Dr Alix Willemez

Dr Alix Willemez is an environmental consultant, a multiple author, an international speaker and the founder and CEO of Mamafrica, the leading healthcare information website in West Africa, providing guidance, information and locations of nearby doctors. Speaking on resilience and optimism in humans and nature, Alix aims to change lives for the good using her nearly two decades of experience at the forefront of climate finance and environmental law. 

At just 19, Alix survived a terrifying plane crash, which has led to the shaping of her understanding of strength, uncertainty, and hope. Beginning her career as a consultant in natural resources, Alix moved through various environmental positions, from aiding in marine and other renewable energies, advising governments through roles such as Deputy Bureau Chief for State Action at Sea and Policy Advisor of the General Consul of New Zealand, to working as an expert advisor for the UN, Government of Caledonia, WWF and other esteemed organisations. Alix currently serves as a lecturer, having taught as part of the ‘Operations Management and Sustainable Development’ module at the Polytechnic School of Morrocco, at the University of Caledonia teaching European Law and Business Management, and supported the creation of a sustainability curriculum at Shenandoah University. Since 2017, she has been a member of the World Commission on Environmental Law, and the following year, became an expert for the World Ocean Assessment II and III for the United Nations. In 2019, she achieved her MSt in Sustainability Leadership and Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge. Alongside this, Alix became an advisory board member of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, founded Mamafrica, and joined the Global Environment Facility as an environmental and climate finance specialist within the African Development Bank Group. 

Alix is the author of five children’s books about the ocean, sharing her passion for the climate, and inspiring youth to care about all environments. She has also written a book about money and an academic book entitled ‘The Role of Law in Governing Sustainability’, which dives into the wider frameworks of sustainable development. Through her works, Alix transforms complex ideas into real guidance that ignites ideas and action. 

To connect two different forms of resilience that the world needs, the resilience of ecosystems and the resilience of humankind, Alix’s talks bring together law, finance, ecology, and, most importantly, communities. Having lived across the globe, her experiences have allowed her to communicate ideas across cultures and create impact with clarity.