Meet The Team

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Bogolo Joy Kenewendo

Bogolo J. Kenewendo is a Global Economist and Strategic Advisor. She has served as the Cabinet Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and Specially Elected Member of Parliament in Botswana. She is currently championing climate action and finance as a catalyst for development in Africa and the global south in her role as Africa Director & Special Advisor of the UN High Level Climate Champions Team. Bogolo is a vocal advocate for gender equity and protection of children’s rights. She has received global recognition for her work, being appointed as a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, a member of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, Advisory group on the gender architecture of the UN and group on Financing for Development. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Trade Advisory Group, Global Future Council on Global Public Goods in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and a WEF Young Global Leader. She is a Non-Executive Director in several corporate boards & Non-Profit organizations and is a Non-Resident Fellow with the Center for Global Development. She is frequently named among Africa's Most Influential People by various publications. In 2022 she was named among Prestigious Time magazine’s TIME100 Next Honorees highlighting 100 emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership.

Elizabeth Littlefield

Elizabeth L. Littlefield is currently Senior Partner at West Africa Blue and a Senior Adviser at the Pollination Group. From 2010-2017, she served under U.S. President Barack Obama as President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), now renamed the US International Development Finance Corporation. There she oversaw OPIC’s profitable $29 billion portfolio of financing and insurance to support private investment in more than 100 developing countries with a strong shift towards poorer countries and investments in renewable resources. From 2000 to 2010, Ms. Littlefield was a Director at the World Bank and the CEO of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, (CGAP), the central think-tank and standard setter for microfinance. Earlier in her career, Ms. Littlefield spent 17 years at JP Morgan, in New York, Paris, and London, serving as JP Morgan’s Managing Director in charge of capital markets and financing across Africa, Middle East, emerging Europe, and the former Soviet Union. She currently chairs the board of M-Kopa, the pioneer in pay-as-you-go solar in Africa. She also serves on the boards of the World Wildlife Fund, Development Alternatives Inc and several mission-driven institutions. She attended Sciences Politiques in Paris, graduated from Brown University and was an Adjunct Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

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Faustina Mwololo

Faustina Muthoki Mwololo has had a keen interest in wildlife and nature conservation since her school years. In 2021, she joined the Environmental Club at the Raila Educational Centre. Following the onset of The Earth Prize, Faustina, together with a team of four, initiated a project on E Waste Management to address the urgent need of informing people of the polluting effect of Electronic Waste and to curb its impact. She was subsequently elected as the organising secretary in the school Environmental Club, enabling her to organise for waste collection to be dropped off at Killicycle, where E waste is collected. During her tenure as the organising secretary, she created connections with Waste Electrical and Electronic Waste (WEE Centre) in Utawala, Nairobi County. This resulted in the environmental teams visiting the workshop together with the Kijani Gang, a group of young environmental conservationists. She is currently receiving training on how to run a business and converting business ideas into an actual business by The Kenya Management Institute through their Agile Programme. Her key business area is still in line with Environmental Conservation through turning Electronic Waste into valuable items that can be sold, for example jewelry.

Krithi Karanth

Dr. Karanth’s research in India and Asia spans 24 years, encompassing macro-level studies assessing patterns of species distributions and extinctions, impacts of wildlife tourism, consequences of voluntary resettlement, land-use change, and understanding human-wildlife interactions. She has published 100+ scientific and popular articles and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. Krithi’s conservation and research work has been featured in three award-winning BBC Series and she has co-produced five documentaries. In 2020, she co-starred with Kevin Pietersen in Save This Rhino: India. Krithi's work has been covered by over 250 media outlets such as Washington Post, Time Magazine, Al Jazeera Television, National Geographic, New York Times, and Scientific American. Krithi is National Geographic Society’s 10,000th grantee and a 2012 Emerging Explorer. Her more than 45 awards and recognitions include the Eisenhower Fellowship, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, University of Florida’s Outstanding Young Alumnus, India's Power Women by Femina, and Vogue Women of the Year. In 2019, she was chosen as one of the five 2019 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureates. In 2021, she was selected for the Government of India’s Invest India Women Achiever. Krithi has a Ph.D. from Duke (2008), a M.E.Sc from Yale (2003) with B.S and B.A degrees from the University of Florida (2001).

Lisa Karanja

Lisa Karanja, Is a UK Barrister and Kenyan Advocate, with over 20 years’ experience in law, trade and regional integration in East Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Prior to TBIGC, she was the Senior Director for Business Competitiveness at Trademark EA, coordinating export capacity, logistics, women and trade and private sector programmes for the EA Region. Earlier in her career, Lisa’s work included commercial and criminal practice at chambers in London, followed by four years as a Snr Commercial Litigation Associate at Kaplan & Stratton, the largest commercial legal practice in EA. She is also a previous Orville Schell Fellow, Human Rights Watch in New York focusing on women’s rights in Africa. This was followed by a 3-year appointment as Senior Legal Advisor to the Permanent Secretary for Governance and Ethics in the Office of the President (Kenya,) and, consecutively, four years as Deputy-Director, Transparency International-Kenya. She serves on the Boards of the Business Advocacy Fund, Muthaiga Country Club and the Mara Elephant Project, and is a recipient of the Chevening scholarship (FCDO).

Winnie Kiiru

Dr. Winnie Kiiru is a Kenyan-born wildlife biologist with a distinguished career in research, policy, advocacy, and wildlife management. She has recently received the State Honour “Order of the Grand Warrior” in recognition of her leadership in conservation. She was also appointed Chairperson of the inaugural Board of Wildlife Research and Training Institute, a newly formed government organization charged with leading wildlife research and training in Kenya. Winnie served as a Trustee of the Kenya Wildlife Service and chaired the conservation committee of the board, and was instrumental in influencing KWS to conduct a national inventory of the ivory and rhino horn stockpile, leading the team that successfully conducted an historic Ivory and Rhino Horn inventory and subsequent ivory burn in 2016. She is a founding member of the African Elephant Coalition, serves as the Head of Government Relations at the Elephant Protection Initiative, and acts as chairperson of the leadership council of WE Africa.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Arthur Oginga

Arthur Oginga is an experienced financial executive with over 25 years of leadership in financial services. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi and is a qualified accountant (CPA-K), member of ICPAK (Kenya) and ICPAU (Uganda). Arthur has extensive experience in banking, insurance, asset management, and stockbroking across African geographies. His leadership spans corporate centres in Kenya and South Africa, with key roles at Old Mutual. He has successfully led debt raising, balance sheet restructures, mergers, and business integrations.

