9
May
2023

Julia Bayer joined LLF in May 2023 as Senior Program Coordinator. Previously, Julia worked as Programme Officer at WWF Germany, where she was managing projects supporting protected area management and the strengthening of human rights in the Congo Basin. Prior to this, Julia was a Consultant in the Natural Resources Management Department of GFA Consulting Group GmbH for projects on forest landscape restoration and biodiversity conservation across Asia. Moreover, she used to work on climate change mitigation and adaptation policies during her time as Associate for Green Finance at the European Climate Foundation in Berlin and as short-term consultant for GIZ Indonesia. Julia is co-author of a case study on conflicts, participation, and co-management in protected areas (Lambini et al.) around Lobeke National Park, Cameroon.

Julia holds a postgraduate degree in International Cooperation for Sustainable Development from the Humboldt University of Berlin and a master’s degree in European Studies from Leibniz University Hanover, focusing on EU politics and law.

“I am excited to join LLF and to contribute with my skills and experience to this extraordinary funding initiative. I am convinced that LLF grants with their long- term or perpetual nature will immensely facilitate a sustainable management of protected areas and thus contribute to an effective nature conservation worldwide.”

Portrait © Frédéric Batier

8
Nov
2022

André joined LLF in November 2022. He has been working with environmental and social safeguards related to the conservation of indigenous territories for 12 years. For 11 years, he worked at the Brazilian National Indigenous Foundation, supporting the implementation of land management programs and policies in partnership with dozens of indigenous peoples in the Amazon and Cerrado. More recently, André worked for The Nature Conservancy, advancing REDD for Early Movers projects in 12 indigenous lands.

André holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Ecology from the Federal University of Tocantins and the State University of São Paulo, respectively.

“LLF represents a necessary change in the conservation strategy by bringing long-term funding, and a strong social and environmental safeguards approach, to underfunded and the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. It’s an honor to be part of its international team and contribute to a more diverse and equal conservation vision.”

Portrait © Frédéric Batier

9
Aug
2022

Kahlia joined LLF in August 2022. She has experience in nature conservation in the public and nonprofit sector and has lived and worked in Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Honduras. She previously worked for the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin on their urban wildlife monitoring programs, for a community-based conservation NGO in Honduras on mangrove reforestation and sustainable livelihoods, and as an evolutionary biology research assistant at the University of Manitoba, Canada.

Kahlia holds a dual Master of Science degree in International Nature Conservation with a focus on protected area management from Georg-August University, Germany, and Lincoln University, New Zealand.

“I believe that LLF presents a great opportunity for nature conservation worldwide, not only in terms of the long-term protection of biodiversity, but also the potential to positively impact the communities that are part of the legacy landscapes. I look forward to putting my energy and passion for nature conservation into the success of this project.”

Portrait © Frédéric Batier

9
Aug
2022

Leah joined LLF in August 2022 as Program Coordinator. Prior to joining LLF, Leah was a trainee at the Delegation of the European Union to the United States in Washington, D.C. Previously, she worked on climate and land use issues at Climate Focus, a Berlin-based consultancy, as an analyst for sustainable development at the French Embassy to Japan, and at the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme in Rabat, Morocco, where she supported the implementation and scaling-up of the Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas Global Support Initiative (ICCA-GSI). She is the co-author of a study on the potential and feasibility of land-based measures to mitigate climate change (Roe et al., 2021) and the author of a piece on the recognition of community-conserved areas in Morocco.

Leah holds a master’s degree in International Development, focused on Environment and Project Management from Sciences Po Paris’ School of International Affairs (PSIA) and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sciences Po Paris. She also spent one year studying Geography at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

“It’s a privilege to work for an institution that not only strives to effectively and sustainably support the world’s most important protected areas and their buffer zones, but also puts respecting the human rights and needs of local communities at the core of its activity.  I look forward to contributing to the success of LLF-funded projects globally and to welcoming new legacy landscapes.”

Portrait © Frédéric Batier

26
Jan
2022

Ciannait joined LLF in January 2022 as Communications Coordinator. Ciannait has experience in communications across the nonprofit sector, having previously worked with Médecins sans frontières (MSF) and the Digital Freedom Fund. As a journalist, Ciannait regularly writes about conservation and environmental protection. She has lived and worked in Ireland, Germany, Serbia and the US.

Ciannait holds an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law and an M.Phil. in Film Studies, both from Trinity College Dublin. Both her master’s theses focused on reimagining the role of animals and wildlife in law and media respectively. Ciannait completed her B.A. in Philosophy and Sociology, also at Trinity College Dublin.

“I’m eager to put my experience to good use in the global battle against biodiversity loss. I humbly acknowledge the many complexities that this work entails, but I believe LLF has immense potential to contribute to conservation efforts around the world, and I hope to make myself an asset to them.”

Portrait © Frédéric Batier

5
May
2021

Lea Helm joined LLF in April 2021. Prior to this, Lea worked as a Program Assistant on realizing efficiency and sustainability gains in international humanitarian aid as part of the MSF Transformational Investment Capacity at Médicins Sáns Frontiers. Previously, she completed several internships around sustainable development, ozone- and climate protection and fair trade at the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in Santiago, Chile, at GIZ in Germany, and at a cooperative in northern Peru.

Lea recently received her master’s degree in International Economics, with focus on socio-ecological transition approaches, from the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be part of LLF and look forward to helping this innovative initiative to create long-term global impact and address one of the greatest challenges of our time.”

Portrait © Frédéric Batier