Nafeesa ESMAIL

With over 16 years of professional experience across sectors, regions and disciplines, Nafeesa Esmail is passionate about pragmatic win-win solutions for both nature and people. Past and current programs she has designed, developed, implemented or advised on span across biodiversity-friendly agriculture, locally co-managed marine areas and sustainable fisheries, wildlife trade, human-wildlife (and conservation) conflicts, conservation enterprises, translocations and restoration. Nafeesa is an advocate for evidence to inform action at all levels from local to policy, as well as Indigenous-led, community-led and women-led initiatives so to decolonise conservation and intentionally integrate equity, inclusion and diversity into conservation strategies.

At the Wilder Institute, Nafeesa is the Senior Advisor for Human Dimensions of Conservation as well as serves as the Head of their newly established Centre for Species Survival focused on linking the health and livelihoods of local communities with the conservation and sustainable use of wild species. Additionally, Nafeesa is a Women for the Environment 2022 Fellow, serves on the WE move Steering Committee and is the Liaison & Connection lead for the WE Africa network.