I have an extensive knowledge of the Union and how it works. I held the Vice-presidency of the Spanish Committee and today I participate as a vocal for green economy and jobs; also I am a member of the Advisory Group of IUCN European Regional Office and have collaborated extensively with the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation. I had the chance to participate actively during the World Congress in Barcelona 2008 being in charge of the activities of the Spanish Government.
I started my professional career as an environmental lawyer, working for consultancy and law firms and volunteering to several non-profit organizations. Since almost twenty years ago I work for Fundación Biodiversidad, a non-profit public foundation, related to the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge where I have been its Deputy and Executive Director. The Biodiversity Foundation is the biggest donor for nature conservation projects in Spain, collaborates with hundreds of organizations per year and also develops conservation and green economy initiatives as an implementing agency.
I have contributed to nature conservation from different positions: volunteer, environmental lawyer, consultant, executive director, high rank official, professor, advisor, activist… and I have extensive experience working closely with governments, business, universities and NGOs.
I can bring to the Council my executive experience in the management of organizations, boards and consultancy bodies, career in the public sector and experience in working with business, donors, NGOs and activists. I have been a member of governmental consultancy bodies such as the National Parks Network Council, the Spanish Advisory Council for the Environment or the Spanish Committee of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme and of international boards and juries.
After finishing my law studies, I studied a Master’s Degree on Economic, Social and Legal issues of the Environment. I have more than twenty-five years’ experience and a broad knowledge of environment in general and nature conservation in particular.
At the same time, I have had the chance to participate in different large conservation projects related to marine governance and conservation, climate change or flagship species. Concerning social and economic issues, I created, implemented and oversaw initiatives such as a GreenJobs Programme and GreenEnterpreneurs Network - set up to boost green economy -, the Spanish Business and Biodiversity Initiative - that seeks, in cooperation with the business sector, to encourage an economic development compatible with the conservation of biodiversity- or the National Platform for Land Stewardship. In addition, I have been involved in indigenous people’s issues and have worked at regional or international level and as delegate in different COPS of the CBD and UNFCCC.
