Free de Koning

Free de Koning is the VP, Project Development & Impact at Conservation International. Free has over 25 years of experience in the field of conservation and sustainability. Free has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors in Europe and Latin America.

De Koning started their career as a researcher at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. Free then worked as a project manager for Wageningen University & Research and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. In 2006, they became the Director Conservation Strategies Unit for Conservation International's Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC)-Andes. Free then served as Technical Director Ecuador Program for Conservation International from 2008 to 2014. In 2014, they joined World Resources Institute as the Project Director Governance of Forests where they worked until 2016. Currently, de Koning is back with Conservation International as the VP, Project Development & Impact.

De Koning has a doctorate in Environmental Systems Analysis from Wageningen University & Research.

Free de Koning's educational career includes earning a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD in Land use change modelling from Wageningen University & Research and a Master of Science - MS in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University & Research.

Free de Koning reports to Miguel Morales, SVP, Global Environment Facility Project Agency & Green Climate Fund Implementing Agency.