Meet Our Team

Mara Elephant Project is a global organization with a diverse workforce dedicated to elephant conservation.

Meet Our Rangers

The Mara Elephant Project’s Maasai male and female rangers have been a crucial part of the organization since the start and work tirelessly to protect elephants and their habitats across the Greater Mara Ecosystem, one of Kenya’s most important ecosystems. Since 2011, MEP has educated, trained and employed over 80 rangers in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service. MEP rangers are the next generation of conservationists who were raised alongside wildlife they now work daily to protect. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the rural youth population (people ages 35 and under) accounts for 68.9% of the total population in Kenya, and MEP is offering them a skilled job that doesn’t require formal education and that can sustain themselves and their families. It’s our rangers locally acquired knowledge about the wildlife and habitat that makes them the best at protecting both into the future.

“The rangers are really ambassadors inspiring young people to want to protect wildlife and if we can do that, we’re going to see a whole movement, a whole change in society. Our rangers have made us one of the most relevant conservation organizations in the Mara ecosystem.”

 CEO Marc Goss

Children growing up in the Mara need role models, just like children around the world. MEP rangers fulfill that role and represent one of the professional opportunities available to Maasai children when it comes time to build their own future. Our legacy is so much more than elephant protection; it’s the creation of a people-centric sustainable NGO model that puts Kenyans at the heart of protecting their birth right.

MEET OUR TEAM

FOUNDERS

Co-Founder

Suzanne Fehsenfeld co-founded Mara Elephant Project when she saw a need for investing in talented young conservation driven people that were making a difference protecting elephants and their key habitats during her extensive travels throughout Kenya. Originally the founder of the Sidekick Foundation, Inc.® in 2011, Suzie channels her passion for wildlife conservation with both a global and local lens. Globally, Suzie’s commitment prevails through her past work with The Nature Conservancy, Stop Ivory, Tusk Trust and LEWA Conservancy. Locally, in Indiana, she serves as a founder member of the Indianapolis Zoo. Suzie first visited Kenya with her husband Fred Fehsenfeld on their honeymoon in 1989; the beginning of many trips to Kenya for Suzie, which inspired the idea for Mara Elephant Project. The Sidekick Foundation® not only funds Mara Elephant Project but has a vested interest in youth conservation education in Kenya as well as sustainable community development through The Maa Trust.

Co-Founder

Richard Roberts co-founded Mara Elephant Project in 2011 with Suzie Fehensfeld. In 2011, Richard noticed an increase in elephant carcasses and this concern coupled with a tragic incident involving human-elephant conflict that occurred on his doorstep spurred Richard to act. Richard and Suzie teamed up and looked to local experts Mr. Brian Heath and Iain Douglas Hamilton to start a project that made protecting elephants and humans the core of its mission. Thus, Mara Elephant Project was born, and Marc Goss came on board to lead the first rapid response team. In 2000, together with his partner Liz, Richard created Richard’s Camp and in his role as owner, he secured key funding for MEP and participated in the growth of the organization from a single team to a world-class organization. Richard’s Camp served as the traveler’s first introduction to the Mara Elephant Project and to at-risk ecosystem conservation in general. Born in Kenya and raised in the Maasai Mara, Richard shared an inspiring knowledge and love of the local people, the wildlife and the beauty within this amazing area of the world. His lifetime of work in Africa led to significant accomplishments in the areas of habitat protection and wildlife conservation until his tragic death on August 17, 2019. Richard left behind Liz, and their children, and the rest of the Roberts family, who carry on his legacy through Richard’s Camp. Richard loved all creatures and by sharing this love for wildlife and wild spaces people gravitated toward him to join him on this most important journey to protect the Maasai Mara.

