Biographies of the Cohort
GESA 2024
Khouloud Ben Charfi
Tunisia
Khouloud ben Charfi is an environment and management engineer, specialising in natural resources management and conservation in the North African region.
She joined WWF North Africa as an intern in 2018 and later as a freshwater programme officer, where she managed several projects and initiatives revolving around the conservation of water resources and wetlands, nature-based solutions and CSOs, and community engagement. Currently, she is the Risk, Quality Assurance and ESSF Officer at WWF North Africa, where she ensures that all risks including Environmental & Social (E&S) risks for operations and activities taking place in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Libya are managed, stakeholders and local communities are effectively engaged, and grievance systems are in place.
Passionate about nature and conservation, Khouloud is also active in different national and international movements and networks. She is part of the Conservation Standards Coaches network, a member of the Earth Hour association in Tunisia, and a member of the Water Youth Network (Netherlands).
Since September 2023, Khouloud has been invited as a visiting lecturer in the Faculty of Science of Bizerte in Tunisia, where she teaches a course on conservation project development.
Fatima Zahra Mechelouf
Algeria
Fatima Zahra is an environmental engineer who published a study on the role of argile in chromium removal in a Turkish scientific publication in 2017. She holds a Master 2 degree in oceanography and marine environment. Since 2018, she has held a technical position in the Quality and Environment Department at Algiers International Airport, where she is responsible for ensuring user satisfaction, particularly with regard to environmental aspects. Additionally, she authored a book on civil aviation, published in three languages (English, French, and Arabic).
Following her tenure at the airport, Fatima worked for a year and a half at Malabar International Hub for Gold and Diamond in Dubai, where she was the only Arabic woman employed by the company. Since returning to her home country last month, she has resumed her role as an environmental engineer at Algiers International Airport, focusing on the environmental effects of air travel.
Moses Kirikumul Kerry
Papua New Guinea
Moses Kerry is a passionate biologist and conservationist. He holds a Bachelor of Natural Science Honors Degree with 11 years (2011-2021) of academic teaching experience at the University of Goroka, School of Science and Technology, Biological Science Division. He is the Founder and Executive Director for Mauberema Ecotourism, Nature Conservation, Education, Research and Training Center (MENCERTC), an Indigenous youth-led community-based organization in Sinesine Yongomulg District of Chimbu Province, Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea. Established in September 2017, MENCERTC was awarded the 2022 UNDP Global Equator Prize Award and the 2022 Society of Conservation Biology Oceania Regional Distinguished Community Service Award for their outstanding contributions to providing nature-based solutions to climate change and livelihood development in the Mauberema Community. Moses was part of the Global Diversity Foundation Community Conservation Fellowship 2023 programme.
Idris Abdulkadir Osime
Nigeria
Idris Abdulkadir Osime is an advocate against plastic pollution and has been actively involved in community service projects, such as organizing and joining efforts to clean up the environment. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Industrial Mathematics. He interned at the Civil Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), where he worked in the Monitoring and Evaluation department, helping with data collection and organization. As a volunteer, he recently served as an enumerator on a sanitation, health, and environmental project with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
On June 5, 2023, in partnership with Devimpath, Idris led a community environmental clean-up exercise to promote and encourage action towards ending plastic pollution. He is also active in the 350.org international movement, which seeks to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-centered renewable energy for all. Currently, Idris works at Geo-Afrik Consultants Ltd as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and a junior researcher. He advocates for a more holistic approach to the environment and supports educational campaigns that promote environmental respect.
Manfred Aimé Epanda
Cameroon
Manfred has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of conservation and development, from grassroots to national and regional in Cameroon and within the Congo Basin. In 2006, he was awarded a “Whitley Award” by His Royal Highness the Princess Royal in London for his significant contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources with the local community at the Dja Biosphere Reserve. In 2015, he opened the AWF office in Cameroon and led its operation as Country Coordinator for five years. He is the founder of Tropical Forest and Rural Development.
Manfred has a Master’s degree in Forestry and a Master’s Degree in International Relations with specialisation in Environmental Management. He is responsible for the effective implementation of Tropical Forest and Rural Development programmes and projects and representation. He is working hand in hand with the country authorities, donors and partners to achieve the Tropical Forest and Rural Development’s mission “We care for communities”.
