IGF MINING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Director of Mines and Hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Energy Transition
- Member of the Geosciences of Natural Resources Laboratory
- State Mining Engineer
Abdela li Lefdaoui is the Director of Mines and Hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. His previous position was Head of the Mining Activities division, which is responsible for the mining and phosphating industry, labour inspection, and management of mining heritage.
Abdela li is a permanent member of the Geosciences of Natural Resources Laboratory at Ibn Tofail University, where he has been a lecturer since 2005 in the master's programs in hydro-informatics as well as exploration and exploitation of geo-resources. He also teaches at the National Superior School of Mines of Rabat (ENSMR).
Abdela li is a state mining engineer specializing in land and subsoil development, exploration, and protection. He is a laureate of the National Superior School of Mines of Rabat (ENSMR) and the Mohammed V University of Rabat. In addition, he has completed a training program in health, safety, and environment in the resource sector at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Director, Tax and Sovereign Debt
Alexandra is the Director, Tax and Sovereign Debt with IISD's Economic Law and Policy Program and oversees the Taxation workstream which includes the Global Mining Tax Initiative of the IGF Secretariat.
Alexandra prepares policy and administrative guidance, provides technical assistance and training, and manages partnerships with the OECD, African Tax Administration Forum, and Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations. She also contributes to the UN Subcommittee for Extractive Industries Taxation.
Alexandra trained as a lawyer in Australia and specializes in international taxation. She has directly advised numerous tax authorities in Africa and Latin America on strengthening legal frameworks against abusive transfer pricing in the mining sector. Alexandra was named in the global tax top 50 for 2017. She lives in the UK and speaks English.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Policy Advisor With the Intergovernmental Forum
Andrea Lemus Mesa is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) within IISD's Economic Law and Policy program. In that role, Andrea leads the IGF's outreach in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In nearly 20 years as a lawyer, she has provided legal advice on regulatory, mining, and environmental matters to several institutions, including the Colombian government, multilateral organizations, and companies in the natural resources sector.
Andrea has a strong background in public policy and national and international affairs, specializing in the mining and energy sectors.
Prior to joining IISD, Andrea held positions with Colombia's Ministry of Mines and Energy, Deloitte & Touche, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Her mother tongue is Spanish, and she is fully proficient in English.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Researcher at the Geological Survey of Sweden
Anna Apler works as a senior geologist and researcher at the Geological Survey of Sweden, where she has been employed since 2007. In her current position, she works on sustainability issues linked to the mining industry and metal and mineral production at national, regional, and global levels.
During her years at the Geological Survey of Sweden, Anna has also worked as a field geologist on research vessels on projects related to marine geology. The work included geological mapping, as well as management of environmental and resource issues related to blue growth and environmental protection at sea. Between 2014 and 2021, Anna worked part-time on research studies at Uppsala University, where she investigated historically deposited waste on the seabed and how this waste affects aquatic systems today. This work led to a PhD degree in natural resources and sustainable development. Today, Anna applies her expertise in marine management and mineral resource governance to address issues related to responsible and just mineral extraction, both on land and in deep-sea environments.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Environmental Advisor With the IGF
Carlos Alberto Ortega is an Environmental Advisor with the IGF. His work is focused on advancing effective legal and policy frameworks for environmental management and environmental and social impact assessments governing the mining sector.
Before joining the IGF, Carlos worked for more than 8 years as a project leader, environmental consultant, and analyst in the mining and energy sectors in Peru. He has extensive experience in environmental impact assessments, managing and monitoring projects that included social and environmental baseline studies, environmental management plans, and biodiversity action plans with a special focus on flora and fauna. These roles involved interacting with local communities in project areas to effectively communicate project goals and benefits, complying with national and international legislation and standards, and collaborating with government authorities to advance project environmental and social goals.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Law Advisor With the IGF
Clémence Naré is a Senior Law Advisor with the IGF. She leads the Secretariat's work on legal frameworks for environmental and social impact assessments. Clémence also contributes to mining law and code reviews, Mining Policy Framework Assessments, and supports global outreach efforts to IGF's member countries.