As a leader, Arthur's strengths are strategic direction and outcomes-based leadership, characterized by forward-thinking and highly engaged teams.

Art Min

Art is a Builder/Operator with over 20 years working as a senior executive for Fortune 500 companies and startups building AI, data and infrastructure products. From 2017 - 2020, he led Vulcan's philanthropic operations and Tech4Good products focused on climate change, coral conservation, illegal fishing, and protected area monitoring. He's currently a Senior Fellow at the Rocky Mountain Institute and advising early stage startups.

Beatrice Karanja

Beatrice is a strategic communications specialist with over 25 years’ experience as a development communications professional covering the African continent. She has worked as a journalist with BBC and Reuters and for several international NGOs. She has also consulted for Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Kofi Annan Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Stop Ivory, Northern Rangelands Trust and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. In 2017, Beatrice was appointed as an honorary warden (3-year term) for Kenya Wildlife Service and in 2021, she completed a two-year term as founding Chair and investor of Uvumbuzi Trust. Beatrice is a Board representative of S.A.F.E Kenya, Mara Elephant Project (Chair) and Kenya Wildlife Trust, and serves as a panel judge and on the Board of Trustees for the Tusk Trust Conservation Awards for Africa.

Corey Hajim

Corey Hajim has spent her career both working in and writing about business. As TED's business curator, Hajim seeks ideas from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, economists and teachers of the trade, ultimately helping speakers shape and share their ideas with the TED audience. Prior to TED, Hajim spent a decade in finance, most recently as a portfolio manager and analyst at a hedge fund based in New York, focused on consumer, media and technology equities. Hajim also spent three years as a reporter at Fortune Magazine and her early career working in marketing and project management. She earned her MBA at Harvard Business School, where she co-authored case studies with two professors and ran the weekly newspaper, The Harbus.

Dulma Clark

Dulma Clark has diverse work experience spanning various organisations and roles. In 2019, she worked as an Intrapreneur at Vivobarefoot until July 2020, when she transitioned to Head of the Livebarefoot Fund. Dulma also joined the Nexus Global Summit as a Member in July 2019 and The Conduit as a Social Enterprise Member in February 2019. In 2020, she became a Member of the Steering Group at the Devon Environment Foundation. Additionally, Dulma has served as a Board Trustee at the JA Clark Charitable Trust since November 2013. Dulma has experience as a Director at SOUL OF AFRICA, and in 2014, she worked as a Project Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant at Global Giving U.K. Dulma has further contributed as an Advisor at Save Lake Baikal. Before that, she worked as a Legal Advisor at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, The Student Law Clinic.

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Jonathan Baillie

Jonathan Baillie is President and Chair of the Board for NATURAL STATE. Baillie was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist at the National Geographic Society where he oversaw grants, impact initiatives, National Geographic Labs, explorer programs, and the international team, initiating several ground-breaking collaborations across regions and sectors to conserve and monitor the natural world. Before National Geographic Society he was Director of Conservation Programmes at the Zoological Society of London where he built and oversaw a portfolio of conservation projects in over 50 countries. He holds a Ph.D. in biology from Silwood Park, Imperial College London. Baillie has been a visiting professor at the University of Oxford since 2009.

Namrita Kapur

Namrita Kapur combines a unique mix of traditional finance skills from her time in investment banking with environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact assessment experience as a senior leader in the nonprofit space. Currently, she is a Lecturer teaching sustainable finance at the Yale School of Management, and consults to several philanthropists, including the founders of one of the oldest venture capital firms and of a Fortune 500 company. Namrita is best recognized for being second-in-command in developing the products and platform of Root Capital, and for having developed Eileen Rockefeller Family Foundation’s approach to organizational development. In her philanthropic work, she has helped coordinate $75 million of annual global grant-making across 40+ funders worldwide to transition to a clean energy future. Namrita served as Board Treasurer of the Environmental League of Massachusetts from 2010-2016, holds an MBA and a MA of Environmental Management from Yale University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton.

Tom Lalampaa

Tom Lalampaa is a leading African conservationist and, since 2018. His work majors on helping rural communities to strengthen their governance structures as well as their wildlife conservation, economic development, and peace-building efforts. Tom serves as the Founding Chairperson of the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), the Vice Chair of the Wildlife Security Taskforce, the Vice Chair of the Grevy’s Zebra Trust Board, and as a board member of both the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Board of Trustees and The Nature Conservancy. He is the recipient of the Stanford University Law School’s Bright Award for Environment Sustainability and in September 2013, he was awarded the Tusk Conservation Award by the Duke of Cambridge. Tom is currently pursuing his PhD, and holds an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.

NATURE FINANCE ADVISORY BOARD

Elizabeth Littlefield

Kelvin Massingham

Kelvin is an executive with diverse leadership experience across the development, financial services, and start-up sectors. He is a qualified Actuary with over 25 years’ experience working in emerging markets on resilience. Before joining FSD Africa as Director Adaptation and Resilience, Kelvin held various senior executive roles including CEO of a life insurance company in Tanzania, Regional Director for a digital health company in Kenya, and Co-founder of a healthtech start-up in India and Pakistan. At FSD Africa, he is responsible for driving financial market innovation in Africa to mobilise greater amounts of capital for climate adaptation and resilience.

Nicola Ranger

Dr. Nicola Ranger helps financial institutions, public and private, factor climate, and environmental risks into their decision making, and aims to speed up investment in green finance. Dr. Ranger joined Oxford from the World Bank, where she worked with Ministries of Finance, Central Banks and, regional institutions to strengthen financial resilience to climate and other crises.  Previously, she spent six years at the UK Department for International Development (now FCDO) where she was lead advisor on risk financing. Dr Ranger has also worked as a government official on climate change for Defra and HM Treasury.

Simone Awramenko

Simone Awramenko is an Executive Director within UBS’s Group Sustainability and Impact nature team. Based in Zurich, Simone works closely with the firm’s different business divisions in driving forward UBS’s nature strategy, supporting nature-related commercial opportunities and engaging with industry initiatives on the topic. Simone’s career in sustainability spans almost 15 years. Prior to joining UBS, she held positions at Credit Suisse, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a listed global tech company, and a consumer goods start-up. Simone holds a MSc in Environmental Management & Sustainability from Staffordshire University (UK), and a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Sydney (Australia).

