Letícia Benavalli

Brazillian based in Brazil

Letícia Benavalli is a Brazilian conservationist and the founder of the Pró-Onça Institute, an NGO dedicated to protecting jaguars and restoring ecosystems through science, storytelling, and community leadership. With over a decade of experience, she works at the intersection of biodiversity conservation, climate justice, and gender equity across the Cerrado biome – the Brazilian savannah. She holds a Master’s in Ecology and Natural Resources Conservation from Uberlândia Federal University and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice from the University of Oxford. Her work combines cutting-edge conservation tools with traditional knowledge and community-based monitoring. Letícia has led award-winning projects on habitat restoration, human-wildlife coexistence, and youth-led environmental education, with a strong focus on empowering women in science and decision-making.
She is a Rolex Explorers Club Grantee, Forbes Sustainability Leaders 2024 Finalist, and recipient of multiple international awards, as well as a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), and YOUNGO – the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC – where she contributes to climate and biodiversity policy advocacy. An alumna of the American Express Leadership Academy (AMEX), Young Leaders from the Americas (YLAI) and Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Letícia is also a documentary filmmaker using storytelling to bridge science, policy, and community action. Her work is driven by a vision of inclusive conservation, where empowered communities and thriving ecosystems build a resilient future for people and nature. Letícia envisions a future where conservation is about transforming systems, centering equity and the leadership of those most connected to the land.