Team Galápagos
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Direct conservation and grants investments
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Dr. Paul Salaman proudly joined the Galapagos Conservancy team in October 2020 to serve as President and to lead GC’s efforts to save the most precious and imperiled island biodiversity on earth. Dr. Salaman is a recognized expert on global biodiversity conservation and has been heavily involved in advancing science-based conservation actions and priorities for the most threatened species, including directing urgent interventions to save Critically Endangered species at imminent risk of extinction. While he has authored many scientific papers and articles, Dr. Salaman has bridged the gap between academic research and on-the-ground conservation action across the tropics — including 30 years of research and conservation experience in South America. Dr. Salaman has long been involved with the Galapagos Islands and most recently helped establish the Jocotoco Galapagos Reserve in 2018.
Dr. Salaman graduated from the University of Oxford with a D.Phil in Tropical Ecology and conducted a post-doctoral fellowship at The Natural History Museum in London, UK. From 2002, he was based in Ecuador as a Biodiversity Science Coordinator for Conservation International before moving to the USA to direct the International Program of American Bird Conservancy. From 2012-2019, Dr. Salaman was the CEO of Rainforest Trust, which he grew from a staff of two to 45 and directed over $105 million in conservation funding to create new protected areas across 40 million acres of critical wildlands in 60 countries. Currently, he is a Henry Arnhold Fellow of the Mulago Foundation, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and serves on the Boards of the Rasmussen Family Foundation, Conservation Allies, and IUCN-US.
Barbara Arizaga joined the Galápagos Conservancy in June 2022 with the intention of contributing to the global awareness of the distinctive ecological and social circumstances of the Galápagos Archipelago and of involving the general public and donors in the work of the Conservancy itself through written and visual storytelling on the Conservancy’s website and various social media platforms. Barbara came to us from Ecuador where she worked in the academic, political and non-profit sectors by producing a wide range of digital and printed communications. Barbara has a degree in Intercultural Communications, a Minor in Nonprofit Administration, and a passion for introducing people to the wonders of nature. Barbara’s ultimate goal is to keep spreading her enthusiasm and love for conservation to anyone who will listen in the hopes that she can assist in safeguarding this green planet for a very long time.
Xavier Castro is the journalist for Galápagos Conservancy. With a bachelor’s in social communication, Xavier has more than 20 years of experience in writing and reporting on conservation and sustainable development in the Galápagos Islands. He has developed and implemented communication strategies for the Galápagos National Park, the Galápagos Governing Council, Communication Secretariat of the Ecuadorian Government, as well as various NGOs and International Cooperation Agencies from Spain and Japan like Araucaria and JICA. He specializes in the design of communication strategies, environmental journalism, audiovisual production, photography, filmmaking and graphic design. His passion is to contribute to creating a well-informed society aware of the fragility of the Galápagos ecosystems, and using his communications experience and skills to promote a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Alexa Goldstein joined Galápagos Conservancy in September 2022. After having a varied career path in the arts and communications, she decided to switch careers to the non-profit sector to contribute to the conservation of Galápagos and the natural world. She hopes to raise awareness about socio-cultural and environmental issues through visual storytelling and social media. Alexa holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Fordham University and a master’s degree in Creative Business Leadership from Savannah College of Arts and Design. Her passion for nature and storytelling weave together seamlessly to push Galápagos Conservancy’s mission forward.
Roger McDonough joined Galápagos Conservancy in November of 2022 after more than a decade in public radio journalism. Previously, he worked as a communications and fundraising specialist for organizations focused on the conservation of tropical ecosystems. He holds a BA from the University of Utah and an MA in policy and development studies from both Georgetown University and the Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Argentina. He brings with him an enduring passion for protecting wild spaces and the systems that sustain our rich and complex web of life. In his free time, you can find Roger hiking, kayaking, and photographing the birds in his neighborhood — and in the wild.
Lenin Rogel is an environmental educator with a Master’s degree in Education and Social Development and am currently enrolled at the National University of Rosario as a doctoral candidate at the department of Humanities and Education. Over the course of his career he has worked both in public and private institutions as a teacher. Lenin was responsible for the Environmental Education Subprocess in the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park, Responsible for Environmental Quality in the Municipality of Santa Cruz, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Protection of Rights, Inter-Institutional Coordinator of the Cantonal Committee on Introduced Species in Urban and Rural Areas, Vice Mayor of the City, and now Coordinator of the Galapagos Sustainability Education Program.