Olivier Langrand is the executive director of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), which empowers civil society organizations in the world’s biodiversity hotspots to deliver innovative, enduring solutions that conserve biodiversity and help communities thrive.

Mr. Langrand’s 30-year career in wildlife conservation includes extensive experience in the design and implementation of field research and tropical forest conservation programs in Madagascar and southern and central Africa. He is an expert in the birds of the southwestern Indian Ocean islands, having authored four authoritative books on the avifauna of Madagascar, the Comoros, the Mascarenes and the Seychelles islands.

He previously he served as director of global affairs at Island Conservation, and in several capacities for Conservation International and WWF. Mr. Langrand holds a master of science in zoology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.