GLOBAL PATRON

H.S.H. Princess Marie of Liechtenstein is Mara Elephant Project’s first Global Patron. In her role, Princess Marie will focus on expanding MEP’s brand and influence internationally to bolster the impact of a world-class conservation organization. It’s a natural role for Marie as she leads The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery and focuses on expanding their influence internationally. Marie is bringing her experience in marketing and public relations into her position as Global Patron. She was an original employee of Bismark Media Communications, now BPCM, the premier fashion PR firm in New York City. She grew up traveling to Kenya with her family after her mother visited Kenya in the 60s and established a home in the Shimba Hills next door to MEP CEO Marc Goss’ late father Ted. “I have been traveling to Kenya for many, many years and have forged strong relationships and friendships there. MEP in particular was a conduit for me into a deeper understanding of Kenya, its people and their determination to protect their natural heritage. I am truly honored and willingly accept this patronage. Together with the Trustees and staff, I hope we can have a life-long sustainable impact in the Mara for the communities and the beneficiary of all our work, the elephants,” said Marie. Having grown up as neighbors, Marie and Marc stayed in touch, and Marie’s love of elephants and their family connection made this position a natural fit. Princess Marie and her husband Prince Constantin have three children and they split their time between Austria, Kenya and Liechtenstein.

AMBASSADORS

MEp image ambassador & resident photographer

Jeffrey Wu is a Canadian professional wildlife and nature photographer accredited by Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC). He is Kenya Tourism Board Brand Partner, a HEIPI® Brand Ambassador and a commercial photographer contracted by Nikon. He is also a world-renowned photographic competition judge and has judged some of the most prestigious competitions of the world including: 2018-2019 Nikon Photo Contest and the 2017-2019 Nature’s Best Photography Africa.

Jeffrey was born and raised in Shanghai, China, he graduated from college with a B.Eng in 1988. In 1993, he immigrated to Canada, photography is his lifetime hobby and finally, he became a professional wildlife photographer in 2013, shortly after his first trip to Kenya in 2012. Jeffrey started taking photos at the age of 7, his biggest influence and discipline in the field of photography derive from his mother- a professional portrait photographer.

Jeffrey specializes in African wildlife photography and spends 10 months per year mainly in Kenya and other African countries pursuing his work. After his talent and influence on wildlife photography was recognized by the mainstream and in acknowledgement of Jeffrey’s constant effort in promoting tourism and conservation in Kenya, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, he became Kenya Tourism Board’s ‘Magical Kenya’ Brand Partner.

Jeffrey is an artist, author, educator and a conservationist. His images and articles have been published in more than 120 publications worldwide including Chinese National Geography, Africa Geographic, Swara, The Times, People, Canadian Camera, Outdoor Photography Canada, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, Cultural Geography, The Daily Star and more.

Besides leading photography tours in Africa, Jeffrey have been actively involved with conservation and research projects since 2014. Learn more at www.jeffreywuphotography.com and follow him on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

TRUSTEES

ChairPERSON

Beatrice is a strategic communications specialist with over 20 years of experience as a communications development professional covering the African continent with extensive experience in East, Central and Southern Africa. She has worked as a journalist with BBC and Reuters and for several international NGO’s including African Wildlife Foundation, UNICEF and Oxfam (GB). She has also consulted for Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Kofi Annan Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a child of Africa with roots in Kenya and Uganda, Beatrice has a strong and unyielding passion for African development and environmental issues. She believes that conservation and development can co-exist and is keen to play her part to make sure Kenya’s future is sustainable, balanced and wise.

Honorary Trustee & senior advisor

Brian Heath is the current CEO for the Mara Conservancy. He has over 40 years’ experience in managing conservation projects in Kenya and Ethiopia, which include Farm Africa, Galana Ranch and Laikipia Ranch. Brian is also the managing director of Seiya Limited.

Founding Member

Colin Church managed conservation projects and businesses in Kenya for 40 years. He was chairman of the Rhino Ark Management Committee from 2000 to 2012. His previous positions include: chairman of Kenya Wildlife Services, Trustee Board 2003-2004, founding member and past chairman of the Public Relations Society of Kenya and president of The International Public Relations Association; the global body developing the public relations profession. Up until his death in March 2021, Colin was the chairman of MEP and a founding member of the organization. Colin was a pillar, mentor, and gentleman who did so much for so many.

