JOAQUIN E. CARRIZOSA
Bogota,Colombia
Summary
Global conservation leader with extensive experience in rights-based initiatives that empower Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Expertise in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, driving organizational success through collaborative partnerships and resource mobilization in complex cultural contexts.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Strategic Advisor
World Resources Institute Colombia
BOGOTA, Colombia
05.2024 - Current
- Evaluated and ranked strategic initiatives for senior leadership, providing actionable insights to inform decision-making.
- Prepared strategic recommendations for sustainable development initiatives in Colombia.
- Helped develop strategic plans to improve organizational performance and growth.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams on key sustainability projects, facilitating collaboration and driving project success.
- Reviewed environmental policies to identify improvement and innovation opportunities, contributing to enhanced sustainability efforts.
- Built project timelines and budgets to align resource use with goals.
Program Manager
Re:Wild
Bogotá, Colombia
06.2022 - 05.2024
- Led grantmaking for projects focused on protected-area creation, Indigenous land titling, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities governance initiatives, leveraging Bezos Earth Fund resources to advance locally led conservation.
- Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives, and monitored progress to achieve successful completion.
- Monitored program progress and communicated updates to stakeholders, ensuring alignment and transparency.
- Oversaw grant application processes and ensured compliance with funding guidelines, facilitating effective resource allocation.
- Reviewed budget proposals for accuracy and alignment with project objectives.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to enhance project collaboration. with local organizations to support collaborative projects.
- Applied sustainable land management practices to support long-term land use.
Amazon Ecoregion Director & Regional Conservation
World Wildlife Fund
Bogota, DC
01.2015 - 06.2022
- Led conservation strategy and programs across the Amazon region of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, overseeing 13+ staff and a EUR 13M+ portfolio spanning territorial governance, freshwater conservation, Indigenous rights, and illegal gold mining.
- Led strategic initiatives that strengthened Amazon regional conservation efforts and promoted environmental advocacy.
- Directed cross-functional teams to implement land and ecosystem participatory protection programs and policies.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to create sustainable fundraising strategies and establish key partnerships.
- Oversaw project budgets, ensuring financial resources aligned with organizational goals.
- Analyzed environmental data to guide strategic decision-making and enhance project development.
Indigenous Rights & Conservation Coordinator
Amazon Conservation Team
Putumayo, Colombia
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Organized workshops and meetings to advance land use planning, legal assessments for indigenous peoples, and conservation strategies.
- Coordinated project timelines and resources for conservation initiatives, ensuring alignment with stakeholder goals.
- Assisted in developing community engagement programs, fostering collaboration and support among local stakeholders.
Consultant
World Wildlife Fund – Colombia
, Colombia
11.2013 - 01.2014
- Evaluated regional conservation efforts in Amazonas, Colombia.
- Collaborated with local communities to implement sustainable practices and enhance wildlife protection.
- Organized workshops and training sessions to raise environmental awareness among participants.
- Researched conservation initiatives in Colombia to inform project development.
Indigenous Education & Conservation Program Coordi
People and Plants International
Veracruz/ Grerrero, Mexico
09.2012 - 09.2013
- Collaborated with Indigenous communities and intercultural universities to integrate local knowledge and community priorities into educational and conservation initiatives, fostering inclusive program development.
- Delivered field-based training for Indigenous youth in land-use planning, territorial governance, and conservation, enhancing youth engagement and knowledge.
- Facilitated participatory field processes that strengthened community capacity for territorial planning and natural resource management, empowering local stakeholders.
Regional Project Evaluator – Amazonia Viva
World Wildlife Fund -WWF
Loreto, Peru
05.2013 - 07.2013
- Performed cross-country analysis and impact assessment, translating findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement and adaptive management.
- Developed evaluation methodology and MEL framework for three-country conservation and development project, enhancing project assessment and accountability.
- Facilitated field surveys, interviews, and participatory data collection with local stakeholders and project partners to ensure community engagement and data relevance.
Invited Professor, M.A. in Amazonian Studies
National University of Colombia
Leticia, Colombia
06.2012 - 12.2012
- Guided graduate students in analysis of territorial governance, Indigenous rights, and socio-environmental dynamics, fostering critical understanding of Amazonian complexities.
- Integrated anthropological, ecological, and political perspectives to assess conservation and development challenges, enhancing interdisciplinary approaches to Amazonian studies.
- Designed and taught graduate courses on Indigenous Territorialities, Amazonian Land-Use Change, and Political Ecology.
Junior Project Assistant Biodiversity Program
Organization of American States (OAS)
Washington DC, United States
05.2010 - 12.2010
- Coordinated implementation of biodiversity conservation projects across Central America, enhancing project alignment with regional conservation goals.
- Provided research and technical inputs for biodiversity protection and sustainable natural resource management, informing decision-making processes.
- Assisted with project planning, monitoring, reporting, and partner coordination for regional conservation initiatives.