Sadar Ginting
Indonesia
Sadar Ginting is an Indonesian. His research focuses on the intersection of food systems and the environment, emphasising food security and resilience among smallholder farmers and indigenous Suku Anak Dalam facing environmental changes. In addition to his role as a lecturer for graduate students at Sumatera Utara Health Institute, he also serves as Indonesia’s project coordinator at the DEEP (Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace) En-Gender where he manages projects related to “indigenous food systems and ecological regeneration”. In 2019, he was an Asian Graduate Student Fellow at the Asian Research Institute of the National University of Singapore. In late 2021, he received the VLIR-UOS scholarship for the International Training Programme in Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Qualitative Research Methods at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. In 2022, he was selected as a Fellow by the Institute of Development Studies, UK, for the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform. In 2023, he was an awardee of the Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program: Conservation Science Capacity, Education and Leadership, WWF. Additionally, he is a 2024 CLIFF-GRADS fellow conducting research at CIMMYT, Mexico, on “Uncovering the Carbon Footprint of Food Systems and Opportunities for Climate Action at the National Level.”
Kum Christian Tegha
Cameroon
Christian Tegha is an indigene of the Menchum Division, in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, which forms part of the Tikari ethnic group. Christian holds a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, from the College of Technology, The University of Bamenda, Cameroon, a Master’s degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management and a B.Sc. degree in Environmental Science, both from the University of Buea, Cameroon.
Christian is an environmental engineer with a focus on sustainable agriculture and natural resource management with over 10 years of experience in sustainable farming practices, biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation. His PhD research focused on proving the importance of regenerative agriculture over conventional farming practices in terms of organic matter buildup and climate change mitigation. Specifically, he compared SOC stocks, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG; CO2, CH4, N2O), and yields under different land use systems and two distinct smallholder farming practices for continuous maize production in the Bamenda Highlands, i.e., the regenerative push-pull technology (PPT) and conventional tillage with the formation of ridges (TFR).
Motivated by the successes of his research findings and capacity building, he co-founded and registered the Sustainable Environment, Ecotourism, and Agricultural Development Organization (SEEADO) as a platform through which he can reach out to many indigenous people and smallholder farmers in Cameroon, Africa and the world. SEEADO work to promote sustainable environment and agriculture, and mainstream ecotourism into conservation for the benefit of people and biodiversity. He is currently the president and executive director of SEEADO. Through SEEADO, Christian have worked with many farmers in grassroots communities, especially women, to enhance their capacity in multiple arenas. These include sustainable land use and agriculture to achieve food security; biodiversity conservation; and environmental protection.
Festus Massaho
Tanzania
Festus Massaho is a dedicated fisherman who was born and raised in a fishing community along Lake Victoria, the second-largest lake in the world. Growing up, Massaho witnessed firsthand the alarming decline of fish species in the lake, which has severely impacted the livelihood of his fellow fishermen. Struggling to secure adequate fish catches, he realized the urgent need for action to address this crisis.
In response, Massaho founded Blue Victoria, a non-governmental organization focused on freshwater biodiversity conservation, climate change, and fisheries management. Through his leadership, Blue Victoria has successfully established a Community Conservation Area (CCA) in the Mara Bay Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) within Lake Victoria. This conservation area is particularly significant for the protection of Critically Endangered (CR) fish species such as the Labeo victorianus, Oreochromis esculentus, and Oreochromis variabilis.
Massaho holds a Higher Diploma in Information Technology, which has equipped him with the skills necessary to lead and manage his organization’s initiatives. His efforts have not only aimed at conserving aquatic life but also at ensuring the sustainability of the fishing industry for future generations.
Letícia Benavalli
Brazil
Letícia Benavalli is a conservationist from Brazil with a BSc and Licentiate degree in Biological Sciences, a Master’s Degree in Ecology and Natural Resources Conservation, and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice from the University of Oxford. She has co-founded and directed two environmental NGOs that collaborate with rural communities to develop locally-based solutions for carnivore conservation and work with Brazilian youth to create solutions that integrate wildlife welfare and economic development. One of her proudest achievements is the establishment of the Pró-Onça Institute, an NGO dedicated to large carnivore conservation, women’s empowerment in science, and community-based solutions for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Kendall Sooter
United States
Kendall Sooter is a doctoral candidate at Prescott College for sustainability education and a tenured professor of communication studies and environmental science. She has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Communication from CSU San José and completed her Bachelor’s in Environmental Communication at CSU Channel Islands. She has worked in education for over ten years, teaching preschool through college courses. Kendall has taught a study abroad in Berlin on Global Adaptation to Climate Change, is currently the Co-Department Chair, and leads two Sustainability Committees on her campus. The United States is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions among other negative global contributions, she is seeking to promote sustainable action through education.
