Bangkok City, Thailand
A highly accomplished and results-driven conservation leader with over 25 years of global experience in designing and leading large-scale biodiversity conservation programmes. Proven expertise in wildlife conservation, protected area management, and community-based conservation across Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Skilled in strategic planning, resource mobilization, communications, adaptive management, and organizational development. Recognized for delivering conservation impact by building high-performing teams, fostering multi-sectoral partnerships, and securing sustainable funding streams. Specialties: Biodiversity Species Wildlife Protected Areas ICCAs Nature Based Solutions Renewable Energy Management Communications Fundraising Organisational development Policy advocacy
- Provided overall vision and leadership for the USD 43 million USAID Vietnam Biodiversity Conservation Activity at national level and in 21 national parks and nature reserves; the single largest ever investment in biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. - Directed the project’s core team of 60+ WWF staff, plus partners; responsible for planning, coordination, design and delivery of all project activities. - Represented the project to USAID and Vietnam government and ensures the project is well coordinated with VN government departments and other related USAID/other donor projects. - Delivered Vietnam's largest ever biodiversity survey involving 350,000 days' of camera trap effort demsonstrating increases in species richness and occupancy across the Central Annamites landscape.
- Led WWF Myanmar through complex crises, including COVID-19 and the 2021 military coup, ensuring business continuity and staff welfare - Expanded WWF Myanmar’s workforce to 100 employees and increased the annual budget to $6.5M - Successfully developed a five-year country strategy and expanded operations into new regions - Secured critical partnerships, including MoUs with government departments and ethnic minority organizations - Served in other key leadership roles, including: Co-Chair for the Myanmar Climate and Environment Strategic Coordination Group, INGO Forum Steering Committee member, and WWF Global Conservation Quality Committee
- Scaled the conservation team from 20 to 60 staff and tripled the budget to $5.3M within four years. - Led innovative conservation initiatives, including reducing elephant poaching by 50% in 12 months. - Spearheaded coalition-building efforts and developed new government partnerships.
- Provided leadership across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific for BIOPAMA, one of IUCN’s largest projects ($15M, later expanded to $22M). - Strengthened institutional relationships with major donors, including the EU and UNEP. - Developed strategic partnerships across the IUCN network to enhance programme impact.
- Played leading role in defining and implementing WWF's regional strategy for conservation projects in four country programme and coordinated cross-border initiatives - Led the conservation strategy for the Dry Forests Ecoregion, coordinating regional work on tigers, and acting as a focal point on mining and REDD / Forest Carbon. - Designed and secured over $10M in conservation funding.
- Raised over $4M in conservation funding and developed regional conservation strategies. - Led high-level advocacy efforts, including Prime Minister and Minister-level engagements. - Transformed the Cambodian Eastern Plains landscape into a multi-million dollar programme over 2 years