CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Hannah de Villiers

Hannah de Villiers has joined the EWT’s National Biodiversity and Business Network (NBBN). Here is a little bit about Hannah’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: Project Manager, NBBN

Location: Johannesburg

Where did you grow up?  Cape Town

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? Wildlife photography, hiking & dog walks, scuba diving, twitching, avid reader of detective mysteries, occasional half-hearted running.

Any pets? Two ‘real’ Africanis dogs, Tofu & Chickpea

Favourite animal and why: Pangolin: I got to meet a pup at the Johannesburg Wildlife Vet and have been obsessed ever since. My #1 goal in life is to find one in the wild.

Favourite food? Veggie curries (with garlic naan, of course)

Pet peeve? Things are not in the place they are supposed to be.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? To work with all the passionate and interesting people that I met through my MSc.

What excites you about this new position? Such a newly developing field to be working in, and one with the ability to create meaningful, sizeable impact – both in terms of reducing biodiversity loss and increasing biodiversity funding. It feels like I am using my time to do the right kind of work for the first time in my life.

What are you passionate about? Exploring southern Africa. Mastering LBJs and waders (yes, I’ve even been to Strandfontein Sewage Works). Good food and wine. All animals.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? ‘Trust your gut, no matter what’ – I can’t remember who, but it has stood me in good stead throughout life.