Our Team
Meet the Team
At UCSL, sustainability is not just a goal – it is a way of life deeply embedded in our mission and the people who drive it. Our team is a vibrant mosaic of passionate experts, embodying the diversity of the global communities we serve. Each of us brings a unique perspective, grounded in years of research, fieldwork, and a shared dedication to creating meaningful change.
With over 90% of our team members holding PhD degrees, we combine academic excellence with practical expertise to ensure that every certification is conducted with precision, cultural understanding, and a commitment to the highest standards. Our experts are embedded across regions worldwide, providing unparalleled local knowledge and insight that enriches every project we undertake.
For us, sustainability is deeply personal – it’s about serving the communities we call home and helping them thrive. As a unified team, we are driven by a shared vision of building a better tomorrow – one where businesses succeed responsibly, communities prosper, and the environment flourishes.
With over 90% of our team members holding PhD degrees, we combine academic excellence with practical expertise to ensure that every certification is conducted with precision, cultural understanding, and a commitment to the highest standards. Our experts are embedded across regions worldwide, providing unparalleled local knowledge and insight that enriches every project we undertake.
For us, sustainability is deeply personal – it’s about serving the communities we call home and helping them thrive. As a unified team, we are driven by a shared vision of building a better tomorrow – one where businesses succeed responsibly, communities prosper, and the environment flourishes.
CEO
Communications Manager
Olga Shuvalova
Juliana Rozenkrantc
Nikolai Stashkevich
Qualification Manager, GSTC and MSC Auditor
CEO
Communications Manager
Olga Shuvalova
Juliana Rozenkrantc
Sofya Kazanskaya
GSTC Program Junior Specialist
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GSTC Program Manager
Email: a.zavadskaya@ucsl.eu
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Anna's dedication to education and empowerment has always been central to her career. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of changemakers and leaders, she spent over eight years as a leader within the IUCN WCPA Young Professionals Group and has actively contributed to international initiatives advancing the SDGs, including female leadership programs by the Girl Move Academy. In addition, Anna serves as a lecturer in conservation and sustainable tourism management for university programs and conducts training for rangers and national park guides on outdoor ethics and interpretation as a certified Leave No Trace trainer.
Believing that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainability and conservation, Anna has led over 30 interdisciplinary international and domestic conservation, education, and capacity-building projects, effectively bridging scientific research with impactful communication while empowering local communities to safeguard nature. In 2019, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to conservation and community engagement, Anna was honored with the prestigious IUCN CEC Excellence Award.
With a prolific portfolio of over 130 publications, including 12 books and industry guidelines, Anna has made significant contributions to sustainable tourism practices. Her extensive international experience encompasses academic collaborations and research exchanges with renowned institutions such as Cambridge University, the U.S. National Parks Service, and Fish and Wildlife Services. Additionally, she has over a decade of experience coordinating UNESCO MAB site activities and has consulted on sustainable tourism and conservation projects across Eurasia and beyond.
At UCSL, Anna leads the GSTC Program, bringing her wealth of expertise to design and deliver certification processes that drive meaningful and measurable change worldwide. By cultivating strong partnerships with local and international stakeholders and seamlessly integrating region-specific expertise, Anna ensures that UCSL’s certification solutions remain globally impactful while deeply rooted in local realities. Anna’s interdisciplinary expertise bridges science, policy, and practice, enabling her to deliver forward-thinking solutions to complex sustainability challenges and making her an invaluable asset to UCSL. Under her leadership, UCSL’s certifications are not merely checklists of compliance but transformative tools that drive sustainability, inspire meaningful change in the tourism sector and beyond, and create a lasting legacy for businesses, communities, and the planet.
Believing that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainability and conservation, Anna has led over 30 interdisciplinary international and domestic conservation, education, and capacity-building projects, effectively bridging scientific research with impactful communication while empowering local communities to safeguard nature. In 2019, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to conservation and community engagement, Anna was honored with the prestigious IUCN CEC Excellence Award.
With a prolific portfolio of over 130 publications, including 12 books and industry guidelines, Anna has made significant contributions to sustainable tourism practices. Her extensive international experience encompasses academic collaborations and research exchanges with renowned institutions such as Cambridge University, the U.S. National Parks Service, and Fish and Wildlife Services. Additionally, she has over a decade of experience coordinating UNESCO MAB site activities and has consulted on sustainable tourism and conservation projects across Eurasia and beyond.
At UCSL, Anna leads the GSTC Program, bringing her wealth of expertise to design and deliver certification processes that drive meaningful and measurable change worldwide. By cultivating strong partnerships with local and international stakeholders and seamlessly integrating region-specific expertise, Anna ensures that UCSL’s certification solutions remain globally impactful while deeply rooted in local realities. Anna’s interdisciplinary expertise bridges science, policy, and practice, enabling her to deliver forward-thinking solutions to complex sustainability challenges and making her an invaluable asset to UCSL. Under her leadership, UCSL’s certifications are not merely checklists of compliance but transformative tools that drive sustainability, inspire meaningful change in the tourism sector and beyond, and create a lasting legacy for businesses, communities, and the planet.
At UCSL, I transform my passion for Nature and People into meaningful action, making sustainable practices a reality for everyone who cares. Whether collaborating with companies committed to being changemakers and stewards of our planet, or guiding those taking their very first steps toward sustainability, I find purpose and inspiration in every path. Working alongside passionate professionals from around the globe, we unite our expertise and shared vision to protect our shared home and create meaningful change, fostering sustainability in every corner of the world.”
Anna Zavadskaya is a dedicated sustainability leader, conservation scientist, and advocate for ethical and sustainable tourism. With over 17 years of international experience and a PhD in Nature Management and Geography, Anna’s career reflects a profound commitment to creating meaningful environmental and social change.
Anna’s research has primarily centered on understanding and addressing the impacts of tourism on communities and the environment, conducting ecosystem service assessments, and advancing participatory conservation management. As a co-author of groundbreaking national and regional sustainable tourism strategies, legislation, and science-based frameworks for tourism and visitor management – with a particular focus on protected natural areas – Anna has played a pivotal role in the development of numerous ecotourism master plans, including those for iconic Eurasian protected areas and UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kronotsky Reserve, South Kamchatka Sanctuary, and the Baikal Lake reserves. Through collaborations with governments, businesses, NGOs, research institutions, and protected area managers, Anna has developed innovative approaches to tourism management, partnership building, and governance, resulting in measurable sustainability impacts.
Anna’s research has primarily centered on understanding and addressing the impacts of tourism on communities and the environment, conducting ecosystem service assessments, and advancing participatory conservation management. As a co-author of groundbreaking national and regional sustainable tourism strategies, legislation, and science-based frameworks for tourism and visitor management – with a particular focus on protected natural areas – Anna has played a pivotal role in the development of numerous ecotourism master plans, including those for iconic Eurasian protected areas and UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kronotsky Reserve, South Kamchatka Sanctuary, and the Baikal Lake reserves. Through collaborations with governments, businesses, NGOs, research institutions, and protected area managers, Anna has developed innovative approaches to tourism management, partnership building, and governance, resulting in measurable sustainability impacts.