Career Program

Dedi is at the frontline of saving the world’s last remaining Javan rhinoceros as the Ujung Kulon Program Manager at the Indonesian Rhino Foundation (YABI). Growing up in a region shaped by deforestation, he developed a lifelong passion for community-driven conservation and protecting endangered species. Through the WCN Career Program, Dedi is sharpening his expertise in rhino rescue and monitoring, while forging strategic partnerships that support both wildlife protection and the well-being of local communities. His vision is to help secure a thriving future for the Javan rhino, one of the planet’s most critically endangered mammals.

Career Program: 2025
Species of interest: Javan Rhinos
Country: Indonesia

Diana is a dedicated conservation leader with a strong foundation in terrestrial ecology and a powerful track record of impact. As Zimbabwe’s former National Rhino Coordinator, she led strategic efforts to protect the country’s most endangered wildlife, earning her recognition as a respected voice in conservation circles. Her journey began with avian rehabilitation work during university, an experience that ignited a deep, lifelong passion for safeguarding biodiversity. Since then, Diana has evolved into a national figure in conservation, known for her expertise in biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem stewardship. Through the Career Program, she is focused on deepening her leadership capacity, expanding her global network, and crafting bold, future-ready strategies to protect rhinos and the ecosystems they call home.

Career Program: 2025
Species of interest: Rhino
Country of origin : Zimbabwe

Donald’s conservation journey is a powerful testament to passion, dedication, and leadership rising from the field. Starting in 2020 as a ranger with the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, he quickly rose to the role of Rhino Coordinator, driven by an unwavering commitment to protecting Zimbabwe’s iconic species. Donald has become a leader in leveraging conservation technologies like SMART and EarthRanger to strengthen rhino monitoring and anti-poaching efforts. His practical expertise, combined with his relentless determination, has positioned him as a rising leader in Zimbabwe’s rhino conservation landscape. Through the Career Program, Donald aspires to shape national rhino operations and contribute to bold, strategic solutions that safeguard wildlife for generations to come.

Career Program: 2025
Species of interest: Rhino
Country of Origin: Zimbabwe

Ilham better known as Nanda stands at the forefront of one of the world’s most urgent conservation battles, protecting the critically endangered Sumatran rhino. As the Sumatran Rhino Rescue Manager at Forum Konservasi Leuser, he leads bold, strategic efforts in the heart of the Leuser Ecosystem, one of Earth’s most threatened rainforests. With unwavering dedication, Nanda oversees protection, monitoring, and rescue operations, blending field vigilance with innovative conservation strategies. Through the Career Program, he is determined to strengthen his leadership, master conservation technology and data analysis, and deepen his expertise in rhino rescue, all to drive lasting impact and help secure a future for this elusive species.

Career Program: 2025
Species of interest: Sumatran Rhino
Country of Origin: Indonesia

Lorna is a rising leader in rhino conservation, driven by purpose, passion, and a deep connection to community. Since joining Save the Rhino Trust in 2022, she has been at the heart of efforts to protect Namibia’s critically endangered desert-adapted black rhinos. Inspired by her father’s work in community conservation, Lorna is forging her own path as a powerful advocate for ranger welfare and women in conservation. With a focus on strengthening field programs and building enduring partnerships, she envisions a future where rhinos and rural communities not only coexist, but thrive together.

Career Program: 2025
Species of interest: Black Rhino
Country of Origin: Namibia

Kenneth’s journey into conservation was sparked by witnessing the harsh realities of Kenya’s poaching crisis firsthand at Nairobi National Park in 2013, a turning point that fueled his lifelong dedication to wildlife protection. Now serving as a Project Officer with WWF-Kenya, Kenneth has played a vital role across some of the country’s most iconic conservation landscapes, including Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Tsavo West National Park. With a deep passion for rhino conservation, he believes that lasting change comes through informed leadership and meaningful community engagement. Through the Career Program, Kenneth is ready to sharpen his leadership skills and transform bold ideas into impactful action to secure a future for Kenya’s rhinos.

Career Program: 2025
Species of interest: Rhino
Country of Origin: Kenya