Alex Rood

Communications/Community Specialist, WILDLABS-WWF

I am the Communications and Community Associate Specialist at WILDLABS-WWF. 
Siyathemba Mgwebi

CEO at Amani conservation fund , South Africa national parks

Passion for plants and animals walfare 
Anne Sleeman

Founder and CEO, WatchSpotter Data Collection Research Hub

With experience in Marine Animal Rehab., Rescue and Research coupled with a nerdy love of data, data science and all things technology, my data collection software company, WatchSpotter is the cumulation of my life’s work. From the hallways of the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center at the University of New England, my affinity for caring for marine animals was fostered and grew. Being tasked with the center’s life support systems and flow thru animal pools further opened my eyes to water quality, fecal coliforms, and bio-loads.  I was the primary research technician in a multiphase study: Protecting the Saco River: Tracking non-point fecal pollution to its species source. Upon leaving UNE, I traveled to the Southern Great Barrier Reef Australia to work on an international research team focusing on population dynamics for three cetacean species. Once back stateside, I sharpened my Software UX skills working as a software consultant for Centersoft Technologies. After a brief stint volunteering for the Dolphin Photo ID program at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, I was hired to join the team. I split time the first years at FAU HBOI between the Harmful Algal Bloom lab and the Dolphin Population and Assessment Lab. Settling in as a Research Assistant for the latter as well as a first responder for the Marine Mammal Rescue Team. In working with the Dolphin Population and Assessment Primary Researcher, along with other industry collaborators, I soon became the PIs data analyst and was paramount in the creation and development of the programs state of the art cloud-based SQL database platform. I worked as a liaison between the research program and software architects to assure ease of use, maximum data output and advanced analytics. The software is still used by the newly formed team today.  At the end of 2019 it was time for me to branch out on my own.  In the spring of 2022, WatchSpotter was born. My idea was to create a customizable SaaS application that could be used by researchers worldwide. Data is data- scientific questions need to be answered. My contingency was that no matter what the research topic- if the research brings people into the field-whether scientists, volunteers, or citizens, they are there to gather data-to answer questions. I knew that the two biggest challenges facing many environmental research groups were time and money. It would not be feasible for most nonprofits or other environmental institutions to pay for custom software- which often runs in excess of $150K nor do they have the time to wait for such programs to be complete.  These known challenges fueled the customization and simple UX that make up the WatchSpotter platform. When I’m working with Environmental Science or software, I enjoy being outside in the woods or at the beach, volunteering and hanging with family and friends.
Dialogue Matters

Stakeholder Dialogue Designers, Dialogue Matters

We deliver effective and ethical Stakeholder Dialogue, process design and facilitation in environmental contexts. Aiming to arrive at the best outcomes for people AND nature.
Rebecca Jefferson

Founder and Director , Human Nature

I am a social scientist and passionate about increasing the application of social science research and methods in the conservation sector. To do this, I founded Human Nature. Human Nature is a social enterprise empowering conservation professionals to use social sciences to impact people and planet. We provide training and mentorship to NGOs, academics, policy makers and others wishing to build their foundations in social science. Many people working in conservation have trained through natural science routes, and find themselves needing to better understand the people elements of ecosystems. Social science provides the tools do this. Please get in touch if you are interested in hearing more about what we do.  You can contact me at https://humannature.co.uk/contact.
Brooke Aldrich

Trustee and Director, Neotropical Primate Conservation

I started working with captive rescued monkeys in 1999 and went on to earn an MSc in Primate Conservation (Oxford Brookes University) and another in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law (University of Edinburgh). I've worked for a number of animal welfare organizations, most recently the Animals Asia Foundation and the Asia for Animals Coalition. I've been trustee and director for Neotropical Primate Conservation since its establishment as a UK charity in 2007. I'm particularly interested in the way human and non-human primates relate to one another, and the intersection between conservation and animal welfare. I feel that it's important that these are treated as complimentary, rather than contradictory, concepts. At present I am exploring primate welfare in the context of human-macaque conflict mitigation strategies. Please feel free to contact me here to talk about this if it's of interest to you! I am originally from the US but have lived in the UK for many years.
Shaleen Attre

PhD student , DICE, University of Kent

Lucy Tallents

Conservation educator, VerdantLearn

Affordable, flexible and sociable online learning in technical skills for conservation and open education.  Support for virtual and hybrid conferences and events
Anesu Florência Chivite

Conservation Storyteller, Karingani Game Reserve

I am a storyteller and conservation communicator based in Mozambique. With a background in psychology, political science, and education, I weave together human-centered narratives that reflect the complexities of conservation work on the ground. Formerly a homeschooling teacher in a remote game reserve, I now work across departments to spotlight untold stories, bridge cultures, and explore the emotional landscape of environmental work.
Vimbainashe Eunick

