I’ve always been drawn to the ocean and the complex ecosystems it supports. Early in my career working in South Africa, I began to see that conservation challenges are rarely just ecological… they are deeply connected to people, livelihoods, and the communities who depend on natural systems every day.

During my MSc research on climate change impacts in small-scale fishing communities, I started thinking about conservation through a social–ecological systems lens. That perspective continues to shape how I approach environmental work today.

Since then my career has moved between research, education, and nonprofit collaboration. I genuinely enjoy wearing many hats… teaching, designing science curriculum, and helping lead conservation initiatives alongside passionate teams.

In my role with the Wildlife Restoration Foundation, I manage a fundraising team and help coordinate collaborative conservation summits that bring together scientists, nonprofits, and community partners working toward practical solutions.