Index of Tusk Conservation Symosium 2024 Attendees
A to Z by First Name
Adele Emmett
Head Of Corporate Partnerships and Events
Tusk Trust
United Kingdom
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Adele lived and worked in London, in theatre and the music industry for many years before moving to the west of England in 2004 to bring up her family. At this point she found her dream job at Tusk and leads on corporate partnership development and events.
Akshay Vishwanath
Deputy Director - East Africa Portfolio
Maliasili
Kenya
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Akshay is the Deputy Director for East Africa at Maliasili. He is fascinated and curious about how ordinary people can come together to do extraordinary things. As such, Akshay has spent most of his life pursuing his passion for mobilizing people, communities, and organizations to tackle our most pressing environmental challenges. He has spent most of his career working on natural resource governance and management and fighting for environmental and social justice. Akshay is fond of travel and adventure, wildlife photography, and a healthy dose of dad jokes.
Fun fact - part of his inspiration to work in conservation came from watching the John Wayne movie “Hatari!” when he was very young.
Fun fact - part of his inspiration to work in conservation came from watching the John Wayne movie “Hatari!” when he was very young.
Alexander Rhodes OBE
Chairman
Tusk Trust
UK
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Alex is a lawyer, conservationist, and advocate for change. His work is driven by a recognition that a healthier relationship between our economic and social systems and natural systems on which they depend is both possible and necessary. He advises clients on governance, policy, risk and reputation, with particular expertise in complex disputes, business and human rights, and biodiversity. He also litigates on behalf of parties seeking to hold to account those who cause harm to people, the climate, and the environment. He serves as Chair of Tusk and was a founding trustee and CEO of the Elephant Protection Initiative. He lives in the English countryside with his wife, Katherine, and their two young daughters.
Alistair Sinclair
General Manager
Vulpro
South Africa
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Alistair is 60 years old and has been in nature conservation for over 40 years now. He started his career with the then Natal Parks Board until moving over to the private sector. He worked with crocodiles for many years, which he truly enjoyed. He has a deep passion for our natural environment and is saddened by it’s rapid decline, especially over the past two decades. He is very passionate about environmental education and the need to mentor university students so as to impart practical knowledge onto the future leaders in this field. He has just returned to South Africa after spending six years in Zimbabwe, five of which he spent as the conservator of a large conservancy. He started at VulPro on the 1st of December, 2023. He is petrified of heights.
Amos Gwema
Community Outreach and Conservation Officer
Bhejane Trust
Zimbabwe
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Amos Gwema is a dedicated wildlife conservationist specializing in wildlife intelligence and community conservation. With 21 years of experience, including 18 years in government and 3 years in the private sector, he's a force to be reckoned with in conservation. A former police officer with cumulative 32 years of law enforcement experience, Amos brings a unique blend of skills to his work.
Amos believes in community-led conservation, working closely with locals to gather intelligence and promote coexistence with wildlife, leading to a significant drop in poaching cases in Hwange National Park.
Amos believes in community-led conservation, working closely with locals to gather intelligence and promote coexistence with wildlife, leading to a significant drop in poaching cases in Hwange National Park.
Andrew Malherbe
Chief Operating Officer
Save the Rhino Trust
Namibia
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Andrew works for Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT), the leading black rhino conservation organization in Africa. SRT’s approach challenges the conventional anti-poaching narrative by putting local people first. As the C.O.O he is involved in strategic planning and setting up workable solutions to all sorts of operational challenges. He is interested in big picture thinking and innovative financing for conservation.
Fun fact: Andrew has just started playing the guitar again after a 15 year hiatus.
Fun fact: Andrew has just started playing the guitar again after a 15 year hiatus.
Dr. Andrew Stein
Executive Director
Claws Conservancy
USA
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Andrew Stein is a conservation biologist focused on human carnivore coexistence. Since 2001, Andrew has studied leopards, lions, wild dogs and hyenas in East and Southern Africa, primarily outside of protected areas. He founded CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably) Conservancy in 2014 to implement holistic approaches to reduce conflict between subsistence farmers and lions through an automated Lion Alert System and Herding-4-Health and also led the IUCN Red List Global Assessment for leopard.
Anna Hunt
Head of Philanthropy
Tusk
UK
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Anna Hunt is Head of Philanthropy at Tusk, managing relationships with Major Donors and Charitable Foundations. She joined the charity in 2017 from the fundraising division of WWF-UK where she worked for six years.
Anna has always been passionate about wildlife conservation. She has a degree in Zoology from Swansea University and a Masters in Behavioural Ecology from Manchester Metropolitan. She spent the early years of her career at Marwell Zoo in the UK where she had many interesting experiences from hand-rearing a tiger, giraffe and red panda to transporting animals to other zoos around Europe. While at Marwell, Anna had the opportunity to volunteer for five months with a conservation partner in Zimbabwe, assisting with rhino monitoring operations and small antelope research. This seeded her love of Africa.
Anna lives in Surrey, UK, with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.
Anna has always been passionate about wildlife conservation. She has a degree in Zoology from Swansea University and a Masters in Behavioural Ecology from Manchester Metropolitan. She spent the early years of her career at Marwell Zoo in the UK where she had many interesting experiences from hand-rearing a tiger, giraffe and red panda to transporting animals to other zoos around Europe. While at Marwell, Anna had the opportunity to volunteer for five months with a conservation partner in Zimbabwe, assisting with rhino monitoring operations and small antelope research. This seeded her love of Africa.
Anna lives in Surrey, UK, with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.
Dr. Anthony Mburu
Chief Operations Officer
The Maa Trust
Kenya
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Having recently joined Maa Trust, Anthony is a first-time attendee of the Tusk Conservation Symposium. He has 24 years of experience in Management for Development and working for conservation NGOs. He also has a background in organisation development, community development, marketing and fundraising. His middle name Mwaniki, means one who hangs bee hives, in other words a beekeeper. Indeed he is, a skill passed down from his grandfather who he is named after.
