CEC Steering Committee

Hanying has nearly 30 years’ experience in sustainable development at the national, regional and international level. She has worked with State Environmental Protection Administration of China (the former Ministry of Environment and Ecology), China Environmental Protection Foundation, National People’s Congress, P. R. China, and two important international organizations on nature conservation - IUCN and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Hanying’s work covers a variety of topics, especially nature conservation, environmental protection, climate change, gender balance, poverty alleviation, green finance and etc. She is interested in nature-based integrated solutions for global challenges.

In recent years, Hanying has been dedicated to promote nature education in East Asia in her capacity as Regional Vice Chair of IUCN CEC (2016-2025), through membership recruitment and collaborative activities with various partners. During this time, Youth engagement and Intergenerational diallage - one of the four priority areas - was greatly enhanced in East Asia. 

Hanying holds an M.S. degree in Organizational Management from the School for International Training Institute, Vermont, U.S.A., and a B.L. degree in International Political Sciences from Peking University, China.

Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Vice Chair
 

Dr. Alex Zavarzin  is currently director of the AI in Agrobiotechnolgy center of the ITMO University (https://en.itmo.ru) combining this position with advisory to the State selectional achievements commission of Russia (https://gossortrf.ru).  Previously he combined university professorship with service  of vice-provost for biology, geography, geoecology and soils of St.Petersburg state university. Dr. Zavarzin also worked for the All-Russia center for talented children “Sirius” recently established at the former Olympic infrastructure in Sochi and later as a deputy director of Vavilov Center opf Plant Genetic resources (VIR). For many years Dr. Zavarzin combined his academic research with work in environmental NGO “Baltic Fund for Nature” followed nowadays by a membership in the IUCN Member organization - All-Russian Society of Nature Protection-Leningrad region office. (https://voop.spb.ru) where he is the academic leader for the biodiversity projects.

Dr. Zavazrin has been an active member in a number of professional societies. He participated and led many international environmental projects in Russia and NW Europe, sponsored by WWF, Programmes of European Union, UNDP with many of them being implemented under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidance. He has wide experience in promoting biodiversity field studies, networking of protected areas, implementation of environmental legislation and transboundary collaboration, enhancing youth involvement into decision making and introducing of education for sustainable development and communication.

Dr. Zavarzin is a regional vice-chair of the IUCN CEC and vice co-chair for IUCN ICENCA, as well as a member of the IUCN Russian National Committee.

Jason couples his qualifications and experiences in environmental science and education (maths and science) to advocate for the advancement of nature-based education. Since is first role as a teenager in environmental restoration, his career spans diverse roles across various non-profits, such as the World Wide for Nature (WWF), and several government departments in Western Australia. As an impassioned young person for environmental causes, he was awarded the Western Australian Young Achiever Award – Environment in 2019. Now in his early thirties, he continues to combine his passion for education, science, and sustainability with a deep commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.

Jason has been instrumental in pioneering nature-based education programs tailored to diverse audiences from early-years to adults. Throughout his professional journey, Jason has honed a versatile skill set encompassing stakeholder engagement, environmental science, curriculum design, and program management. His approach is deeply collaborative, emphasising the importance of inclusivity and diverse perspectives in achieving shared goals. Jason has demonstrated his dedication to fostering equitable opportunities with First Nations peoples, multi-cultural backgrounds, lower socio-economic communities by spearheading several innovative solutions to environmental challenges including ReWild Perth and river restoration projects.

Currently, he works in policy and strategy development to dismantle barriers for underrepresented groups to access education and entre the workforce in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The aim is to create more diverse, accessible, and equitable pathways for everyone to enter and thrive in STEM careers contributing towards the sustainable development goals.

Previously, Jason served in leadership positions at organisations such as the Botanical Gardens and Parks Authority and Perth NRM, where he oversaw the development and implementation of biodiversity conservation, community engagement, and environmental education projects. Notable achievements include managing initiatives targeting endangered species, spearheading collaborative efforts to address climate change, and working with diverse partners to address urban biodiversity loss.

Jason's contributions extend beyond his professional endeavors, as evidenced by his publications and active involvement in professional and community-based associations. Jason remains at the forefront of environmental education and advocacy, championing initiatives promoting sustainability and inclusivity on a global scale. These roles include Vice-President for the Australian Association for Environmental Education and as Co-chair of the World Environmental Educators Congress Organising Committee.

CEO, Canadian Wildlife Federation

Sean Southey has over 30 years of experience in the international development and communications field. He is the CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, one of the largest environmental organizations in Canada working to conserve and inspire the conservation of Canada’s wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all. 

