ExCo and Council

Conservation biologist, ecologist and environmental scientist, 40+ years practical experience in environmental management and administration, community-based conservation, park (state and private) and biodiversity management, research and monitoring, strategic planning and development, project and programme design and coordination, and wildlife census and monitoring. Former Executive Director of the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), founder Director of the Directorate of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in the Namibian Ministry of Environment & Tourism. Drafting the environmental clauses for the Namibian Constitution. Developed national environmental programmes on community-based natural resource management, biodiversity, combating desertification, environmental profiles and information systems and park management planning and investment. PhD in Conservation Biology. Currently the CEO of the Namibian Chamber of Environment, an umbrella support organisation for the environmental NGO sector in Namibia.

After completing an MSc in Botany at UCT, Jessica’s love affair with seabirds – and penguins in particular – was sparked in 1997 while monitoring seabirds on Dassen Island (near Cape Town) for five months, and a one-year spell as a regular weekend volunteer at SANCCOB. In 1999 she had the opportunity to “island-sit” Mercury Island (north of Lüderitz) for ten weeks. More than two decades later she still lives in Lüderitz, has completed a PhD on African Penguin demography and has voluntarily managed a small seabird rehabilitation facility in Lüderitz through the African Penguin Conservation Project. She held the seabird scientist post at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (2008-2010) before becoming a free-lance conservation biologist. Jessica continues to be passionately involved in the conservation of coastal seabirds and their habitats.

Angus has over 15 years of senior management and organisational leadership in Africa and Europe. He brings a relevant mix of knowledge and technical experience in environmental economics, ecological resource management, agricultural management, and biodiversity policies. He is currently the Executive Director of Namibia Nature Foundation where he provides overall leadership for the organisation and also works directly on a number of projects, particularly in the field of environmental economics. He holds an MSc in Environmental and Policy from Imperial College London and a BSc in Ecological resource Management from Newcastle University. He has a great passion for the outdoors, a particular interest in raptors, and a love of fresh-water angling.

Hendrina is currently employed at Debmarine - Namdeb Foundation (Incorporated Association Not For Gain), responsible for Community Development. She holds a Diploma in Information Administration from the Polytechnic of Namibia with outstanding achievements such as Best First, Second- and Third-year student in Information Administration. In addition, Hendrina has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration specialising in Human Resources from the University of Namibia. She has successfully completed an Honours Degree in Business Management and a Certificate in Community Development for Community Development Practitioners from UNISA. Her working experience spans community development, commercial and business environments.

Jess is Director of Animal Facilities at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, USA. He is also the Vice-Coordinator for The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) African penguin Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program. Jess works closely with colleagues in Namibia and South Africa to improve disaster preparedness and response for wildlife. Jess also manages Penguin Coast at the Maryland Zoo. Penguin Coast is home to the largest breeding colony of African penguins in North America.

Nicky has more than 16 years’ experience in the conservation sector and has worked in the UK, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. For the last 13 years, Nicky has been fulfilling various roles at SANCCOB in Cape Town, South Africa, a seabird conservation non-profit organisation focused on species with high conservation status and working with partners to mitigate threats facing marine species and ecosystems. During this time, Nicky has overseen the rescue, rehabilitation, artificial incubation, and release of seabirds and has responded to several oil spill incidents affecting endangered seabirds. As Head of Conservation, Nicky concentrates on organisational strategic direction for seabird conservation efforts and works closely with partners and government advising on appropriate measures to slow the decline of endangered seabirds. She works directly on a number of projects and serves on various committees to further the development of protection mechanisms for the African penguin and other threatened seabirds. Nicky is passionate about ethical considerations involving research on animals and has volunteered her advisory services to the University of Cape Town’s Science Animal Ethics Faculty since 2012.