Leo Long

Leo Long is Senior Manager, Validation and Verification Training at Verra. In this role, he coordinates the training and capacity building of both internal staff at Verra and external stakeholders, including VVBs and accreditation bodies, on developments and updates in Verra programs, standards, and methodologies.

Before joining Verra, Leo worked as a Climate Change Specialist for the SAFCOL, the South African state-owned commercial forestry company. His role included researching and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as community engagement and capacity building around climate awareness and action. Prior to this, Leo managed training and capacity building for SAFCOL, specifically the implementation of technical short skills programs, structured learnerships, graduate programs, and work-integrated-learning for both internal and external staff.

Leo holds both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in education and training, as well as in sustainable forest management. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership, an MSc in Forestry, as well as an MBA, whilst currently pursuing a PhD in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela University, in South Africa. In his free time, Leo enjoys spending time with his family, nature photography, and reading.