pact Chile, where she spearheads initiatives aimed at improving water management in the private sector. She is a delegate of Chile in technology negotiations to the UNFCCC.

Reine Metlej is an engineer, an award-winning entrepreneur and business consultant. She holds an MS in civil engineering with a minor in environmental engineering. Reine is a certified startup and entrepreneurship trainer, providing workshops and training to accelerators, incubators, and organisations across the MENA region. She also serves as a waste management and business consultant for global projects. Reine is the founder of BIOwayste, a startup that converts organic waste into gas and fertilizer. She is also actively involved in youth-focused initiatives as a Jeel Connector with the European Union and a Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum.

Camille Rivera is a marine biologist and the Co-Founder of Oceanus Conservation, a nonprofit organization aiming to restore the remaining blue carbon habitats in the Philippines. She is also a recent 2022 National Geographic Explorer working on using technology to enhance citizen science monitoring of mangroves and seagrass. With a decade of experience in coastal management and marine conservation, she led various community-based mangrove restoration projects, facilitated sustainable livelihood to communities, and educated young people in ocean conservation. Camille received her MSc in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Ghent, Belgium and a training scholarship from the Center of Excellence in Observational Oceanography at the Alfred Wegner Institute in Germany.

Moemen Sobh is a climate activist from Portsaid, Egypt. He is a student majoring in Architecture Engineering and Environmental Design, and is the founder of MycoTech, and Visenleer. He also serves as the World Water Envoy for the International Water Resources Association. He started his journey in 2019 when his fishermen community was severely affected by the impacts of climate change, and his family lost their business. He won the AFS Young Global Citizen Awards for 2023, and currently is focused on working to scale his startup across the MENA region.

Olivier Staehli is the co-founder and CEO of Synature, a startup, built by four master's students leveraging bioacoustics for biodiversity assessment. With degrees in computer science and management of technologies from the University of Bern and EPFL in Switzerland, Olivier has blended his tech and business expertise with a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation.

Synature's smart microphones provide real-time data about animal vocalisations to rangers and biologists, enhancing their efficiency and knowledge about wildlife and biodiversity. The aim is to improve the co-existence of humans and wildlife. Backed by grants and partnerships from EPFL, Swisscom, and others, the Synature team conducted successful field trials focussed on wolves in Switzerland and is exploring markets in India and South Africa. Since September 2023, the early-stage startup has been affiliated to ETH Zurich's Crowther lab - giving them access to cutting-edge research in ecology.

Over 5 million more pounds of glass would be in landfills if not for Franziska and her team at Glass Half Full. Started in the backyard of a college fraternity house in New Orleans, Glass Half Full recycles glass into sand for coastal restoration, disaster relief, construction, and more. Franziska graduated with a degree in chemical engineering, which gave her the skills necessary to help lead a research team backed by the National Science Foundation, conducting novel research on the use of recycled glass sand for coastal restoration. They have completed four coastal restoration projects, restoring 1,700 meters of coastline and counting.

In her spare time, Franziska makes educational TikToks ranging from recycling to climate change to wastewater treatment. Her page has garnered over 270,000 followers and millions of views. Glass Half Full now operates a 40,000 square foot warehouse, employs 15 people, recycles millions of pounds of glass annually, and plans to make a meaningful impact in our coastal erosion crisis.

Sue is a passionate environmentalist from Malawi. At the forefront of her environmental advocacy is a deep commitment to agro-technology and environmental conservation. She is the founder of the Environmental Network Malawi, a leading organisation in environmental development, conservation, education, and advocacy. Sue has pioneered innovative projects such as solar-powered water irrigation systems that empower rural Malawian farmers, reducing their reliance on rain fed agriculture. She also transforms agricultural waste into eco-friendly briquettes, imparting these skills to local women and children, promoting sustainability and economic empowerment.

In 2019, Sue's environmental activism earned global recognition when She became a One Young World Ambassador. Her mission extends to electrifying rural Malawi with solar energy and addressing the nation's energy deficit. This visionary project underscores her commitment to sustainable development, social progress, and clean energy access as a fundamental right.