Governance

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is a working committee responsible for overseeing the operations of the Secretariat and Technical Management Offices in implementing the work program and budget. The Executive Committee is responsible for:

• Setting strategy, policy, direction and budgets;
• Developing and implementing work plans;
• Evaluating progress and producing yearly reports;
• Raising funds;
• Reviewing applications for Membership.

Related Resources

• GGBN Terms of Reference
• Site login for GGBN Executive Committee Members (only)

Executive Committee Members

Chair:

• Santiago Ron, Museo de Zoología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (2026)

Vice Chair:

General Seats:

• Gustavo Bravo, Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, (2023-2026)
• Jason Chen, China National GeneBank (2023-2026)
• Kim Labuschagne, South African National Biodiversity Institute (2025-2026)
• Gilberto A. Ocampo Acosta, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (2022-2026)
• Rachel Meyer, University of California CALeDNA Program (2021-2026)
• Amber Hartman Scholz, Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms (2021-2026), Policies Task Force Chair
• Manuela da Silva, Fiocruz (2018-2026)

Ex-Officio:

• Carolina Corrales, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (2026), Program Manager
• Jonas Astrin, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (2016-2026), Biobank Procedures Task Force Chair
• Gabi Droege, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem (2011-2026), Technical Manager and Data Standards and Data Access Task Force Chair
• Andrew Iloh, National Biodiversity Information Consortium, Biodiversity Education and Resource Center and Sheda Science and Technology Complex (2021-2026), Communications and Outreach Task Force Chair

Ad Hoc:

• David Cantrill, Council of Australian Biological Collections (2013-2026)

Former Members

• Katie Barker, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (2011-2025)
• Carol Butler, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (2011-2024)
• Michelle van der Bank, African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg (2018-2024)
• Penelope Berents, Australian Museum (2011-2013)
• Jackie Mackenzie-Dodds, Natural History Museum London (2016-2024), Document Library Task Force Chair
• Jeremy deWaard, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph (2018-2021)
• Jonathan Coddington, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (2011-2024)
• Birgit Gemeinholzer, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (2011-2013)
• Donald Hobern, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (2011-2015)
• Éamonn Ó Tuama, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (2011-2015)
• David Schindel, Consortium for the Barcode of Life, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (2011-2017)
• Dennis Stevenson, New York Botanical Garden (2016-2020)
• Michal Vinkler, Charles University in Prague (2016-2020)
• Xun Xu, China National Genebank (2016-2020)
• Yong Zhang, China National GeneBank (2014-2016)
• Xin Zhou, China National GeneBank (2014-2016)
• Meiliang Zhou, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (2018-2021)
• Ren Wang, China National Genebank (2021-2024)

Secretariat Office

GGBN's Secretariat, hosted and supported by the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Bonn, Germany, performs day-to-day operational management for GGBN, coordinates member activities, and provides administrative support and communication services for the Interim Executive Committee, Task Force chairs, Technical Management Office, and GGBN Members.

Secretariat Office Staff

• Carolina Corrales, Program Manager

Technical Management Office

GGBN's Technical Management Office, hosted by the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem, performs day to day operational management of the GGBN Data Portal, GGBN Registry, and GGBN Library, coordinates further improvements, and provides technical support for GGBN Members.

Technical Management Office Staff

• Gabi Droege, Technical Manager
• Astrid de Mestier du Bourg
• David Fichtmueller
• Jörg Holetschek
• Edgar Weitzel

Task Forces

Five Task Forces were established to address:

1. Data Standards and Data Access for Genomic Samples
2. Policies Related to Management and Stewardship of Genomic Samples
3. Biobank Procedures
4. Document Library
5. Communications and Outreach

Please click on the links to find out more about the individual Task Forces.