Barbara Goettsch is a Dr in Ecology graduated from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Through academic institutions, non-government organizations and the Mexican Federal Government, she has contributed to several research projects on Plant Conservation. She worked for Mexico’s National Institute of Ecology, her activities included managing the country’s List of Threatened Species, collaboration with Mexican institutions to represent Mexico in International Conventions such as CITES, collaborative work prioritising, planning, coordinating and financing research projects for CITES species such as Guayacán (Guayacum sanctum) and Candelilla (Euphorbia antiyphilitica). Her passion for cacti dates back to the early days of her carrier. She has been specialising on this group for over 14 years. Her vast field experience, mainly in the Chihuahuan Desert, places her as one of the ten most prolific botanical collectors of this group of plants. In 2001 she became a member of the IUCN Cactus and Succulent Specialist Group. Her interest in the conservation of cacti drove her to direct the Global Cactus Assessment for the IUCN Red List and for this effort she was honoured with the Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership in 2012. Since 2010 she has been a member of the IUCN Red List Committee.