Beatrice Karanja
Board Member and Judge for Tusk Conservation Awards
Tusk Trust
Kenya
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Beatrice is the Founding Executive Director of Nature’s Pitch, an African-led growth hub supporting early-stage green and blue economy ventures, with a particular focus on nano-entrepreneurship and African women in STEMM. Nature’s Pitch ensures that philanthropic funding is matched between African and international partners, strengthening locally led innovation and long-term sustainability. She also serves as Director and Senior Advisor for Strategy, Partnerships, and Resource Mobilisation at Natural State. At the governance and representational level, Beatrice serves as Board Chair of the Mara Elephant Project, a Trustee of Tusk Trust and Natural State, and a panel judge for the Tusk Conservation Awards. In 2024, she was appointed to the Advisory Council of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association.
BenJee Cascio
Director of Conservation Programs
Lion Landscapes (Tanzania)
Tanzania
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BenJee Cascio is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA but has spent his entire professional life working in community development and 10+ years in Africa. He is permanently based in the Ruaha ecosystem in Tanzania and as Lion Landscapes Director of Conservation Programmes he oversees all of Lion Landscapes sites in Laikipia, Kenya, the Ruaha and Selous ecosystems in Tanzania, and South Luangwa in Zambia. He enjoys working with staff and stakeholders to come up with innovative conservation solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.
Benson Kanyembo
Law Enforcement Advisor
Conservation South Luangwa
Zambia
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Benson has devoted 30 years of his working life fighting for and protecting Zambia’s endangered wildlife. His career started in 1994 at the North Luangwa Conservation Project - Zambia, and he has worked for multiple organisations holding positions including a Porter, Village Scout, Community Scout, Wildlife Police Officer, Senior Instructor and Senior Wildlife Police Officer. Between 2003 and 2018 Benson helped train close to 1000 rangers in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. He joined Conservation South Luangwa as Operations Manager in 2009, and in 2018 was promoted to Law Enforcement Advisor, leading all CSL anti-poaching law enforcement and wildlife rescue operations. His efforts have been recognised as the winner of the 2019 Tusk Wildlife Ranger Awards, the 2020 Paradise International Foundation’s African Ranger Awards, and 1st runner up for the Best Game Ranger in the 2020 Rhino Conservation Awards. He is currently the Game Ranger Association of Africa-Southern African Region representative. His love for conservation started when he was 10 years old, witnessing poaching firsthand; he swore that one day he would stand up for the wildlife and do something.
Berce Nsafuansa
Director of Conservation
Okapi Conservation Project
Democratic Republic of Congo
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Berce Nsafuansa Disiki holds a Bachelors Degree in biology, ecology, and management of animal resources and has over 10 years of experience working in national parks and protected areas. Berce has been with the Okapi Conservation Project, firstly as Program Manager and then as Director of Conservation Programs. Berce adopts a holistic approach to conservation by working with local communities and indigenous people to improve their livelihoods while also protecting the forest for okapi and other species.
Bernadette Clemens
US Development Executive
Tusk Trust
USA
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Originating in the performing arts, Bernadette was drawn to nonprofit development and for over 20 years has led development strategy on comprehensive campaigns while managing advancement teams in the fields of higher education, human services, arts and culture, and wildlife conservation. Bernadette has served as US Development Executive for Tusk since 2022.
Beryl Makori
Programs Manager
Pangolin Project
Kenya
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Beryl Makori, is a wildlife scientist, researcher and nature lover. She has a BSc in Natural Resource Management and an MSc in Wildlife Management. Beryl has worked with bats from 2010-2020 all over the world and with pangolins from 2020 to date in Kenya. She enjoys working with communities that live alongside wildlife.
One fun fact about Beryl is that she is a night person (very productive at night) and has coincidentally always worked with nocturnal animals all through her career.
One fun fact about Beryl is that she is a night person (very productive at night) and has coincidentally always worked with nocturnal animals all through her career.
Dr. Caleb Ofori-Boateng
Founder and Director
Herp Ghana
Ghana
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Caleb Ofori-Boateng is the first Ghanaian to study and work for the protection of amphibians in Ghana. He founded Herp-Ghana, West Africa’s first amphibian and reptile conservation organisation. Herp-Ghana collaborates with government and local communities to protect priority amphibian habitats, raise nationwide awareness, and restore degraded habitats. Caleb is also at the forefront of amphibian research, and his work has resulted in the discovery of several new species to science and the rediscovery of populations that were thought to be extinct.
Dr. Camilla Floros
Principal Scientist and Programme Manager
Wild Impact
South Africa
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Camilla Floros is a marine scientist who has spent more than 20 years working across the Western Indian Ocean, with a strong focus on coral reefs, fisheries, and community-led conservation. She is the Principal Scientist and Programme Leader for Oceans Without Borders, a Wild Impact initiative delivered in partnership with &Beyond, where she leads long-term marine conservation programmes in Mozambique and Tanzania. Camilla’s work centres on helping critical habitats recover by combining solid science with practical management—through monitoring, restoration, and rebuilding key species that keep ecosystems in balance. She works closely with government partners, protected area managers, and coastal communities to turn data into real-world action, including fishery replenishment zones and predator recovery efforts.
Carole Wanjau
East Africa and the Comoros Regional Director
Blue Ventures
South Africa
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Carole is a transformational leader with experience from the private and international development sectors. She is a trained lawyer driven by values of inclusion, belonging, equity, sustainability and building strong effective teams.
Her value proposition is her passion and purpose which plays to her top strength of belief. She is passionate about sustainability and impact in the most marginalised communities while cultivating thriving connections and stakeholder management. She is especially fulfilled when her work allows her to leave the world in a better place than she found it by empowering teams to play to their strengths by reframing their unique experiences and perspective whether cultural or lived experiences.
Her value proposition is her passion and purpose which plays to her top strength of belief. She is passionate about sustainability and impact in the most marginalised communities while cultivating thriving connections and stakeholder management. She is especially fulfilled when her work allows her to leave the world in a better place than she found it by empowering teams to play to their strengths by reframing their unique experiences and perspective whether cultural or lived experiences.
Cecile Kayitanirwa
Botanist and Habitat Restoration Manager
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association
Rwanda
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Cecile is a trained botanist, adventurer and passionate conservationist from Rwanda. She currently works as a habitat restoration manager with Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association to restore key habitats and increase biodiversity in Rwanda. Cecile has overseen the production and planting of over 90,000 indigenous trees, the restoration of more than 70 hectares of natural forests in different parts of Rwanda which contributed to the increase of biodiversity, climate change mitigation and improvement of community livelihoods in Rwanda. Cecile is dedicated to exploring innovative solutions to conservation challenges and implementing sustainable practices in her work.