Team

TEAM

Ainae Nielsen

Social Media Lead

Ainae Nielsen is an experienced marketing and social media professional with over 6 years of expertise in digital strategy and content creation. A graduate of Howard University with a B.S. in Marketing, she has worked with prominent organizations such as Sony Music Entertainment, Spotify, and the National Urban League. Ainae’s extensive experience spans across influencer relations, social media marketing, and digital content development. Her deep understanding of market trends and consumer engagement enables her to craft impactful campaigns that drive brand growth. Passionate about both marketing and everything creative, Ainae is dedicated to making a lasting impact in the digital and creative industries.

Alex Kimathi

Lab Assistant

Alex Kimathi is a skilled and enthusiastic Laboratory Assistant and researcher with more than four years of experience; his professional life is testament to his commitment to his homeland's environment and agriculture. He is adept at supporting research initiatives through practical lab work, developing a strong passion for scientific discovery.

His hands-on expertise was honed earlier in his career at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Serving as a Fencing Expert, Alex was instrumental in the hands-on construction of specialized exclusion zones, a critical conservation project aimed at preventing elephant damage to trees and reducing human-wildlife conflict. This role provided him with invaluable, on-the-ground experience in large-scale environmental protection.

Alexander Godfrey

Systems & Strategy Implementation Specialist

Alexander Godfrey is a dedicated conservationist with a decade and a half of experience overseeing global biodiversity conservation initiatives within the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector, addressing human-elephant conflict, leading teams in the deployment of camera trap arrays for tiger research, and providing training to rangers in Asia and Africa. More recently, Alex has concentrated on developing international programs, strategic planning, and financial management, with a primary focus on streamlining and optimising organisational operations to enhance overall impact. Alex is currently the Director of Impact Monitoring at NATURAL STATE.

Beatrice Maina

Office Assistant

Beatrice Maina is an Office Assistant at Natural State, bringing over ten years of professional experience in administrative support and office management. She plays a key role in ensuring the smooth running of daily operations through general office duties, reception management, and administrative coordination. Her responsibilities include visitor management, data entry, and logistical support, all contributing to efficient and effective office operations.

With a strong background in customer service and administration, Beatrice is committed to maintaining operational excellence. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Administration to further enhance her skills and professional growth. In addition, she has foreign language proficiency in French and Spanish, which enhances her communication and cross-cultural collaboration abilities.

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Bosco Letruka

Field Technician

Bosco Leturuka is an environmentalist, a birder, and a wildlife lover. Born and raised in a community surrounded by a conservancy, this drives his passion for wildlife and the environment. He started his career at Ngare Ndare Forest in the Ecotourism department as a forest guide, the Rangeland monitoring department, creating a harmonious coexistence of different stakeholders and ensuring sustainable use of forest resources and the community projects monitoring to ensure sustainable community-supported projects. He later worked at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in the Conservation Education program. Bosco joined NATURAL STATE as an intern and now works as a field technician. He holds a diploma in environmental management from the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) and aspires to pursue a BSc in Environmental Science.

Caroline Mukuba

Procurement Officer

Caroline Mukuba is a results-oriented procurement professional. She holds extensive knowledge of procurement practices and in the latest procurement software which is necessary in making daily operations more effective and prioritizes ensuring the efficient flow of goods and services throughout the supply chain. She had the privilege of volunteering and working in the purchasing office and guest house stores at Lewa wildlife Conservancy, where she was exposed to the intricacies of procurement and store management practices within a conservation setting. She posses skills in purchasing negotiation and inventory management. She is passionate about environmental restoration and committed to ensure that the procurement processes aligns with sustainable practices. Caroline is a Member of Kenya Institute of Supplies Management and holds a bachelor's degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management.

Ceciliah Mumbi

Spatial Data Officer

Ceciliah Mumbi is a conservation enthusiast and passionate about bringing positive change to the conservation research world. She has 5 years of experience in the conservation field where she pursued her degree in Natural Resources management at Karatina University. Ceciliah was an intern in Meru National Park and has worked on many projects with Kenya Wildlife Service, such as elephant and giraffe biopsy to establish inventories for the forensic Laboratory in Mt. Kenya National park and Mt Rwenzori national park, Uganda. She has participated in Annual National Surveys for lions and elephants and data analysis using Spatial Explicit Capture Recapture model. She has experience with wildlife monitoring from Solio game reserve and as a Kenya Wildlife Service Scout working on rhino daily monitoring and lions field data collection.

Christina Barlow

Director of Leadership & Learning

Christina is an organisational development and program management specialist with over 20 years’ experience in strategic planning, organisation mobilisation and leadership. She spent the first half of her career in management consultancy at Accenture, in client-facing design and management roles in complex IT transformation programs for multinational financial service clients and the UK government. Motivated by her love of nature, Christina brought her skills to the conservation sector where she has worked in leadership positions for the past 15 years, including managing a nature conservation NGO in Asia and co-founding WildTeam UK, where she creates and field-tests conservation best practice to be translated into adult learning for the professional development of conservation teams globally.

Christina Geijer

Head of Marine Strategy

Christina Geijer, Ph.D., is a conservation scientist with 15 years’ experience in different fields of conservation. Before joining NATURAL STATE, she acted as a consultant for the Northern Rangelands Trust, developing projects and securing grants for community conservation and development initiatives, and more recently, advised on large-scale restoration and rewilding projects in Southern Namibia. She has worked on a variety of species conservation projects writing management and strategic plans, and acted as a policy advisor to Wildhood Foundation, with a focus on the global ivory trade. Prior to this, Christina concentrated on her research and lecturing in the field of marine mammal conservation with particular focus on assessing bycatch of marine megafauna. Christina holds a B.A. and MPhil from Cambridge University, and a Masters and Ph.D. in Conservation from University College London (UCL).

Cindy Obath

Africa Restoration Projects Manager

Cindy Obath is a conservationist with over 10 years of experience in conservation, environmental management, spatial data analysis and project coordination across terrestrial and marine landscapes in Kenya and East Africa. With a background in Geography and extensive expertise in GIS, data management, community engagement and conservation partnerships, she has worked at the intersection of science, policy, and community-driven conservation. She is driven by her desire to have a positive impact in the landscapes she works in and organizations she works at. At Natural State, Cindy serves as the Africa Restoration Projects Manager within the Nature Finance team, where she supports the design and implementation of large-scale restoration programs and the development of innovative financing mechanisms that link ecological impact with community well-being.

