Ilaria Di Silvestre

Ilaria is a Biologist with a Master Degree on wildlife eco-ethology. Throughout her career, Ilaria has worked on wildlife conservation and policy for international organizations in Europe, Africa and Middle East. She lived for over 15 years in different African countries managing transnational research projects and working with local institutions on wildlife management policies.

Since 2008 and up to June 2014, she has been part of the team evaluating proposals for the EU LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity Program. She then moved to Brussels and worked on EU environmental and animal welfare policy for international NGOs. She joined IFAW in 2021, where she is currently Director of Policy and Advocacy for Europe. In her role, Ilaria provides direction and guidance to IFAW’s policy, advocacy and campaign work in Europe.

Today more than ever before, Ilaria knows it’s a crucial moment to change the way people interact with nature and wildlife, and with an increasing political will to take action, she hopes to contribute to a world where people and wildlife coexist better together.