Charlie Mayhew OBE
Founder and President
Tusk Trust
United Kingdom
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Charlie began his career with extensive travel. He went on to work in marine insurance before his long-standing connection to Africa led him to organise and lead a major UN-backed expedition across the continent in 1985, an experience that proved pivotal. In 1990, Charlie co-founded Tusk, which under his leadership grew into the UK’s leading African conservation NGO. To date, Tusk has raised more than £145 million to support over 250 local partner organisations and wildlife ranger units in more than 25 African countries, supporting conservation efforts across the continent. Charlie became Tusk’s full-time Chief Executive in 2002 and led the charity for more than two decades. He was awarded an MBE in 2005 and an OBE in 2023 for services to conservation.
Claudine Tuyishime
Manager, East Africa Portfolio ( Rwanda)
Maliasili
Rwanda
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Claudine Tuyishime is a Rwandan by nationality and she is dedicated to conserving biodiversity and promoting community livelihoods. She has more than 14 years’ experience in community-based conservation in Rwanda where she has worked in different protected areas. Her vision is to work closely with communities and conservation organisations to promote their welfare. Claudine has actively participated in the development of different environmental education programs around the country, and has contributed to land restoration efforts. She has vast experience when it comes to managing partnerships with communities, NGOs, private organisations and government. When it comes to global challenges, Claudine is committed to sustainability and has led specific projects around carbon emission reduction, intensive reforestation and carbon offset projects. Recently, Claudine has joined Maliasili where she will be supporting local conservation organisations to do what they are committed to doing in a better way. Claudine has a great sense of humour.
Damian Bell
Executive Director
Honeyguide Foundation
Tanzania
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Damian Bell is the founder and Executive Director of the Honeyguide Foundation, a grassroots organisation dedicated to fostering and sustaining community-led conservation initiatives in Tanzania. Honeyguide focuses primarily on Wildlife Management Areas, viewing them as social enterprises capable of providing meaningful outcomes for communities and wildlife. Honeyguide further invests in governance and management with the theory that when communities have good governance and management, investor confidence is secured, leading to long-term funding agreements. The overarching objective is to transform Wildlife Management Areas into thriving community-led conservation models, generating benefits for both the local population and the nation.
Dan Bucknell
Chief Operating Officer
Tusk Trust
United Kingdom
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Dan began his conservation career with the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, gaining hands-on experience working closely with rescued primates, eventually moving into field research as part of the Cross River Gorilla Research Programme, contributing to efforts to understand and protect one of the world’s rarest great ape populations. This led to working for the Gorilla Organization, where as Regional Programme Manager he oversaw a number of projects across multiple countries, fostering long-term partnerships, and helping to strengthen grassroots conservation capacity. In 2009, he joined Elephant Family as Head of Conservation and Campaigns, where he led programmes addressing human–elephant conflict, habitat loss, and species protection across Asia. His work combined conservation strategy, public engagement, and campaigning. Dan joined Tusk in 2014, stepping into a leadership role that has seen him champion conservation efforts across Africa and support the growth of the Tusk team in the UK.
David Kuvawoga
Operations Director
Painted Dog Conservation
Zimbabwe
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David Kuvawoga is the Operations Director at Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe, where he provides strategic and operational leadership for field-based conservation, community engagement, and anti-poaching initiatives focused on the protection of the endangered painted dog (Lycaon pictus). He has over a decade of experience working at the interface of wildlife conservation, protected area management, and community-based natural resource initiatives within the greater Hwange landscape. As an Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader (EWCL) (Class 8 Fellow), David is committed to promoting locally driven, practical conservation solutions that balance ecological integrity with community livelihoods.
Dr. Deo Ruhagazi
Deputy Director
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association
Rwanda
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Dr. Deo is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. His first job was in a small animal clinic, but he dreamed of working in conservation. After volunteering with RWCA, Dr Deo worked as a Field Veterinarian and is now the Deputy Director. He takes the lead on the planning and implementing RWCA projects, but he also enjoys sharing his veterinary experience in all of RWCA’s projects. Dr Deo completed his Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Rwanda and has a Master’s degree in Public Health from Mount Kenya University.
Deo likes to joke with friends and watch nature documentary films and football when not at work. As a proud husband and father, he enjoys being with his kids.
Deo likes to joke with friends and watch nature documentary films and football when not at work. As a proud husband and father, he enjoys being with his kids.
Derek Lubangakene
Project Manager
Uganda Conservation Foundation
Uganda
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Derek is a diligent and results-driven project management professional with five years experience in protected area management and programme management. Prior to joining UCF, he worked in humanitarian aid, procurement and corporate brand management. He now manages parks and community livelihood projects across Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks. He has a great love for conservation, and is inspired to create a sustainable and lasting legacy for wildlife conservation in Uganda.
Fun fact: His spirit animal is a honey badger.
Fun fact: His spirit animal is a honey badger.
Elaine Hake
Director of Development and Communications
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust
Malawi
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Elaine Hake joined Lilongwe Wildlife Trust in Malawi in 2019 and is now Director of Development and Communications. She has over 15 years’ experience working in communications, campaigning, fundraising and policy in the not-for-profit sector, with a focus on conservation, gender and international development.
Fanny Minesi
General Director ABC
Friends of Bonobos
Democratic Republic of Congo
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Fanny Minesi is the Executive Director of the Congolese NGO ABC – Amis des Bonobos du Congo, which she joined in 2014. She works on developing innovative models of community-managed protected areas that combine bonobo conservation, local governance, and community rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her work focuses in particular on the Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve, an initiative built with local communities to support conservation without restricting access to resources or local decision-making.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Chief Executive Officer
Conservation Through Public Health
Uganda
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Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), an NGO and non-profit that protects endangered gorillas and other wildlife through One Health approaches. After graduating with a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1995, she established Uganda Wildlife Authority’s first veterinary department in 1996. In 2015, she founded Gorilla Conservation Coffee to support farmers living around gorilla habitats. CTPH won the 2020 Saint Andrews Prize for the Environment. Dr Kalema-Zikusoka is an Ashoka Fellow, National Geographic Explorer, 2009 Whitley Gold Award Winner, 2019 Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa Finalist and 2021 UNEP Champion of the Earth Laureate. In 2023, she published a memoir “Walking with Gorillas: the Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, about her conservation and leadership journey.
