Mankgodi Hlongwane is currently employed as a senior biodiversity and conservation specialist at the City of Ekurhuleni municipality. Serving in the department of Environmental Resource and Waste Management within the Environmental Protection, Resilience and Project Management division. In this role, Mankgodi’s main job purpose is to contribute to the planning, development and coordination of environmental conservation policies and practices, providing sound advice and support in natural resource management. She has over 20 years’ experience in the biodiversity sector. Mankgodi holds BSc Honours in Environmental Management; National Diploma in Nature Conservation; Masters in Governance in the field of public sector monitoring and evaluation. She is currently MSc candidate with a research focus on invasive alien species. Mankgodi has a wide range of experience in environmental management, rehabilitation of ecosystems, wildlife management, stakeholder engagement, protection of natural resources, adapt to and implement changes in policy, laws, regulations, initiatives, and relevant industry practices, making recommendations accordingly as well as provide input into governance and risk management processes, systems, and legislation within biodiversity sector.