Women Leading the Way
in Nature Conservation

7th March 2025

Among these women – activists, mothers, and educators – each is a leader. With a Master’s in Conservation Leadership, they apply their unique skills and knowledge to protect and restore nature while empowering their local communities.

Across the globe, women are leading the charge in nature conservation. At the University of Cambridge, women are spearheading environmental and sustainability initiatives to protect and restore our natural world. This includes:

Through the CCI Master’s in Conservation Leadership, emerging leaders from around the world are empowered to create lasting change. With the support of the expertise across the CCI partnership, students from over 80 countries are equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive impactful conservation efforts.

Research indicates that women in conservation often face fewer leadership opportunities. With nearly two-thirds of students being women – including Indigenous women – the programme recognises the vital role their perspectives play in protecting our planet.

For International Women’s Day, we celebrate some of the remarkable women – both current and alumni – who have undertaken CCI’s Master’s in Conservation Leadership. Their vision, dedication, and leadership are shaping the future of conservation.

Radhika Kothari pictured far right, back row with women of the Himalayas.

Radhika Kothari, India – Head of Grassroots Development at GroundUp Conservation 

Born in India, I’ve been drawn to the Himalayas since childhood, where family trips sparked a deep connection to nature. After leaving a full-fledged career in advertising, I answered the call of the mountains and volunteered at a grassroots NGO in the Eastern Himalayas.

Those early days were magical. I wasn’t just learning about conservation; I was living it – sitting with communities over chai, listening to their stories, and witnessing how their lives intertwined with nature. It wasn’t about saving species or landscapes – it was about people, culture, and their deep understanding of their delicate balance with nature.

Now, with a Master’s in Conservation Leadership, I’ve returned to India with stronger leadership, planning, and systems-thinking skills, validating my focus on community-nature relationships and the potential of small, local grassroots organisations. 

At GroundUp Conservation, I lead the grassroots strategy, supporting local NGOs in evidence-based conservation. Since 2021, we’ve partnered with organisations in India and Nepal to help them upskill, fundraise, and implement conservation projects, resulting in stronger communities and more resilient ecosystems.

One piece of advice that has guided me is:

“Don’t let people walk over you.”

In conservation and life, it’s easy to second-guess yourself, especially when faced with bias or dismissiveness. I’ve learned that standing my ground for causes I believe in is non-negotiable. As a quiet, introverted person, my calmness is sometimes mistaken for passivity, but I’ve realised that being soft-spoken is a quiet strength.

Xiomara Acevedo speaking at last year’s international Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia.

Xiomara Acevedo, Colombia – Founder and CEO Fundación Barranquilla+20 

My passion for conservation comes from growing up in Barranquilla, Colombia, surrounded by the sea, the Magdalena River, and Ciénaga de Mallorquín. I saw first-hand the environmental degradation of coastal ecosystems and its impact on local communities, especially women who depend on them for their livelihoods. This sparked my drive for climate justice and protecting these territories, inspired by women who’ve long been guardians of biodiversity. 

Bolstered by the knowledge learned at the Master’s in Conservation Leadership, I’ve led initiatives on climate justice, biodiversity conservation, and engaging youth, women, and civil society in Colombia and Latin America. As Founder and Director of Barranquilla+20, I’ve reached over 35,000 people, empowering young leaders and women. In recognition of my work on feminist climate justice, I was selected as a Big Bet Climate Fellow for the Women for Climate Justice initiative. 

Gender bias and limited leadership opportunities remain significant challenges, especially for women from the Global South. Women-led environmental initiatives face greater barriers to funding and visibility. To address this, I have built networks such as Mujeres por la Justicia Climática to create spaces where women can collectively influence conservation, climate, and gender policies. 

I didn’t meet her personally but Berta Cáceres is a profound inspiration for me as an environmentalist. She said:

“I think that when we fight ethically and build ethical policies, we are all in this together.”

Harshini de Silva Pandithasekera, Sri Lanka – CCI Strategy and Special Programmes Manager

My father, an exemplary engineer turned environmentalist, inspired my path in conservation. His work in making Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry more sustainable left a lasting impact on the national drive for sustainable development. His passion ignited my love for birdwatching at a very young age, and I deepened my connection to the natural world through documentaries on the Discovery Channel, episodes of Lonely Planet, and of course the work of Sir David Attenborough, ultimately pursuing higher studies in environmental conservation. 

