Free de Koning

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT FREE DE KONING

I have extensive experience developing, implementing, and overseeing environmental and sustainable development programs in the Americas, Asia and Africa. My areas of expertise include public programs for payments for ecosystem services, climate change mitigation and adaptation, terrestrial and marine biodiversity conservation, protected areas management, natural resource governance, land use planning, REDD+, environmental policy, food production, sustainability, landscape ecology,(agro-)forestry, community engagement, and corporate responsibility. I have strong management skills related to supervising and coaching multidisciplinary teams, project and program oversight, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, and managing large budgets. I am an experienced fundraiser and I have worked extensively with philanthropic foundations, private sector, and bilateral and multilateral donors to fund large projects and programs. In my current position at Conservation International’s Implementing Agency for the Global Environment Facility, I oversee a portfolio of projects with a total amount of funding of over USD 250 million with implementation in over 45 countries. I have worked with a wide variety of stakeholders, including international and national NGOs, governments, indigenous and local communities, donors, and the private sector.