Concepción Molina Islas: Experience and commitment in service of conservation
After 19 years of voluntary service on the Small Grants Program (SGP) Proposal Evaluation Committee, MAR Fund expresses its deep appreciation to Concepción Molina Islas for her commitment and valuable contribution to strengthening this program and, consequently, MAR Fund.
Over nearly two decades, Concepción dedicated her time, expertise, and professional judgment to evaluating project proposals submitted to the Small Grants Program. Together with the other members of the Committee, she contributed to ensuring transparent and rigorous selection processes aimed at supporting initiatives for the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR).
Her participation accompanied the Program through its first 18 calls for proposals, during which more than one hundred organizations had the opportunity to access funding to advance projects in conservation, sustainable management, community strengthening, and ecosystem protection in coastal and marine protected areas across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Concepción has an extensive professional background in biodiversity conservation. She is an oceanographer, graduating with honors from the Autonomous University of Baja California, and holds a Master’s degree in Regional Studies in Environment and Development from Universidad Iberoamericana. For more than three decades, she has been dedicated to strategic planning, conservation financing, the management of protected natural areas, and fostering collaboration among civil society, the scientific community, and public policy.
Her experience includes key roles in organizations and institutions central to conservation efforts in Mexico, including Amigos de Sian Ka’an, the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature, and currently, Fundación Carlos Slim, where she serves as General Coordinator of the Environment Program. This distinguished career brought strategic insight and valuable technical knowledge to the work of the SGP Proposal Evaluation Committee.
Concepción’s participation over these 19 years has been an example of commitment, generosity, and professional excellence. Her experience and dedication have significantly contributed to strengthening the Program, which has created opportunities for conservation and sustainable development in the Mesoamerican Reef System. —Elisa Blanda, Small Grants Program Officer.
For her part, Concepción shared about her experience:
“Collaborating with MAR Fund through the Committee has been a very enriching experience, ranging from the invaluable learning about initiatives across the four countries of the Mesoamerican Reef System, to the fruitful dialogue and exchange of ideas with exceptional colleagues.”
We deeply recognize and appreciate Concepción’s invaluable contribution to the Small Grants Program and to strengthening conservation in the Mesoamerican Reef System.
Photo: Juan Carlos Huitrón Baca