Kenya Office
Dr. Paula Kahumbu, CEO
Dr. Paula Kahumbu is the CEO of WildlifeDirect. She has a PhD from Princeton and is an ecologist committed to transforming conservation results in Africa and the world through science, advocacy and education. She is one of Africa’s best-known wildlife conservationists and sits on the boards of WWF International and National Geographic. She is the brainchild of the Hands Off Our Elephants campaign with Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta, the immediate former First Lady of the Republic of Kenya. The campaign is widely recognized for its singular successes in advocacy and the engagement of the people of Kenya to support the protection of elephants. Dr. Kahumbu is the producer and presenter of Africa’s first wildlife documentary series made by Africans called Wildlife Warriors which seeks to transform the conservation literacy in Africa by shining a light on the continents front line conservationists. The award winning series is broadcast on free to air channels and in schools across Kenya through the Wildlife. Warriors Kids program which takes children on scientific wilderness expeditions. Dr. Kahumbu holds the title Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) and is the Rolex NatGeo Explorer of the Year 2021, winner of the Whitley Gold Award 2021, and is a National Geographic Emerging Explorer.
Trish Sewe, Chief Operations Officer
Trish Sewe joined WildlifeDirect in April 2016 as a Communications Manager and is currently the Chief Operations Officer. She is also the Chief of Party for the National Geographic’s Team Sayari & Nature Positive Kids Outreach Program. Trish has over fifteen years of experience in the communications and development sector, and is leading the technical implementation and management of all aspects of the National Geographic’s Team Sayari and Nature Positive Kids Outreach project, ensuring that the core project activities and WLD’s existing related efforts are coordinated and successfully delivered. Prior to joining WildlifeDirect, she worked with various nonprofit organizations at the grassroots, national and international levels. Trish is a self-motivated individual with a ‘can do’ approach and is passionate about empowering people with knowledge and skills that allow them to make informed choices.
Joy Omulupi, Education and Outreach Manager
Joy Omulupi joined the organization in May 2007 and is considered the longest serving employee. She is working as the Education and Outreach Manager in charge of projects in Amboseli. Prior to joining WildlifeDirect, she worked at GTZ International Services, Coca-Cola Africa and International Rescue Committee both in Nairobi and Kigoma, Tanzania. She loves wildlife and nature and is slowly nurturing a secret passion for photography that she didn’t know she had.
Anthony Wachira, Finance Officer
Anthony joined WildlifeDirect in April 2017 as a Finance Officer. He has over 6 years of experience in the finance and accounting field. He also has a Bachelors Degree in Commerce and is a CPA-K holder. He is in charge of financial management and control, human resources and administration. Anthony is passionate, resourceful and results driven individual.
Pauline Kayla, Assistant Film Producer
Pauline Kyalo joined WildlifeDirect as a Film Intern in July 2022 and is currently the Assistant Film Producer. She has had the opportunity to work as a project manager, creative director, communications assistant and filmmaker for the past five years at various organizations. She has a bachelors degree in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University. She enjoys environmental conservation activities, filmmaking, communications, and working collaboratively with people and communities to enhance the quality of life.
Moses Mbeya, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Officer
Moses joined WildlifeDirect in June 2022 as the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Officer. He is a result oriented Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, research, learning and data analysis professional with experience in successfully building frameworks for assessments, Baseline/Endline surveys, evaluations, tool design, Mobile data collection and analysis. Creative and innovative individual, with excellent skills in community mobilization, stakeholder management, proposal writing, field research, capacity building as well as planning and implementing qualitative and quantitative based projects.