Trustee

Kevin Rodrigues is an investment professional with over 13 years of experience in investment banking, merchant finance and private equity gained in the United States, Europe and Africa. Kevin currently works as a Director at LGT Lightstone, managing investment activities in Eastern & Lusophone Africa. Focusing on impact investing in key emerging economies, LGT Lightstone is a fully owned subsidiary of The LGT Group Foundation (‘LGT’). LGT is a multi-generational company, owned by the Princely family of Liechtenstein, consisting of multiple business verticals, including a Fund of Funds, Private Bank and Asset Management. Prior to joining LGT Lightstone, Kevin worked for Credit Suisse First Boston, International Finance Corporation, Black River Asset Management (now Proterra Investment Partners) and CDC Group. Kevin holds an MBA from London Business School, UK and a B.A. (Economics) from Northwestern University, USA.

Trustee

Lisa Karanja, Kenya Country Head for TBI, 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.

Prior to joining TMEA, Lisa’s career 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.

Lisa is also a member of the Advisory Council for Kenya of the African Wildlife Fund, and the Boards of the Business Advocacy Fund, Muthaiga Country Club and the Mara Elephant Project. She is a recipient of the Chevening scholarship (FCDO); a graduate of the University of Warwick (LLB Hons) and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) and has received certification from the Inns of Court School of Law, Gray’s Inn and the Kenya School of Law.

Trustee

Kendall Evans is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and Hong Kong and is admitted as a barrister and attorney in Bermuda and has over 10 years post-qualification experience across England, Hong Kong and for the past five years, Kenya. He is a Director (partner equivalent) at Bowmans Kenya (Coulson Harney LLP), a pan-African Law Firm and one of the leading firms in Africa, in their M&A Projects Department and has been for over five years. Prior to joining Bowmans, Kendall worked for Appleby in Bermuda and Clyde & Co across London and Hong Kong. Kendall has a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Durham, United Kingdom, Graduate Diploma in Law and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from BPP College of Professional Studies, London, United Kingdom. Legal 500 has ranked Kendall as a Next Generation Partner for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Kenya for the past two consecutive years (2020 and 2021).

Emeritus Trustee

Brian brought a wealth of experience that professionalized an emerging organization and allowed MEP to flourish. He spearheaded the initiative to put the conservation decision making in Kenyan hands by creating Mara Elephant Project Trust in Kenya and building strategies, budgets, policies and procedures from the ground up. His previous positions included Program Executive for Reconciliation and Human Rights Program at Atlantic Philanthropies in the Republic of Ireland for over a decade where he led their highly impactful grants programs in the areas of higher education, human rights, migration, disability and sexual orientation. He served as Advisory Board member of Ariadne, the European Network of Social Change and Human Rights funders, was a founding steering committee member of the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability, and vice-chair of the European Program on Integration and Migration from 2012 to 2014. He was the vice-chair and Non-Executive Director of Sevis Finansye Fonkoze, the largest micro finance institution in Haiti. In February 2023, not long after his passing, Brian was given an Emeritus Trustee position on the Mara Elephant Project Trust.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Loic AmadoLoic is an accomplished business executive and entrepreneur with a strong focus on sustainability and social impact. Having previously worked as a Regional General Manager at Uber, he successfully launched and managed new markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa. This experience provided him with valuable insights into the transportation industry and deepened his understanding of sustainable mobility. Loic actively explored opportunities for collaboration with local communities and stakeholders to promote responsible and eco-friendly transportation options. As a General Partner at Ambo Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to promoting positive change through investing in climate startups, he has gained a wealth of knowledge in identifying and supporting impactful ventures. Through Ambo Ventures, he’s been at the forefront of driving investment in innovative and sustainable solutions across various sectors, including renewable energy, clean technology, ag tech and social enterprises. This experience has further deepened his commitment to addressing the climate crisis and finding sustainable solutions to pressing global challenges. Loic and his partner founded Emboo in 2019, the first carbon-neutral lodge in Africa. In his role as a Director, he drives strategic growth and business development and plays a leading role in implementing all sustainability initiatives.

Elsie is a passionate entrepreneur specializing in financial and technical advisory for energy and infrastructure transactions on the African Continent. She is an accomplished energy trader with extensive experience in global energy markets having worked for top financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and J.P Morgan in London, Houston and New York. Most recently, she has committed herself to working on challenging transactions in Energy and Infrastructure in East Africa and is considered a thought leader in East Africa’s energy markets. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Leadwood Energy, an award winning advisory firm specializing in the provision of oil and gas, renewable energy and climate change related transactions. She is also the co-founder of a charitable water infrastructure non-profit – Ekenywa – which provides access to clean water in rural parts of Kenya. She sits on the United States Board of the BOMA Project which deploys capital to women entrepreneurs in industries and sectors that are most vulnerable to climate change across Africa and is on the Board of Kenya Pipeline Corporation as the Technical Chair responsible for the company’s capital expenditure budget, projects and technical oversight.

