An Ecotourism Officer for Botswana Tourism, Jonathan specialises in sustainability with a focus on environmental conservation, community participation, cultural resource management, and environmental monitoring. He holds a degree in Environmental Science and Archaeology from the University of Botswana and is pursuing a Master’s in Development Practice. Jonathan is a champion for meaningful tourism development in Botswana.
Boasting over 27 years of invaluable expertise in the tourism industry, in tourism product development, green festivals, hotel pre-opening services, and marketing, Charity has an extensive network among policy makers and stakeholders in the hospitality industry across East African partner states. Charity is a seasoned specialist dedicated to advancing eco-friendly practices and fostering growth in the tourism sector.
Dedicated to innovative solutions in responsible tourism, Angela has contributed to projects in more than ten African countries. Angela serves on the Executive Committee of Ecotourism Kenya. With 17+ years in tourism, her expertise spans operations, product development, strategy, sustainability, and marketing. An accredited food waste management consultant with The Pledge for Food Waste and sustainability auditing with Travelife for Tour Operators and Green Destinations, Angela is committed to addressing crucial challenges in the tourism sector.
With over five years in responsible tourism management, Mercy now directs hospitality operations with a focus on community development and conservation and is based at Saruni Basecamp. Formerly managing donor-funded projects in Kenya’s tourism industry, she champions sustainable practices through her volunteer work and professional engagements. Skilled in project management, training, and stakeholder coordination, Mercy is passionate about environmental conservation, community engagement and youth leadership for transformation.
Leader of FINN Partners, Debbie is a PR and travel and tourism expert with over 35 years of experience. Debbie founded Brighter Group in 1995, which under her leadership, grew into a leading UK travel PR and marketing firm before joining with Finn Partners in 2018. Debbie specializes in luxury travel, tourist boards, aviation, business travel, lifestyle brands, responsible tourism, sustainability, global tourism strategy, and digital marketing.
Grace is the General Manager of Fair Trade Tourism. Operating under the banner of Steadfast Greening, Grace has been a third-party auditor for Fair Trade Tourism since 2018 and is a certified practitioner in carbon footprint assessment, GRI reporting, Travelife audits, and the Green Building Council of South Africa. Grace specialises in project implementation, event greening, green building, smart living, and low-emission development. Grace is also a skilled facilitator, trainer, and public speaker. Grace was a key figure in establishing the Event Greening Forum – an NPO promoting sustainability in the events sector. Additionally, she leads the team at Abalimi Bezekhaya, an NGO that empowers township communities to grow their own organic vegetables.
A sustainability professional with over 15 years’ experience, Andrea helps organisations design and integrate sustainability programmes. She has a niche specialisation in eco-tourism, was the content lead for sustainability tech startup, Weeva, and has consulted to several listed clients. She holds a PhD in Business Administration from UCT and is a SETA accredited carbon footprint analyst. Andrea believes that the tourism industry has the responsibility to inspire and influence for good globally.
Zintle studied Tourism at the University of the Western Cape and has a background in Geography and Environmental Studies. Zintle is passionate about South Africa and her people and is inspired by the vibrant cultures and beautiful landscapes of the country and has a belief that by using tourism as a positive driver for change, we can build sustainable livelihoods for local communities while also sharing the unique stories of these communities with the world.
Leah is based at Soapbox South Africa, coordinating the SDG-Challenge SA programme. She previously worked for Nature Connect as a Conservation Leadership Project Coordinator. A dynamic advocate for environmental education and youth development, Leah is known for her inspiring mentorship and impactful project coordination. As a keynote speaker, she captivates audiences with her insights on nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
A graduate in International Development and Politics, Kelvin works in the hospitality industry. He is part of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project and has experience in sales, corporate training, tourism and hospitality, and research. With a deep interest in responsible tourism, Kelvin believes that travel should benefit both the visitor and the host community in promoting cultural exchange, environmental sustainability, and economic equity, as well as preserving cultural heritage.
Five years of insights into tourism and community development at the Time and Tide Foundation, Kalinda started as a Program Officer and later became a Monitoring and Evaluation Manager – a role she plays at Global Sojourns Giving Circle. Kalinda draws on her South Luangwa National Park experiences and champions responsible tourism’s transformative impact believing in preserving natural and cultural resources for future generations. Holding degrees in Special Education, Clinical Neuropsychology, and a master’s certificate in Business Administration, Kalinda’s advocacy extends to girls’ education.
A specialist philanthropic narrator, Xolani is dedicated to the values of Responsible and Fair Trade Tourism and has for the past 12 years worked as a Travel Guide and Assistant administrator for Uthando South Africa. Through storytelling, Xolani communicates South Africa’s narrative, a story of resilience and humility, that provides travellers with an in-depth knowledge and understanding. Growing up in both the rural and urban environment, he developed a deep love for community empowerment and development, calling his dedication a Labour of Love. Xolani studied Political Science at the Walter Sisulu University (formerly the University of Transkei, holds a Higher Diploma in Education, Training and Development, as well as an Advanced Diploma in the same discipline from the University of the Western Cape. Xolani holds numerous certificates in Tourism, Community Development and Leadership.
Nwabisa Mjoli is a purpose-driven sustainability professional with over 8 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. She is passionate about driving organisational transformation and aligning sustainability with core business objectives. Her expertise includes developing tailored sustainability strategies and supporting clients in setting actionable targets for energy, water, waste, and supply chain management to reduce environmental impact. With a strong research foundation and a collaborative approach, Nwabisa fosters connections that lead to meaningful, measurable change.
