SSC Chair's Office
The main priority of the Chair and the SSC office isÌýto provide support and leadership to the extensive global network to help stimulate conservation action on the ground. Any requests for additional groups to become established, together with the appointment of the Chairs of the Specialist Groups, must be endorsed by the SSC Chair in consultation with the SSC Steering Committee.
Other responsibilities of the SSC Chair’s office include working with governments to address particular urgent species conservation issues, providing input to regional and national consultations and policy initiatives, consolidating and strengthening the SSC’s partnerships with other organizations, building collaboration with other Programmes and Commissions of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥, and fundraising for all SSC species related work. The SSC Chair’s Office works closely with the Global Species Programme in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Secretariat to support the SSC network, and to push forward the species conservation agenda within Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥.
See the SSC Chairs' Office organizational chart.
Mr Jon Paul RODRIGUEZ
Chair
Jon Paul RodrÃguez has been working for the conservation of Venezuelan species and ecosystems since he was a biology undergraduate at Universidad Central of Venezuela (UCV) in the late eighties. With other students he co-founded Provita in 1987, an NGO that has championed numerous evidence-based projects, including several editions of the Red Book of the Venezuelan Fauna and of the Red Book of Terrestrial Ecosystems of Venezuela. After graduating from UCV in 1991, he went to Princeton University for a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology (1999), and a Certificate on science, technology and environmental policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs (2000). He currently Chairs the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Species Survival Commission, is Professor at the Center for Ecology of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Investigations (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones CientÃficas ― IVIC), and continues to be active in Provita as the organization’s President. He defines himself as a biologist that is interested in generating information useful for informing conservation policies, without being a politician. Jon Paul is author in more than 230 publications, including books, chapters, and peer-reviewed articles in major international scientific journals.
Chair
Jon Paul RodrÃguez has been working for the conservation of Venezuelan species and ecosystems since he was a biology undergraduate at Universidad Central of Venezuela (UCV) in the late ...
Dr Rima JABADO
Deputy Chair
Dr Rima Jabado is the Deputy Chair of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC Shark Specialist Group. As a scientist and conservationist, she has spent over 20 years developing and working on conservation initiatives globally. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between science and policy to ensure issues such as bycatch, threatened species conservation, and illegal trade are tackled. Her research has been instrumental in influencing decision makers to implement meaningful measures for the protection of species across a range of fisheries. She is now leading the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project to ensure sharks, rays, and chimaeras are considered in area-based management initiatives around the world. She is a member of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Marine Conservation Committee, serves as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Appointed Scientific Councilor for Fish, and sits on the Advisory Committee for the CMS Sharks Memorandum of Understanding as the representative of the Asia region. She has also founded the Elasmo Project, a non-profit initiative that encourages and supports work in data-poor areas focused on investigating shark and ray fisheries and trade.
Deputy Chair
Dr Rima Jabado is the Deputy Chair of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Chair of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC Shark Specialist Group. As a scientist and conservationist, she has spent ...
Kira Mileham
Director of Strategic Partnerships.ÌýDr Kira Mileham is a science communicator with a focus on collaborative partnerships, human behaviour change and species conservation. Kira specialises in working with diverse global communities to identify shared visions, develop systems and unite action towards a more positive future for wildlife, wild places and people. As the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥) Species Survival Commission (SSC), Kira is globally responsible for strengthening collaborative species conservation efforts of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC’s extensive network of 10,000+ scientific experts by connecting them with NGOs, Corporate partners and Government Agencies. Kira holds degrees in Conservation Ecology, Public Relations and a PhD in human behaviour change and impact evaluation from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Director of Strategic Partnerships.ÌýDr Kira Mileham is a science communicator with a focus on collaborative partnerships, human behaviour change and species conservation. Kira specialises in working ...
Nahomy De Andrade
Executive Director SSC Office Caracas.ÌýNahomy is an economist from Universidad Central de Venezuela with a Master’s degree in public management from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración, and additional courses in leadership and coaching. She has a leading role in managing the activities of the Chair’s Office in Caracas. In that sense, Nahomy supports, guides and facilitates the activities of the SSC staff.
Executive Director SSC Office Caracas.ÌýNahomy is an economist from Universidad Central de Venezuela with a Master’s degree in public management from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración ...
Edgard Yerena
Network Coordinator.ÌýVenezuelan. Biologist and Lawyer. Worked for the Venezuelan National Parks Service and the Environment Committee of the Venezuelan Congress. Designed several designated National Parks and lead several approved management plans. Pioneered the implementation of connectivity corridors and criteria between Protected Areas. Promoter of alternative non-govt PAs.