Frank-Astère Ndiyo-Butoyi is an accomplished investment professional with over ten years of experience in investment banking and private equity with a specific focus on Africa. He has worked extensively in the United States, France, and Africa. For the past eight years, Frank held the position of Investment Director at Amethis, where he is responsible for overseeing investment and portfolio activities in East and Southern Africa. Amethis is a unique Private Equity platform that is exclusively dedicated to the African continent. As a member of the Edmond De Rothschild partnership, it employs investment tools designed to support African entrepreneurs and companies, with the ultimate goal of fostering the growth of African champions. Moreover, Amethis aims to make a positive impact on the economic development and inclusivity of the companies, countries and regions it invests in. Since 2018, Frank has relocated to Kenya to establish and manage Amethis operations in the East African region. During his time there, he has developed a profound affection for the country, particularly the communities and wildlife around Maasai Mara were for example he organized food drives to assist the Maasai communities during the challenging times of the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to joining Amethis, Frank achieved a successful career in Banking and Finance, having worked at renowned institutions such as Société Générale in New York, as well as HSBC, Natixis, and KPMG in Paris. Alongside his professional endeavors, Frank is an active contributor to various organizations and boards, including the East African Venture Capital Association, Ramco Group, and the French Chamber of Commerce in Kenya. He is a native of Burundi where he grew up and holds a master’s degree in Global Markets and Investment Banking from Dauphine University in Paris.

David Stulb is an internationally respected specialist on geopolitical risk and its impact on corporate strategy and business ethics. In his former role as the Global Leader of EY’s Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services (FIDS) practice, Mr. Stulb assisted public company boards with sensitive investigations and crisis management. During his career at EY, he advised corporations, including leading financial services and energy sector firms, as well as governments, on matters relating to transparency, governance and regulatory risk management. Mr. Stulb served on two of EY’s management boards, and chaired the board of the forensic practice. He continues to advise sovereign clients relating to the impact of geo-political risk, cyber threats, market volatility and regulatory enforcement. He has advised Ministers of Finance, Central Bank Governors, as well as corporate legal and compliance executives, on these matters across a wide range of international markets. His work has also included advising sovereign clients with respect to the management of public finances, debt reconciliation and other investigative and anti- corruption matters. He led both the Oil for Food investigation on behalf of the Iraqi government and EY’s work with the Angolan government. Mr. Stulb was a senior delegate to the Munich Security Conference and the Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa, and played a key role in EY’s long-standing relationship with Transparency International (2006-2017). Mr. Stulb was appointed to the prestigious Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Board in October 2018 where he serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee. He is also a founding Director of Stop Ivory, the UK charitable organization seeking to end the trade in ivory, the proceeds of which is an important source of funds for organized crime and terrorist organizations.

Valery Joanne Super is the co-founder of Painted Wolves Limited and CEO of its hospitality branch ‘Emboo River’, the region’s first carbon neutral safari destination. Valery sits on the Mara Tourism Stakeholders Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, supporting development projects within the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem. Valery is also the founder of sustainable fashion company Moto Moto. Valery’s background lies in International Criminal Law and diplomacy, and throughout her professional and personal life she has always had a focus on circularity and sustainability. Previous work experience includes roles with the International Criminal Court and roles as legal advisor and coordination officers within the EU and UN.

Jorge is an investment director at the Liechtenstein Group, where he is responsible for the firm’s portfolio and investments in the agriculture & food and forestry sectors. The Group, owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein, has been investing over generations in sustainable and innovative business models and provides patient capital across the agriculture & food, forestry, renewable energy, and real estate sectors. In the past, he’s served as a senior vice president at McKinsey & Company, led the business transformation efforts of Galp and Abanca, worked as an investment professional at EBG Capital, the European Investment Bank and LeapFrog Investments, and as an entrepreneur in the farming and AgTech sectors in Spain and in West Africa. Jorge loves teaching and is an adjunct professor of strategy at IE Business School; and he’s taught in executive programs at other schools (e.g., MIT Sloan, Loyola University, University of Alicante, EF Business School). He is also a research fellow at the Center for African and Development Studies (CEsA) of University of Lisbon. Jorge has spent extensive periods of time in Africa, and he’s been to 100+ countries (and counting). He’s a voracious reader and collector and student of Contemporary African art, serving on Tate’s Africa Acquisition Committee.

