Credit: Amish Chhagan
Holly Budge (Founder & Chair)
Holly is a world-class adventurer, an Everest summiteer, and the first woman to skydive Everest. She is a sought-after keynote speaker on risk. As a UN Women UK Delegate and voted ‘Female Thought Leader of the Year in Non-Profit’, her work has reached >500 million people, earning high praise, including from Sir David Attenborough.
Martin Dancy (Treasurer)
Martin has a wealth of business experience as a successful entrepreneur for 50+ years. He brings much wisdom and guidance to the charity, with valuable real-world insight. Martin had no hesitation in supporting How Many Elephants as a Trustee as he shares Holly’s passion for both wild and domestic animals.
Elizabeth Drayton
Elizabeth, a New Zealander, is an expert communications and public speaking coach, trainer, speaker and facilitator, as well as a strategy and management consultant. With 24 years abroad, she brings international experience, keen insight, and fresh perspectives to help amplify How Many Elephants’ mission.
Duncan Oliphant
Duncan, a South African national, has had a career spanning hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and over 17 years in physical risk mitigation and supply chain assurance. He’s worked across 19 African countries and is a passionate conservationist, with a great interest in elephants (and a fitting surname!).
Jen Thomas
Jen is an Intuitive Coach working with clients worldwide, following a 20-year marketing career that left her seeking more purpose. Now a Personal Performance Coach and TEDx speaker, she champions compassion and authenticity in life and business. Passionate about nature, Jen is especially devoted to African elephants.
UK: Fiona Jeffery OBE
Founder of ‘Just a Drop’ & World Travel Market.
“World Female Ranger Week gives recognition and voice to both the courage and outstanding conservation work undertaken by female rangers. Proof that gender equality knows no bounds. I’m proud to be an Ambassador and help champion these incredible women.
Zimbabwe: Shelley Cox
Director of Africa Conservation Travel.
“Awareness campaigns such as World Female Ranger Week provide a more visible representation and recognition of the effectiveness of women in conservation and other women are inspired to have greater responsibility and positive impacts on the well being of our planet.”
Uganda: Dr. Gladys
Founder/CEO of Conservation Through Public Health
“Gender equity in the conservation arena is such an important and prevalent topic. There is still much work to do but World Female Ranger Week plays a key role in raising awareness of the work of female rangers and women in conversation in the broader picture.”
UK: Chris Mears
MD of ATTA & Experience Africa.
“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for World Female Ranger Week. Holly and her team at How Many Elephants are doing a great job at highlighting the gender gap in the field of conservation.”
UK: Graham Fink
Founder of Fink Different.
“World Female Ranger Week is not only a pioneering campaign in its subject matter but also in its creative approach. The unarmed rangers use words as weapons – invoking the power of Storytelling.”
South Africa: Colin Bell
Co-founder Wilderness Safaris.
“One of the fairest ways to partner with local communities is to create viable, long-term partnerships that are a winning scenario for wildlife, wildernesses and people.”
South Africa: Craig Spencer
Founder of The Black Mambas.
“World Female Ranger Week has taken the world by storm. Thanks, Holly, for your hard work getting this off the ground and creating a global platform for female rangers to be recognised for their sterling work”.
UK: Paula Atherill
Founder of Creative Analysis.
“World Female Ranger Week celebrates brave women on the front line. These women put themselves in danger every day and deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. We can all make a difference”.
Liberia: Jenny Desmond
Founder of Liberia Chimp Rescue Protection.
“We celebrate the invaluable role women play in the protection of the world’s wildlife. We stand by them in solidarity as they face extraordinary challenges and achieve remarkable successes.”
Zambia: Benson Kanyembo
Law Enforcement Advisor at Conservation South Luangwa.
“World Female Ranger Week honors the courageous women on the front lines who confront danger daily. Their dedication deserves our recognition and celebration. Let’s continue to support their impactful efforts!”
India: Purnima Devi Barman
Founder of the Hargila Army protecting the Stork.
Australia: Larissa Hale
MD & Founder of QLD Indigenous Women Rangers Network.
Brazil: Lilian Rampin
Biologist at Oncafari in the Pantanel.
“We’re excited to keep evolving in the areas we specialise within. We’re focused on becoming even better, to create an even bigger impact in the ecotourism sector and in collecting critical scientific data.”
Zambia: Nestar Phakati
Wildlife Justice & Rule of Law Consultant
“Gender equality in the field of conservation is a game changer and gives us a win win opportunity. World Female Ranger Week pays tribute to brave women on the front lines. These women face danger every day and deserve our recognition and celebration.”
Malaysia: Bam Arrogancia
President, Gibbon Conservation Society
“When I’m feeling especially discouraged, I imagine the day my gibbons are all released. Throwing open the door, I dream of hearing them sing in the wild.”
South Africa: Melissa Foley
Founder of All About Africa.
“Supporting the brave women who protect our natural heritage is not just an honour, but a responsibility we all share. These remarkable rangers exemplify the strength and resilience of women in conservation, and their work is vital for a sustainable future.”
UK: Rebecca Woolford
Co-Founder of Kiwano Tourism
“We cannot solve the climate crisis without gender equality. Despite being roughly half the people on the planet women rarely have equal representation in climate and conservation spaces. This isn’t just bad for women. It’s bad for everyone, so I’m delighted to be an Ambassador of World Female Ranger Week.“
UK: Honour Way
Honour Way Travel PR
“All rangers do an amazing job, but it is especially heartening to see more women taking on these challenging roles, particularly from smaller rural communities. I’ve long admired Holly for her incredible work with How Many Elephants and for establishing World Female Ranger Week to raise awareness for female rangers globally.“
Zambia: Mulberry Mongoose
Creating Beauty From Brutality
Mulberry Mongoose are a team of rural African women who transform brutal poachers’ snare traps into beautiful jewelry. Their work empowers women whilst contributing to local wildlife heritage and community. They have proudly raised over $150,000 for conservation.
Canada: Patricia Sims
Founder of World Elephant Day
“Empowering women’s roles in conservation and promoting gender equality are among the most important strategies we can utilize to ensure diverse perspectives and a balanced, effective approach to protecting wildlife and habitats for future generations.”.
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