With a multi-sectoral background, Sean started his career with 5 years in the Canadian Ministry of Environment, followed by 12 years working with United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) environment team. His NGO experience was enriched through work with ICLEI (Secretary General), Rare (Vice-President) and ten years as President of PCI Media. Sean has led the development of over 100 campaigns world-wide, won over 100 awards for this work, and has literally reached billions of people with life and planet saving information.

From 2016 to October 2025,  Sean was elected Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Commission on Education and Communication (CEC). In this role, he has worked tirelessly to enhance IUCN’s use of strategic communications for social change. This included a lead role in designing and implementing IUCN’s #NatureForAll campaign, promoting Nature-based Education and helping grow and support the work of the CEC and its 1,800 members. 

Sean is a dual Canadian and South African citizen and has lived, worked, and traveled in over 125 countries. He holds a MSC from the London School of Economics and a BA in Economics from University of British Columbia, and has a wonderful daughter, Safia.

#NatureForAll Co-Chair

Cheryl Charles is an innovator, entrepreneur, educator, author and organizational executive. Throughout her career, Cheryl has focused on the well-being of children, families, communities and the environment that supports us all. She is the Co-Founder, President and CEO Emerita of the Children & Nature Network (www.childrenandnature.org), an international NGO with its mission to connect all children, their families and communities to nature in their everyday lives.

Cheryl serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Commission on Education and Communication (CEC). A member of the Commission since 2005, she previously served on the CEC’s Steering Committee from 2006—2012 and again beginning in 2018. Deeply committed to the importance of connecting people of all ages with nature for their own health and well-being and that of the Earth itself, she is one of those who helped develop the concept for IUCN’s #NatureForAll and serves as one of its three international co-chairs. She was lead author and coordinator of #NatureForAll’s report, Home to Us All: How Connecting with Nature Helps Us Care for Ourselves and the Earth.

Cheryl currently is Research Scholar and founding Executive Director of the Nature Based Leadership Institute at Antioch University New England (AUNE), and an elected school board member. She is a member of the board of trustees of both the Brandwein Institute and the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. She served as foundation National Director of the pioneering K-12, interdisciplinary environment education programs, Project Learning Tree and Project WILD.

Cheryl is author, editor and designer of a wide variety of publications including books, articles, and educational materials. Cheryl has given hundreds of public presentations and workshops including scores of keynote addresses; and has facilitated a wide variety of civic, business and educational meetings on a range of topics from developing community leadership to leading the worldwide effort to reconnect children with nature. Cheryl has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington. She lives near her son, daughter-in-law and nature-based grandchildren on a forest family farm in southern Vermont, USA.

Nature Education for Sustainability Co-Chair & South America Regional Vice Chair

Luis Alberto Camargo is the founder and Director of the Organization for Environmental Education and Protection (OpEPA), a non-profit organization registered in Colombia and the USA, which has worked directly with over 120,000 children and youth and help thousands of educators incorporate nature into their work. OpEPA centres on the advancement of nature-based and regenerative education, heritage interpretation and weaving.

Luis is co-leader/convener of Colombia Regenerativa initiative, working to strengthen bioregional transitions to regenerative cultures. Co-founder and board member in Catalyst 2030. He is also a co-founder of The Weaving Lab, which aims to create thriving learning ecosystems by helping Change Leaders to become more aligned, collaborative and systemic. In addition, he is a climate reality leader for The Climate Reality Project and part of the core team for the Regenerative Communities Network. He has been a speaker on subjects such as social entrepreneurship, social innovation, conservation, climate change, environmental education, environmental peace, wilderness medicine and wilderness expeditions.

"I focus my work on reconnecting youth to nature and people to the Earth in order to build more sustainable, regenerative and peaceful communities." 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisalbertocamargo/

Strategic Advisor & Nature Education for Sustainability Co-Chair
 

Katalin Czippan is an educator with experience in the field of environmental and sustainability education and communication from running nature camps and campaigns to support governments in policy making. In IUCN CEC she is Co-Chair of the Nature Education for Sustainability Network and Strategic Advisor to the Chair. Previously she served as Deputy Chair of CEC and prior to that as a European Regional Vice Chair. She initiated and worked together with several European CEC members on the Experiential Learning and Education for Nature Awareness project (www.elena-project.eu) at the IUCN member Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management.

She is an active member of several NGOs and scientific organisations, like the Hungarian National Committee of UNESCO, and chair of the Board of Trustees of Tiszta Út (Clean Way) Foundation. At the foundation she initiated and supervises a donor program to support greening school yards with the participation of students to use new or extended green places for learning and school-community purposes.

She has authored several publications, given lectures, and ran several projects in the field of education and education for sustainability. She believes that all conservation efforts should apply education as a strategic tool. She also believes that all forms of education should facilitate learning about and from nature – to see nature as a system, to understand the human-nature interconnectedness and to love, appreciate and protect natural values.

