Paula Kahumbu

Paula Kahumbu is a Kenyan wildlife conservationist, CEO of WildlifeDirect, and recipient of numerous awards for her work in protecting Africa’s endangered species. She is best known for her efforts to halt the illegal trade in elephant ivory and her campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Africa’s natural heritage.

Her most recent work involves producing award-winning documentaries that amplify the voices of African wildlife conservationists and creating educational content and experiences for African school children.

Kahumbu is a member of the boards of National Geographic and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). She has served the government of Kenya and in various positions. She is a National Geographic Explorer of the Year and a Whitley Gold Award winner and was listed in the Financial Times’ 25 Most Influential Women of 2022. She has been featured in numerous documentaries about wildlife and the environment.