Astrid Schomaker was appointed Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in April 2024 by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. In this role, she leads global efforts to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges: the loss of biodiversity. A Career in Diplomacy and Environmental Leadership Before joining the
NEW ORLEANS — Troy von Otnott has spent nearly two decades searching for the next frontier in clean energy. He helped ignite Louisiana’s solar industry in 2008, turning a fledgling sector into a regional powerhouse. Now, as the chief executive of HotRok Energy, he is convinced that geothermal power is
ADDIS ABABA — In a year when the global economy is searching for new engines of growth, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf is betting on Africa. As Chairperson of the African Union Commission, he has made it his mission to ensure the continent is no longer seen solely through the lens
A Stage for the Next Generation Troy Armour has never been one to think small. As the Founder and CEO of Junk Kouture, he is working toward an audacious goal: to inspire 1 billion teenagers through a powerful blend of creativity, sustainability, and self-expression. Junk Kouture is a global, youth-led
From Classroom to Cabinet SUVA, Fiji — August 2025: When Baron Waqa stepped into the role of Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum last June, he inherited more than just the region’s top diplomatic post. He assumed stewardship of a political and cultural alliance bound by fragile coastlines, vast ocean
In an era defined by the urgent need for climate solutions and energy transformation, Nick Davis, CEO of GridMarket, is leading one of the most compelling companies at the forefront of clean energy innovation. With a bold vision for a future where energy is clean, resilient, abundant, and free, Nick
The Diplomat Steering the World Toward a Global Plastics Treaty Next week, as delegates from every corner of the globe converge on Geneva for a historic round of negotiations, all eyes will be on one man: Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the seasoned Ecuadorian diplomat presiding as Chair of the Intergovernmental
Key Impact Points: From Side Project to Strategy Core Adam Elman, Director of Sustainability for Google EMEA, has nearly two decades of experience embedding sustainability into the world’s most influential businesses. He began his career at Marks & Spencer in the early 2000s, a pivotal time for the brand’s now-famous
Egypt’s Dr. Yasmine Fouad Named UNCCD Executive Secretary, Marks Historic UN Climate Leadership Milestone Two months ago, the United Nations took a significant step in advancing global sustainability leadership with the appointment of Dr. Yasmine Fouad of Egypt as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Key Impact Points: Leading with Purpose on Nature and Biodiversity Sarah Nelson, Global Lead Director for Nature and Biodiversity at KPMG International, is at the forefront of advancing how the financial sector understands and manages nature-related risks. Based within KPMG’s Global ESG Advisory Hub, Sarah is helping shape the firm’s
