Ana Laura Barillas Gómez

Ana Laura Barillas Gómez has more than 15 years of practical experience in conservation, developing in operational, technical, and leadership roles. She is committed to developing high-impact projects through close partnerships and alliances with strategic partners, efficient budget management, and effective communication channels.

Ana has a Master in Science from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2007) and she obtained her B.S. degree (2004) from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla with a major in Biology (with honors) and a full scholarship. Before 2007, Ana collaborated with different conservation projects as a research assistant in other Mexican Protected Areas (PA).

Ana joined the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN) in 2007 as a technical assistant of the Fund for Protected Areas; in 2011, she became coordinator; and in 2014, Director of the Protected Areas Conservation Program. Since March 2016, she is also responsible for coastal and marine initiatives. And since 2021, Ana has been the Conservation Director; her responsibilities include raising funds for the Mexican System of PA, fostering sustainable coastal development and fisheries management in the Gulf of California and Northwestern Mexico, identifying potential projects, enhancing collaboration between civil society organizations and government agencies, supporting grantees’ capacity building needs and leading the PA learning community. Under her leadership, FMCN has signed with German Development Bank two key projects for PA with an investment of more than 30 mi USD.