Heather Arrowood
Executive Director
Oelo Gabon
Gabon
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Heather Arrowood is co-founder and Executive Director of OELO (Organisation Ecologique des Lacs et de l’Ogooué). She’s a wildlife biologist by training, who came to Gabon for a short-term ecotourism project with WCS and then never left. Her Gabonese husband Cyrille says it’s the lake genie that trapped her, but her in-laws like to point out that Cyrille’s traditional healer grandmother specialised in medicine to keep your partner from leaving. Heather insists it’s the vast wilderness and incredible biodiversity (as well as some humans) who have kept her in the Congo Basin Forest for 14 years and she now has Gabonese nationality. She and Cyrille run a biodiversity NGO, OELO, partially funded by its ecotourism site, Tsam Tsam. OELO leads programmes in sustainable fishing and freshwater biodiversity conservation, changing consumer preferences for bushmeat from protected species, environmental education, community forestry, as well as ecotourism. In 2022, OELO was the first Gabonese organisation to win an Equator Prize for their initiative with the lake Oguemoué community, “Our Lake, Our Future.”
Fun fact: Heather has perhaps the only (French) horn in Gabon.
Fun fact: Heather has perhaps the only (French) horn in Gabon.
Hoby Razafimandimby
Communications and Marketing Specialist
C3 Madagascar
Madagascar
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Hoby is a Malagasy environmental educator and communication specialist with extensive experience designing and implementing community-based conservation and youth engagement programmes. Hoby’s work with C3 Madagascar develops environmental education initiatives, trains teachers, leads youth eco-clubs called ""Junior Ecoguards"", and develops institutional communication and partnerships. Passionate about marine biodiversity conservation and youth empowerment, Hoby combines project management, strategic communication, and storytelling to drive environmental awareness and behavioural change.
Ian Stevenson
Chief Executive Officer
Conservation Lower Zambezi
Zambia
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Australian-born Ian Stevenson first arrived in the Lower Zambezi in 1997 and quickly found his calling in wildlife conservation. With more than 25 years’ experience in protected area management across Africa, Ian currently leads Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), one of Zambia’s longest-standing conservation NGOs. Over the past three decades, CLZ has grown from a single operation into an organisation of over 100 employees. What began with support for foot patrols has expanded to include applied research, specialised operational units as well as an extensive environmental education programme reaching over 3,500 pupils from more than 70 schools. CLZ also runs a growing community programme focused on reducing human–wildlife conflict, all contributing to the long-term protection of the Lower Zambezi.
Irene Mhlanga
Researcher
African Leadership University, School of Wildlife Conservation
Zimbabwe
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Irene Mhlanga holds Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Development and Management in Conservation with Stellenbosch University, a degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Zimbabwe and a special honours degree in Monitoring and Evaluation from Lupane State University. She has over five years of experience as a researcher in various fields including climate change, wildlife and sustainable development. She has worked as a researcher and GIS officer at the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), Environmental Management Authority (EMA) where she supervised the research and data collection for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) desertification project, and Centre for GIS as a GIS specialist. Irene was awarded a certificate of participation in Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) training. She is also a member of the International Hunting Discussion Forum (IHDF). Irene’s research interests are multidisciplinary spanning from wildlife economy, trophy hunting, protected areas management, community engagement and climate change.
Fun Fact: I am a good dancer only in my head, I can’t translate the dance moves into action.
Fun Fact: I am a good dancer only in my head, I can’t translate the dance moves into action.
Isa Gedi
Programs Lead
Northern Rangelands Trust
Kenya
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Isa Gedi’s life started from very humble beginnings in rural North-Eastern Kenya, Garissa. He is a passionate conservationist with over 12 years’ experience working in the field. In 2012, he first joined the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy as a founding community manager and later joined the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT). Isa has been instrumental in the development of NRT member conservancies, playing a leadership role in governance and the devolution of NRT programmes to various satellite regional offices of NRT from coastal to northern Kenya. Isa is currently the programmes lead at NRT and oversees the design and implementation of programmes.
He holds a BSc in Natural Resource Management from Kenyatta University, MPhil in Conservation Leadership from Cambridge University and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Kenyatta University.
He holds a BSc in Natural Resource Management from Kenyatta University, MPhil in Conservation Leadership from Cambridge University and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Kenyatta University.
Ivy Wairimu
Africa Programmes Manager
Tusk
Kenya
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Ivy Wairimu Wanjira is Tusk's Africa Programmes Manager and has worked for the charity since 2019. Prior to Tusk, she worked for the Northern Rangelands Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy as well as Ol Pejeta Conservancy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and Information Technology from Strathmore University, Kenya and a Master's Degree in Media and Public Relations from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Fun fact: I never forget a name or a face!
Jealous Mpofu
Chief Tracker
Painted Dog Conservation
Zimbabwe
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Jealous Mpofu, Senior Tracker at Painted Dog Conservation, was awarded the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award in 2023. Jealous, joined PDC in March 1997 after many years working for Zimbabwe National Parks as a “rhino minder” where he spent his days wandering with his charge, “Chiwore”, a female black rhino, through the harsh wilderness of Matusadona National Park. He literally walked “Chiwore” around as one walks a well-trained domestic dog, sleeping when the rhino slept, guarding her against marauding lions and poachers. His job at PDC is arguably the most significant, as he heads the team that is tasked with keeping track of the various study packs of painted dogs. He drives out each day, confident in his acquired abilities with radio telemetry, his inherent bush skills and his intimate knowledge of the dog’s behaviour.
John Kamanga
Executive Director
SORALO
Kenya
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John is currently the Executive Director of SORALO with over 15 years experience in community conservation and leadership. He was the 2020 winner of Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa. His key areas of focus are creating an enabling environment for coexistence between people and wildlife both from a policy and livelihood perspective.
Julie Cure
Head of Finance
Tusk
UK
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Julie joined Tusk in 2016 as Head of Finance. A Chartered Management Accountant with over 25 years experience, Julie decided early in her career to specialise in non-profit and has worked for the BBC (Management Accountant) and the Australian Trade Commission (Grants Assessor) amongst others. Julie lives in Dorset with her two daughters, horse and sheep. Always happier outdoors, Julie spends as much time as possible hiking and horse riding in all weathers and generally avoiding four walls.
