Helen Gichohi, PhD

President
Nairobi, Kenya

 

With a smile that would make a rhino blush, Dr. Helen Gichohi takes command of AWF’s programs with style and determination. Helen is responsible for directing the African Heartlands Program in eight massive landscapes throughout central, eastern, and southern Africa.

Like a queen bee orchestrating the coordination of a complex colony, Helen works with a wide variety of scientists, community officers, government officials, lawyers, donors, and partners to ensure the future for Africa’s wildlife. She designs and manages conservation strategies which will reduce threats to wildlife in the Heartlands and improve socioeconomic conditions for the people living there. However, achieving this objective is not always straightforward, since threats to wildlife are often the product of a complex interaction of ecological, social, political, economic factors.

This work has not gone unnoticed either. During the 42nd Independence Day celebrations, the President of the Republic of Kenya awarded Helen the Order of Great Warrior of Kenya Award in recognition of her sterling contribution to conservation.

Read more about Helen’s work with the African Heartlands.