Irina Barba is Minister of the Foreign Service and currently serves as Director of Environment and Sustainable Development at Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility. She is the political focal point for several multilateral environmental agreements.

Her diplomatic career includes postings in Japan, Turkey, Paraguay, and most recently at Ecuador’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she led on legal issues, ocean and maritime law, sustainable development, environmental matters, peacebuilding, and African dossiers on the Security Council agenda. From April to December 2025, she was Ecuador’s Political Coordinator during the country’s non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council (2023–2024).

She also represented Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) in 2020–2021 on the Facilitative Working Group of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform under the UNFCCC.

Since 1999, she has held various positions at the Ministry in Quito, including in Passport Services, Protocol, Multilateral Policy, Human Resources, Asia and Oceania, and Environment and Sustainable Development.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Multilingual International Business from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and a master’s in Diplomacy and European and International Relations from the University of Auvergne in France.

Andrew Balfour is an entrepreneur and business manager from the Galapagos Islands, with over 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality sector. As the General Manager of Pikaia Lodge, he has assembled a dedicated team focused on delivering exceptional guest experiences while prioritizing sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact. Under his leadership, Pikaia Lodge has garnered recognition for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and excellence in hospitality.

In addition to his role at Pikaia Lodge, Andrew is the founder of Galadis Del Ecuador, where he oversees a diverse portfolio of small businesses in hospitality, retail, and yachting operations, showcasing the unique natural wonders of the Galapagos to visitors. Andrew also serves as the President of the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism, collaborating closely with local government entities to foster a tourism model that enhances service quality while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. Furthermore, he holds the position of Honorary British Consul for the Galapagos Islands.

Having spent the majority of his life in the Galapagos, Andrew is deeply passionate about developing a balanced approach that harmonizes conservation, sustainable business practices, and community well-being.

Dr. Lúcia G. Lohmann is a renowned botanist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she directs the University and Jepson Herbaria. Lúcia is also a tenured faculty member at the University of São Paulo, where she has contributed extensively to research on plant ecology, evolution, and biogeography, particularly in tropical and neotropical regions. Her work has helped shape the field of biodiversity conservation, with a strong focus on the Amazon basin and other highly biodiverse areas. Starting in January 2025, she will assume the role of President and Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, an institution deeply involved in botanical research and conservation in Ecuador. Lúcia has held numerous leadership positions, including President of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy and Executive Director of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. With over two decades of experience in scientific research, international collaboration, and conservation leadership, she is widely respected for her contributions to plant systematics and her role in building global networks dedicated to environmental stewardship.

Dr. Mary C. Pearl is an internationally recognized scientist, conservationist, and educator with a distinguished career in environmental and academic leadership. A Yale graduate with a Ph.D. in physical anthropology and evolutionary biology, Mary began her career at the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society, laying the foundation for her lifelong commitment to conservation. She later served as President of Wildlife Trust (now EcoHealth Alliance), where she developed conservation programs across 20 biodiverse countries. As the Founding Dean of Stony Brook Southampton, a campus dedicated to sustainability, and later as Dean of Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, Mary pioneered innovative environmental programs and secured major funding to expand educational opportunities. Currently, she coordinates the International Biodiversity Network, linking conservation scientists globally, and chairs the Center for Large Landscape Conservation. Widely regarded as a pioneer in conservation medicine, Mary’s work bridges environmental, health, and social sciences to address complex global challenges. Her career reflects a profound dedication to biodiversity protection and conservation education.

Our Ambassadors are passionate advocates that volunteer their time to enact lasting change for Galapagos and the world. Like us, they are united in their vision that if we can protect Galapagos, we can impact the world – inspiring others around the world to protect our planet’s fragile biodiversity, and ultimately protect our home. They do so by raising awareness and rallying support for our mission, while tailoring their involvement to their unique passions and skillsets.

Come work for the Charles Darwin Foundation in Galapagos! Explore our current vacancies and find your place in protecting this extraordinary archipelago.

Every year since 1971 we have welcomed and trained volunteers from all over the world who are committed to the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. Volunteers are a vital part of what makes the Charles Darwin Foundation such a special place to be.

Since its inception in 1971, our Scholarship Program has enabled over 250 students from Galapagos to complete their education and pursue careers in conservation.

Whether you're a scientist seeking to collaborate , a student aspiring to complete your graduate degree under our guidance, or a university looking to establish a semester abroad program in the Galapagos, the Charles Darwin Foundation is here to provide support.

Inaugurated in 1964 as a base for scientists conducting their research on Galapagos, the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island welcomes all visitors to discover how our scientific research and conservation actions ensure we safeguard one of the world’s most important natural treasures for future generations.

The Charles Darwin Foundation is home to the largest Natural History Collections of endemic, native and introduced species of Galapagos in Ecuador, with more than 135,000 specimens and 7,500 species across four Collections: Marine, Vertebrate, Terrestrial Invertebrate and a Herbarium.

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