Elizabeth Valenzuela is a conservation leader with over 25 years of experience designing, managing, and evaluating major environmental projects. As technical director of Fondo Acción, a Colombian trust fund dedicated to nature conservation, sustainable development, and childhood protection, she develops funding proposals that leverage private, philanthropic, and public resources and forges partnerships with major private sector organizations. Elizabeth creates subgrant opportunities, upholds high technical standards, and advances public policy advocacy. She is also skilled in fundraising and citizen engagement.
Since her undergraduate studies, Elizabeth has focused on raising awareness and building skills for citizen engagement in nature conservation. She volunteered as a park ranger in the Colombian Amazon, providing technical support for protected area management. In 2015, she developed an arts and sustainability strategy to promote environmental awareness through new narratives and formats, including organizing art and climate contests and supporting sustainability initiatives at Bogotá’s music festivals. She also co-designed a creative writing course on forest conservation and Afro-Colombian territories, resulting in a published collection of stories.
Elizabeth is creative, optimistic, and people-oriented. She encourages responsible behaviors that help individuals reconnect with nature. She has co-designed strategies and led communications to promote sustainable fashion through clothing swaps, fashion shows, and academic events. Elizabeth supports organizational learning, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative, innovative work culture. She inspires teams through empathy, trust, and collaboration.
