Kathy MacKinnon

Kathy MacKinnon (28 February 1948 – 18 March 2023) was a zoologist committed to conservation who worked with many governmental organisations and NGOs. She was the lead biodiversity specialist at the World Bank for 16 years and chaired the World Commission on Protected Areas of the International Union for Conservation of Nature from 2015 until 2021.

Early life and education Kathy MacKinnon was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK on 28 February 1948. She studied at the University of Oxford and was awarded BA (Honours) in Zoology in 1969, followed by a master's degree and then a D.Phil. degree for work in zoology in 1976.

Career MacKinnon spent a decade working in the field on tropical ecology in Indonesia and became recognised for her knowledge and expertise. Her focus developed into the planning and management of protecting areas because of their conservation value, and she worked for another 20 years on other conservation projects around the world taking leadership roles to apply knowledge to conservation of biodiversity, natural resources and the issues of local communities living in these regions. She was a member of the leadership of Wetlands International from 2011 until 2021 and encouraged the organisation's involvement in the conservation of peatlands. She was the deputy chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas followed by two terms as Chair (2015 until 2021), having been involved with the organisation since 2010.

Personal life MacKinnon had three sons. She died on 18 March 2023.

Publications MacKinnon was the author or co-author of over 100 scientific publications, books and best practice guidelines.