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.