Vice Chair for Nature Positive, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas
Founder, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Canada

Conservationist, writer, and photographer Dr Harvey Locke is a globally recognized leader in the fields of parks, wilderness, wildlife, and large landscape conservation. He is a founder of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative—a visionary effort to maintain an ecologically connected wildlife corridor stretching from Wyoming to Canada’s far north—and co-founder of the Nature Needs Half movement which makes the scientific case for protecting at least half of Earth’s lands and waters to safeguard biodiversity and climate stability. 

Harvey is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the China Institute at the University of Alberta, has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Calgary, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was also named one of Canada’s leaders for the 21st century by Time magazine.

Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Professor in Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam, Germany

Prof Johan Rockström is an internationally recognized scientist on global sustainability issues and led the development of the landmark Planetary Boundaries framework—a scientific foundation for understanding how human pressures are pushing Earth’s life-support systems toward critical tipping points, now central to global sustainability policy and governance worldwide.  

With more than 25 years of applied research in tropical water systems, Johan’s work bridges fundamental science and real-world impact across land management, freshwater resources, and global sustainability. He is Chair of the Earth Commission and the Earth League, and Chief Scientist of Conservation International, and one of the world’s most influential voices on planetary stewardship. 

Professor, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Cornell Atkinson Scholar, Rudolf J. and Katharine L. Steffen Professor
Cornell University, USA

Prof Raina Plowright’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of zoonotic spillover to inform strategies and international policy for pandemic prevention. She leads large transdisciplinary collaborations to tackle complex problems regarding emerging disease biology with a focus on WHO-priority pathogens originating in bats. Her multiscale studies have revealed how land-use change and climate variation drive the emergence of infectious diseases, and how spillovers can be prevented.

Raina holds several advisory board roles, including the National Science Foundation Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education, and she is the co-chair of the Lancet Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover. She was recently elected to the National Academy of Medicine (2023) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2022) for transdisciplinary leadership in the field of emerging disease biology.

Director General of ICRAF
Chief Executive Officer, CIFOR-ICRAF, Kenya

Dr Éliane Ubalijoro is a scientist and leader at the intersection of forests, food systems, and sustainable development. She is the first African woman to lead a Consortium of International Agricultural Research Center—directing one of the world’s foremost institutions on forestry, agroforestry, and landscape restoration across the Global South. 

Appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, she serves on the Independent Group of Scientists preparing the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report. Éliane is a Fellow of the International Science Council and Senior Fellow at International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, she serves on range of international boards spanning forestry, genomics, and the first African Space Council, elected by African Union Heads of State.  

In 2025, Reuters named her one of 12 Trailblazing Women in Climate, recognizing her exceptional contribution to science-led global action. 

Convener
Nature Positive Initiative, Switzerland

Marco Lambertini is a leading voice in international conservation, driving efforts to halt and reverse nature loss and shape global biodiversity agendas. Prior to his role as convener of the Nature Positive Initiative, he served as director general of WWF International, later as special envoy, and as CEO of BirdLife International. 

With a career spanning ecological field research to high-level policy and advocacy, Marco has worked across continents on nature reserve management, integrated conservation and development, and environmental education. His experience in NGO development, communications, and campaigning has helped advance a bold vision for a resilient, equitable future and mobilize cross-sector action for people and nature. 

Marco is lead author of Becoming Nature Positive: Transitioning to a Safe and Just Future (2025) and Executive Director of the documentary Becoming Nature Positive (2026).