Clémence has over a decade of experience working with governments, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academia. She has worked on a variety of policy issues, including trade and investment law, human rights, and environmental regulations. She holds three master's degrees in public administration, international humanitarian law, and international transactions and comparative law. Clemence is currently completing a doctorate in mining investment law at the University of Ottawa.
She speaks French, English, and Mòoré and is based in Ottawa, Canada.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Communications Officer With the IGF Secretariat
- Senior Communications Officer
David Perri is a Communications Officer with the IGF Secretariat and leads its communications efforts to strengthen its brand, reach, and influence.
David's background is in journalism and strategic communications. He is an experienced writer, editor, researcher, and multimedia content producer specializing in content related to the mining sector.
David is based in Toronto, Canada.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Policy Advisor, Gender Equity
Ege Tekinbas is the IGF Gender Equality Advisor and leads its work on gender and mining governance, including the development and implementation of mining-specific gender equality policies, programs, and frameworks.
Ege has over 15 years of professional experience in the areas of gender equality, women's empowerment, elimination of violence against women, and social development. She has worked for numerous international organizations, including the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the World Bank, the European Union, and the Council of Europe.
Ege speaks English, Spanish, and Turkish and is based in Ottawa, Canada.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Economist
- Senior Policy Advisor
Ekpen Omonbude is a Senior Policy Advisor focused on the financial benefits of mining within the IGF's Global Mining Tax Initiative.
Ekpen is a trained economist specializing in the energy and extractives sector, with more than 15 years of providing advice and expertise in various roles. Before joining IISD, he held positions with the Commonwealth Secretariat, as well as in academia and industry.
Ekpen holds a doctorate in petroleum policy and economics and a master's in energy studies, both from the University of Dundee, Scotland. He also has a master's of business administration from the University of Abertay, Scotland, and a bachelor's of science in economics and statistics from the University of Benin, Nigeria.
Ekpen is based in the United Kingdom
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Director of the IGF Secretariat
Greg Radford is the Director of the IGF Secretariat and has overall strategic, financial, and operational responsibility for the Secretariat and for the execution of the IGF mission.
Greg has led the growth of the IGF to more than 75 members and has mobilized donors and key stakeholders to help advance the IGF's mission. He manages all Secretariat activities and is a member of the Executive Committee.
Greg holds a master's degree in environmental management and has more than 25 years of experience in over 50 countries. He has held senior management positions at Canadian and international organizations, including Director of the Environmental, Social, and Governance Department at the International Finance Corporation and President of the International Association for Impact Assessment.
Greg is based in Ottawa, Canada.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Policy Advisor
- Senior Policy Advisor With the IGF
Grégoire Bellois is a senior policy advisor with the IGF, focusing on the Secretariat's work on strategic and critical minerals within the context of energy transition.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Deputy Director of the IGF Secretariat
- Economist
Isabelle Ramdoo is the Deputy Director of the IGF Secretariat and leads its work on local content policies and the New Tech, New Deal project.
Isabelle is an economist with over 20 years of experience in trade negotiations and industrial policy. She has worked as a senior advisor to the African Minerals Development Centre/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, as Deputy Head of Programme, Economic Transformation, at the European Centre for Development Policy Management, and as an economist and trade negotiator for the Government of Mauritius.
Isabelle is fluent in English and French and is based in Paris, France.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Policy Advisor, Tax and Extractives
Jaqueline is an expert in tax law and the extractive industries supporting the Intergovernmental Forum on IGF's program to address tax base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) in mining.
Her work involves providing analysis and advising governments in resource-rich countries on laws, policies, and concession agreements relating to mining taxation, as well as designing and carrying out in-depth research and analysis. She manages the BEPS in Mining Program activities for Latin American countries.
Jaqueline previously worked in the private sector for over five years as an associate at a leading tax law firm in Peru and with Ernst & Young Peru. She also contributed with the EITI International Secretariat for over three years.
Jaqueline earned a Master of Laws in mineral law and policy at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP) at the University of Dundee, after Rio Tinto awarded her a scholarship. She also holds a specialization in tax law from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.
Jaqueline speaks English and Spanish and is based in Scotland, United Kingdom.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Policy Advisor for the IGF
Jonathan Hamisi is a Senior Policy Advisor for the IGF. He is a geologist with over 15 years of experience in the mining industry, academic research, and government agencies.
