For more than two decades, Pai has been at the forefront of campaigns to defend transboundary rivers—particularly the Mekong and Salween—and the rights and livelihoods of riparian communities who depend on them. Before co-founding Rivers and Rights, Pai served as the Southeast Asia campaigns director for International Rivers, where she led cross-border advocacy on transboundary water governance,…
Regina brings a commitment to supporting culturally sensitive and community-oriented work, as well as a diverse set of experiences connecting people and places. As associate program officer, she supports all aspects of the Prize nomination and selection process, including programmatic efforts such as youth engagement and outreach. Raised in an immigrant family in the Bay Area,…
Rachel Gelman is a community organizer and philanthropist who works to build and resource social movements that fight for a world where all beings can thrive and live in alignment with one another and the planet. She is the founder of the Willow Fund and serves on the board of the Walter and Elise Haas…
A member of the Jury since 2025, Marcelo Mena is the founding CEO of the Global Methane Hub, the world’s first globally coordinated philanthropic effort dedicated to reducing methane emissions, which has advanced policies and projects in over 150 countries and leveraged over $20 billion in climate finance. A biochemical engineer who earned his MS…
Founded in 1977 by Professor Wangari Maathai, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya. GBM works at the grassroots, national, and international levels to promote environmental conservation; to build climate resilience and empower communities, especially women and girls; to foster democratic space and sustainable livelihoods.
Amanda Burrell joined the Jury in 2024. She is a multi-award-winning film and television producer and presenter who is passionate about using her role in the media to mobilize action for the planet. Inspired by stories of environmental activism, Burrell creates films that highlight the work of people on a mission to heal the Earth.…
Obsessed with organization and devoted to detail, Amy brings a well-honed talent for office administration and management to the Prize. She is responsible for daily office operations and supports in driving the Prize toward its goals. She brings over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, hospitality, and nonprofit event management. Amy earned her BA in…
Liz is passionate about empowering and inspiring individuals to lead positive change. She has a rich background in sustainability, with leadership positions at the Presidio Graduate School, a sustainability-focused university, and Net Impact, a nonprofit focused on building a global network of grassroots changemakers. Liz received an undergraduate degree from Yale and an MBA from…
A member of the Jury since 2022, Gidon Bromberg is the founder and Israeli co-director of EcoPeace Middle East, a unique regional organization that brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists to promote sustainable development and advance peace efforts in the Middle East. Bromberg has spearheaded the organization’s advocacy campaigns in the Middle East and…
Julien Vincent is the executive director of Market Forces, an Australian nonprofit organization that seeks to curtail the financing of coal and other fossil fuels. He is the 2022 recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize for Islands & Island Nations.