Ofuya Ebenezer Eyituoyo
Nigeria
Ebenezer Eyituoyo Ofuya holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (B. Agric. Tech.) degree in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management and a Masters of Agricultural Technology (M. Agric. Tech) degree in Biodiversity Management (2018) from the Federal University of Technology Akure. He is currently rounding off his PhD studies in the same institution.
Ebenezer was also a Teaching Assistant and Demonstrator in the above department and institution where he assisted undergraduate students in practical classes.
Ebenezer is a nature enthusiast and a lover of the environment, with a special interest in endangered primate species conservation. Recently, Ebenezer has been working relentlessly in Cross River State Nigeria to conserve two endangered primate species (Drill monkey Mandrillus leucopheaus and Preuss’s monkey Allochrocebus preussi) in Cross River National Park and the Obudu plateau. This, he has done in collaboration with the Cross River National Park, Obudu Conservation Centre and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) with funding and support from the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) for the conservation of the Preuss’s monkey on the Obudu Plateau. These conservation projects have led to a series of engagements with local communities (conservation awareness campaigns, distribution of sensitization materials to schools in these local communities and organisation of workshops). Through these engagements Ebenezer has been able to garner local support for the protection of primate species and their habitat in the region, leading to positive attitude change towards biodiversity conservation in those communities.
Hasina Rakotondraina
Madagascar
Hasina is an environmentalist from Madagascar, she has a Master’s Degree in Geography and a Bachelor’s in Tourism from the University of Antananarivo. She has over a decade of expertise in climate change, natural heritage and sustainable tourism. She is passionate about nature conservation and local community empowerment.
Hasina is the founder and currently the CEO of JADD MADAGASCAR NGO, a Malagasy youth-led organisation dedicated to promoting youth leadership, sustainable development as well as community wellbeing. Through this organisation, Hasina is involved in several initiatives focused on youth empowerment, nature preservation, climate change, social inclusion and natural resource management. In 2023, JADD Madagascar was among the 23 winners of the Inclusive GEF Assembly Challenge Program award organised by the Global Environment Facility.
Hasina enjoys exploring nature and heritage, she aims to enhance youth and local community initiatives to ensure a sustainable environment and community wellbeing.
Youssef Rochdane
Morocco
Youssef is a researcher, content writer and translator whose journey is deeply rooted in a passion for cultural exchange and storytelling. With a background in multilingual communication, community engagement and not-for-profit event organisation, Youssef has seamlessly blended his love for languages and storytelling with his commitment to social impact.
Over time, Youssef honed his skills by collaborating with numerous NGOs and social sector organisations. Through these experiences, he developed a keen understanding of the intricacies of language, recognising the subtle nuances that distinguish one from another. This proficiency enables him to bridge cultural gaps effectively, tailoring content to resonate with specific audiences.
Driven by his passion for cultural preservation and fascination with the intricacies of human expression, Youssef is currently pursuing a PhD in Cultural and Heritage-related Translation. In his research, he delves into the preservation of cultural narratives through the art of translation and storytelling.
Outside of academia, he is deeply committed to creating content that resonates with specific audiences, tailoring his approach to accommodate cultural sensitivities and preferences. Whether through written word or spoken discourse, Youssef strives to capture the essence of each story he encounters, ensuring that it transcends linguistic barriers and resonates with audiences.
With a commitment to advancing his expertise and promoting cultural exchange, Youssef is a passionate advocate for the power of language and storytelling in bridging divides and celebrating diversity.
Tremie M. Sangma
India
Tremie M. Sangma hails from the scenic North Eastern part of Meghalaya, India. Her roots trace back to the tribal and matrilineal society in the lush landscapes of Garo Hills in Meghalaya. She was raised amidst the splendour of nature, instilling in her a profound appreciation for the environment. The gradual disappearance of forests through shifting cultivation in magnificent landscapes has ignited her passion for conservation and community well-being.
She studied the impacts of human-induced disturbance within the biodiverse haven of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve for her doctoral research, one of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in India. Sangma mainly focuses on biodiversity assessment and enhancing the livelihoods of indigenous communities. She has collaborated extensively on multifaceted projects throughout India.
Over the years, her efforts have cultivated a cadre of Garo community conservationists trained to monitor native biodiversity. She has entrenched a scientific ethos in plant conservation through nature outreach programs and community discussions, safeguarding the community’s future and its invaluable natural-culture heritage.
