The Fellows

Armando Dans is a wildlife conservationist from Nicaragua. He is currently the director of a Baird's tapir conservation initiative in Nicaragua. An integral part of his work is training indigenous rangers and territorial technicians to enhance the stewardship of their environmental heritage. He also works closely with local Black and Indigenous communities to devise conservation strategies and safeguard their ancestral lands. Armando holds a degree in Agro-Forestry Engineering from the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (URACCAN) and is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University.

Ben Strong, PhD, is a scientist and AI researcher from Roanoke, Virginia. Although based in Appalachia, he works with communities around the world to transform satellite imagery into local understanding and action. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center and Amazon Conservation Association, he leads the development of Amazon Mining Watch, which documents the ongoing threat of illicit gold mining in the Amazon Rainforest. Building on this experience, he currently leads the development of modern AI and remote sensing powered tools to drive data autonomy for indigenous peoples and local communities. Ben is currently the Science and Machine Learning Lead at Earth Genome. He has an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a PhD from Stanford University.

Franck Gbaguidi is the Director of Sustainability for Eurasia Group. His work is focused on North America’s stressed waterways, with the Colorado River at the top of his list. He leads Eurasia Group’s work on nature and water, aiding clients in crafting nature strategies and navigating relevant policies. He is a dot connector between conservationists, corporate leaders, and policy makers, facilitating collaboration for effective nature action. Franck holds a master of public policy from Sciences Po Paris and a master of public administration from Columbia University.

Ixchel Lopez Olvera is the Oceans Program Director for WWF-Mexico and is based in Mexico City. She leads the design, implementation, and monitoring of ocean projects on marine species, area-based conservation, restoration, fisheries, tourism, and marine plastics. She is Mexico’s focal point in the WWF Oceans practice and is part of the Core Group of Costal Communities Initiative. She generates and ensures the permanence of strategic alliances with government, communities, scientists, and the private sector. Ixchel holds a degree in biology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Jessy Stevenson is the Crown of the Continent Community Conservation Specialist with the Wilderness Society and is based in Missoula, Montana. She is a descendant of the Blackfeet Nation (Amskapi Piikani) and works closely with local Tribes and First Nations, communities, and an array of local and national partners to support Indigenous-led and community-led conservation initiatives throughout the Crown of the Continent landscape. She focuses on centering Indigenous voices and movements and aims to build a more just and equitable conservation movement, both locally and nationwide. Jessy holds a degree in Resource Conservation and Environmental Science from the University of Montana with a minor in Wilderness Studies.

Kemi Linton is the CEO of a multi-million-dollar Conservation Trust Fund in Barbados established as part of the debt-for-nature transaction between the Government of Barbados, The InterAmerican Development Bank and The Nature Conservancy. She has 10+ years of experience in the areas of international trade policy, sustainable development, maritime affairs, port development, private sector development, NGO capacity-building and management. She has a passion for community service and civic advocacy, focusing primarily on the environment, youth and women advancement. Her academic background includes a M.Sc. in International Trade Policy (Distinction) and a B.Sc. in International Relations (First Class Honors) both from the University of the West Indies. Kemi is also an Organization of American States (OAS) Scholar, pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Development and Climate Finance.

Laura Cussen is a Conservation Finance professional from Chile. She currently works as a Manager of Strategic Planning and Finance at WWF-US in Washington, D.C. She leads the design and implementation of Projects for Finance Permanence (PFPs) in the Peruvian Amazon, the Bolivian national protected area system, and Chile’s wild places, especially its marine protected areas and Patagonia. Previously, she worked for Chile’s Ministry of the Environment to help launch the national conservation trust fund. Laura has a degree in Biology and a Master’s in Earth Systems from Stanford University.

Chuqui - Lucia Chuquillanqui is an International Development Professional from San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru. She currently works as a Senior Program Officer at the World Wildlife Fund Global Environment Facility (GEF) Agency in Washington, D.C. She is dedicated to environmental initiatives in the Peruvian Amazon, Mexico’s wildlife corridors, Guyana’s wetlands, South Africa’s mega-living landscapes, and Colombia’s Protected Areas. She fosters collaboration between governments and NGOs, and she prioritizes indigenous communities, gender-inclusion, and championing participatory processes. Chuqui holds a master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University.

Lucila Castro is a biologist from Córdoba, Argentina. She currently serves as the Argentinian Director of Natura Argentina where she leads the organization’s strategic conservation planning. She also spearheads fundraising efforts and navigates the political landscape to promote public policies that benefit conservation efforts. Apart from these duties she also remains connected to her biologist roots and leads conservation projects through fieldwork and working with local communities. Lucila also helped to create a national park around Mar Chiquita in Córdoba, which resulted in the Ansenuza National Park. She has also been involved in research and conservation initiatives at an international level, such as a member of the board of the International Society on Salt Lakes Research. She holds a degree in Biology from the National University Córdoba, Argentina.

Nádia Pontes is a journalist and documentary filmmaker from São Paulo, Brazil. Most of the stories she’s written and filmed are about people who live and protect tropical forests in Brazil, such as the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest. Currently, she works as a correspondent in Brazil for Deutsche Welle, and she is focused on covering science and environmental issues. Her mission is to tell stories of people who fight to preserve their territories, the forest, and their rights. Nádia holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a master's in environmental science from the University of São Paulo.

Orlando Possuelo is an indigenist based in Atalaia do Norte in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. He currently works in one of the largest Indigenous territories in Brazil, Vale do Javari, and he focuses on conservation efforts, environmental protection initiatives, and Indigenous surveillance. The region where he works is home to many Indigenous communities, including isolated and uncontacted Tribes, and his work aims to preserve the rich biodiversity and delicate ecosystems of the region while respecting and supporting these Indigenous groups.

Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya is a Peruvian biologist working in the cloud forest and grassland habitats in the southeastern region of Peru. She currently leads and manages an Andean Bear Conservation program through Conservación Amazonica-ACCA. Through her work she aims to understand the secret life of Andean bears through innovative conservation technologies, restore and rewild degraded areas of the Amazon through community engagement and restoration methods, and promote human-wildlife coexistence by working with local schools and community leaders and celebrating events like the Andean Bear Festival. Ruthmery hold’s a master’s degree in plant and fungi taxonomy, conservation, and biodiversity from Queen Mary University of London and Kew Gardens.

Wes Stops is the Director of the Crow Environmental Protection Program of the Crow Nation. Based in Billings, Montana, he manages programs that address endangered and invasive species, water issues under the Clean Water Act, and blighted lands and solid waste under the EPA’s Brownfields Program. He is dedicated to advocating for the protection of Native lands and resources. Wes holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and master’s in Physical Geography from the University of Kansas.