Javier Mateo-Vega

Javier Mateo-Vega is the Assistant Under Secretary for Research Programs & Partnerships at the Smithsonian Institution, where he serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary for Science and Research and other Smithsonian officials on all pan-institutional research-related programs and research partnerships. He also provides executive leadership and direction to the central planning, coordination, and oversight of the programmatic operations under their purview.

He served for seven years as Global Director of Partnerships & Communications at the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and held a joint appointment as Senior Director for Partnerships at CGIAR. In these capacities, he led globally distributed teams of experts on resource mobilization, communications, partnerships, capacity development, intelligence management, and external engagement for research-for-development.

Javier also served as Director of the Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative (ELTI) of the Yale School of Environment, holding a joint appointment at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI; Panama). He also held positions at The Nature Conservancy (Country Manager) and the Organization for Tropical Studies (Coordinator, Environmental Science and Policy), both in Costa Rica.

Javier received his PhD (Biology) from McGill University. His research focused on understanding how Indigenous peoples can participate fully and effectively at the local level in policy processes of global concern, such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and devolved forest management, which aim to arrest forest loss and contribute to international climate and biodiversity targets. He worked primarily in eastern Panama, including the Bayano region and Darien Gap, areas known for their magnificent forests and rich cultural diversity. He remains engaged in ongoing research in the region as part of the Scientific Committee of the Bacuru Droa Initiative (Old-Growth Forest in Emberá language) at STRI and McGill University.

Javier has 25+ years of experience providing technical and managerial leadership in conservation, sustainable agriculture, capacity development, and ecological research, primarily in developing countries. He is member of the Advisory Committee of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Program (EWCL) and sits on the Board of Directors of the Organization for Tropical Studies and Bioversity International UK/USA.

A native of Costa Rica, Javier has lived in 11 countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe, and is an avid surfer, runner and art collector.