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Meet the Team

A global network for a healthy, toxics-free world

 IPEN’s founders and leaders are experts and community advocates mostly from low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.  These leaders make up our Steering Committee and develop and oversee our strategic work.

IPEN’s Executive Committee provides overall support, while the Secretariat comprises program and administrative staff, including science and policy advisors who provide research support, technical advice, policy analysis, and other support to our global network members.

For general inquiries, please contact ipen@ipen.org. Media members, please see our Newsroom or contact media@ipen.org to speak with one of our experts.

IPEN Co-Chairs

One of IPEN’s most enduring contributions has been its success in empowering POs, particularly from “the Global South”, to participate in international policy forums….IPEN’s technical input and advocacy supported the momentum towards [many global chemical bans] and no other civil society actor was cited as having the same breadth and depth of involvement.

2025 Independent Evaluation of IPEN

Indonesia

Steering Committee

IPEN has contributed to policy change and public awareness raising in numerous countries…with key outcomes assessed have been of high significance.

2025 Independent Evaluation of IPEN

Philippines
Aileen Lucero

Executive Committee

North America

One of IPEN’s most distinctive strengths is its identity as a network owned and driven by its POs. IPEN is viewed as a network of networks…where all actors share equity and have a strong sense of belonging. IPEN’s ability to quickly pivot in response to emerging issues has allowed it to remain influential….This flexibility has been key to ensuring that global initiatives are locally relevant and feasible.

2025 Independent Evaluation of IPEN

North America
Latin America

Regional Coordinators

Anglophone Africa
Central, Eastern and Western Europe
E. Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia
Francophone Africa
Middle East and North Africa
South Asia
Southeast and East Asia
Latin America and the Caribbean

Secretariat

Executive Director & International Coordinator
Operations and Finance Director
Maria Ekström Johansson
Director of Programs
Lia Jasmin M. Esquillo
Network Manager
Tiffany Tool
Science Advisor
Sara Brosché
Science Advisor
Therese Karlsson
Science Advisor
Lee Bell
Global Researcher
Jitka Straková
Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaigner
Jeiel Guarino
Events and Administration Officer
Betty Wählend
Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaign Advisor
Finance Manager
Astha Agrawal
Development and Communications Officer
Program Manager
Belyn Wodehouse
Communications Director
Program and Project Officer

Former Co-chairs

Pamela Miller,

ACAT, USA

2019 – 2025

Dr. Tadesse Amera,

Pesticide Action Nexus Ethiopia,

Ethiopia, 2018 – 2024

Dr. Olga Speranskaya,

Eco-Accord/HEJSupport,

Russia, 2010 – 2018 

Emmanuel (Manny) Calonzo,

EcoWaste Coalition, Philippines,

2011 – 2015

Mariann Lloyd-Smith, PhD,

National Toxics Network, Australia,

2006 – 2011

Prof. Jamidu Katima, Agenda for

Environment and

Responsible Development, Tanzania,

2006 – 2010

Jack Weinberg,

USA, 2001 – 2005

Dr. Romeo F. Quijano, MD,

Pesticide Action Network,

Philippines, 1

998 – 2006

Sharyle Patton,

Commonweal, USA,

1998 – 2004

IPEN’s Former Co-chairs Committee

manages whistleblower complaints.

See

IPEN’s anti-corruption policy

and code of conduct.

 

IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network)
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