Conservationist, Conservation education practitioner , WildEdZim Consultancy

My name is VImbainashe Eunick Chitauro, a conservationist from Zimbabwe specializing in Conservation education. From a young age, I have been passionate about working with wildlife, and as I progressed in my career, I have come to understand the crucial link between wildlife and communities. My goal is to educate and equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills to become future custodians of biodiversity, carrying forward the important work already being done. With over 4 years of experience in the conservation field, I have had the privilege of educating over 5000 children and community members on conservation matters. I am eager to connect with conservationists from around the world to make a significant impact together. I believe that through collaboration, we can make a difference in preserving our planet's wildlife and natural resources.
WildTeam Admin

Trainer, WildTeam UK

Przemyslaw Zdunek

Field herpetologist, Member of the IUCN SSC Monitor Lizard Specialist Group

Naturalist, traveler, French-Polish herpetologist, interested in biodiversity and the conservation of herpetofauna. I have always been passionate about observing and studying amphibians and reptiles, especially different species of lizards in many countries. This has allowed me to gain experience in scientific research by collaborating with other specialists, attending numerous conferences and writing papers on herpetofauna. I participate in numerous monitoring and conservation programmes. Member of the IUCN SSC Monitor Lizard Specialist Group. Addicted to Natural History. Education and the sharing of knowledge is the key to progress and understanding. "Learning from the past to understand the present and prepare the future."
Jackie Symmons

Ecologist and Wildlife Management Consultant, Self-Employed

Ecologist with extensive terrestrial practical survey, training and education, consultancy and advisory experience. Extensive wildlife conservation research and land management project experience as well as in working in forestry, agriculture and natural resource management, climate change resilience and disaster recovery. I've also lectured on field survey techniques, environmental impact assessments and flood and fire risk management and am also working on climate change impacts and mitigation. Open to short term consultancy projects.
David Jay

Network Manager, ANIMONDIAL

I have been working in the conservation sector since the mid-1990s, largely based in the UK and working for international NGOs. I began as a grant fundraiser and moved into programme management, including working with a range of partnerships/coalitions. I am also a technical writer and I have worked on various projects from high-level reports to blogs. I have an MSc from the Durrell Institute of Conservation Ecology at the University of Kent (UK). I currently work for ANIMONDIAL - a travel consultancy advising on Nature Positive tourism and other aspects of animal and nature protection in the travel industry; I manage our Animal Protection Network of on-the-ground conservation projects.
Lucy Boddam-Whetham

Director, Training & Operations, WildTeam UK

Léa Kaplani

WildLearning Specialist, WildTeam

Hello! I'm Léa and I'm a WildLearning Specialist with WildTeam UK. I help create, design and deliver training courses. I love getting to know all the participants and learning from them :) Previously, I was working with BirdLife International on forest governance issues and in my previous life I worked in the development sector in the United States. Education-wise, I have studied economic development, international relations as well as tropical forestry in the past.  Hope to catch you in a WildHub social!
Madeleine

Communications officer, IUCN

Lydia Kalekye

Conservation educator and trainer, Africa Climate Environment Foundation

Lydia is a seasoned conservation educator,majorly training learners in primary and secondary schools in Kenya. She is also a social mobilizer and trainer at community workshops, training on conservation of wildlife,wetlands,forests and savannahs. Lydia is very intrigued by wildlife and water related research, prompting her to carry out biodiversity research with Nature Kenya's herpetology,youth and ornithology working groups on a rolling basis. She is also a member of Nature Kenya under HARI and youth working groups.As an educator,she has interacted with at least 100 schools in the last two years during ecological visits to different forests,wetlands and national parks, teaching them about different issues on environmental conservation. I joined this platform to learn how to write compelling proposals for funding,network and face my fear of grant writing.
Adam Roberts

Conservation Communications Consultant, Jahoo

Dice alumni, Conservation Biology MSc. Former nature guide & ranger in South Africa - Head of black Rhino monitoring. Wild food forager & educator. I am a passionate wildlife photographer and use this medium to tell natures stories surrounding myself and wherever I happen to be working. Particularly interested in forest & marine conservation but have worked in species specific conservation with Elephant, Lion & Rhino. Currently working in Cambodia with Jahoo, an indigenous community led Gibbon eco-tourism conservation program
Debra Saunders

CEO & Chief Remote Pilot, Wildlife Drones Pty Ltd

For over 20 years, Dr Debbie Saunders has worked as a wildlife biologist, specialising in threatened species conservation management and worked with diverse teams of talented people to develop the world’s most advanced drone radio-telemetry solution – resulting in the establishment of Wildlife Drones.  As a passionate founder, CEO and Chief Remote Pilot of this award-winning deep tech company, Dr Saunders gets to empower wildlife biologists and land managers to achieve greater insights and conservation impact all around the world by cost-effectively collecting more data, more often with less effort. How can Wildlife Drones help you?  - Track up to 40 animals simultaneously and in real-time - Survey difficult terrains like rugged mountains and swamp areas easily - Save time, effort and money so you can focus on what really matters - Collect more data, more often with less effort She has received an ACT Innovation Award as well as an ACT Government Innovation Connect grant for her creative business solutions for challenging research problems. Debbie believes that drones are a highly valuable and flexible tool that provide unprecedented opportunities for new insights into the world’s most complex and fascinating natural ecosystems.