Hello! My name is Ricky.
I joined WildHub to begin a course on grant writing in conservation, but I also want to deepen my connections within the conservation community. WildHub serves as an excellent platform for this purpose.
Currently, I volunteer as a grant writer and researcher for several NGOs, including the J.A.C.K. Primate Sanctuary in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). My work focuses on species preservation, habitat protection, combating illegal wildlife trade, and developing community and educational programs.
While I am based in the Atlanta metro area of the United States, I have lived and worked in Europe, Africa, and South America.
I am a former attorney who has shifted my career to focus on conservation and artificial intelligence training. I am eager to immerse myself more deeply in conservation topics, particularly at the intersection of biosphere and species protection, expanding protected areas, enhancing neighboring communities through sustainable activities, and advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples. I am still exploring pathways that will help me achieve my goals. The next 25 years are likely to be the most consequential we have faced in conservation, and I cannot think of a more critical or worthwhile endeavor than this while I still have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
As a former attorney and executive, I bring a unique combination of legal and business expertise. I have transitioned from working in solo and small law firm practices and corporate counsel roles to pursuing freelance writing, teaching, consulting, and advisory positions that foster positive change. I hold a Juris Doctor degree and a Master's in International Business. Additionally, I have over seven years of experience teaching law and business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as providing professional development counseling to attorneys as a partner at the global law firm Baker McKenzie.
My commitment to conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainability drives my career. I've successfully pursued nonprofit grant writing and research, including work with the JACK Primate Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I further enhance my skills through bot training at Outlier AI, focusing on strengthening artificial intelligence (AI) for research, writing, and analytics.
I am dedicated to promoting nature conservation and sustainable development in biodiversity hotspots, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. I aim to integrate wildlife conservation with community-led economic programs while respecting Indigenous interests. My strengths include fundraising, grant writing, critical thinking, and expertise in contract and policy negotiation and drafting, particularly in the areas of sustainability and data privacy.
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@Ricky Naude most welcome, I hope we will learn more from your side. am based in Tanzania as water resources and environment expert
A warm welcome to WildHub, Ricky! Great to have you join our community and I look forward to learning from you! Would you perhaps be willing to contribute to a recent discussion here on WildHub around enablers of collaboration? I look forward to reading your perspective!
Hi Thirza! While preparing later today for my GWWC class on Tuesday, I will scan some recent posts on this platform and add my thoughts. Thank you for your kind invitation and encouragement.
You are most welcomed and we are happy to have you join our community with your wealth of experience and legal background
Hello Rebecca,
I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to learn and contribute in the coming months, especially alongside my classmates in the GWWC course. Despite being relatively new to the field of conservation, I have gained valuable experience over the past year and a half through my grant work with two NGOs, one of which focuses on primate conservation in the DRC.
I am particularly keen to learn more about Nigerian projects, as I believe your expertise and experience could be invaluable in shaping my understanding of the key issues surrounding Nigerian wildlife conservation and the empowerment projects you mentioned in your profile.
I would love to hear about the most interesting empowerment project you could currently be working on, if you had the choice. Your insights would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Damas,
It's great to meet you on WildHub! I hope to learn a great deal from my GWWC course and all the talented and knowledgeable people like you on this platform. What is the most interesting water resource or environmental project you have worked on in Tanzania? Alternatively, could you briefly share some information about a project you would like to pursue that aligns with your areas of expertise?
All the very best,
Rick