Fernando Secaira

Fernando Secaira joined the Conservancy in 2003 and currently leads TNC’s Coastal Risk and Resilience Strategy in Mexico and Northern Central America.  He works with the hotel industry, coastal engineers, coastal ecologist and federal and local governments to mainstream the use of natural systems for coastal protection, ensuring their conservation. From 2015 to 2019, the team collaborated with government, insurance industry, protected area managers and academia, set up a post storm response program for reef, which included the parametric insurance for the reef, the first of its kind in the world.  

Previously, Fernando led the Conservancy’s coastal and marine work in the Mesoamerican Reef promoting climate change adaptation and fisheries management. From 2003 to 2009, he was the lead environmental planner for marine, terrestrial and freshwater plans, working with government and academia encompassing 9 countries, from Mexico to Colombia.  

From 2000 to 2001, he was the Marine Policy Advisor for PROARCA-USAID, in Central America. From 1999 to 2000, he worked for the Ministry of Environment in Guatemala and led the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy.

Mr. Secaira holds a degree in Architecture from Francisco Marroquín University in Guatemala and a Master in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University, and a Fulbright Scholar.