Brighton Chilekeni is a distinguished and relentless conservation leader, whose career embodies a truly pan-African commitment to preserving the continent's natural heritage. Hailing from South Africa and now operating from Zambia, Brighton has forged a reputation as a formidable expert, now operating at the forefront of climate finance, community-driven conservation, and technological innovation. A Continental Journey Forged in Passion & Vision His international career began in the iconic landscapes of Kenya in 2018, where his passion for wildlife was ignited. He then honed his expertise through advanced conservation studies in Botswana. This unique journey has equipped him with an unparalleled continental perspective, which he now applies to one of the world's most ambitious forest conservation programs while also leading his own visionary venture. Core Identity: The CEO, Leader & Advisor · Entrepreneurial Leadership: Founder & CEO of Tech4Wildlife, a pioneering project dedicated to revolutionizing conservation law enforcement through the adoption and mastery of advanced technology. · Corporate Leadership: Project Conservation Officer at BioCarbon Partners (BCP), managing the groundbreaking Luangwa Community Forest Program (LCFP). · Project Significance (LCFP): A landmark global project where Brighton leads conservation efforts for the:   · First REDD+ project in Zambia and Africa.   · Largest REDD+ project in Africa by area.   · Second-largest REDD+ project in the world. · Geographic Scope: Manages and coordinates complex conservation operations across a vast landscape spanning three provinces in Zambia: Eastern, Muchinga, and Central. A Dynamic and Comprehensive Skill Set Brighton’s expertise is a powerful fusion of strategic leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and deep technical proficiency. 🚀 Visionary Leadership & Innovation · Conservation Technology Entrepreneurship: As the CEO of Tech4Wildlife, he is actively driving innovation, identifying technological gaps, and creating solutions to combat poaching and enhance field efficiency. · Capacity Building & Knowledge Transfer: The core mission of Tech4Wildlife is to "sharpen teams with knowledge," demonstrating a commitment to empowering entire organizations and ranger forces through training and technology adoption. · Large-Scale Program Management: Proven ability to lead and manage multi-province conservation efforts for a world-record-setting REDD+ project at BCP. · Strategic Law Enforcement Advising: Provides expert-level guidance on integrating technology into law enforcement protocols for maximum impact. 🛠️ Advanced Conservation Technology & Data Intelligence · Technology Integration Specialist: Expert in the end-to-end deployment of conservation tech stacks, including SMART, EarthRanger, GIS, Cybertracker, and Garmin inReach. · Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverages spatial data and real-time analytics from platforms like EarthRanger and GIS to guide patrols, model threats, and allocate resources strategically. · Field Tool Proficiency: Mastery in configuring and using field tools like Cybertracker for data collection and Garmin inReach for team safety and coordination. 🌍 Strategic Field Operations & Impact · Anti-Poaching Strategy: Designs and advises on technology-enhanced law enforcement operations that are proactive, intelligence-led, and highly effective. · Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Mitigation: Implements practical, community-driven solutions supported by technological monitoring. · Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Excels at building collaborative partnerships with communities, government, and traditional leadership across complex, multi-province areas. In Summary: The Architect of a Tech-Enabled Conservation Future Brighton Chilekeni has evolved from a frontline expert into an architect of the future of conservation. He operates at a unique intersection: · As a CEO, he is building the tools and knowledge base to arm conservationists against modern threats. · As a Project Leader, he is applying that same tech-first mindset to protect one of the world's most significant carbon and biodiversity sinks. · As an Advisor, he is shaping the very strategies that make conservation efforts smarter, safer, and more successful. His work demonstrates a powerful, three-part model: protect vast landscapes (BCP), empower local communities (LCFP), and revolutionize the tools of the trade (Tech4Wildlife). Brighton is not just participating in conservation; he is actively leading its evolution, making him an invaluable visionary and a driving force for change in the global conservation arena.

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.