For over 60 years, Dr Luc Hoffmann helped catalyse new ideas and effective approaches to nature conservation, bestowing the institute with a strong lineage based on partnership and the arts of convening, connecting and incubating.
Today, the Luc Hoffmann Institute follows the principles of systems thinking, convening and co-creation to incubate and accelerate new ideas and approaches that will deliver significant gains for biodiversity. Successful specialist incubators are also thought leaders. The Luc Hoffmann Institute prides itself on cutting-edge thinking: we understand that the debate around biodiversity and its conservation/future needs to evolve to create the conditions for change. We create space to (re)define key issues and questions and set them up in a way that allows society to engage with them. We draw on our extensive experience to facilitate complex conversations by convening a wide range of stakeholders on innovative topics. This helps us to accelerate the innovation agenda, identify promising new approaches and solutions and convert them into concrete action. Convening in this way also allows us to generate the high-quality networks that are essential to launch effective, high-impact ideas.
Dr Luc Hoffmann (1923 – 2016)
“Conservation is not the protection of nature against human development but the preservation of life-supporting systems and processes as a basis for a lasting development.”
– Luc Hoffmann
Meet the team and council
At the heart of biodiversity is diversity itself. The Luc Hoffmann Institute and its Advisory Council believe in fostering open and respectful dialogue between people from a wide range of disciplines, sectors and backgrounds. The institute creates an environment that facilitates interaction and encourages new thinking for true co-creation, innovation, and radical systems change. The natural world is made up of diverse, interconnected parts that work together as a system. Strategies and people protecting it sustainably should be no different.
Team
The institute’s passionate and open-minded team is dedicated to driving societal change for nature and people to thrive together. Its diverse backgrounds and ways of thinking form an ecosystem comprising: strategy, systems thinking, conservation, sustainability, policy, ecology, communication, advocacy, facilitation, change management, business, law, and the social and natural sciences.
Show Team
Adrian Dellecker
Adrian is a political scientist and environmental advocacy expert. Before joining the institute he was Head of Policy and Advocacy in WWF International’s Global and Regional Policy Unit.
Anaïk Anthonioz Blanc
Anaïk has a Masters degree in International Peace Studies from the University of Trinity College Dublin, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Geneva. Before joining the institute, Anaïk worked as a communication intern at the United Nations in Geneva and was then a consultant at the CITES Secretariat.
Anca Damerell
Anca has a PhD in Geography from the University of Cambridge, a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies, Romania and Université d’Artois, France, and a Master’s in Environmental Protection from the University of Edinburgh.
Andrew Thompson
Based in Cambridge, UK, Andrew provides administration, logistics, events and general project support to the institute.
Jessica Villat
Jessica is a communication and sustainability professional with international strategy-building experience, change management skills, and a passion for improving the well-being of nature and people.
Melanie Ryan
Melanie looks to advance conservation and sustainability in ways that incorporate inclusivity, diversity and innovation. An interdisciplinary expert in systems science, sustainability and environment, and collaborative design, her career spans diverse roles and sectors.
Michelle Demateis Schmitt
Michelle has over 10 years’ experience in project finance, providing financial management, oversight and operational expertise for the effective coordination of WWF projects and programmes.
Richard Gauld
Richard has over 17 years’ experience in strategy implementation, operations and performance evaluation in the public and not-for-profit sectors.
Sandrine Jimenez
Sandrine organises travel and events and carries out many other administrative functions, ensuring the smooth running of the Luc Hoffmann Institute.
Advisory Council
The Luc Hoffmann Institute Advisory Council helps guarantee the institute’s integrity and independence. Comprising diverse expertise in relevant fields, the principal functions of the council are to:
- provide timely, strategic, independent advice and guidance to the institute.
- participate in quality assurance activities associated with the institute’s work.
- help ensure that the institute’s portfolio remains independent and true to its vision and mission.
- promote the institute and its work within WWF and amongst other networks.
Show Advisory Council
Jon Hutton
Elizabeth Ojo
Isis Alvarez
Thomas Vellacott
Dermot O’Gorman
André Hoffmann
Bill Adams
Cyriaque Sendashonga
Edward Perello
Jean Jalbert
Margaret Kuhlow
Rebecca Shaw
Associates
The Luc Hoffmann Institute Associates are a diverse group of people drawn from a range of backgrounds and life experiences, and from across sectors and disciplines. They form a vibrant, global community of aspiration, identifying, contributing and responding to emerging solutions for societal change that strengthens the wellbeing of nature and people.