Network Coordinator.ÌýVenezuelan. Biologist and Lawyer. Worked for the Venezuelan National Parks Service and the Environment Committee of the Venezuelan Congress. Designed several designated National ...
Jafet Nassar
Species Report Coordinator.ÌýJafet M. Nassar is a Professor Associate Researcher at the Center for Ecology of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Investigations.ÌýAt present, he is the General Coordinator (2016- 2019) of the Latin American and Caribbean Bat Conservation Network.
Species Report Coordinator.ÌýJafet M. Nassar is a Professor Associate Researcher at the Center for Ecology of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Investigations.ÌýAt present, he is the General ...
Levi Mendoza
Monitoring and evaluation Coordinator.ÌýLevi Mendoza holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Universidad Simón BolÃvar in Venezuela, a master’s degree in public management from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración, and additional courses in data visualization tools.
Monitoring and evaluation Coordinator.ÌýLevi Mendoza holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Universidad Simón BolÃvar in Venezuela, a master’s degree in public management from ...
Lila GarcÃa
Species Report Officer. Lila is a biologist from Universidad Central de Venezuela, specialized in shark ecology and nature conservation. She has been involved with the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) as a member of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Red List of Ecosystems Thematic Group. As the Species Report Officer, Lila will manage and support the preparation and publication process of the stand-alone reports of all the SSC Groups.
Species Report Officer. Lila is a biologist from Universidad Central de Venezuela, specialized in shark ecology and nature conservation. She has been involved with the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Commission on Ecosystem ...
Mayerlin Ramos
Partnerships and Grants Coordinator.ÌýMayerlin is a lawyer who graduated from Universidad Metropolitana with a Master’s degree in public management from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración and additional courses in leadership and social projects development.
Partnerships and Grants Coordinator.ÌýMayerlin is a lawyer who graduated from Universidad Metropolitana with a Master’s degree in public management from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de ...
Liliana Medina-Toro
Communication Officer.ÌýLiliana brings over 16 years of experience in corporate and strategic communications, specializing in planning, design, production, and reporting. She holds a degree in Social Communication, with postgraduate studies in Ecotourism and Biological Monitoring for Conservation. For the past 11 years, Liliana has managed communication projects focused on biodiversity conservation, responsible tourism, and sustainable development. Her adaptability and expertise in multicultural environments make her a valuable addition to our team.
Communication Officer.ÌýLiliana brings over 16 years of experience in corporate and strategic communications, specializing in planning, design, production, and reporting. She holds a degree in Social ...
Milangela Dell’Aquila
Administrative Officer.ÌýBachelor's Degree in Statistical Sciences from Universidad Central de Venezuela, with Master's degree in Business Administration from Universidad Católica Andres Bello, and additional courses in Economics and Business Marketing.
Administrative Officer.ÌýBachelor's Degree in Statistical Sciences from Universidad Central de Venezuela, with Master's degree in Business Administration from Universidad Católica Andres Bello, and ...
Nicole Duplaix
Mammal's Network Advisor. Nicole Duplaix has had a successful career supporting the SSC Network and working towards otter conservation worldwide. Her expertise and professionalism have been invaluable to the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC Otter Specialist Group as a member and Co-Chair.
Mammal's Network Advisor. Nicole Duplaix has had a successful career supporting the SSC Network and working towards otter conservation worldwide. Her expertise and professionalism have been invaluable ...
Anwar Purwoto
Sumatran Rhino Coordinator.ÌýAnwar is a Forestry Engineer in Forest Management from Bogor Agriculture University, with a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Griffith University. The Sumatran Rhino Coordinator is SSC's representative in Indonesia regarding the Sumatran Rhino Recovery Project.
Sumatran Rhino Coordinator.ÌýAnwar is a Forestry Engineer in Forest Management from Bogor Agriculture University, with a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Griffith University. The ...
Jeff Holland
Sumatran Rhino Senior Advisor for Training, Husbandry and Capture.ÌýJeff is a Zoologist working as a Zoo & Wildlife Consultant, with an undergraduate degree in zoology from the California State University of Pomona. He has over 30 years of extensive experience working with the captive management of wildlife both in zoological facilities & in the field.
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Sumatran Rhino Senior Advisor for Training, Husbandry and Capture.ÌýJeff is a Zoologist working as a Zoo & Wildlife Consultant, with an undergraduate degree in zoology from the California State ...