Before the IGF, Jonathan worked at the Geological Survey of Sweden. He has extensive mining experience including exploration, mining, mine closure, resource governance, international development and policy development. His experience includes the implementation of responsible mining practices in the ASM sector. He has also previously held teaching and supervisor positions at Monash University and the University of Stockholm.
Jonathan holds a PhD in Geology from Monash University, Australia, a master's in geological sciences from Stockholm University, Sweden, and a master's in geology from Lubumbashi University in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He speaks French, English, Swedish, Swahili, and Lingala fluently and is based in Uppsala, Sweden.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Mining Engineer at Thailand 's Department of Primary Industries
Kridtaya Sakamornsnguan is a mining engineer at Thailand's Department of Primary Industries and Mines in the Ministry of Industry. She has worked in the mining sector for more than 15 years, responsible for promoting best practices, capacity building, and technology transfer in the industry. She also participates in academic activities and has conducted reviews on mining-related regulations in Thailand. Presently, she is leading research projects on smart mining to promote productivity and safety in mines and quarries.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Project Manager
- Senior Project Manager With the IGF
Lionel Simeon is a Senior Project Manager with the IGF. He brings a decade of experience in coordinating and managing projects, streamlining internal processes, overseeing and managing budgets, and engaging in international partnerships.
Prior to his current role, Lionel's work experience has spanned multiple agencies, sectors, and locations. He has worked in Canada, France, and Thailand, with his previous roles including posts at the University of Toronto, the European Metropolis of Lille, the French National Institute for Scientific Research, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' office in Bangkok, and the French National Council for Sustainable Development.
Lionel holds a master's degree in international cooperation and management from Charles de Gaulle - Lille 3 University in France, as well as a master's degree in the management of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Paris 10 Nanterre University in France.
Lionel is based in Toronto and speaks English, French, and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Law Advisor With the IGF
Marina Ruete is a Senior Law Advisor with the IGF. She leads the Secretariat's work on Mining Policy Framework assessments and implementation, as well as the artisanal and small-scale mining program. She also contributes to mining law and code reviews, organizes and facilitates regional events and workshops, and has supported the IGF's outreach work efforts with members and partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.
Marina's career began as a lawyer in the private sector before joining IDB Invest. She has over a decade of experience working with governments through the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, and the Alliance for Responsible Mining on a variety of issues including mining, sustainable procurement, and infrastructure. Marina holds a Master of Laws from the National University of Singapore and a master's degree in international relations and negotiations from the Universidad de San Andrés, Universidad de Barcelona, and FLACSO.
Marina speaks Spanish, English, and French and is proficient in Portuguese.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Advisor With the IGF
Murtiani Hendriwardani is a Policy Advisor with the IGF. Her work focuses on the policy aspects of critical and strategic minerals for the twin energy and digital transitions. Murtiani also serves as coordinator for IGF member countries in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Vice - President Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe
Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder is Vice-President Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe and heads the Economic Law and Policy Program of the International Institute on Sustainable Development (IISD), which has hosted the IGF Secretariat since 2015. Nathalie works closely with the IGF Director to provide overall direction for the Secretariat and regularly represents the IGF at international conferences and other events.
She works with developing country governments across Africa, Asia, and Latin America in relation to bilateral and regional investment treaty negotiations, investor-state contracts, model investment treaties, and foreign investment laws.
Nathalie has extensive legal, policy, and training experience in the areas of international trade, investment, sustainable development, human rights, international environmental law, and arbitration. She received her Master of Laws from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and her Bachelor of Laws from Université de Neuchatel, Switzerland.
Nathalie is fluent in English, German, and French and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Project Manager
Patricia Sanchez is a Project Manager with the IGF.
Prior to joining the IGF, she worked with the United Nations Office for Project Services in Colombia, where she managed projects, grants, and key stakeholder relationships.
Patricia holds a master's degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of Manitoba, Canada and a master's degree in government and public policy from Externado University of Colombia.
She is based in Winnipeg and speaks English and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate With the IGF
Rob Stevens is a senior associate with the IGF. His work focuses on supporting IGF member countries with advancing their technical capacity and legal and policy frameworks on mine closure and the post-mining transition.