Currently, Sangma is working on a project to create a local pool of para botanists to monitor the status of rare plants and their habitats engaging the community’s people towards sustainable utilization. She is also working on a project to provide green livelihood opportunities to communities of Meghalaya through agroforestry techniques contributing to the carbon-neutral goal of India. She harbours aspirations to serve as a beacon of inspiration for the younger generation, by imparting traditional wisdom and advocating for environmental preservation, thus paving the way for sustainable conservation and livelihood solutions.
Randa Toko
UK (Italian)
Randa Toko is a land worker, seed keeper, independent researcher and community artist. She is Sardinian but currently resides in London. Their practice is situated at the confluence of agroecology, food, ritual, healing and community. They are passionate about practices that interrupt notions of individualism, alienation from humans and the more-than-human, and separation from nature to grow towards symbiotic and collaborative futures.
She has been part of many grassroots collectives and land-based projects working across urban regenerative farming, revitalising seed-saving practices and histories, food & health sovereignty, and environmental education (Misery Medicines, Community Apothecary, The Seed Saving Network, Wolves Lane Centre). In her work, she seeks to weave the connection between ecological practices and a sense of belonging and reciprocity with the land, especially for global majority communities.
Randa is currently the southern coordinator for the Seed Sovereignty Programme at the Gaia Foundation and has recently participated in the International Ethnobiology Congress in Marrakech to present the artistic intervention “Edible Landscapes Edible Bodies”. As a writer and photographer, she explores the intricate relationship between people and plants, focusing on intersectional land justice.
Mahmoud Soliman
Palestine
Mahmoud Soliman is a Palestinian farmer, nonviolent activist and academic. Soliman is a research fellow at the Center for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, at Coventry University. He has more than 20 years of experience in organizing nonviolent campaigns and nonviolent collective actions against building the Segregation Wall and the Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. Mahmoud has been conducting several research projects in cooperation with research centres in different universities in the UK and the USA. His research focus is on intangible cultural heritage, nonviolent resistance, unarmed civilian protection and food sovereignty.
Faye Mingyi Lu
China
Faye has experience working on environmental issues in China and Southeast Asia, from a conservation, art, youth activism and economic development perspective. Her personal experience of travelling the early human migration route has also connected her with many vulnerable communities globally and her expression through artistic projects has highlighted the impact of climate change. Having learned from the elders and indigenous tribes globally, she brings ancestral wisdom in her work at WildBound and beyond, rebuilding bridges and connections across cultures and generations.
Courtney Wooten
United States
Courtney Wooten is an anti-racist consultant focused on equity and cross-cultural inclusion. Raised in the Berkeley/Oakland Bay Area and following in the footsteps of hippies and Black Panthers, Courtney embraces community organising and intersectional coalition-building as part of her lifelong mission for change. A Stanford alumna and current student at Prescott College with a Masters in Social Justice and Community Organizing and now a PhD student in Sustainability Education, Courtney believes in pairing theory and education with accountable and meaningful action as a student-activist.
As the founder of Suburbia Rising and Stories of Self & Solidarity, and the co-founder of the Justice & Faith Collective, Courtney has brought creative, educational, and community-led events to life. She is a dynamic presenter, public speaker, educator and writer, a skilled Peacemaking Circle Keeper, and a visual artist. The head of a multicultural, multigenerational household, Courtney is also a homeschooling mother to her two elementary school-aged daughters.
Her most recent project is building the Folktale Forest, an inclusive, accessible wellness retreat located near the Sauk River outside Darrington, WA. Folktale Forest will bring together immersive nature-based education, opportunities for bridging dialogue, and sustainable food forest permaculture while centring intergenerational, queer, Black and brown wellness.
Phil Moore
United Kingdom
Phil Moore is a communicator and connector. Having worked in the environmental movement as a filmmaker and writer, he now lives in Wales working with his partner on an off-grid smallholding. With a passion for storytelling and documentaries, Phil is involved in organising film screenings for good causes.
Alongside transforming 12 acres of unimproved pasture into an ecologically diverse, multi treed, market garden and running a small sauerkraut business, Phil is training to be a counsellor. Interested in the intersection between mental health and social wellbeing Phil thrives on bringing people together and finding connections. Trained as a Social Anthropologist at Sussex University Phil has closely been involved in communications around environmental causes, with a particular interest in Permaculture having made a series of short films for Permaculture Magazine UK.