OPERATIONS STAFF

CEO

Marc has worked in the greater Maasai Mara for over a decade, starting as manager for Olchoro Oiroua Conservancy and then Mara North Conservancy. Marc assembled the first Rapid Response Unit for MEP in 2011 and in 2013 started working full-time with MEP. Before Marc moved to the Mara, he completed his bachelor’s degree at The Evergreen State College, Washington. During this time Marc started sustainable woodlot cycles and tracked the bongo antelope in Kenya’s Aberdare National Park under the guidance of Richard Leakey. He is also the current Kenya Wildlife Service Honorary Warden for the Maasai Mara.

ACTING Senior Warden

Jackson Maitai was born in the Maasai Mara in the Lemek Hills. He joined MEP in 2011 and was among the first recruits of rangers from Mara North Conservancy. He has worked in many different positions as a ranger in the Mara ecosystem including an anti-poaching unit stationed along the Kenya/Tanzania border near Cottars 1920a Safari Camp and responded to a lot of conflict mitigation in hot spots over the years. Jackson is responsible for recording the human-elephant conflict incidents, MIKE data and habitat destruction activities that take place over our area of operation. In 2014, Jackson was promoted to the post of the Corporal at MEP and later Assistant Warden due to his exemplary job performance. Jackson attended Ngosuani Primary School, Sotik High School for his O level and completed Prescott College of Wildlife in 2007. Later, he joined the Koyiaki Guiding School and graduated as a safari guide in 2009. His passion and determination has been a driving force during his time at MEP.

Chief Financial Officer

Stanley Misoka joined Mara Elephant Project in 2018 and is a Certified Public Accountant with experience in accounting, budgeting and grants financial management. He’s previously worked at NGOs Heifer International, Amref Health Africa and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Stanley grew up in Nakuru and graduated from Egerton University with a Bachelor of Science specializing in Mathematics & Statistics.

General Manager

Torsten, who joined MEP in September 2023, brings extensive experience from his background in the British military and a career in project and risk management with the Ministry of Defence. Raised in the Kenyan wilderness, he possesses a profound understanding of local ecosystems and wildlife, making him highly qualified for conservation work. His military service cultivated traits such as discipline and resilience, crucial for wildlife conservation efforts. With his diverse skill set, Torsten is well-equipped to address the challenges in wildlife conservation, ensuring MEP’s continued leadership in conservation initiatives locally and globally.

Special projects manager

Wilson grew up in the Maasai Mara and joined the MEP team in 2015. Wilson’s role at MEP is all encompassing. He is tasked with tracking all 23 of MEP’s collared elephants and relaying their coordinates to MEP rangers in the field. He must keep up with the near real-time alerts for elephants in danger or a failed collar. He is also in charge of the backend data necessary to keep track of MEP ranger movements and various other data collected. Additionally, Wilson has taken a leading role in MEP’s school planting initiative, chili fence project and our upcoming unmanned aerial vehicle re-integration. After finishing high school, Wilson completed a diploma at the Maasai Mara University in social work and community development. He then taught children at the Olemoncho Primary School before joining MEP.

Grants Manager

Meshack Gaga joined the Mara Elephant Project in August 2023 and has a background in project management and conservation. Previously serving as the Grants & Reporting Officer at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, he possesses extensive experience in grants management, donor reporting & relations, budgeting, monitoring & evaluation, and grants administration. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Project Management at JKUAT, Meshack holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in Management Science. You can reach Meshack by emailing him at meshack@maraelephantproject.org.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Dibblex Lesalon joined MEP in March 2023 as the Communications Officer. Growing up in Narok County surrounded by abundant wildlife species, Dibblex developed a keen interest in nature from a young age. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Tourism Management from Strathmore University and he has been fortunate enough to hold various positions in the local tourism sector. He is a Kenyan fellow of the Inaugural African Conservation Voices Media Labs co-created by Jackson Wild and African Wildlife Foundation. Dibblex is the visionary force behind the captivating podcast, Boots on the Ground, he is the creative lead, embracing the power of storytelling to amplify the voices of conservation one conversation at a time. Get in touch with Dibblex by emailing him at dibblex@maraelephantproject.org.