Cynthia Gachara

Field Research Technician

Cynthia Gachara is a social scientist who thrives in advancing sustainable practices.She is deeply passionate about conservation and committed to promoting solutions that support both economic growth and environmental integrity. A strong advocate against social injustices, she strives to contribute meaningfully to initiatives that drive equitable outcomes.She hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural economics and rural development, complemented by certifications in GIS and remote sensing, as well as monitoring and evaluation. She previously worked with CETRAD as a research assistant, contributing to three major livelihood diversification projects in Isiolo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties. Most recently, she worked with Fauna & Flora, where she provided input for developing a climate-smart agriculture, land restoration, and nature-positive livelihood diversification training manual.

Daniel Ndione

Lab Assistant

Daniel Ndione is a young motivated researcher passionate about ecosystem conservation and sustainability with 3 years’ experience in field and lab data collection and analysis. He was born in Laikipia, a region renowned for its rich biodiversity and natural landscapes. Growing up surrounded by wildlife, forest and vast open spaces, he develops a deep connection for nature from early age. He witnessed ecosystem change which inspired him to gain knowledge and skills necessary to tackle restoring natural ecosystems. With experience in soil spectroscopy to assess nutrient content and carbon dynamics in the soil and biodiversity, monitors species diversity and documents habitat health with both laboratory and field techniques, he supports ongoing research and monitoring work. He is committed to advancing sustainable solutions for ecosystem restoration through pursuing a study in environmental science to gain skills in environmental monitoring, data analysis and lab analysis for ecosystem restoration and conservation.

Danson Kinandi

Lab Assistant

Danson Kinandi is a motivated laboratory assistant with over three years experience supporting scientific research and laboratory operations. He began his professional journey with Natural State as a landscape worker, gaining valuable hands-on experience in land management and environmental care. Through hard work and dedication, Danson later advanced to the position of Lab Assistant at the same organization.

Currently, Danson is pursuing a Certificate in Agriculture, strengthening his knowledge in crop production, soil management and modern farming techniques. His goal is to use his growing expertise to promote sustainable agricultural solutions that improve both livelihoods and the environment. Danson story is one of commitment, growth and passion, a reflection of his dedication to continuous learning and positive impact in the agricultural sector.

Dickson Mure

Ecologist & Driver

Dickson is a Maasai ecologist with extensive traditional knowledge of local plants and animals and has been working within the Mt. Kenya Landscape for over 15 years. Currently, he works at NATURAL STATE as an ecologist and driver with the field team. Before joining NATURAL STATE, he was a driver for the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy research department and assisted researchers with wildlife and vegetation identification. He is committed to working with the younger generation, students, researchers and organisation within the Mt. Kenya landscape to help them learn about Maasai culture and the importance of plants for medicinal use and traditional Maasai ceremonies. He’s currently writing a catalogue compiling all local vegetation and its use in Maasai culture.

Dr. Beatrice Kizi Nzovu

Head of The African Centre for Nature Restoration and Resilience

Beatrice Kizi Nzovu is the Head of The African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience. Born with a passion for peacebuilding, she has 20 years of experience in women, peace, and security and climate resilience. Her research focuses on climate and security, violent extremism from an African feminist perspective, and transitional justice.

She holds a PhD in African Women Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Master's in Peace Studies from the European Peace University in Austria. Before joining Natural State, she worked with the Life & Peace Institute and ACCORD. Beatrice joined Natural State and now heads the Africa Centre. She holds a PhD in African Women Studies and aspires to advance peacebuilding across Africa.

Ephantas Mutuma

Field Assistant

Ephantus Mutuma is a Field Assistant at Natural State. He previously worked as an intern and now supports data collection for both carbon and biodiversity research. He is passionate about acquiring skills that contribute to the innovative technological advances at Natural State.  

He is also an avid tree grower, maintaining a nursery and a small plot of land dedicated to both native and indigenous tree species. In November 2023, he participated in a tree-planting initiative at Mount Kenya National Park, supporting the government’s climate change mitigation efforts. 

Faith Cherop

Housekeeping

Faith Cherop is a passionate and dedicated professional from Meru with a strong background in secretarial and catering services. She holds college-level qualifications in secretarial studies, which equipped her with excellent organizational, communication, and office management skills. Additionally, her training in catering has strengthened her creativity, teamwork, and commitment to quality service.

Felista Nkatha

Chef

Felista is the heart of Natural State’s culinary experience. Passionate about the art of cooking, she crafts fresh, flavorful meals that celebrate both creativity and nutrition. Her menus evolve with the seasons, drawing inspiration from local ingredients and sustainable food practices. With every dish, Felista aims to delight and satisfy every palate, creating dining moments that bring people together and reflect the warmth of Natural State hospitality.

Francois Barnard

Director of Nature Finance

Francois is a nature finance professional with over 15 years’ experience in developing innovative approaches to funding nature conservation, including the world’s first outcomes-based wildlife bond (known as the ‘Rhino Bond’) and Africa’s first private debt impact investment fund for nature-based businesses (African Wildlife Capital). He has developed business plans and public-private partnerships for conservation areas across Africa and Europe, spearheaded a non-profit foundation focused on conservation and community impact, and co-developed one of the first biodiversity credit startups. Francois holds an MSc from world-renowned business school HEC Paris and joined NATURAL STATE in 2025 as Director of Nature Finance.

Gabriel Kiarie

Bioacoustic Research Fellow

Gabriel Kiarie is a Bioacoustic Research Fellow at NATURAL STATE. Gabriel previously served as a Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAIL) at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, where he led research in bioacoustics and sensor design. He obtained a master’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. He is especially interested in how technology can be utilised to enhance environmental monitoring and data analysis.

Gaki Linet

Chef

Linet takes great pride in creating pristine, inviting spaces that enhance every guest’s stay. With an eye for detail and a heart for hospitality, she ensures that every corner of the property is spotless, comfortable, and welcoming. Linet’s thoughtful touches and graceful service contribute to the calm, restorative feeling that defines the Natural State experience. Her work embodies the program’s spirit of care — for people and for place.

