Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2024: M. SANJAYAN

Time magazine named Sanjayan to its inaugural Time100 Climate list in November 2023, recognizing the climate scientist and nonprofit executive as one of the most innovative leaders driving businesses to act on climate change. The magazine praised his skills as a science communicator who has helped Conservation International form important partnerships, such as the Restore Fund, created with Apple to support nature-based carbon removal technologies.

Sanjayan was named CEO in 2017 after three years as executive vice president and senior scientist. Previously, he was a lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy. He also has hosted climate-related documentaries, including the “Changing Planet” series on PBS, which plans to present a new episode on Earth Day for seven years.

Born in Sri Lanka and raised in West Africa, Sanjayan holds a master’s degree in biology from the University of Oregon and a doctorate in conservation biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Sanjayan is a trustee of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, which awards funding to winning organizations to help find innovative solutions to environmental problems.