Chair
Vivek Menon is a globally respected wildlife conservationist and a leading voice in species recovery, especially for the Asian elephant. As Councillor of the International Union for Conservation ...
SSC Chair's Office
About our work
The main priority of the Chair and the SSC office is to provide support and leadership to the extensive global network to help stimulate conservation action on the ground. Any requests for additional groups to become established, together with the appointment of the Chairs of the Specialist Groups, must be endorsed by the SSC Chair in consultation with the SSC Steering Committee.
Other responsibilities of the SSC Chair’s office include working with governments to address particular urgent species conservation issues, providing input to regional and national consultations and policy initiatives, consolidating and strengthening the SSC’s partnerships with other organizations, building collaboration with other Programmes and Commissions of IUCN, and fundraising for all SSC species related work. The SSC Chair’s Office works closely with the Global Species Programme in the IUCN Secretariat to support the SSC network, and to push forward the species conservation agenda within IUCN.
Meet our Team
Vivek Menon FLS
Chair
Vivek Menon is a globally respected wildlife conservationist and a leading voice in species recovery, especially for the Asian elephant. As Councillor of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), and Chair of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, he brings over 35 years of international conservation expertise. At the national level in India, Vivek has led transformative wildlife initiatives through the Wildlife Trust of India, including the identification and protection of critical elephant corridors, large-scale anti-poaching training, and species-specific recovery programs. His deep engagement in global conservation policy and grounded leadership in India’s species recovery efforts offer rich insights and practical lessons in biodiversity conservation and species management.
Dr Rima JABADO
Deputy Chair
Dr Rima Jabado is the Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. As a scientist and conservationist, she has spent over 20 years developing and leading conservation initiatives globally. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between science and policy to ensure issues such as bycatch, threatened species conservation, and illegal trade are effectively addressed through national and international policy and management frameworks. Her research has directly informed fisheries management, wildlife trade regulation, and multilateral environmental agreements for the protection of threatened species. She currently leads the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project, a global initiative designed to integrate sharks, rays, and chimaeras into area-based management and spatial planning worldwide.
She is co-Chair of the IUCN Marine Conservation Committee, serves as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Appointed Scientific Councillor for Marine Fish, and sits on the Advisory Committee for the CMS Sharks Memorandum of Understanding as the representative of the Asia region. In parallel, she founded the Elasmo Project, a non-profit initiative that encourages and supports work in data-poor regions, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing shark and ray fisheries and trade.
Deputy Chair
Dr Rima Jabado is the Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. As a scientist and conservationist, she has spent over 20 ...
Prajna Paramita PANDA
Director & Chief of Staff
Prajna has deep experience from across Asia’s conservation landscape, bringing to the SSC leadership team her strong academic credentials in wildlife science and conservation management, and many years’ experience at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. Most recently, as Programme Manager for the SSC’s Asian Elephant Specialist Group, she coordinated multi-country initiatives on human–elephant conflict, habitat connectivity, and stakeholder engagement across the region.
Director & Chief of Staff
Prajna has deep experience from across Asia’s conservation landscape, bringing to the SSC leadership team her strong academic credentials in wildlife science and conservation ...
Edgard YERENA
Network Coordinator
Venezuelan. Biologist and Lawyer. Worked for the Venezuelan National Parks Service and the Environment Committee of the Venezuelan Congress. Designed several designated National Parks and lead several approved management plans. Pioneered the implementation of connectivity corridors and criteria between Protected Areas. Promoter of alternative non-govt PAs.
Network Coordinator
Venezuelan. Biologist and Lawyer. Worked for the Venezuelan National Parks Service and the Environment Committee of the Venezuelan Congress. Designed several designated National ...
Levi MENDOZA
Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
Levi Mendoza has a strong background in engineering, public management, and data analytics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidad Simón Bolívar (Venezuela), a master’s degree in Public Management from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración, and certifications in Data Analysis from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Since 2022, he has led the SSC DATA system, focusing on innovation and the integration of cutting-edge technologies to transform data into actionable intelligence that supports strategic planning and organizational decision-making.
Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
Levi Mendoza has a strong background in engineering, public management, and data analytics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidad ...
Mayerlin RAMOS
Centers for Species Survival Coordinator
Mayerlin Ramos supports the delivery and coordination of the Center for Species Survival (CSS) partnerships model to reinforce species conservation initiatives across the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) network. In this role, she works closely with partners, SSC Groups, and institutional stakeholders to strengthen coordinated, results-oriented action for species conservation globally. Before joining CSS, Mayerlin spent four years as Grants and Partnerships Coordinator for the SSC, supporting the development and management of strategic partnerships and grant-funded projects. Mayerlin is a qualified lawyer, having graduated from Universidad Metropolitana, and holds a Master’s degree in Public Management from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA), with additional training in leadership and social project development. Her professional background emphasizes ethical, public-interest–driven management, leadership, effective communication, and collaborative decision-making in support of impactful species conservation.
Centers for Species Survival Coordinator
Mayerlin Ramos supports the delivery and coordination of the Center for Species Survival (CSS) partnerships model to reinforce species conservation initiatives ...
Liliana MEDINA-TORO
Communication Officer
Liliana has 18 years of experience in corporate and strategic communications, specializing in planning, design, production, and reporting. She holds a degree in Social Communication, with postgraduate studies in Ecotourism and Biological Monitoring for Conservation. For the past 13 years, Liliana has managed communication projects focused on biodiversity conservation, responsible tourism, and sustainable development. Her intuitive capacity for adaptation and relationship in multicultural environments is one of her main strengths.
Communication Officer
Liliana has 18 years of experience in corporate and strategic communications, specializing in planning, design, production, and reporting. She holds a degree in Social ...