Kashmir World Foundation (KwF) collaborates with academics and industry experts to develop autonomous systems for wildlife conservation and counter-poaching of endangered species worldwide. As KwF's Director of International Relations, my role drives global conservation and counter-poaching efforts by fostering partnerships with national and international organizations. My priorities include strategic partnerships, communication, and multilateral outreach to address real-world challenges.

I have always believed that kindness should extend to every living being. My love for animals and nature is not just a passion. It is a part of who I am. I care deeply about Animal Rights, Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation, and I do whatever I can to make this world a gentler and safer place for them. Whether it is raising awareness or supporting meaningful causes, I try to play my part with heart and purpose. Professionally, I have grown as an Executive Assistant and Administrative Specialist with hands-on experience across different sectors and cultures. Over the years, I have worked closely with senior leadership teams in Technology, Business, and Higher Education, always striving to be dependable, professional, and calm under pressure. I have earned an Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance from BMTG UK Ltd which reflects my dedication to this profession. I have also completed several training programs focused on workplace excellence and strong organizational skills. These skills help me adapt to change and keep things running smoothly in today’s fast-paced world. My work often involves managing international travel, planning both virtual and on-site events, and handling communication, immigration, and hospitality tasks. I approach each of these with care and a personal touch. I also write professionally, preparing internal communications and business correspondence with clarity and precision. This has helped me build a reputation for being trustworthy, effective, and committed to high standards. What truly keeps me going is my willingness to learn and grow. I believe that every day is an opportunity to do better, not just at work, but in how we treat others, especially those who do not have a voice. This journey of compassion, hard work, and lifelong learning is what I carry forward, wherever I go and whatever I do.

My background is mainly in species conservation, education and capacity exchange. I researched mother-young interactions in gorillas and chimpanzees, in captivity and the wild. After that, I worked for three years in Indonesia, where I developed and implemented youth ambassador and community engagement programmes on local and regional scales. I co-founded WildHub, a community of nature conservation professionals, in 2020 and work as their Community Lead. I am furthermore on the Advisory Board of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent where I obtained my PhD on capacity development for conservation in 2022. 

Emily Duwan is the Program Officer for the Marine Conservation Action Fund at the New England Aquarium (NEAq) where she provides operational, strategic and communications support to deliver on MCAF’s global conservation mission. Emily has her Master’s in Marine Science from Northeastern University. She previously served as an NEAq program educator from 2017-2019 working in the Aquarium’s community outreach programs. Most recently, Emily worked for Northeastern University in both outreach and administrative roles. She is also the president-elect of the board of Massachusetts Marine Educators and serves on the board of Women Working for Oceans (W2O) with a focus on their environmental justice work.