Julie Razafimanahaka
Executive Director
Madagasikara Voakjay
Madagascar
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A researcher by training, Julie qualifies herself as an adventurer and is passionate about people and nature. As a child she grew up in the city of Antananarivo where her permanent address is. However she feels her best, when she is out in the rural villages, learning from and discussing with people living near the forests with lemurs, bats, frogs and wild tree species. She recognises the challenges in reconciling biodiversity conservation and human development. She is personally convinced that education is the best arm to fight climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty. To succeed, education needs to be adapted to the audience and the context. This is why multiple approaches are needed.
Fun fact: As a child, Julie loved doing crochet but forgot about it for many years. She has revived this passion for a year now and goes everywhere with yarn and a crochet!
Fun fact: As a child, Julie loved doing crochet but forgot about it for many years. She has revived this passion for a year now and goes everywhere with yarn and a crochet!
Kelly Wilson
Vice President of Conservation Engagement
Wildlife Conservation Network
USA
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Kelly has always nurtured careers where animals and the environment fit alongside how people learn about and experience our planet. She is deeply inspired by those making a difference in the field of conservation and enjoys using her knowledge of business practices and relationship building to help those in the field gather necessary resources. Kelly lives in her home town of Portland, Oregon and can be found outside enjoying both the sun and the rain with her two pups Frank and Fern.
Kevin Mwanza
Senior Media Advisor
Plantwood
Kenya
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Kevin Mwanza is a communications and media specialist with over 12 years of experience working for international NGOs and news agencies and newspapers, including Reuters and Aljazeera. A Kenyan, living in Nairobi, Kevin has experience formulating, developing and implementing communications, digital, and media strategies. He has worked in diverse environments, in more than a dozen countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Laila Kassam
Head of Finance and Operations
Mount Kenya Trust
Kenya
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Laila Kassam is a seasoned professional in the field of conservation with over eight years of dedicated experience. As an integral member of the Mount Kenya Trust, she seamlessly integrates her financial background and operational proficiency to enhance the organisation’s capabilities in managing substantial grants and navigating complex projects.
Laila’s strategic approach to conservation involves leveraging her extensive project management skills to ensure the efficient execution of initiatives aimed at preserving and sustaining the natural environment. In addition to her financial and operational contributions, Laila brings a wealth of experience from impact investing in operations strategy, enterprise development, and performance improvement, reflecting a holistic approach to conservation that goes beyond traditional boundaries.
Laila holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the United States International University (USIU) and a certificate in carbon finance from the Renewable Energy Institute UK.
Laila is a proud owner of five rescue dogs - all from different parts of Kenya.
Laila’s strategic approach to conservation involves leveraging her extensive project management skills to ensure the efficient execution of initiatives aimed at preserving and sustaining the natural environment. In addition to her financial and operational contributions, Laila brings a wealth of experience from impact investing in operations strategy, enterprise development, and performance improvement, reflecting a holistic approach to conservation that goes beyond traditional boundaries.
Laila holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the United States International University (USIU) and a certificate in carbon finance from the Renewable Energy Institute UK.
Laila is a proud owner of five rescue dogs - all from different parts of Kenya.
Lawrence Riungu
Head Of Community Development Program
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
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Lawrence is a passionate conservationist with extensive background experience in Agriculture and Agricultural economics. Born and brought up in Meru county- Kenya. He attended his basic education locally and is currently doing an MSc in Project Planning and Management. He is a passionate farmer and likes to spend most of his time off work in his dairy farm. He has diverse skills in community mobilisation, group dynamics, sustainable community development, resource mobilisation and management, conservation of biodiversity, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building and advocacy. He believes that every small effort contributes to the bigger picture of sustainable development and conservation. Whether implementing small eco-friendly practices in his farm, sharing best practices and knowledge with others or actively participating in community initiatives each individual commitment makes the difference.
Lesley McNutt
Director
Wild Entrust
Botswana
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Lesley McNutt began her career as an anthropologist and has since spent over 30 years working in African conservation, primarily on long-term field research and people-centred solutions. She is Co-Director of Wild Entrust Africa, an umbrella for 3 integrated programs that combine predator research, community coexistence and education. Lesley is the creator of Coaching Conservation, a play-based learning model that fosters empathy, critical thinking, and coexistence with wildlife, now scaling through national and regional partnerships. Her work focuses on translating conservation science into lasting social impact, strengthening local stewardship, and building durable conservation outcomes, most recently through collaborative efforts with Enduring Earth to develop a Project Finance for Permanence in Botswana.
John Kenena Kasaona
Executive Director
IRDNC
Namibia
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John holds an MSc in Integrated Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, along with a Diploma in Natural Resource Management from the Polytechnic of Namibia, where he was recognized as the Best Student each year since 1997. As a Namibian conservation leader with 33 years of experience, John is a passionate advocate for community-led conservation. Through his role as Manager of IRDNC, he negotiates community-investor agreements, conducts environmental impact assessments, ensures that rural communities benefit from tourism and development, and monitors management plans.
Lynn Clifford
Director
Wildlife Action Group
Malawi
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Lynn Clifford is a NGO Director based in Malawi, leading the preservation, protection, restoration, and sustainable management of two forest reserves covering over 500 km² in close collaboration with the Government of Malawi. Her conservation work spans forest restoration and rehabilitation, wildlife and forest protection, law enforcement support, human–elephant conflict mitigation, and community engagement. Lynn is directly involved in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, including pangolin rehabilitation and release, and is currently hand-rearing an orphaned elephant calf alongside specialist partners. She is passionate about practical, on-the-ground conservation solutions that deliver real impact for both people and wildlife.
Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Malilangwe Trust
Zimbabwe
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Mark Saunders was born in Triangle, Zimbabwe, where he spent the first 26 years of his life exploring the bush, particularly Gonarezhou National Park and Lone Star Ranch—that would later become The Malilangwe Trust. These formative years fostered a deep and enduring love for the wilderness. Mark attended Falcon College, where he served as Head Boy in 1987. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Social Science at Rhodes University in South Africa, followed by a diploma in tobacco culture from the Blackfordby Institute. He farmed tobacco for ten years before being appointed Executive Director of The Malilangwe Trust in 2010, where he continues to work and live with his family.
