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About The Speakers
Marja Diaz
Marja Diaz is the Manager of Documentary Films at National Geographic and an
Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Senior Fellow based in Los Angeles, CA.
She is a Stanford University graduate, with a degree in Human Biology: Behavioral
Neuropsychology and an Italian minor. She began her career working in the
environmental nonprofit space, as a RAY Marine Conservation Fellow in Digital
Communications at Ocean Conservancy. She is bilingual in both English and
Spanish, and proficient in Italian. Her passion for travel and language has led her to
every continent but Antarctica and inspired her love for photography. Ultimately,
she hopes to combine her passion for film, photography, and science to spread
awareness and inspire change for our planet and its wildlife.
Marja Diaz
Nina Fascione
Nina Fascione is the Executive Director of The International Rhino Foundation,
responsible for the organization’s strategic direction, vision, growth and
performance in support of all rhino species. Prior to this role, Nina spent many
years at Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, D.C., including as Vice President of
Development, where she oversaw the organization’s corporate, foundation, major
and planned giving, and as Vice President for Field Conservation Programs, where
she managed Defenders’ largest division, dedicated to endangered species and
habitat conservation. Nina served for two years as Executive Director of Bat
Conservation International, where she guided the Austin, Texas-based organization
in its efforts to protect bats and their habitats around the world. She has also held
positions with the Wildlife Habitat Council and the Zoological Society of
Philadelphia. Nina co-founded and chairs the Emerging Wildlife Conservation
Leaders (EWCL) program, a two-year training course for early-career professionals,
and serves on the board of Ewaso Lions in Kenya. Nina has a Master of Applied
Anthropology and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Maryland, and
edited the book “People and Predators: From Conflict to Coexistence.”
Nina Fascione
Eddie Love
Eddie Love manages The Ocean Foundation's Fiscal Sponsorship Program and
chairs the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Initiative with a mission to build
the capacity of environmental programs and amplify marginalized voices. He is also
a member of the Board of Directors for the Environmental Leadership Program.
Eddie obtained his B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn
University, with a background in terrestrial wildlife field research. He is an alumnus
of several fellowships – Roger Arliner Young Diversity Fellowship (working for Ocean
Conservancy and Rare), Environmental Leadership Program Fellowship, and
Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Fellowship – where he gained an array of
experience and skills to proactively address D.E.I.J. and conservation-focused
issues. His love for wildlife motivates him to not only protect the environment but
raise awareness of the many issues they face. Outside of conservation, Eddie finds
joy in the simple things in life such as playing tennis, visiting family in Alabama, and
creating new experiences with friends!
Eddie Love
Marja Diaz
Manager of Documentary Films | National Geographic
Marja Diaz is the Manager of Documentary Films at National Geographic and an Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Senior Fellow based in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Stanford University graduate, with a degree in Human Biology: Behavioral Neuropsychology and an Italian minor. She began her career working in the environmental nonprofit space, as a RAY Marine Conservation Fellow in Digital Communications at Ocean Conservancy. She is bilingual in both English and Spanish, and proficient in Italian. Her passion for travel and language has led her to every continent but Antarctica and inspired her love for photography. Ultimately, she hopes to combine her passion for film, photography, and science to spread awareness and inspire change for our planet and its wildlife.
Nina Fascione
Executive Director | International Rhino Foundation
Nina Fascione is the Executive Director of The International Rhino Foundation, responsible for the organization’s strategic direction, vision, growth and performance in support of all rhino species. Prior to this role, Nina spent many years at Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, D.C., including as Vice President of Development, where she oversaw the organization’s corporate, foundation, major and planned giving, and as Vice President for Field Conservation Programs, where she managed Defenders’ largest division, dedicated to endangered species and habitat conservation. Nina served for two years as Executive Director of Bat Conservation International, where she guided the Austin, Texas-based organization in its efforts to protect bats and their habitats around the world. She has also held positions with the Wildlife Habitat Council and the Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Nina co-founded and chairs the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) program, a two-year training course for early-career professionals, and serves on the board of Ewaso Lions in Kenya. Nina has a Master of Applied Anthropology and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Maryland, and edited the book "People and Predators: From Conflict to Coexistence."
Eddie Love
Program Manager | The Ocean Foundation
Eddie Love manages The Ocean Foundation's Fiscal Sponsorship Program and chairs the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Initiative with a mission to build the capacity of environmental programs and amplify marginalized voices. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Environmental Leadership Program. Eddie obtained his B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University, with a background in terrestrial wildlife field research. He is an alumnus of several fellowships – Roger Arliner Young Diversity Fellowship (working for Ocean Conservancy and Rare), Environmental Leadership Program Fellowship, and Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Fellowship – where he gained an array of experience and skills to proactively address D.E.I.J. and conservation-focused issues. His love for wildlife motivates him to not only protect the environment but raise awareness of the many issues they face. Outside of conservation, Eddie finds joy in the simple things in life such as playing tennis, visiting family in Alabama, and creating new experiences with friends!