RESEARCH STAFF

Director of Research & Conservation

Dr. Jake Wall joined MEP in January 2019 as the director of research and conservation and leads MEP’s applied research agenda aimed at enhancing the protection of elephants and the habitats. Dr. Wall completed an undergraduate degree in physics and then a master’s degree in geography at Queen’s University in Canada specializing in RADAR remote sensing in the Canadian arctic. He began as a volunteer with Save the Elephants (STE) in 2003 and completed a PhD in geography at the University of British Columbia in 2015 studying the geospatial analysis of African elephant movement. Dr. Wall built a real-time monitoring system while at STE during his PhD, which advanced into the EarthRanger system built by AI2, which MEP now uses for the real-time tracking of elephants, rangers and other assets. Jake is originally from Canada but attended the International School of Kenya in Nairobi during the 1990s.

LTM TEAM LEADER

John Pesi grew up in the Maasai Mara in the Talek area. He attended Siana Boarding Primary School, Rongai Boys Agricultural & Technical High School in Nakuru for his O level and joined Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute and was awarded a degree in wildlife management in 2013. He joined MEP in March 2021 as a field research assistant with the LTM team. Before joining MEP, John worked in Mara Naboisho Conservancy as an administrator for two years before being promoted to conservancy warden. John completed the five-month basic paramilitary course necessary to become warden and supervised all security matters for both wildlife and guests using the WILDAPP and cyber tracker. In 2019, John continued to put his passion for conservation to work and got his bronze level award from the Koyiaki Guiding School and became a freelance professional safari guide.

LTM Team Member

Sarafina Sironka was born and raised in Narok Town. After completing high school at Sosit Secondary School she attended the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in 2016 and pursued a course in community wildlife management. In November 2020, she received her diploma in wildlife management after completing her work with the research department in Nairobi National Park. After graduation, Serafina joined Colobus Conservation as a volunteer and then MEP in March 2021 as a research assistant on the LTM team.

Ltm Team Member

Amos grew up in the Maasai Mara and works as a research assistant on the LTM team and focuses on GIS. Prior to joining MEP, he worked for high-end camps and lodges in the Mara. Amos holds a bachelor’s degree in tourism from Moi University.

CO-EXISTENCE farm manager

Abigael Simaloi Pertet is researching solutions for agricultural communities living in conflict with elephants through the MEP Co-Existence Farm Project, which she manages. She was born and raised in Kajiado County and completed her primary school studies at Kajiado Hill Academy and later joined Starehe Girls center and Starehe Institute for computer and accounting. In 2012, she got a MasterCard Scholarship to study Agronomic Engineering at EARTH University in Costa Rica where she graduated with honors. While growing up, Abigael’s single mother depended on charcoal burning as a source of income. Seeing the devastating effects of the land degradation in her home area stoked her passion for the restoring the environment. She founded an environmental conservation group for youth, Save Our World, and they planted over 5,000 trees in her hometown. After her undergraduate, Abigael and friends formed the Naramat Olosho Environmental women’s group to plant trees and educate school children on environmental conservation in the savanna areas. She is married with two young children.

Research Assistant

Sylvia grew up in Nairobi and her passion for wildlife and community co-existence led her to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute where she graduated with a diploma in wildlife management. Through her studies at the school, she was placed as an intern at Mara Elephant Project and eventually hired as a research assistant. She’s passionate about conservation and is happy to be applying that passion in the Mara.

Research Assistant

Caroline was born and raised near Nairobi and has a degree in community health, an industry where she first began her career. She decided to pursue her passion for wildlife and graduated from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute with a degree in wildlife management. Caroline came to Mara Elephant Project first as an intern and is now a research assistant pursuing her passion for wildlife and natural resources conservation.

Some head shots provided by Chags Photography.