Matthew Becker
CEO
Zambian Carnivore Programme
United States
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Matthew is the CEO of the Zambian Carnivore Programme, an organization aimed at conserving large carnivores and ecosystems through Conservation Science, Action, Coexistence, and Development of Local Leadership. He worked on a project on beach beetles in the British Virgin Islands and discovered multiple new species.
Matthew Cassetta
Executive Director
The JRS Biodiversity Foundation
USA
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Matthew Cassetta joined JRS in 2021 as the Foundation’s third Executive Director. He has over two decades of experience in international diplomacy and project management, much of it focused in Africa on capacity-building and development partnerships. With a Master of Science concentrating in Protected Areas Management, conservation has greatly influenced his professional trajectory in the NGO sector, in the U.S. Foreign Service and in a private philanthropic foundation. Fluent in French, Portuguese, and Spanish, he has developed creative collaborations with partners in civil society, academia, the private sector, and national governments for impactful programs to advance development while valuing unique biodiversity and enhancing environmental stewardship. These included such diverse projects as grants competitions for African forest conservateurs, media outreach to prevent wildlife trafficking, anti-erosion and forest conservation efforts in the Congo Basin, and biodiversity awareness campaigns in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. As Executive Director of JRS Biodiversity Foundation, he currently manages a grants portfolio of over $4 million across 20+ African countries.
Mercy Waithira
Information, Training, and Communication Lead.
SORALO
Kenya
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Mercy Njeri Waithira, a conservation enthusiast based in Kenya, is passionate about working with communities to maintain healthy ecosystems for people and wildlife. She currently leads the Information, Training, and Communication thematic area in SORALO. Previously, she held various positions as a Wildlife Ecologist, Conservation Educator, and independent Conservation Researcher, managing projects focused on endangered species protection, habitat restoration, conservation education, and socio-ecological resilience programs. Academically, Mercy holds a BSc in Wildlife Management and an MPhil in Conservation Leadership. She has worked with various conservation organisations, including ZSL, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Birdlife International. Additionally, she is an alumna of the Conservation Leadership Program and holds advisory roles in alumni associations at her alma mater.
Michael Keigwin MBE
CEO
Uganda Conservation Foundation
Uganda
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Michael started UCF in 2001 and today the organisation runs projects in Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls and Kibble Forest National Parks. UCF's approach is to help the Uganda Wildlife Authority succeed, resolving critical limitations to their success. Mike's greatest pleasure is seeing the UCF and UWA's teams’ achievements.
Miguel Gonçalves
Park Warden
Maputo National Park
Mozambique
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Miguel Gonçalves is a Park Warden at Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve and Maputo Special Reserve.
Born and educated in Mozambique, Miguel studied Marine Biology at Eduardo Mondlane University. From 1998 to 2000, while a student, Miguel also worked as a Mathematics teacher. He was also part of a team that was involved in the Mozambique Coral Reef Monitoring Program. Together with WWF, Miguel led Mozambique’s first trials in turtle excluder devices. He has been the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR) Park warden since 2008 and, also, Maputo Special Reserve Park Warden since 2017 (MSR). In 2021 The Maputo National Park was declared as a combination of both MSR and PPMR.
Born and educated in Mozambique, Miguel studied Marine Biology at Eduardo Mondlane University. From 1998 to 2000, while a student, Miguel also worked as a Mathematics teacher. He was also part of a team that was involved in the Mozambique Coral Reef Monitoring Program. Together with WWF, Miguel led Mozambique’s first trials in turtle excluder devices. He has been the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR) Park warden since 2008 and, also, Maputo Special Reserve Park Warden since 2017 (MSR). In 2021 The Maputo National Park was declared as a combination of both MSR and PPMR.
Dr. Moreangels Mbizah
Executive Director
Wildlife Conservation Action
Zimbabwe
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Dr. Moreangels Mbizah is a conservation biologist working at the intersection of wildlife conservation and community development, with a Doctorate in Zoology from the University of Oxford, where she studied African lions. In 2018, her lion research was featured in a National Geographic short film titled “One Woman’s Remarkable Journey to Protect Lions”. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation Action, an organization that empowers local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and support conservation efforts. A TED Fellow, Mandela Washington Fellow, Kinship Conservation Fellow, and National Geographic Explorer, Moreangels is committed to mentoring Africa’s next generation of conservation leaders and was awarded the 2025 National Geographic Wayfinder Award.
Nachamada Geoffrey
Country Manager
African Nature Investors Foundation
Nigeria
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Nacha is the Country Manager for ANI Foundation. Founded in in 2017 by African Professionals committed to bringing best practice nature conservation to West Africa, ANI aims to catalyze the participation of African opinion leaders n conservation to demonstrate that private sector led investment in protected areas can enable them become engines for local and national development. Prior to this, Nacha worked for the WCS Nigeria program for about a decade where he helped set up what was arguably the best managed protected area in Nigeria and one of the rangers he mentored went on to win the Tusk Africa Ranger award. Nacha is also a finalist of the Tusk Conservation Award in 2017. With an MSC from Oxford Brookes University and a certificate from Colorado State University, Nacha's expertise include law enforcement, fund raising HWC management, protected area management and community development. Nacha believes that conservation must make economic sense to the local communities for them to own it.
Nick Bubb
CEO
Tusk Trust
United Kingdom
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Nick was appointed Chief Executive of Tusk in January 2024. Prior to this, he spent a decade at Fauna & Flora International (FFI) as their Business Development Director. Mainly based in the UK, he also helped to run their regional offices in Singapore and Australia. Nick spent ten years as a professional offshore sailor before moving into finance as an investment manager. Alongside his professional career, he was active in local politics and stood as a candidate in the 2019 UK general election. Nick has sailed around the world multiple times and undertaken purpose-led expeditions across Africa, Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Antarctica and the Pacific. These experiences have given him broad exposure to locally led conservation efforts globally and continue to inform his approach to leadership and risk. A life-long passion for marine conservation, reinforced by an expedition to Antarctica in 2012, led him to pursue a long-term career in wildlife conservation.