Naomi Kutto Chemwetich
Kenya
Born amidst the lush landscapes of Kenya, Kutto Naomi Chemwetich embodies the spirit of resilience and determination of the Sengwer indigenous people. Raised in a community deeply connected to the natural world, I developed a profound reverence for the forests that surrounded me.
Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity and a passion for community development, I embarked on a journey of education, earning her diploma in Community Development and Counseling. Armed with knowledge and a steadfast commitment to my roots, I returned to my community, eager to effect positive change.
I found my calling amidst a group of extraordinary women, united by a shared vision of environmental preservation and conservation. With unwavering dedication, they embarked on a mission to safeguard their ancestral lands, protect vital water sources, and nurture the delicate ecosystems that sustained their way of life.
At the heart of their endeavour lies the powerful mantra: “planting trees from our own breath.” This profound declaration encapsulates not only their commitment to reforestation but also their deep-seated belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings.
As a young leader within my community, I assumed the role of bridge-builder, navigating the intersection between tradition and modernity, ensuring that their efforts aligned with both the wisdom of their ancestors and the demands of the contemporary world.
With boundless optimism and fierce determination, I stand as a beacon of hope for my community and beyond. Through my tireless advocacy and steadfast leadership, I am not only preserving the natural world but also empowering the women of my community to stand tall as guardians of the forests, ensuring that our land remains safe and nurtured for generations to come.
Suzan Joy
Uganda
Suzan is a community advocate who is passionate about collaborative actions that aim at supporting the well-being of people and the planet. She is the network lead for Wellbeing Economy Alliance – East Africa. Her current activities are focused on grassroots movement building, capacity building and innovations with the overall aim of bringing grassroots community projects to be at the forefront of building a well-being economy.
Suzan is the co-founder of Solidarity Uganda, a progressive organization and network of community organizers, activists, and social movements working together using strategic nonviolence to address various forms of injustice and bring social change.
Founder of The Fireplace, a network of women committed to supporting and bringing about emotional healing and economic independence among women in Uganda.
Aletha Dale McCullough
Trinidad and Tobago / Hawai’i, USA
Aletha Dale McCullough is currently a PhD candidate in Sustainability Education at Prescott College in Arizona. On March 5th, she celebrated her 51st birthday. Aletha was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, where she attended school until the age of 18. After secondary school, she migrated to the United States living first in California, then Guam and for the last 23 years in the state of Hawai’i. Aletha was a Middle School teacher for 8 years in Hawai’i. She is also a filmmaker, having written and directed 2 short documentaries, and also produced video projects for other changemakers. Aletha is also a writer and poet and has one chapbook, “ Immigrant Blues”, that was self-published in 2019. Her dissertation research was done in Trinidad and Tobago where she worked with 11-year-old students to co-create a Sustainability Education project. In this project, they grew food and every week worked with cultural practitioners, environmentalists, and various artists. The purpose of the research was to engage the young people in thinking about their place with a focus on centring Indigenous and local knowledge about our connection to our land, waters and animals. The students and Aletha met once a week from November 2022 to the first week of March 2023. In May 2023, she experienced a stroke, which briefly deferred her studies. Once her dissertation is completed, she hopes to move back to the Caribbean and work collaboratively on pertinent issues like gender-based violence, environmental pollution and climate change.
Oluwadunsin Adekola
Nigeria/UK
Oluwadunsin Adekola is an academic, researcher, and bird aficionado, with nearly a decade of teaching and research experience across Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK. His dedication to quality education has seen him mentor many students, particularly in the fields of wildlife, ecology and conservation. Recently, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Coventry University, UK, where he utilised acoustics data collected by citizen scientists to assess the impacts of invasive non-native plant species on birds.
His PhD from the University of Cape Town, South Africa provided several lines of evidence demonstrating that moult can serve as an index of condition and, ultimately, as an indicator of fitness in birds. He holds two master’s degrees: one in Wildlife Ecology and Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, and another in Conservation Biology from the AP Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, Nigeria. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management from FUTA.
Dunsin is passionate about interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Last year, he participated in a science camp organised by EarthWatch Europe, which focused on re-imagining research through the lenses of equity and community to address environmental challenges. He also attended a workshop by the Interdisciplinary Conservation Network, promoting collaboration among early-career conservationists on specific research themes. His involvement in discussions on the value of qualitative approaches to impact evaluation in biodiversity conservation has resulted in a recent submission for publication.