Glancy Chepkemoi

Laboratory Technician

Glancy is a passionate environmentalist dedicated to making a meaningful impact in conservation. With five years of experience, she has actively contributed to wildlife management and human-wildlife conflict resolution in Mau Forest with the Kenya Wildlife Service. Her involvement extends to multiple restoration programs in Mau Forest and Lake Ol bolossat. She has volunteered with James Finlay Forest Department on forest conservation initiatives. As an intern at the County Government of Kericho, she played a crucial job in environmental impact assessments. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Laikipia University. Glancy is committed to translating knowledge into action through more cost-effective, robust, and rapidly innovative technology for sustainable conservation solutions for nature. 

Halima Hassan

Social Impact Lead

Halima Hassan is an environmentalist, educator, and climate change activist. In 2021, she joined Lewa Wildlife Conservancy as a Conservation Educator volunteer and later continued in Lewa's Department of Wildlife and Research as a Primates Research Assistant in partnership with York University. Halima holds a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, and is currently pursuing her Master's in Biodiversity and NATURAL STATE, both at the University of Nairobi. Halima is a resident of the Manyangalo community neighbouring Lewa wildlife conservancy and Ngare Ndare forest. She joined NATURAL STATE as a Conservation assistant officer, and has grown to her current position as a Social Impact Lead. She is dedicated to educating the importance of conservation to the youth and women.

Irene Kago

Senior Accountant

Irene has over ten years of experience in financial management in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Irene has been at the forefront of planning, implementing, and reporting for projects involving youth participation in democracy and governance, as well as environment and livelihoods. Her ability to drive these initiatives demonstrates her commitment to community development. She has worked in the renewable energy technologies industry, women in energy entrepreneurship, water and sanitation infrastructure projects, and natural water resources management initiatives in marginalised and underserved communities, the urban less privileged, and the ASALs. Irene is a Certified Public Accountant and a project planning and management graduate from the University of Nairobi.

Jasson Kasoo

Field Technician and Driver

Jasson is an environmentalist born and raised in Ngare Ndare a community surrounded by forests and conservancies that inspired his deep passion for conservation. He began his career with the Laikipia County Government as a driver and plant operator, later joining Segera Ranch in a similar role.  He is a passionate environmental conservationist with over three years of experience working with Natural state. He holds certificates in Wildlife Management and Environmental Education: Climate Change - The Science. He has hands-on experience in wildlife protection, habitat monitoring, and ecosystem restoration programs. In addition, he is an experienced driver with a strong understanding of field operations and logistical support, having worked at the County Government of Laikipia as a plant Operator and Borana conservancy as a driver. He strongly believes in ecosystem restoration and is dedicated to promoting sustainable conservation practices that empower local communities and protect biodiversity.

Jen Rhode Ward

Grant Writer

Jen is a plant conservation biologist, pedagogical researcher, and educator. She has served as a faculty and board member in public education settings and works through a dynamic governance lens to spearhead organizational transformation. Jen recently completed a six month Fulbright Scholar assignment in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where she taught biology and statistics and led grant training and writing efforts. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in science communication and grant writing to her work with NATURAL STATE. Jen holds a BA in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a PhD in Biology / Oceanography from the College of William & Mary.

Jenny Farmer

Nature Credit Technical Specialist

Jenny Farmer, Ph.D., has 15 years of diverse experience working on the dynamics of land use and land use change, ecosystem service provision, community-based natural resource management and carbon market opportunities. Jenny has spent most of her professional career working in the environmental sector in Uganda. She co-founded the Uganda Carbon Bureau in 2006 and more recently Bubugo Conservation Trust in 2015, as well as conducting 8 years of academic research into social and environmental wetland land use impacts. Alongside research into soil carbon and greenhouse gas fluxes, she has worked on a diversity of consultancies around carbon project scoping and accounting, and carbon Standard methodology review and development. She has a PhD in Biological Science from the University of Aberdeen.

Jim Aidan Odhiambo

Field Communications and Fundraising Assistant

Jim Aidan is a dedicated and ambitious conservationist; zealous with passion to rehabilitate the conservation research world. He has the skills in research and conservation field where he pursued his Diploma in Wildlife Management at Wildlife Research Training Institute.He was an attachee at Tsavo West where he worked closely with the Problem Animal Control before joining Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to work with the Research and Conservation Department. He also worked closely with the Community Development Programme and Conservation Education Programme and gained skills in sustainable development, participatory democracy and capacity building. He joined NATURAL STATE as an intern. He worked together with the field team in various thematic areas with a focus on impact measurements on biodiversity, carbon and social wellbeing. He is currently working at NATURAL STATE as a Field Technician and aspires to further his studies in Geospatial Data Management.

Joan Mwangi

Field Research Technician

Joan is a passionate environmentalist, climate change enthusiast and Gis analyst. With over 5+ years in environmental conservation, Gis and 2 years in project management. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies( Resource Conservation), Professional diploma in Project Management and Certificate in GIS.

Previous experiences include working as a Gis expert at Tetu Water and research assistant at Natural Museum of Kenya. Joan has a strong foundation in biodiversity monitoring and community engagement, playing a key role in fostering sustainable partnerships and delivering impactful nature restoration projects.

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Jonathan Baillie

Founder and President

Jonathan Baillie is Founder and President of NATURAL STATE. Baillie was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist at the National Geographic Society where he oversaw grants, impact initiatives, National Geographic Labs, explorer programs, and the international team, initiating several ground-breaking collaborations across regions and sectors to conserve and monitor the natural world. Before National Geographic Society he was Director of Conservation Programmes at the Zoological Society of London where he built and oversaw a portfolio of conservation projects in over 50 countries, and gained a reputation for developing innovative, cross-sectoral collaborations to support conservation at scale. He holds an Honours BA in geography from Queen’s University in Canada, a Master’s Degree in conservation biology from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in biology from Silwood Park, Imperial College London. Baillie has been a visiting professor at the University of Oxford since 2009.

Kelvin Kinyua

Lab Assistant

Kelvin is a resident of Subuiga community, a region surrounded by wildlife conservancies, which is the foundation of his passion and concern for environmental conservation and research. My work focuses on promoting sustainable land use, biodiversity protection, and improving research practices through hands-on laboratory and fieldwork with over 3 years of experience.

