I'm Charlie Chesney,

an environmental innovator.

 

I explore innovative solutions to protect and ensure the health and longevity of nature and society. I utilize Agile and design thinking approaches to inspire learning and drive high-impact solutions. I focus on the adoption of emerging technologies and the strategic formation of partnerships and collaborations between NGOs, entrepreneurs, impact investors and universities to enable global innovation. My aim is to work with bold individuals and communities to introduce new ways of thinking to counter climate change and biodiversity loss.​

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Education

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University of California, Santa Cruz

PhD Environmental Studies

Sustainable Technologies for GHG Mitigation

Sept 2020 - June 2025

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University of Oxford

MSc Biodiversity, Conservation & Management

Oct 2017 - Sept 2018

Distinction

 

San Francisco State University

BSc Biology/Zoology

Aug 2011 - May 2015

Magna Cum Laude

 

 

Skills

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- Design Thinking for Innovation -

- Lean / Scrum Methodologies & Tools -

- Qualitative &  Quantitative Research -

- Mentoring / Teaching Students - 

- Event Planning & Coordination -

- Academic, Technical & Popular Science Writing -

- Field Work & Wildlife Handling -

- Podcast Production -

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Achievements

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April 2020

Gave Technology for Conservation webinar hosted by Climate Corps AmeriCorps

 

March 2020

Guided student team to host educational environmental art event at San Lorenzo Library

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February 2020

Gave Blockchain for Nature & People webinar hosted by Blockchain for Social Impact Coalition

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November 2019

Grand Prize Winner of Conservation X Labs Technology Prize for blockchain prototype ($20,000)

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October 2019

Included in WWF's 17 ideas that could change the world

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August 2019

Funding award from Impactio pilot for NeuTreeLize

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June 2019

Spoke on the New Finance Mechanisms panel at the Blockchain for Social Impact conference in New York

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May 2019

Coordinated the collaboration between Ecosulis, Panda Labs and the University of Oxford to produce a conservation blockchain technical brief inspired by my MSc dissertation (in production)

 

March 2019 

Joined WWF’s Panda Labs core team as an ‘Honorary Panda’

 

September 2018

Received distinction on MSc dissertation & overall course work

 

May 2018

One of three students chosen to present MSc dissertation topic at WildCRU Colloquium

 

February 2018

Presented at WWF-UK Innovation Challenge

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August 2017

Recognized by Michelle Obama for achieving a MSc acceptance to the University of Oxford

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June 2017

Coordinated and led community BioBlitz event

 

February 2017

Publication of co-authored animal behavior study at the San Francisco Zoo

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May 2015

Graduated Magna Cum Laude ​from San Francisco State University

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February 2014

Became the first student researcher at the San Francisco Zoo’s Wellness & Conservation Center, establishing an independent study program for San Francisco State University zoology students 

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