Meryl Cohen
About Meryl Cohen
Meryl Cohen is a Program Director with expertise in land tenure and sustainable livelihoods, particularly within conservation protected areas. She has extensive experience in managing donor relationships and collaborating with indigenous organizations to promote conservation and development goals.
Work at Amazon Conservation
Meryl Cohen currently serves as the Program Director at Amazon Conservation Association, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she demonstrates expertise in land tenure and sustainable livelihoods, focusing on conservation protected areas. Her work involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including government and private sector entities, to promote Indigenous Peoples’ rights and indigenous reserves.
Previous Experience in Conservation and Finance
Prior to her current role, Meryl Cohen worked in several significant positions related to conservation and finance. She was a Program Manager at Amazon Conservation Association from 2019 to 2022, and served as a Foundations Officer at Environmental Defense Fund from 2018 to 2019. Additionally, she held roles at Conservation International and Rights and Resources Initiative, where she developed and implemented rights-based conservation strategies across the Amazon and Mesoamerica.
Education and Expertise
Meryl Cohen holds a Master’s degree in International Development from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, where she also studied Latin American Studies. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the same institution. Her academic background supports her extensive experience in climate change finance, particularly in REDD+ initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation.
Stakeholder Engagement and Community Collaboration
Meryl Cohen has a strong track record of working with indigenous and community-based organizations to advance conservation and development goals. She has managed donor relationships with various international organizations, including the Global Environment Facility and the International Finance Corporation. Her collaborative approach has involved engaging a wide array of stakeholders to support Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Early Career and Internships
Meryl Cohen began her career with a Public Relations internship at Pittsburgh Filmmakers from 2003 to 2004. She also gained experience as a Research Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh from 2006 to 2007. These early roles contributed to her foundational skills in communication and research, which have been instrumental in her subsequent positions in conservation and finance.