Ch. Des Pleiades 5           

St Legier la Ciesaz 1806             nationality: American

Switzerland            marital status: married

+41786730031            birth date: 23 May 1970

andreaathanas1@gmail.com             updated: March 2012

Objective

My ambition is to find pathways for societies to transition to sustainable growth using business as a driver for achieving a better future. I am interested in innovations around impact investing, social enterprise and B Corporations. I aim to be part of the cadre of people creating the new generation of business models which have at their core a regenerative relationship with nature and society. I have a solid knowledge of the global business and biodiversity agenda and have contributed to innovations such as the integration of biodiversity into impact assessments, the development of IUCN’s due diligence procedures for engaging the private sector, and the design of biodiversity offsets frameworks. While much of my career has been working with multinational companies and global policy frameworks, I have more recently transitioned to regional and field focused work with the intention of building my understanding of the constraints and opportunities of putting theory into practice. I have excellent contacts in the global business and biodiversity communities. I am self driven and results oriented with experience managing a team of ambitious professionals.

Professional Experience

Current         Senior Program Design Officer, African Wildlife Foundation

Tanzania         Responsible for generating funds from public sector sources for AWF's expanding portfolio of landscape conservation programmes in Eastern Africa. Achievements include:

·       Developing an innovative approach to fundraising for a series of large landscapes in Southern Tanzania leveraging agriculture sector investment plans in the region to bring conservation outcomes in key landscapes.

·       Expanding AWF networks and reputation with the global business community including the World Economic Forum and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

·       Improving the financial planning, project management and reporting of Maasai Steppe Heartland.

·       Submitting eight project proposals and concepts of over USD 1 million.

2006-2010         Senior Programme Officer, IUCN - The World Conservation Union

Switzerland         Responsible for IUCN’s work on energy, ecosystems and livelihoods, involving:

·       Leading the conceptual development of IUCN’s energy programme area.

·       Advising Programmes (thematic and regional) on the development and delivery of energy results, including project fundraising and implementation.

·       Managing the team of professionals implementing IUCN’s global energy project portfolio.

·       Building multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder networks for supporting the conceptualisation and delivery of IUCN’s energy work. Networks included experts from the conservation community, energy sector, corporate partners, and government agencies.

Senior staff member of the Business and Biodiversity Programme, involving:

·       Building up the business and biodiversity programme including developing IUCN’s strategies for work with the mining and energy sectors.

·       Advising senior management on private sector issues.

·       Advising colleagues on private sector relationship management, strategic direction, and technical issues (particularly relating to extractive industries).

·       Establishing and managing relationships with Shell, Rio Tinto Alcan, and Nespresso.

·       Expanding IUCN’s networks to include private sector partners and experts.

·       Representing IUCN in global business and biodiversity policy fora and expert groups.

·       Pursuing innovations in technical areas including biodiversity offsets, payments for ecosystem services, and biodiversity and impact assessment.

2003-2006         Programme Officer, IUCN - The World Conservation Union

Switzerland         Responsible for IUCN’s extractive industries work, involving:

·       Chairing the interim committee on energy and biodiversity

·       Leading the strategic planning for the business and biodiversity programme.

·       Managing a project portfolio with an annual turnover of over 1 million CHF.  

·   Advising companies on approaches to integrate biodiversity into environmental impact assessments and management systems.

·       Developing the IFC business and biodiversity guidelines.

·       Managing a portfolio of innovative financing mechanisms for biodiversity oriented SMEs.

2001-2003         Biodiversity Adviser, Shell International (secondment from IUCN)

UK Responsible for developing and implementing The Shell Group Biodiversity Standard. Achievements include:

·       Advising Shell on biodiversity issues at corporate and operational levels.

·       Identifying biodiversity risks and opportunities using GIS systems.

·       Building the business case for strategically addressing biodiversity.

·       Designing processes and tools to support the implementation of the biodiversity policy.

·       Producing training and communications materials and delivering training.

·       Representing Shell in international fora.

1997-2001         Programme Assistant, IUCN - The World Conservation Union

Switzerland Responsible for implementing Economics programme. Achievements include:

·       Representing IUCN’s position on environmental economic issues in international policy forum and expert meetings.