Dr. Olivier Nsengimana
CEO & Founder
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association
Rwanda
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Olivier is the CEO and Founder of Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) a local NGO in Rwanda that applies home-grown solutions to protect and restore threatened wildlife and wild places. Since the beginning RWCA has managed stop the illegal trade of Grey Crowned Cranes in Rwanda has nearly tripled their population. Using a model of community conservation and targeting the problem from all angles; through involving communities, creating jobs in conservation, improving livelihoods, education and raising awareness, habitat restoration and reducing threats to wildlife, Olivier believes this positive change can be sustained. He and his team are now using what they learned with cranes, and applying it to other threatened species in Rwanda including bats, Sitatunga antelope, Shoebill, African Grey Parrots and many others.
Peace Nganwa
Senior Portfolio Manager
Maliasili
Uganda
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Peace is a Senior Portfolio Manager with Maliasili’s East Africa team based in Uganda. Drawing on an economics and development background, Peace has worked for 15 years with several national and International organisations in Uganda on impact, learning, strategy, policy and livelihood development. In 2022, Peace’s passion for conservation and strengthening the resilience of grassroots organisations led her to join Maliasili, where she nurtures the growth of organisations and supports them to unlock barriers for lasting impact.
Penelope Fraser FRGS
PACE Coordinator
PACE
United Kingdom
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Penelope has been coordinator of PACE - an education programme of Tusk, since 2016. PACE materials can help your education work and get your message to more people in more areas. Penelope would love to discuss PACE further with delegates at the symposium.
Prudence Tegueu
Administrative and Research Assistant
Cameroon Biodiversity Association
Cameroon
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Prudence is an interdisciplinary young female conservationist from Cameroon working in the field of conservation and environmental sciences to understand the interactions between social assessment for protected areas and environmental assessment to promote coexistence for human-wellbeing, nature and biodiversity. She holds a MSc in Environmental Sciences from the Higher Institute of Environmental Sciences (IBAY-SUP Yaounde, Cameroon). She currently work at CAMBIO/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a conservation NGO, where her main duties are to contribute to effective community-based conservation.
She has several service leadership experiences, including student leadership roles, moderating oral presentation sessions at an international conference, and volunteering in several NGOs including the Red Cross Society, Student4Student.eve and urban waste recycling projects. These positions have offered her the opportunity to build her leadership, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills, understand how to manage conflicts, build teams for successful projects, and contribute to the scientific community at various levels.
She has several service leadership experiences, including student leadership roles, moderating oral presentation sessions at an international conference, and volunteering in several NGOs including the Red Cross Society, Student4Student.eve and urban waste recycling projects. These positions have offered her the opportunity to build her leadership, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills, understand how to manage conflicts, build teams for successful projects, and contribute to the scientific community at various levels.
Rachel McRobb
CEO
Conservation South Luangwa
Zambia
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Rachel McRobb was born and raised in Zambia and after schooling in Swaziland and South Africa, she returned to Zambia to work at first in the tourism sector and then in conservation.
Twenty years ago Rachel made the Luangwa Valley her home and is the CEO and a co-founder of Conservation South Luangwa, a local NGO working to protect wildlife and support people in South Luangwa Valley. Under the guidance and leadership of Rachel, CSL employs over 140 staff from the local community. Their holistic approach includes a wide range of protected area management support including community based rangers, law enforcement training and equipment, K9 teams, aerial support, a wildlife veterinary rescue unit, and a large scale human wildlife conflict co-existence programme, community snare patrols and community game drives.
Rachel is a WE Africa fellow from the first cohort of 2021 selected Women for the Environment and a Tusk Award finalist 2019.
Fun Fact - Rachel loves adventuring outside and is a mum to 2 dogs, 2 cats and a baby bushbuck!
Twenty years ago Rachel made the Luangwa Valley her home and is the CEO and a co-founder of Conservation South Luangwa, a local NGO working to protect wildlife and support people in South Luangwa Valley. Under the guidance and leadership of Rachel, CSL employs over 140 staff from the local community. Their holistic approach includes a wide range of protected area management support including community based rangers, law enforcement training and equipment, K9 teams, aerial support, a wildlife veterinary rescue unit, and a large scale human wildlife conflict co-existence programme, community snare patrols and community game drives.
Rachel is a WE Africa fellow from the first cohort of 2021 selected Women for the Environment and a Tusk Award finalist 2019.
Fun Fact - Rachel loves adventuring outside and is a mum to 2 dogs, 2 cats and a baby bushbuck!
Redempta Nduguta
Impact and Learning Manager
Grevy's Zebra Trust
Kenya
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Redempta joined Grevy’s Zebra Trust in July 2022 as Impact and Learning Manager. She is a Conservation Technology expert with experience in Monitoring and Evaluation. She is a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Zoology from the University of Nairobi. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science at Kenyatta University. Redempta’s previous experience includes working as a GIS and Data Coordinator and Northern Kenya Conservation Officer at Space for Giants. She has also worked with Kenya Wildlife Service as a Research Assistant. If Redempta was not in conservation, she would be in the real estate business.
Robyn Brown
Communications and Content Assistant
Tusk
UK
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Robyn has been at Tusk for just over a year, as communications and content assistant. Prior to Tusk, she worked at an environmental farming charity across the South West of England. With a degree in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, Robyn qualified as an Advanced Open Water PADI diver and found a keen interest in tracking technology. This led to an internship with Save the Elephants at their Elephant and Bees research centre, where Robyn decided she wanted to go into communications, specifically for African conservation. Born in South Africa, she has always appreciated wildlife, the outdoors and swimming.
Salisha Chandra
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Maliasili
Kenya
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Salisha Chandra is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Maliasili and a Director at Lion Guardians. Born and raised in Kenya, she is passionate about cultural and ecological conservation. Salisha likes to think of herself as a rebel with too many causes - activist, conservationist, adventurer. She is also dedicated to finding sustainable and novel solutions in community-led conservation. Interestingly, in a parallel life she also co-owns a Mexican restaurant in Kenya where she leads on all the marketing and communications. Salisha is also a member of the African Conservation Leadership network and a Kinship Fellow with an MBA from London Business School and an MPhil in Conservation Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
Samwel Shaba
Programs Manager
Honeyguide Foundation
Tanzania
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Sam’s passion lies in leveraging technology and innovative business approaches to improve conservation outcomes, particularly in community-led initiatives. With a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University and an MBA for conservation leaders from the African Leadership University, Sam combines his academic prowess and practical experience to drive impactful change in the African conservation landscape.
