Press Releases

Charles Darwin Foundation appoints interim Executive Director

July 29, 2011
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

The Charles Darwin Foundation announced that Swen Lorenz has taken over as interim Executive Director of the organization, replacing Gabriel Lopez, who held the position for the last two and a half years.

Lorenz has a background in finance and management, and he has been supporting and co-managing projects in conservation, science, and sustainable development for many years. He began his philanthropic work in Galapagos in 2006, when he co-founded a vocational school in Puerto Ayora. This school has graduated more than 100 Galapagueños and has been successfully integrated into the Colegio Nacional Galápagos. Since then, he has been involved with a series of Galapagos institutions and projects, and has served as a Trustee of Galapagos Conservation Trust in London for three years. Among the other institutions he has been collaborating with are WWF Galapagos and the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment.

Lorenz brings with him nearly two decades of experience in management, financial planning and fundraising in the private sector. He had first started to collaborate with the Charles Darwin Foundation in 2006, and was subsequently elected to the Board in November 2010.  As the new Executive Director he will be responsible for managing the strategic affairs of the Charles Darwin Foundation.

“I am deeply committed to the cause of Galapagos, where the Charles Darwin Foundation continues to play a crucial role in providing scientific advise to a large number of stakeholders. The Foundation will increase its efforts to collaborate with other organizations locally, nationally and internationally”, said Mr. Lorenz

CDF extends its thanks to Dr. J. Gabriel Lopez for his contribution and leadership. Dr. Lopez undertook his role as Executive Director in 2009 and has decided to pursue new opportunities.