- Maintained accurate project documentation, facilitating easy access for team members and improving project communication.
- Supported project managers in organizing meetings and preparing necessary materials.
Andean-Amazon Foothills Conservation Project Manag
World Wildlife Fund -Colombia
Mocoa, Colombia
09.2008 - 05.2010
- Protected Area Expansion: Facilitated expansion and strengthening of protected areas through conservation planning, stakeholder engagement, and territorial assessments, enhancing biodiversity protection.
- Indigenous Governance: Advanced Indigenous governance and territorial management by fostering community-led planning, recognizing rights, and implementing conservation strategies, empowering local stewardship.
- Policy & Institutional Assessment: Evaluated conservation policies and institutional frameworks to uncover opportunities for enhanced environmental governance and effective implementation, contributing to sustainable practices.
Indigenous Land Planning Research Assistant
Universidad Iberoamericana
Puebla , Puebla
08.2006 - 11.2008
- Evaluated conflicts over ecological resource use, identifying competing interests and resource pressures to inform Indigenous territorial governance.
- Conducted field research, participatory mapping, and analysis of territorial management practices to enhance Indigenous land-use planning.
- Delivered organizational and technical support to Indigenous and local institutions, reinforcing capacity for territorial planning and natural resource management.
Land Planning Internship
Mexican Institute of Ecology (INE)
, Mexico D.F
11.2006 - 04.2007
- Conducted spatial analysis, field research, and reviewed ecological and socioeconomic information to support environmental and land-use planning processes.
- Assessed land-use conflicts and natural resource pressures to inform evidence-based territorial planning.
- Executed daily operational tasks with precision at the workplace.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with a diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Conservation Area Supervisor
Department of Environmental Administration
Bogotá, Colombia
08.2005 - 03.2006
Research Assistant
Tropenbos International
, Amazonas, Colombia
12.2003 - 06.2004
- Assisted with research activities for the Indigenous Health Program in Putumayo-Amazonas, Colombia.
Education
Ph.D. - Environmental Anthropology
University of Kent, UK. School of Anthropology And Conservation
Canterbury, Kent 01-2014
MA - Regional Studies, Environment, and Development
Universidad Iberoamericana
Puebla, Mexico06-2008
BA - Social Anthropology with minor in Biology
University of the Andes
Bogotá, Colombia06-2005
Logical Framework Approach for Development Projects Certificate -
Organization of American States
Washington DC07-2010
Geographical Information Systems Certificate -
Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute
Bogotá, Colombia06-2005
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Program management
- Sustainability policy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Sustainable fundraising
- Grant management
- Data analysis
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Public engagement
VERBAL AND WRITTEN SKILLS
Spanish: Excellent. English: Full professional proficiency, Portuguese (level 1)
AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS
Foundation for Urban and Regional Studies Studentship. Oxford University Centre for the Environment 2012-2013., Darrell Posey PhD Fellowship for Ethnecology and Traditional Resource Rights 2012 – 2014, Universidad Iberoamericana de Mexico. Academic Excellence Mention and Laureate Thesis., Author of book titled Deforestation and Indigenous Peoples Rights in the Colombian Amazon, Forest Peoples Program, 2016, Co-author of book titled “The Yahuarcaca Lakes, Colombian Amazon” Tropenbos International, 2001
Timeline
Senior Strategic Advisor
World Resources Institute Colombia
05.2024 - Current
Program Manager
Re:Wild
06.2022 - 05.2024
Amazon Ecoregion Director & Regional Conservation
World Wildlife Fund
01.2015 - 06.2022
Indigenous Rights & Conservation Coordinator
Amazon Conservation Team
01.2014 - 01.2015
Consultant
World Wildlife Fund – Colombia
11.2013 - 01.2014
Regional Project Evaluator – Amazonia Viva
World Wildlife Fund -WWF
05.2013 - 07.2013
Indigenous Education & Conservation Program Coordi
People and Plants International
09.2012 - 09.2013
Invited Professor, M.A. in Amazonian Studies
National University of Colombia
06.2012 - 12.2012
Junior Project Assistant Biodiversity Program
Organization of American States (OAS)
05.2010 - 12.2010
Andean-Amazon Foothills Conservation Project Manag
World Wildlife Fund -Colombia
09.2008 - 05.2010
Land Planning Internship
Mexican Institute of Ecology (INE)
11.2006 - 04.2007
Indigenous Land Planning Research Assistant
Universidad Iberoamericana
08.2006 - 11.2008
Conservation Area Supervisor
Department of Environmental Administration
08.2005 - 03.2006
Research Assistant
Tropenbos International
12.2003 - 06.2004
Ph.D. - Environmental Anthropology
University of Kent, UK. School of Anthropology And Conservation
MA - Regional Studies, Environment, and Development
Universidad Iberoamericana
BA - Social Anthropology with minor in Biology
University of the Andes
Logical Framework Approach for Development Projects Certificate -
Organization of American States
Geographical Information Systems Certificate -
Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute