Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: SANJAYAN, M.

After eight years, Sanjayan, the host of the PBS series “Changing Planet,” stepped down as head of Conservation International in August, shortly after the Virginia 500 went to press.

“I’m immensely proud of what we accomplished during this time and am deeply grateful to the extraordinary people I’ve worked alongside. I led the organization through a sustained period of growth, more than doubling our annual budget, completing two successful capital campaigns totaling $2.7 billion, and pioneering innovative conservation finance that has unlocked billions more for global conservation,” he said in a statement posted to social media. “We expanded into new geographies across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific; forged transformational partnerships with some of the world’s leading brands; and deepened collaboration with governments worldwide, all in service of protecting nature for the benefit of people everywhere.

Sanjayan had served as the environmental nonprofit’s high-profile CEO since 2017, after three years as the environmental nonprofit’s executive vice president and senior scientist. Previously, he was a lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy. He also has hosted climate-related documentaries.

Daniela Raik, Conservation International’s executive vice president and chief conservation officer, was named interim CEO.

In February, Conservation International announced a $156.8 million program — largely funded by a $107.4 million Green Climate Fund grant — to help 14 Pacific Island countries adapt their tuna fisheries amid ocean warming.

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. He is a trustee for Prince William’s The Earthshot Prize.

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