Studying at Cambridge presented unique challenges and rewards. The access to global expertise on disciplines even beyond conservation was mind-blowing. The humility with which this expertise and knowledge is shared has taught me important life lessons. Moving my young family across the globe and returning to studies after several years was not easy, and balancing career and family life remains one of my greatest challenges. The support of my husband and extended family helps me navigate this challenge every day, and the benefits have far outweighed the difficulties.

The women who’ve influenced me the most have lived exemplary lives. From my mother’s perseverance to my grandmother’s gratitude, my aunt’s ability to remain calm in a storm, and my best friend’s charisma, they’ve all shaped who I am. Two key approaches to my life are conveyed by the quotes “count your blessings” and “don’t sweat the small stuff”. 

Felicia Collins, Guyana – Current Master’s Student 

As a descendant of the Indigenous Lokono people from northwest Guyana, nature has always been a part of my life. My motivation for conservation comes from the people who live in these areas, which has led me to support community-led efforts to protect nature. 

In Guyana, I co-managed the sea turtle conservation programme at Shell Beach Protected Area – the country’s only coastal protected area – and facilitated community engagement activities for 23 surrounding Indigenous communities. As a team leader for a predominantly male ranger team, I often felt I had to prove myself, as many assume women are too weak for fieldwork. To overcome this, I focused on creating an environment where we could openly express ourselves, and I felt comfortable admitting when I was uncertain. 

Currently, as part of my Master’s in Conservation Leadership, I’m collaborating with BirdLife International and the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Secretariat to evaluate how National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are used to identify and map important biodiversity areas. These plans help countries protect and restore biodiversity, and by analysing them, we aim to better understand how Birdlife and the KBAs secretariat can support these countries to meet their national targets.

One piece of advice that has stuck with me is from my older sister, who often told me: 

“Who feels it knows it.” 

This reminds me that true understanding comes from lived experience, especially when working with local communities. They know their land and its challenges best. While human activities may seem to conflict with conservation goals, respecting local perspectives is key to achieving outcomes that benefit both people and nature.


Maria Azhunova – Director of the Land of Snow Leopard (LOSL) Network 
 
Raised in a family of Indigenous activists as part of the Buryat-Mongol people, I understood early on that Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, values, and spiritual and cultural practices are essential to slowing today’s unprecedented loss of biodiversity. 
 
Studying at Cambridge was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but it gave me insight into mainstream conservation practices and how they often differ from Indigenous approaches. It also provided a platform to share the worldview of Indigenous communities, helping others understand our deep spiritual and cultural connections to the natural world. After completing my master’s, I returned home to continue my work, bringing with me new perspectives while staying true to the teachings of my Elders. 
 
I now lead the Land of Snow Leopard (LOSL) Network, uniting Indigenous Cultural Practitioners, communities, and conservationists across Central and Inner Asia to protect totemic snow leopards and their ecosystem. By integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge with Western science, LOSL strengthens Indigenous-led conservation through cultural ceremonies, youth programs, and partnerships with Indigenous leaders worldwide. 
 
I do not see this as a career, but a way of life. As Casey Camp-Horinek of the Ponca Nation says, “We are not saving nature. We ARE nature protecting itself.” As an Indigenous woman, this truth is undeniable – protecting nature is protecting ourselves. 
 
The best advice I’ve received from a woman came from Tatiana Kobezhikova, a shamaness, from Siberia, who once told me: 
 
“A woman must always stay true to herself. While she is responsible for taking care of others and to nurture fire in her home, she needs to remember her power as a woman and motivate herself to fulfil her destiny. A woman is not the ‘weaker sex’; she is inherently strong, and her nature is resilient.” 

As demonstrated by these inspiring women, the CCI Master’s in Conservation Leadership equips women from around the world to drive transformative change in their communities. Empowered through our partnership and having become integral parts of it, these women are making a lasting impact, benefiting both nature and the people who depend on it.

Hear from more inspiring women in Part 2 of this article on the MPhil in Conservation Leadership website.