Patience GANDIWA

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Professor Patience Gandiwa has accumulated 18 years of professional experience in wildlife conservation. She began her tenure with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) as an Ecologist in 2007. Her scholarly contributions include 63 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and two book chapters, encompassing a broad range of topics within nature conservation. Currently, she serves as Director for International Conservation Affairs, managing portfolios related to Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), Joint Commissions, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Compliance, and Monitoring & Evaluation. Patience chaired the UNDP National Steering Committee for the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) in Zimbabwe, for six years. She also oversees the administration of multiple donor-funded projects and partnerships. Her board memberships include Gonarezhou (with the Frankfurt Zoological Society), Matusadonha National Park (with African Parks Network), Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem (with Peace Parks Foundation), and Greater Hwange-Matetsi Complex (with International Fund for Animal Welfare). In 2022, Patience was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) CoP 19 held in Panama, and in 2025, she became Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Wildlife as approved by African Ministerial Committee on Environment (AMCEN20) held in Nairobi. She actively participates in various professional and technical advisory bodies across Africa (including Women for Environment/WE in Africa) and is involved with expert groups and commissions within the World Conservation Union (IUCN). She is committed to advancing sustainable development through nature conservation innovation, scientific research, and enhancing the role of women in society.