Sarah Watson
Director of Programmes
Tusk
Kenya
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Sarah moved to Africa a month after finishing University - she has a BSc Hons in Biological Sciences from Bristol University. She was only meant to stay for six months, but over twenty years later, she’s still here. Sarah has worked for Tusk for over 20 years now, organising the charity’s annual marathon held in Kenya and is now Director of Programmes.
She works from an office at the bottom of her garden on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy surrounded by her menagerie of children, snakes, cats, rhino, and dogs. Sarah recently took up Ultra Marathon running (she says it’s her only way of escaping emails), and she has recently returned to University to do an MSc in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health.
She works from an office at the bottom of her garden on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy surrounded by her menagerie of children, snakes, cats, rhino, and dogs. Sarah recently took up Ultra Marathon running (she says it’s her only way of escaping emails), and she has recently returned to University to do an MSc in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health.
Sonja Lipenga
Manager of Conservation Programs
Chimpanzee Conservation Centre
Guinea
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Sonja is a conservation biologist and registered nurse. She grew up in Austria and graduated from the University of Vienna by obtaining an MSc degree in Conservation Biology.
Throughout her professional career in biology, she worked in Sub-Saharan Africa observing bonobos in the jungles of DRC, investigating human-elephant conflict in Malawi and mitigating human-carnivore conflict in the Tanzanian bush. Witnessing life, death and the struggle to receive adequate healthcare in the remote communities she worked with inspired her decision to become a nurse. She was thereby able to offer professional support whenever needed in the field or maternity ward where she worked for over three years. Her profession led to some very unique moments from carrying the freshly chopped head of a lion to catching urine from wild bonobos, resuscitating new born babies, to admiring placentas after birth - “they look like the tree of life, just beautiful!”
Currently she is based in Guinea with her family where she works as the Manager for Conservation Programs for the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre.
Throughout her professional career in biology, she worked in Sub-Saharan Africa observing bonobos in the jungles of DRC, investigating human-elephant conflict in Malawi and mitigating human-carnivore conflict in the Tanzanian bush. Witnessing life, death and the struggle to receive adequate healthcare in the remote communities she worked with inspired her decision to become a nurse. She was thereby able to offer professional support whenever needed in the field or maternity ward where she worked for over three years. Her profession led to some very unique moments from carrying the freshly chopped head of a lion to catching urine from wild bonobos, resuscitating new born babies, to admiring placentas after birth - “they look like the tree of life, just beautiful!”
Currently she is based in Guinea with her family where she works as the Manager for Conservation Programs for the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre.
Susie Weeks
Executive Director
Mount Kenya Trust
Kenya
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Susie is the Executive Director of the Mount Kenya Trust which was formed in 2000. Mount Kenya Trust is a valued partner of the major governmental and private Mount Kenya stakeholders. Susie spearheaded the ambitious Mount Kenya Elephant corridor project construction with Mount Kenya Trust and its partners.
Susie was born and raised in Kenya and has worked exclusively in Kenya and Tanzania. She has practical experience with developing and managing a diverse number of conservation programmes including security management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, corridor development, forest restoration, and fire-fighting coordination. Susie is a member of the National Bongo Task Force, a Kenya Wildlife Service Honorary Warden and part of the Mount Kenya-Aberdare Fire Management Committee.
Fun Fact: I talk in my sleep.
Susie was born and raised in Kenya and has worked exclusively in Kenya and Tanzania. She has practical experience with developing and managing a diverse number of conservation programmes including security management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, corridor development, forest restoration, and fire-fighting coordination. Susie is a member of the National Bongo Task Force, a Kenya Wildlife Service Honorary Warden and part of the Mount Kenya-Aberdare Fire Management Committee.
Fun Fact: I talk in my sleep.
Teresa Jahangir
Project Manager
Lamu Marine Conservation Project
Kenya
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Teresa was born and raised in Kwale county, a small village called Perani bordering Tanzania. Her passion for marine and turtle conservation started when she was in high-school. Her first snorkelling trip to Watamu Marine National Reserve made a transformative change on her career choice. She studied her first degree at Kenyatta University, graduated with Bachelor of Science in Coastal and Marine resource management, thereafter, worked with some organization before she embarked for her MSc. in Aquaculture in Belgium. Her career has been exciting and adventurous. Her extroverted nature shines through as she expresses genuine love for people. Beyond her professional pursuits, Teresa finds solace in swimming, diving, trying new menus, teaching kids, learning new culture, travelling and fishing. Teresa’s impactful work revolves around fishermen (elders and youth), and all stakeholders in the fishery value chain who interact turtles and other marine megafauna such as whale-sharks. Teresa views her work as more than a profession‚ it’s a journey of wellness and healing, fostering harmony between communities and the marine environment.
Theresa Sowry
CEO
Southern African Wildlife College
South Africa
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Ms Theresa Sowry, CEO of the Southern African Wildlife College, holds a Master of Science Degree in Botany from the University of the Witswatersrand, South Africa. She gained conservation experience while employed by South African National Parks working on their rare antelope programme in the Kruger National Park. Starting in the education field as a Training Manager and Lecturer in Natural Resource Management, she was later promoted to Executive Manager: Training and more recently to CEO of the Wildlife College.
Winfred Nduati
Conservation Partnerships Manager
Tusk Trust
Kenya
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Before joining Tusk Trust, Winfred worked at Ol Pejeta Conservancy where she was tasked with curating itineraries and hosting long stay guests. At Tusk, she assists in planning the annual Lewa Safari Marathon, Tusk Conservation Symposium, Tusk Conservation Awards and Wildlife Ranger Challenge.
Wiston Mtandamo
Field Operations Manager
Lion Landscapes (Tanzania)
Tanzania
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Wiston is currently the Field Operations Manager for Lion Landscapes based in Ruaha. Wiston holds a BSc from the University of Dar es Salaam. Wiston initially came to Lion Landscapes in 2020 as a research assistant working with the Community Camera Trap Programme with a focus on improving equitable benefit distribution and governance within the communities. Wiston is from Kinyika, a village within the Ruaha working area which provides valuable local perspective. Wiston is now part of our management team taking the lead in managing all the operations in both Ruaha and Selous.
