Sandra Valenzuela

Sandra Valenzuela is a lawyer with a Bachelor’s degree from Rosario University in Bogota and dual Master’s degrees from Ohio University, specializing in International Affairs/Development Studies and Conservation of Tropical rainforest focus on the Amazon region. Sandra started her career at the Colombia National Parks Agency and since 2021 she is leading WWF Colombia after playing different conservation and operational roles at the organization during 18 years. With almost 30 years of dedicated service in her field, she has established herself as an expert in conservation, committed to driving substantial change at the intersection of climate, nature, and food. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of critical areas, including the management of protected and conserved areas, innovative sustainable development financing and impact mechanisms, such as Heritage Colombia, mobilizing more than 245MUSD. Additionally, she is a promoter of social inclusion in conservation efforts towards peace building and environmental justice, land tenure and resource rights in ecologically sensitive regions, and addressing border and marine conservation challenges. Globally, Sandra is a co-leader of the specialized protected areas management effectiveness and Green List team at the IUCN under the Protected Areas Commission.
She has recently been recognized by major organizations for her significant leadership in conservation and sustainable development. In October 2022, Sandra was recognized by the Women Economic Forum as a Leader of the Decade in Conservation; in June 2023 she received the Fulbright 2023 Recognition of Excellence; and in September 2023, she was included in Forbes Colombia Magazine’s list of the 20 Sustainable Minds of Colombia.