Sarah Banda-Genchev

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement , United Nations

Bonn, Germany

Strategic leader advancing people-centered solutions across business, government, and civil society. I drive impact through inclusive partnerships that support all Sustainable Development Goals. With global experience, I champion innovation, equity, and sustainability—mobilizing resources and inspiring action to empower communities, influence systems, and build a just, regenerative future for all.

Contact Sarah Banda-Genchev
Area of Expertise:
  • Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Director, CEO, COP, President
  • Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
  • Private Sector, Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility
Professional Experience:

I am a strategic leader with over 20 years of international experience working across sustainable development, climate resilience, Indigenous Peoples' rights, agriculture, and stakeholder engagement. My professional journey has spanned grassroots implementation, policy advocacy, program leadership, and executive management—equipping me with a unique blend of operational insight and global systems thinking.

Currently, I serve as Management Consultant and previously as Interim Managing Director for the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF), where I led institutional transition, resource mobilization, and global stakeholder engagement. I acted as the primary liaison between FSC, FSC-IF’s Council, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, and global partners. My work included integrating Indigenous values into sustainability strategies, managing donor-funded projects (USAID), building partnerships with governments and the private sector, and enhancing the Foundation’s global presence.

Before FSC-IF, I worked at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Bonn as a Programme Management Specialist. I led the Land and Goodwill Ambassadors program, coordinated youth engagement, and managed high-level advocacy events at the UN General Assembly and COPs. My leadership helped drive global awareness and policy influence on land degradation and desertification.

At the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – IPBES, I served as a Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Expert. I developed and implemented IPBES’s first communications and advocacy strategy and led global stakeholder engagement for the launch of the first Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity. I engaged with over 130 member states and diverse stakeholders to build alignment on biodiversity policy and action.

Earlier in my career, I held various roles with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in Bonn, including Membership Manager, Supporter Program Manager, and Network Liaison Manager. I streamlined governance processes, built member engagement strategies, and supported national offices across regions.

My roots in sustainable agriculture were shaped through my work with the Organic Producers and Processors Association of Zambia and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), where I supported over 1,000 organic producers, enhanced market access, and led capacity-building efforts across Southern Africa.

Throughout my career, I have consistently driven inclusive, community-based approaches while navigating the complexities of global institutions. I bring deep experience in cross-cultural leadership, strategic partnerships, program design, communications, financial oversight, and governance. I am passionate about creating impact where people, policy, and the planet intersect—and I remain committed to building equitable systems that empower communities and foster regenerative development across all sectors.

Education:

I hold a Master’s in Sustainable Development from SOAS, University of London, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from the University of South Africa. I also completed a Certificate in International Business from the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, Germany, a Certificate in Organic Agriculture and Internal Control Systems from Grolink AB in Sweden, and a Diploma in Agriculture from the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) in Zambia. These formal qualifications have given me a solid foundation in sustainable development, business strategy, agriculture, and cross-cultural systems thinking.

Equally important is the education I’ve gained through experience. Over the past two decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of climate action, sustainable land management, and inclusive development—collaborating with Indigenous Peoples, governments, private sector leaders, and UN agencies. From managing field-level agriculture programs in Zambia to shaping biodiversity policy at UNEP’s IPBES platform and leading global advocacy at the UNCCD, my journey has been a continuous learning process. I’ve developed practical skills in negotiation, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and communications through real-world challenges that no classroom could simulate.

Serving as Interim Managing Director at the FSC Indigenous Foundation, I applied both academic insight and experiential knowledge to drive impact, navigate governance complexities, and align global strategies with local realities. These roles have taught me how to lead with empathy, adapt quickly, and deliver results across cultures, sectors, and systems.

My education is ongoing, rooted in action, reflection, and collaboration—with communities, partners, and the planet.

Available for:

  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Spanish, German, Nyanja

Nationality:

Zambia

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