Alan J. Hesse
Senior Behaviour Change Specialist (TRAFFIC); also independent author-illustrator and climate educator.., TRAFFIC International
My conservation career started in 1992 when I helped set up and joined a University expedition to the Bolivian Amazon. What started out as a 3-month experience ended up being a life-changing inflection point that set my professional and personal course to the present day. My conservation experience was built bottom-up and hands-on, and includes field data collection and logistics, grassroots organization leadership and project management, community engagement and capacity building, M&E, training and behavior change, and lately climate education through authorship of graphic novels and other resources. My conservation career includes positions as a senior staff member and a principal investigator at the Bolivian BirdLife Partner Armonía, field investigator in the Gran Chaco with WCS Bolivia, field logistics officer for Conservation International's RAP expeditions, and Programme Manager and Senior Manager of M&E at Rare. I currently work as Senior Behaviour Change Specialist with TRAFFIC International, applying behavioural science approaches to support TRAFFIC's work across wildlife supply chains globally.
I am a recent graduate from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, with a passion for conservation and a diverse set of skills honed through hands-on experience.
During my attachment program at Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and my volunteer work with Reefolution Trust, I have gained invaluable expertise in:
Coral Restoration: Engaging in coral planting, nursery maintenance, and out-planting to rejuvenate marine ecosystems.
Marine Debris Cleanups: Organizing and participating in cleanups to protect our oceans.
Community Engagement: Facilitating group discussions and outreach programs to foster local involvement in conservation efforts.
Data Collection and Entry: Gathering and managing data crucial for research and conservation projects.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution: Developing strategies to mitigate conflicts between humans and wildlife.
My interests are deeply rooted in:
Wildlife Protection: Advocating for and implementing measures to safeguard endangered species.
Environmental Education: Sharing knowledge and raising awareness through my Twitter (X) page.
Habitat Restoration: Participating in projects aimed at restoring damaged ecosystems.
Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities to develop sustainable conservation strategies.
Policy and Advocacy: Working on policies to support and enhance conservation efforts.
While I currently possess a broad range of skills, I am eager to specialize further and make a significant impact in the conservation community. Being part of the Wild Hub would provide me with the perfect opportunity to refine my expertise and contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts.
Loretta Andrade
First an Animal & Wildlife Goodwill Ambassador & then a Corporate Professional, N/A
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.
I'm a recently graduated wildlife biologist having varied interests in the fields of Illegal wildlife trade, Human-Wildlife Conflict and Conserving species through In-situ and Ex-situ Management practices.
Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler)
Wildlife Biologist and Science Communicator, Fancy Scientist LLC
Wildlife biologist 🐘 Mentor 👩🎓 Your Biggest Career Cheerleader 📣 Communicator 👥 | Showing animal lovers how to get their dream job✨ | Connecting people with nature for conservation 🌿 and community 🏙️
Trained in biology and anthropology, I have spent 20+ years in the non-profit sector. Passionate about social and environmental justice, my focus is on the intersection between conservation and community rights and wellbeing. As the co-director of Global Diversity Foundation, I have experience in organisational strategy development, fundraising and donor relations management, HR management and recruitment, financial oversight, operations, conflict resolution and mediation, non-profit governance, communications and dissemination, and event organisation. A highly skilled partnership-builder, relationship-manager and strategic thinker, I speak four languages and currently oversee a multicultural, multilocal team of 15.
I help run a UK charity that builds the capacity of conservationists to plan, implement, monitor, and report on their work. I also have a fair bit of experience in tiger and sea turtle conservation.
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
Conservation & Sustainability Consultant, LRC Wildlife Conservation Consulting
I am a conservation and sustainability consultant with a passion for combining real-world conservation practices and innovative Web 3.0 technologies to help organisations scale their impact, build trust, and drive new opportunities for engagement and funding.
Through my work, I develop tools and frameworks that bridge the gap between traditional conservation efforts and the integration of Web 3.0 technologies such as blockchain, digital certificates, IoT, DAOs, and the metaverse. This combined approach supports knowledge sharing, informed decision-making, and the adoption of practical solutions tailored to the unique needs of conservation projects.
Are you working with Web 3.0 technologies or exploring how they could apply to conservation? Whether you’re developing new ideas, facing challenges, or just curious about this space, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect to discuss your thoughts, experiences, and how we can collaborate to create impactful solutions.
Background
I am a Conservation and Sustainability Consultant with over twenty years of experience spanning field-based research, conservation management, and leadership development. My career has evolved from conducting large carnivore ecology and human-wildlife conflict research across Eastern and Southern Africa to designing and implementing innovative conservation solutions that address today’s pressing challenges.
I hold a Master’s in Conservation Biology from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, and a Ph.D. from Nottingham Trent University, where my research focused on variations in brown hyaena density and distribution across South Africa. My work has taken me into national parks, conservancies, and private farmland, including leading Namibia’s National Leopard Census Project, which combined field ecology with multi-disciplinary approaches to assess leopard population pressures and trends.
As the Academic Dean of the School of Wildlife Conservation at the African Leadership University, I trained and developed the next generation of entrepreneurial, mission-driven conservation leaders. My work focused on the 'Business of Conservation,' positioning conservation as an opportunity for sustainable economic and social development.
Building on this foundation, I now focus on helping conservation organisations explore and adopt innovative Web 3.0 technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and digital certificates to scale their impact, drive transparency, and unlock new funding streams. Through my consultancy, I develop tools and frameworks that bridge the gap between technology and conservation, empowering organisations to make informed decisions and achieve tangible results for nature and communities.
My work combines ongoing conservation initiatives, including research, project design, and field-based management, with the integration of technology-driven solutions. Both areas are essential for addressing conservation challenges at scale, ensuring that organisations have the tools, knowledge, and capacity to achieve lasting impact. By aligning these two areas, I provide a holistic approach that delivers meaningful, real-world results and transformative opportunities through innovation.
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."
Flavia Manieri
WildHub Community Advocates Coordinator|Interdisciplinary Researcher, Uppsala University
Since July 2025, I have been serving as the Community Advocates Coordinator at WildHub, where I coordinate initiatives to engage, support, and empower our community advocates in advancing WH’s mission.
Beyond WildHub, I wear a few different hats. I work as a researcher and lecturer in Sweden, teaching courses on environmental law, political and historical ecology, and disaster management. I also mentor undergraduate and postgraduate students, collaborate with faculty members, and contribute to ongoing research projects.
I’m passionate about giving back through volunteer work. I support a few conservation and animal welfare organisations with research and advocacy to help drive positive change. When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking forest trails with my dog or enjoying a good cup of coffee.
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.
I am a passionate conservationist with six years of experience in the field. Currently, I am pursuing a Master's degree in Biodiversity Conservation at Chinhoyi University of Technology and serve as the Acting Head of the Biodiversity Monitoring and Ecosystem Services Department at My Trees Trust. In this role, I manage conservation projects across our three leased areas: Charara Safari Area, Tsetse Island, and Gache Kanyati Community Conservancy.
I have a keen interest in modern conservation technologies, including EarthRanger, SMART, GIS, QGIS, and AI Camera Traps. My primary focus is on integrating traditional conservation practices with these innovative technologies to enhance our conservation efforts and promote sustainable practices.
I work for WildTeam UK, helping to deliver training workshops, write conservation best practice manuals and share them as widely as possible. Previously a Writing Fellow working with various conservation organisations across India. Background in research, particularly behavioural ecology. Bird nerd.