In his role as a Laboratory Assistant with NATURAL STATE, he has been actively supporting research projects, honing his skills in data collection and laboratory procedures.

Kelvin is a dedicated and detail-oriented lab assistant with a Certificate in Climate Change. Currently working in a dynamic research environment, supporting projects focused on environmental science and sustainability. He is passionate about understanding and addressing climate change issues and eager to further his education in Diploma in Climate Change to enhance his knowledge and skills in this field.

Kennedy Laur

Research Centre Administrator

Kennedy has four years of experience in camp management and guest handling. He previously worked at the Lewa Conservancy as a Guest House Manager and at Richard's Camp, Maasai Mara, as a Camp Operations Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialisation in Finance and a Diploma in Business Management, Purchasing and Supplies. Kennedy is a dedicated environmental enthusiast with a passion for conservation and hospitality. His career took root at Sirikoi Lodge, where he honed his lodge administration and guest management skills. Driven by his commitment to conservation, Kennedy played a pivotal role in managing guest houses and handling donor relations at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. This experience deepened his understanding of the intersection between hospitality and wildlife preservation. Kennedy excels as a bush walk guide and has a passion for ornithology, immersing himself in the intricacies of tracking and signs in the wilderness.

Kisiidi Taek Maiyani

Driver & Field Research Technician

Kisiidi Taek Maiyani was born in Ngare Ndare village in Laikipia county in Kenya. Currently, he is the Site manager at NATURAL STATE with the responsibility for management of the physical site and logistics. Prior to joining NATURAL STATE, he worked at Ok View limited for 7 Years as the manager. Prior to that, Kisiidi worked for 6 years at Rugusu House where he was assistant manager. He is also an experienced organic farmer and enthusiastic environmentalist with a dream that in the future we will achieve zero carbon emission on a global scale.

Kristina Musili

Executive Assistant

Kristina Musili is a dedicated Executive Assistant and Board Secretary with over six years of experience supporting Founders, CEOs, boards, and senior leadership across nonprofit, corporate, and tech startup environments. Known for her ability to create structure in complexity, she specializes in optimizing executive workflows, driving strategic alignment across teams, and strengthening governance systems.Before joining NATURAL STATE, she partnered closely with the CEO and Executive Committee at The BOMA Project to drive strategic planning and execution, streamline organizational workflows, and coordinate high-level engagements with government, UN agencies, and donors. She also oversaw board governance, ensuring compliance, safeguarding, and effective decision-making, contributing to over $1 million in new funding for women’s economic inclusion initiatives.Her earlier experience includes supporting senior executives at Remote, a global SaaS company, and BRCK Inc., a Pan-African technology startup.

Lilian Akal

Herbarium Assistant

Lilian Akal is a dedicated young environmental advocate from Isiolo County with a strong commitment to protecting fragile ecosystems and promoting sustainable land restoration. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in project management, strengthening her academic foundation and leadership in conservation.

She now serves as an Herbarium Assistant at Natural State, a role that deepens her practical knowledge in botany, species identification, specimen management, and ecological research. Her work in the herbarium supports scientific monitoring across degraded landscapes and contributes to ongoing restoration programs.

A respected voice in the climate space, Lilian has earned multiple recognitions for her innovative approach to restoration, most notably being named among the Top 20 Innovators worldwide by the Global Center on Adaptation. Her contributions have also been featured in major publications, including Nation Media.

Lucía Nadal

Director of Research and Monitoring

Lucía Nadal, Ph.D., is a research scientist with a background in evolutionary biology, human evolution, and palaeoclimatology. Lucia’s expertise focuses on developing innovative data-driven approaches that bridge field ecology, machine learning, and community-based methods to strengthen climate resilience and conservation outcomes. Her previous academic work developed new insights on patterns of diversity and variability on East African lineages of extinct hominins and extant apes. She previously managed a portfolio of international water and sanitation research projects with the Aquaya Institute, served as the Resident Academic Director for the Turkana Basin Institute’s Origins field school, and was the co-founder and R&D Lead of Tamalli, a market-based nutrition project in Nairobi. Lucía holds a PhD in biological anthropology from the University of Cambridge, an MSc from the University of Barcelona, and a BSc in biology from UNAM.

Lucy Smyth

Conservation Scientist

Lucy Smyth, Ph.D, is an enthusiastic and energetic conservation biologist with diverse field and research experience in African systems. She is passionate about making real, impactful, measurable changes to the natural world through well-thought-out research and adaptive management processes. She earned her PhD at the University of Cape Town with the Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa and Panthera during which she ran extensive camera trap surveys in the greater Kruger region of South Africa and Mozambique. After that, she spent fourteen months on a remote subantarctic island researching seabirds and invasive mice's devastating impact on many avian species. She is particularly interested in the value of long-term population monitoring and in developing innovative solutions to promote human-wildlife coexistence.

Margaret Njuguna

Field Implementation Lead

Margaret Njuguna is passionate about wildlife, community work, and the use of technology in conservation and community development. She has experience working as a volunteer at the Mara Predator project monitoring the big cats of the Mara, Taita Hills wildlife sanctuary as a ranger guide in wildlife monitoring, and at Mwalua wildlife trust. She has worked in Mugie Conservancy as a Community and Tourism Coordinator, focusing on community interactions/engagements, overseeing community projects and service delivery, forming community policies to act as a roadmap for the conservancy’s community engagement, and conducting a social survey, Social Assessment of Protected Areas, in the surrounding community zones. She holds a BSc in Environmental Conservation and Management, Diploma in Community Development, and will soon start an MSc in Project Management.

Martin Muriuki

Connected Technology Lead | Networking & IoT Specialist

Martin Muriuki is a seasoned ICT and IoT professional with extensive experience in designing, deploying and managing large-scale technology systems for conservation and research across Kenya. He specializes in camera trap, IoT sensor development, DC power, fiber networks, command centers, wildlife and natural security surveillance systems.

As Connected Technology Lead at Natural State, he drives innovation in IoT networks, digital infrastructure, drones, telemetry and AI-enabled monitoring tools. He also mentors engineers and develops field-ready tech solutions.

