Salina Abraham

Salina Abraham serves as Chief of Staff and Advisor to CEO at CIFOR-ICRAF, where she brings her extensive experience in youth leadership and sustainable landscape management. After completing her double degree in Economics and Environmental Science from the University of Washington and Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, she has established herself as a prominent voice for youth engagement in environmental action. Her career spans multiple leadership roles, including President of the International Forestry Students' Association (2015-2018), where she led a major organizational restructuring and developed a five-year strategy. As Africa Regional Manager for the Global Landscapes Forum (2021-2023), she championed community-led initiatives and youth engagement in sustainable landscape management. Her work particularly emphasizes bridging divides between different stakeholders, demonstrated through her development of the GLFx Initiative, a decentralized network connecting grassroots initiatives with funding and knowledge resources. Through her roles at Harvard's Belfer Center and the World Bank, she continues to advance youth participation in environmental policy while researching female leadership in African economics. As an Eritrean-American environmentalist, she brings a unique perspective to environmental advocacy, emphasizing the importance of inclusive approaches to sustainable development and landscape restoration.