Field mycologist and founder of the Fungi Foundation. Recognized worldwide for her work in fungal conservation, author of field guides and a leading figure in the inclusion of fungi in global conservation.

Giuliana Furci is a field mycologist, founder, and executive director of Fundación Fungi. She is an associate of Harvard University, a National Geographic Explorer, a Dame of the Order of the Star of Italy, vice-chair of the IUCN Committee on Fungal Conservation, and the author of several books, including a series of field guides on Chilean fungi. She is also a co-author of publications such as the first State of the World's Fungi report (Kew, 2018), the publication that defined the term "funga," and the 3F Proposal: Fauna, Flora, and Funga. Giuliana has held consulting positions with philanthropic foundations in the United States, as well as full-time positions with international and Chilean non-profit organizations dedicated to marine conservation. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Acción Fauna and the Advisory Council of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), among other organizations. Giuliana has received several distinctions, including the Buffett/National Geographic Latin America Conservation Leadership Award 2022, the Gordon and Tina Wasson Award from the Mycological Society of America 2022, and the International Society for Fungal Conservation's President's Award in 2013.