Previously, at the Northern Rangelands Trust, he implemented network towers, radio systems across northern Kenya, LoRaWAN networks and solar-powered infrastructure

Matt Rogan

Head Biometrician

Matt Rogan, Ph.D., has spent a decade as a biodiversity data scientist tackling conservation from local to global scales. Matt has extensive experience working throughout East and Southern Africa from the banks of the Rufiji River in Tanzania to the Namib Desert. Early in his career, Matt investigated the impacts and drivers of bushmeat hunting on wildlife populations and communities around the Okavango Delta, Botswana. He then went on to earn a PhD with Panthera and iCWIld, using hierarchical models to assess the status and trends of leopard populations across South Africa. Before joining NATURAL STATE, Matt worked as a data curator with the Map of Life at Yale University, assembling and integrating data to understand global patterns of biodiversity. Matt holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town, a M.E.M from Duke University and a B.A. from Pomona College.

Patricia Lemoine

Lab Assistant

Patricia is a dedicated lab assistant with four years of experience and a lifelong connection to nature at Mukogodo forest. Growing up in this wildlife-rich environment, she developed a deep appreciation for animal behaviour, the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and tourism. With a background in hospitality and tourism, Patricia brings strong organizational and interpersonal skills to her scientific work. She plays a key role in ensuring accurate research results through careful sample handling, data recording and equipment maintenance. Known for her attention to detail, teamwork and eagerness to learn Patricia continues to strengthen the lab’s contribution to conservation and research excellence.

Peter Matee

Carbon Field Researcher

Peter Matee is an environmentalist who has worked with different research NGO as a research assistant in field data collection. Currently, he is the carbon field researcher at NATURAL STATE. In 2017, Peter worked at Anglican Development Services-Eastern and supported environmental conservation activities like establishment of tree nurseries and awareness forums on carbon storing agricultural practices to farmers. Later, he joined Chyulu hills REDD+ Carbon Project as Field carbon sampler responsible for biomass carbon sampling and soil sampling within 1 million acre projected area. Most Recently prior to joining NATURAL STATE, he worked for Socio-Ecological observatory for Southern African Woodlands as a carbon field researcher and actively participated in establishing biomass plots in the community. His primary focus is on supporting and implementing habitat conservation by carbon offsetting.

Philomena Murothi

Lab Assistant

As a laboratory assistant at Natural State, Philomena is committed to providing accurate results for ecosystem restoration. With 3 years of experience, Philomena brings her expertise in support of sample collection, processing and analysis ensuring precise and reliable results. She is committed to continuous growth through actively seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge through hands-on experience and ongoing learning, contributing to the impact of research at Natural State.

Priscilla Wanjiku

Landscape Technician

Priscilla Wanjiku is a passionate environmentalist and community development advocate with over six years of experience in landscaping and environmental conservation within the Natural State sector. Her work focuses on restoring degraded landscapes, promoting climate resilience, and empowering local communities through sustainable tree planting initiatives.Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating greener and more sustainable. Tree-planting projects that address both environmental and social challenges. Her efforts have contributed significantly to combating deforestation, improving biodiversity, and enhancing livelihoods in vulnerable areas.

Ross Tyzack Pitman

Head of Technical Delivery

Ross Tyzack Pitman, Ph.D., is a senior conservation technologist with a decade of experience in the NGO sector—providing scientific and technological advice and software solutions to government agencies across Southern Africa and NGOs globally. He began his career as a quantitative ecologist working on leopards (Panthera pardus) in Southern Africa. He later focused on establishing a Data Science, AI, and Conservation Technology division within Panthera. He specializes in conservation-related software development—using advanced data science and AI while leveraging cloud computing for conservation solutions. He holds a B.Sc. in Conservation Science from the University of Plymouth, UK, and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Conservation Biology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Ruwaydah Abdul-Rahman

Director of Fundraising, Strategic Partnerships & Communications

Ruwaydah Abdul-Rahman is a creative disruptor, strategic troubleshooter and problem solver who has successfully advised and strengthened nonprofit organisations' fundraising and strategy for the last 15 years. As a data-driven tactical planner, she increases organisations’ donations and earned revenue, while building strong, diverse partnerships and promoting robust leadership development. She is dedicated to effective and inclusive storytelling, diversified fundraising approaches, and advancing strategic and critical thinking to mobilise resources for social impact organisations. She is a justice-oriented and authentic communicator — building and maintaining effective relationships through strong collaborative and analytical talents, born out of experience and evidenced by a large and growing network of collaborations and partners. From large, international and national nonprofits to small community-based organisations, she has discovered firsthand that the voices of those being served and strong relationships are at the heart of successful fundraising campaigns.

Samuel Gachuhi

Junior Data Officer

Samuel Gachuhi is a researcher, GIS/Remote sensing specialist and spatial data scientist all rolled into one. However, he has realized that data science is his craft and will not mind spending additional time to learn, improve or correct his data handling approaches. Prior to joining Natural State, for 2 years Samuel worked as an environmental researcher at Climate & Energy Advisory where he was responsible for providing inhouse environmental reporting and scoping services. His goal in Natural State is to ensure data is well collected, processed and displayed to increase investor confidence in Natural State and also contribute to building Natural State’s Impact Monitoring tools. Samuel’s background is B.A in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Nairobi, as well as a data science and machine learning certificate from Udemy.

Seleina Shurake

Research Centre & HR Manager

Seleina Shurake has over 12 years of expertise in Human Resources. Her passion lies in empowering individuals to thrive within their roles. Hailing from the Maasai community, she witnessed firsthand the impact of environmental degradation on wildlife and nature's balance. Driven by this experience, Seleina brings a unique blend of HR expertise and ecological knowledge to her role as Research Centre Manager. She's dedicated to restoring natural habitats, reintroducing wildlife, and fostering harmonious coexistence between human activity and environmental conservation.

Simon Mureithi

Gardener & Camp Technical Operator

Simon is a skilled artisan of the landscape, Simon tends the Natural State gardens with deep respect for the environment. He maintains the camp’s natural beauty through thoughtful landscaping, careful upkeep of facilities, and efficient technical operations. Whether repairing equipment or nurturing plants, Simon ensures that the camp functions smoothly and harmoniously. His work not only sustains the property’s visual appeal but also reflects Natural State’s commitment to ecological harmony.