·       Building networks with businesses, the scientific community, governmental and intergovernmental organisations, academia, and NGOs;

·       Co-authoring two books and over 30 papers on biodiversity finance, impact assessment, valuation, and incentives;

1996          Research Assistant, London School of Economics

UK Conducted research environmental management systems in SMEs.

1994-1995          Development Specialist, US Forest Service

USA Designed, managed and promoted environmental education programmes.

1992-1994             Peace Corps Volunteer

Hungary Taught English to secondary school students and adults.

Education

1996         MSc Environmental Assessment & Evaluation, London School of Economics

                           Coursework: Environmental Management Systems, Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Policy and Regulation, Environmental Economics

1992         BA Economics and BA English, University of Michigan        

Languages, Skills, and Professional Affiliations

·           English mother tongue, proficient in French, basic knowledge of Swahili and Hungarian

·           Competent user of a range of computer programmes and capable of learning new technologies and programmes.

Professional Affiliations

·           Board Member International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA) (1999-2003)

·           Member Executives International (2005-2008)

·           Sustainability Institute Dana Meadows Fellow (2009-2010)

References

Joanna Elliott

African Wildlife Foundation

Vice President

Technical Design and Knowledge Management

jelliott@awf.org

Dr. William Jackson

Victoria Parks

Executive Director

+61 (03) 8627 4699

William.jackson2450@gmail.com

Sachin Kapila

Shell International Ltd
Manager Environmental Footprint Innovation

+44 20 7934 5346

Sachin.kapila@shell.com

Publications

Publications from 1997-2000 under the name of Andrea Bagri.

Athanas, A. (2010) Bioenergy, ecosystems and livelihoods. Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book 2010.

Athanas, A. And N. McCormick (2010) Clean energy that safeguards ecosystems and livelihoods: integrated assessments to unleash full sustainable potential for renewable energy. World Renewable Energy Congress XI (won award for best paper).

Athanas, A. (2005) Business Involvement in Biodiversity and Impact Assessment to be published in IAPA in March 2005.

International Finance Corporation (2006) Handbook on Business and Biodiversity http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.nsf/Content/BiodiversityGuide.

Shell International Exploration and Production (2003) E&P Guidelines for Integrated Impact Assessment (contribution to biodiversity component).

Bagri, A. (2000) Harnessing private industry’s investment in biodiversity: The global picture. Presented at the Southern and Eastern African Regional Biodiversity Forum.

Bagri, A. (2000) Developing Biodiversity Business Assessment Tools. Presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Impact Assessment.

Phillips, A. (series editor), Bagri, A.; Vorhies, F. (2000) Financing Protected Areas: Guidelines for protected area managers. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Bagri, A. (1999) Problématique de la relation Biodiversité – Évaluation d'Impacts à l'échelle Globale). Presented at a national workshop on Biodiversity and EIA in Cameroon.

Bagri, A.; Vorhies, F. (1998) Options for Biodiversity Finance: Insights for Desertification. Presented at the Global Biodiversity Forum prior to the 2nd Conference of the Parties of the Convention to Combat Desertification.

Bagri, A.; Vorhies, F. (1999) The Ramsar Convention and Impact Assessment. Presented at the 7^th Conference of the Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Vorhies, F.; Bagri, A. (1999) Incentive Measures to Encourage the Application of the Ramsar Convention’s Wise Use Principle. Presented at the 7th Conference of the Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Winkler, S.; Vorhies, F. Bagri, A. (1999) Trade Measures in Multilateral Environmental Agreements: Effectiveness of trade measures contained in CITES. Prepared for the Economics, Trade and Environment Unit of UNEP.

Phillips, A. (series editor), Bagri, A.; Vorhies, F. (1998) Economic Values of Protected Areas: Guidelines for protected area managers. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Bagri, A. (1998) Opportunities for Biodiversity and Impact Assessment in Global Forum. Presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Impact Assessment.

Bagri, A.; McNeely, J., and Vorhies, F. (1997) Biodiversity and Impact Assessment. Presented at the annual conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment.

Bagri, A.; Vorhies, F. (1997) Biodiversity Impact Assessment Discussion Paper. Presented at a meeting of the Standing Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advise of the Convention on Biological Diversity.