Who we are

History

The FSC-IF is connected strategically to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) group. FSC is a global non-profit membership organization that covers over 160 million hectares of certified forests and with a certification system connected to over 40 thousand companies over 89 countries worldwide, promoting a voluntary certification system based on the highest standards of the market.

Following its long history of working to incorporate Indigenous Peoples’ rights and Free, Prior and Informed Consent into sustainable forest management around the world, in 2013, FSC set up the Permanent Indigenous Peoples’ Committee (PIPC) to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard at the highest levels of FSC decision-making. The PIPC is a global advisory committee to advise the FSC International Board on the FSC certification system, safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights, enhance forest management, and support Indigenous Peoples in building FSC certified forest stewardship, increasing their market share and value.

Through a collaboration of the PIPC and the FSC, the FSC-IF was established in 2018 with headquarters in Panama to support Indigenous Peoples themselves as drivers of change for their territories, development, and rights, and their active role in forest and nature-based solutions worldwide.

Governance

The FSC-IF is an Indigenous-led global organization, governed by a Council with Indigenous representatives from around the world who is responsible to provide the strategic guidance of the Foundation and ensure that it operates in line with its mission, values, and principles.

Read the Charter of the FSC Indigenous Foundation here.

FSC Indigenous Foundation Council

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim Chair of FSC-IF Council, Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT)

Peggy Smith Professor Emerita in Lakehead University’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management

Gregorio Mirabal Climate Change and Biodiversity Coordinator of COICA

Nicholas Mujah Ason General Secretary of the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)

Niila Inga PIPC Representative for Europe

Samante Anne PIPC Representative for Anglophone Africa

Subhra Bhattacharjee Director General of the Forest Stewardship Council

Forest Stewardship Council Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee

The Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) is a global advisory committee of Indigenous representatives from all regions of the planet to advise the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International Board on the FSC certification system, safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights, enhance forest management, and support Indigenous Peoples in building FSC certified forest stewardship, increasing their market share and value.

David Flood President and PIPC Representative for North America

Praful Lakra PIPC Vice President and Representative for Asia

Samante Anne PIPC Representative for Anglophone Africa

Niila Inga PIPC Representative for Europe

Alina Liviet Santiago Jimenez PIPC Representative for Central America and the Caribbean

Olga Kostrova PIPC Representative for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States

Nadia Gomez PIPC Representative for South America

Te Ngaehe Wanikau PIPC Representative for Oceania

Aissatou Oumarou Ibrahim PIPC Representative for the Francophone Africa

FSC Indigenous Foundation Team

Minnie Degawan Managing Director

Portrait of Patricia Rojas IPARD Finance And Administration Manager.

Patricia Rojas Senior Finance and Administration Manager

Dian Intarini Indigenous People Global Manager for Certification and Forestry

Maria Esther De Leon Camacho Head of Communications

Darwin Gudiel Velásquez Joachín Finance and Administration Officer

Carlos Blandon Program Manager

Fredy Duque Project Coordinator Nature-Based Indigenous Business

Hayro Cunampio FPIC Project Consultant Nature-Based Indigenous Businesses

Luis Hurtado Yau Acquisitions Specialist

Juan Samaniego Program Finance Assistant

Alejandro Bonilla Capacity Building, Governance, and Legal Advisory Specialist

Luis Pinto Director and Community Project Coordinator

Omar Bernal Structural Projects Specialist

Efran Castillero Boyd Professional in Indigenous Agribusiness

Ronald Berrugate Professional in Indigenous Agriculture

Noemi Duarte Administrative Assistant

Jose Eduart Camarena Community Project Implementation Specialist

Kalea Adrienne Daytec Aquino Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific Region

Alliances and Partnerships

At the FSC Indigenous Foundation, we believe the path to a sustainable future is rooted in the knowledge, values, and practices of Indigenous Peoples. We elevate Indigenous Knowledge Systems as powerful tools for climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and responsible forest management. We invite mission-aligned allies, funders, and agents of change to join this global effort. Whether through funding, technology, or strategic collaboration, your support can help preserve languages, protect ecosystems, and strengthen community-led solutions. Together, we can transform narratives, amplify Indigenous voices, and co-create a future where People and Planet thrive in harmony.

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Careers

While we currently do not have any open job opportunities, we are always growing—and when positions do become available, we will actively share them through our official channels. In the meantime, one of the most powerful ways you can support our mission is by amplifying our voice. Share our content, spread the message, and help raise awareness about the importance of Indigenous-led climate solutions. Every post, mention, and conversation helps elevate the stories, knowledge, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples in the global movement for people and planet. Follow us and stay connected—we’d love to grow this movement with you.

You will see new job positions in this section once they are available.