Susan Kiringo

Training Centre & Partnership Coordinator

Susan has over 7 years of experience in Project Administration and Management, Community Development, Business Development, and a strong background in Liaison experience. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration (Sustainable Development Option), a Bachelor's in Commerce (Management Science Major) and a certificate in Project Management (Monitoring and Evaluation). Previous experience includes working with the Cooperative Bank of Kenya and conservation and charity non-governmental organisations. Susan is highly skilled in project administration and management, communications and community engagement, NGO operations and Policy Development.

Wangechi Kiongo

Fundraising and Communications Coordinator

Wangechi Kiongo is a dedicated conservationist with a BSc in Environmental Studies from Karatina University. She is passionate about environmental education and community engagement. As a National Geographic Explorer, she has previously worked with communities in Turkana and Laikipia Counties.

Her skills in community engagement, partnership building, and cross-sector collaboration have continued to grow over the past eight years as she has worked with various non-profit organizations. Wangechi has increasingly engaged in fundraising and stakeholder stewardship to enhance the sustainability and impact of conservation efforts.

At NATURAL STATE, she supports the development and implementation of effective fundraising strategies while fostering meaningful engagement with partners, donors, and local communities.

Wilfred Mwenda

Field Assistant

Wilfred Mwenda is an environmental enthusiast from Ntumburi, a community adjacent to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Growing up near the conservancy inspired his passion for nature and wildlife. Wilfred is currently a field assistant Natural State, supporting research on carbon and biodiversity.  

He previously worked with the organization for six months as an intern in the same role. Beyond conservation, he is an experienced auto mechanic with over three years at DEEEM AUTO Garage Limited. Wilfred aspires to work with cutting-edge technology in environmental conservation to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

William Korosian

Field Botanist

William Korossioan is an environmentalist and passionate botanist born in a remote village rich in flora and fauna. William, growing up, used this as a class and shaped his hobby of plant identification into his career. He started his career journey as a wildlife ranger in Lewa Conservancy, where he gained knowledge of wildlife behaviour and their different habitats, including vegetation. He joined the Lewa research department as a botanist where he conducted different vegetation surveys and advised the rangelands department at different levels of decision-making. He later joined NATURAL STATE as a field botanist. He holds a certificate of botany from the National Museums of Kenya and aspires to pursue a diploma in Botany in the future.

Winfred Wairimo_Herbarium Assistant_2025.jpg

Winfred Wanjohi

Tree Nursery Assistant

Rooted in curiosity and care for living things, Winfred found her path in conservation through her work at Natural State, where she helps restore landscapes by nurturing native seedlings. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Security and Forensics and a Protected Area Technician certificate from Connected Conservation Foundation. Before joining Natural State, she worked with Lewa Education Programme and the Human Practice Foundation as a Web Development and IT Intern, where she also supported capacity-building initiatives. Her background in technology has strengthened her analytical and systems-based approach to problem solving, which she now brings into her work with nature. Winfred believes that caring for the earth and caring for people are deeply connected — both grounded in patience, balance, and growth.

Yvonne Wambugu

Finance Assistant

Born and raised in the heart of Laikipia County, Yvonne serves as a finance assistant at NATURAL STATE, where she blends her financial expertise with a deep-rooted commitment to the restoration and conservation of natural landscapes. She has 3 years’ experience working in the finance department with Kenya Airport Authority. Yvonne holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from KCA University as well as an ongoing CPA student. She is committed to continuing learning, engaging in sustainability, and non-profit financial management training. Outside of work, Yvonne enjoys volunteering in local initiatives and exploring nature.

Puppy

Born in Subuiga, NATURAL STATE's resident Puppy is keenly interested in birds and insects. Puppy is part of our team and reminds us to slow down, sniff the wildflowers, and appreciate the wonders buzzing and chirping around us.

Team

INTERNS

Andrew Salaash

IOT / Field Tech Support Intern

Andrew's journey into technology began with a hands-on, full-stack software engineering short course from strathmore university. This practical foundation solidified his passion for development and led him to pursue a formal academic path. He is now a third-year BSc IT student at Kabarak University, where he is deepening his theoretical knowledge and technical skills.
Currently, he an intern at Natural State. In this role, he is contributing to the software development team, building and refining IT solutions that directly support the company's mission of restoring the natural world.

This opportunity represents a unique synthesis of his professional goals and personal passions, as he is an avid hiker and bike rider who has a deep, first-hand appreciation for the environments Natural State works to restore.
He is driven by the opportunity to use technology as a tool for tangible, positive impact. He aspires to build a career at this intersection of software engineering and ecology, with the goal of growing into a senior software developer. When not focused on code or his studies, he also enjoys the teamwork and strategy of playing football.

Faruk Waweru

Wildlife conservationist & Research Centre Intern

Faruk Waweru is a passionate wildlife conservationist with a strong background in ecological monitoring and community-based conservation. Recently graduated with a Diploma in Wildlife Management from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, he has developed comprehensive understanding of wildlife conservation principles and practices.

Faruk has participated in extensive fieldwork research across various landscapes in Kenya, conducting monthly wildlife censuses, monitoring Rothschild's giraffes, colobus monkeys, and carnivores, and engaging with local communities on sustainable living projects. During his 3-month attachment at Soysambu Conservancy, he contributed to ecological research and wildlife monitoring projects.

He later joined Natural State as an intern and has expanded his skills in impact monitoring and biodiversity research. As a dedicated naturalist, Faruk enjoys birdwatching and exploring Kenya's ecosystems. He holds a diploma in Wildlife Management from WRTI and aspires to pursue a bachelor's degree in Conservation Biology.

Martha Kihara

Research Centre Intern

Martha Kihara is a passionate and dedicated conservationist committed to protecting and restoring the natural environment, with a special interest in plant ecology and biodiversity. Her journey began with a Diploma in Wildlife Management from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, where she gained a strong foundation in ecological principles and conservation practices. During her attachment at Meru National Park and the Born Free Foundation, Martha gained hands-on experience in wildlife monitoring, habitat management, and community-based conservation—experiences that deepened her commitment to environmental stewardship.

As an intern at Natural State this allowed her to contribute to impactful projects which focused on ecosystem restoration and impact monitoring for carbon and biodiversity, while also expanding her skills in data collection, plant trait analysis, and carbon research. Her passion for plants has been especially nurtured through detailed work in species identification, trait measurement, and understanding the role of vegetation in climate resilience. Looking ahead, Martha aspires to pursue a degree in Environmental Science to deepen her expertise and continue making meaningful contributions to conservation.