Reimagine Nature Communications Co-Chair
 

Ana has worked for the non-profit sector for over 20 years. She has successfully led efforts ranging from supporting Indigenous and rural communities with communication, marketing and commerce strategies, to creating financial mechanisms to ensure conservation programs.

Ana is the Executive Director of Biome Conservation, formerly known as the International Conservation Fund of Canada (ICFC), an organization dedicated to safeguarding nature in areas of high biodiversity around the world. ICFC partners with local organizations to support field-based conservation efforts that protect species, ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them. 

She is also a cofounder of Zamia Media, a social initiative to support non for profits and social good projects, providing communication and marketing tools, courses and one on one coaching, building movements, inspiring change, and creating a better world. Before this role, she served as El Triunfo Conservation Fund Executive Director, where she created engagement programs and successful fundraising campaigns, securing a recurrent pipeline of donations from both domestic and international companies that are currently ensuring conservation and development programs in Chiapas, Mexico.

Ana also serves on the Steering Committee of the Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) of IUCN, as board member of several organizations supporting food and water security and education, and she is a fellow member of the social entrepreneurship program WeAmerica.

Nouhad Awwad holds a BSc. in environmental health and a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in environmental policy planning from the American University of Beirut. Nouhad also got a certificate from Duke University for completing One Health Program; in addition, she attended a course on U.S Foreign Policy in Global Era at Elliott School of International Affairs at the University of George Washington University. She has been an online and offline environmental activist as well as working on numerous grassroots campaigns for climate justice issues she believes in. Currently, she is volunteering with the Arab Youth Climate Movement in Lebanon and The Mediterranean Youth Network. Nouhad was part of the Lebanese official delegation to COP21 and COP22. Nouhad attended COP23 as an observer since she was elected as YOUNGO focal point for 2017 in which she works to empower young people so that they have a voice at UNFCCC conferences, as well as to promote youth participation in climate change projects at the local and national levels.Nouhad tracks the NDCs for her country and other Arab states. Nouhad works to serve her interest in protecting the environment and applying humanitarian standards and codes, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding a sustainable future.

Senior Communications and Strategic Engagement Leader with a Ph.D. in Cognitive Sciences and 15+ years of experience driving high-impact communication, advocacy, and visibility strategies across environmental, academic, and international sectors. Currently serving as Coordinator of Conserva Aves at Audubon—one of the most significant bird conservation initiatives in the Western Hemisphere—leading communication and stakeholder engagement efforts to advance biodiversity conservation at scale. Extensive experience advising senior leadership, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and leading large-scale initiatives focused on conservation, gender equity, and social impact. Recognized for strategic vision, executive presence, and the ability to operate effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. With a strong commitment to advancing global sustainability and conservation agendas through transformative communication.

Natalie Cox is a Program Officer with IUCN, based in Washington D.C. and supporting the Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) and the North America Regional Office.

She joins IUCN with 10 years of experience managing large-scale international education initiatives at the intersection of education, environment, and diplomacy across France and the United States. Previously, Natalie was Deputy Director of Campus France USA at the Embassy of France in Washington D.C., where she led a team supporting study abroad and research initiatives under the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, including bilateral climate research programs. She led the design of a new French government scholarship supporting graduate students and launched communications campaigns highlighting the alignment of higher education pathways with the UN SDGs. Under the French Ministry of Education, Natalie managed the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) and the French Teaching Intern Program, the largest bilateral young professional exchange programs between France and the United States. 

Natalie chaired the Forum on Education Abroad's Working Group for Advancing the UN SDGs, and is a volunteer evaluator for U.S. State Department-funded exchange programs. Natalie started her career in philanthropy working at a foundation in Boston supporting domestic conservation efforts and youth organizing around environmental justice. She has also consulted with NGOs on public policy advocacy in the areas of investment in education, health, and environment. Natalie grew up in California and Washington State, and holds a Master of Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a B.A. with honors in Linguistics and French from the University of California, Santa Cruz (Rachel Carson College) where she also studied environmental and climate science and became a tireless advocate for the natural world. A passionate environmental educator, Natalie has led outdoor education canoe expeditions in Voyageurs National Park, volunteered in the Virgin Islands National Park, and served as an organizer for the March for the Ocean and the DC Environmental Film Festival.

Je suis très intéressée par les sujets liés à la conservation des espèces menacées et de la biodiversité. A travers mon métier de communicante, j'essaie d'expliquer aux médias le rôle que tiennent les parcs zoologiques pour endiguer le déclin des espèces en lien avec les acteurs de terrain. Selon les espèces et les projets que nous soutenons à travers le monde, il est très utile de connaître les fondements précis des problèmes rencontrés et les solutions qui sont apportées. Cela permet une approche plus pédagogique des médias et du grand public, qui comprend ainsi mieux le fonctionnement scientifique des professions liées au vivant.