Rob is a professional geologist, an accomplished trainer, and a policy advisor for the mining sector across areas of mine closure, environmental management, socioeconomic frameworks, finance, and land use planning.
Rob holds a Ph. D in Geology from the University of Alberta and has worked as an academic, a director of learning, and a policy advisor for governments, industry, and civil society. He is also the author and publisher of the best-selling book Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Director of the Office of Environmental Quality
- Member of the Senior Foreign Service
Scott Ticknor joined as Director of the Office of Environmental Quality in the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science (OES) in September 2023. In this capacity, he oversees the U. S. State Department's leadership in multilateral, trade-related, and waste/pollution environmental diplomacy. Previously, he served as Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate Mumbai, was on detail to the Corporate Council on Africa as Senior Advisor to the President, and held the position of Acting Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) in the State Department's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB). While in EB, he led the 25-person CBA Office in advocating on behalf of U.S. business interests abroad, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, and protecting intellectual property rights.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Ticknor served as a Foreign Policy Advisor (POLAD) for the Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in Djibouti, East Africa. He has also served as Deputy Director of the Office of Economic and Regional Affairs in the Africa Bureau and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Timor-Leste.
His other assignments have included Political-Economic Chief in Mumbai, India (2000-2004) and Cameroon, Political Chief in Ghana, Economic/Commercial Officer in Bangladesh and Nicaragua, and Consular Officer in Spain, as well as the Sri Lanka and India ESTH Desk in Washington.
Mr. Ticknor is the recipient of multiple Superior Honor awards and the 2017 POLAD of the Year award, and speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese. He received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary. He is originally from Vienna, Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Legal Advisor
Silvana de Olazaval Carty is a Legal Advisor serving with the Vice-Ministry of Mines within Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines since 2019.
She has extensive experience providing legal advice to public entities as well as domestic and foreign companies in the energy, mining, and agro-industrial sectors.
She has worked on projects of national interest in Peru's energy and mining sector, specifically concerning the purchase, sale, and financing of projects in the mentioned sectors. She has a Masters in Public Management and in mining, environmental, and natural resources matters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Director of Investment for the Economic Law
- Director, Investment
Suzy H. Nikièma is the Director of Investment for the Economic Law and Policy Program (ELP) of the International Institute for Sustainable Development. She is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and provides legal and policy advice on sustainable investment governance. She is ELP's regional coordinator in Africa. Suzy has provided technical assistance to developing country governments, in designing, negotiating, and implementing investment treaties and models, as well as investment contracts. Suzy also assists countries in revising their domestic investment and mining laws.
Suzy has also led a number of training sessions and provided technical assistance on mining issues in Africa on behalf of the IGF. Her work with the IGF includes assistance to countries and regional organizations to develop/review national and regional mining legal instruments.
Suzy is a Master of Public Law from the University of Ouagadougou and has a Certificate of Transnational Law from the University of Geneva, as well as a master's degree and a Ph.D. in international relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Advisor With the IGF
Thelma Halim is a policy advisor with the IGF. She works on legal and policy issues and coordinates the Secretariat's outreach with member states.
Prior to joining the IGF, Thelma worked with nongovernmental organizations such as the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices and the African Meeting for the Defense of Human Rights, coordinating their activities at the United Nations and related institutions. She has also worked with the Permanent Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nation's Geneva office. In addition, Thelma has private sector experience in business development, project management, and consumer insights.
Thelma holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Abuja, Nigeria, as well as two master's degrees in international law: a Master of Laws in international human rights law from the Catholic University of Lyon, and a Master of Laws in international security and defence from Pierre Mendès University Grenoble 2. She also holds a Master of Business Administration with a business development specialization from IPAC-MBway Management and Business School in Annecy, France.
Thelma speaks English and French and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Lead, Tax and Extractives
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Advisor, Tax and Extractives
Viola Tarus is a Policy Advisor, Tax and Extractives focused on the IGF's taxation and financial benefit optimization work.
She is trained as an economist, specializing in extractives, and worked with Oxfam and the National Oil Corporation of Kenya before joining the IGF.
Viola is based in Nairobi, Kenya.