Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: M. SANJAYAN

Sanjayan became Conservation International’s CEO in 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, including the PBS series “Changing Planet.”

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.

FAVORITE FASHION ACCESSORY: When I’m out in the field, my Swarovski binoculars are always by my side.

ON INTEGRATING AI: As a student, I crawled through dirt fields to count gophers by hand. Now, AI helps us monitor wildlife, process large datasets and assess risks much more efficiently. This is a remarkable opportunity. But like any tool, it comes with trade-offs, and we’re navigating them thoughtfully.

Return to the full list of this category’s recipients.