Federico Bellone

Member of the Panel

Federico Bellone is an environmental scientist with a background in international development, strategic philanthropy, corporate responsibility, and partnership-building for sustainable development and systems change in Latin America, USA, and Europe. Specializing in systemic nature-based solutions to climate change, particularly in Latin America, Federico is currently dedicated to large-scale systems change for regeneration. He serves in a partnerships and development role for Conexsus, an award-winning Brazilian social enterprise providing direct training, financing and access to markets to 400+ community-based bioeconomy enterprises in Latin America, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund. Formerly the Global Lead for Food and Agriculture systems at the UNFCCC High-Level Climate Champions, Federico brings a wealth of experience from roles at Porticus, Avina Foundation and the Spanish International Development Agency (AECID).

Myriam Bonami Hunter

Member of the Panel

Myriam Bonami Hunter is a seasoned Senior Education Consultant with over 15 years of experience advancing climate education and sustainability. As a Philanthropy Strategist and Global Head of Youth Engagement for international youth organizations, she builds impactful partnerships with institutions and government bodies, embedding UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into educational policies. Myriam collaborated with Ministries of Education to elevate climate awareness and empower youth as local climate champions. Founder of MBH Upskilling, she prepares young graduates for the workforce with a focus on leadership and career readiness. Specializing in sustainability innovation management, Myriam develops climate-conscious programs and leads SDG challenge initiatives that address critical social and environmental needs. Skilled in strategic philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, and proposal development, she brings a unique blend of expertise in sustainability, youth empowerment, and partnership building, driving transformative solutions that support a more resilient and educated global community.

Luis Alberto Camargo

Member of the Panel

Luis Alberto Camargo is the founder and director of OpEPA, a non-profit organization that strives to reconnect people with the Earth to accelerate the transition to sustainable and regenerative cultures. Luis holds the position of regional vice president of Latin America in the Education and Communication Commission of the IUCN and is co-director of the Colombia Regenerative initiative. He is also co-founder and board member of Catalyst 2030, and The Weaving Lab. Luis sits on the board of WWF Colombia, Transforma Global and Natures a pride Foundation among others. Luis won the Richard Louv Prize and WISE Award 2023 and is a fellow of Ashoka & Salzburg among others.

Luis focuses on reconnecting youth to nature and people to the Earth, to build more sustainable, regenerative, and peaceful communities.

Esther Ndeti

Member of the Panel

Esther Ndeti is Investment Principal at Uncap.

With over a decade of experience, she has built a deep understanding of investment strategy in the venture funding space as well as tactical experience in early-stage financing. Her areas of focus have included strategic analysis, due diligence assessment, capital-raising advisory and portfolio management. She is also an advocate for women in business and recently founded ‘Preneur Today’, an initiative that spotlights the work of female entrepreneurs in Africa.

In her previous role, Esther was Executive Director of the East African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EAVCA), where she worked at the intersection of finance and private sector development; supporting institutional investors and regulators through market analysis, strategy development, policy formulation and fundraising. Esther has also served on the Board of Directors of Victoria Business Angels (VBAN), GrowthAfrica and ASSEK.

Esther received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nairobi.

Natalie Schmitt

Member of the Panel

Natalie is an ecologist, conservation geneticist, and documentary film maker, deeply passionate about protecting biodiversity using a holistic combination of science, art, Indigenous knowledge, public education, and community empowerment. Studying elusive, endangered species, like snow leopard and Antarctic whales, Natalie focuses on empowering and learning from grass-roots conservation, and enabling policy, education and management improvement at various scales, including that of the International Whaling Commission. Natalie and her team are developing a portable, affordable and easy-to-use technology to detect DNA and sex from biological samples in real time. She is the founder and CEO of WildTechDNA and leads a skilled, synergic group of geneticists, conservationists, communicators, business partners, and institutions to develop this technology. It is her hope that the simple device will revolutionize the way customs, law-enforcement, field monitoring practices, citizen science, and locally based conservation are conducted around the world. Natalie was chosen as one of the Explorers Club 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about in 2022.