Our Board of Trustees
The EPI's Secretariat is overseen by a team of passionate and highly experienced conservationists, bringing together the very best in technical and operational knowledge. Beyond their fiduciary duty, our Trustees provide important guidance in the implementation of the Secretariat's work to support member countries across the continent.
Sharon Ikeazor
Chair, Board of Trustees
Former Minister of State, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Sharon Ikeazor, CON, was appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees of the EPI Foundation in 2025. She is a seasoned legal practitioner and public servant from Nigeria. As Minister of State for the Environment and for Niger Delta Affairs, she championed protection of biodiversity and sustainable development. She continues to lead efforts promoting inclusive governance in conservation, amplifying the voices of women and youth in protecting Africa’s natural heritage.
Professor Lee White, OBE
Trustee
Former Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea and the Environment, Gabon
Professor Lee White, OBE, is an internationally respected conservationist with over 30 years’ experience in African forest and wildlife protection. As Gabon’s Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea and the Environment, he played a pivotal role in establishing the country as a global leader in forest elephant conservation. His leadership was instrumental in implementing ground-breaking surveillance systems to combat poaching and in securing carbon financing to preserve elephant habitats.
Ian Craig
Trustee
Executive Director, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Ian Craig is a pioneer of community-led wildlife conservation in East Africa. As Executive Director of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, he transformed his family ranch in northern Kenya into a haven for endangered species. Ian is also a founding member of the Northern Rangelands Trust, which today supports over 40 community conservancies across Kenya, helping to protect critical elephant corridors and reduce human-wildlife conflict. His work has directly contributed to the recovery of elephant populations in the region.
Our Leadership Council
The Elephant Protection Initiative and its secretariat benefit from the advice and experience of a group of eminent African politicians and conservationists. Drawn from across the continent, the Leadership Council provides invaluable, balanced guidance in the furtherance of the Elephant Protection Initiative's aims.
Ian Khama
Former President
Republic of Botswana
Lieutenant-General Khama, Botswana’s fourth president (2008-2018), was one of the five African leaders which founded the Elephant Protection Initiative in 2014, and served as the Chair for the Leadership Council for 10 years. He helped establish Botswana as a world leader in conservation and sustainable tourism.
Margaret Kenyatta
Former First Lady
Republic of Kenya
Margaret Kenyatta was the First Lady of Kenya for nearly a decade, from 2013 to 2022. She is a supporter of conservation, education and health charities. Her Beyond Zero initiative is dedicated to improving maternal and child health. She has often spoken out on the need to protect endangered species whilst involving communities in conservation.
Hailemariam Desalegn
Former Prime Minister
Federal Republic of Ethiopia
Hailemariam Desalegn served as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia between 2012 and 2018 and was the first leader in that country’s modern history to have voluntarily relinquished power. He was chairperson of the African Union (2013-2014) and sits on the board of several international organisations such as the Alliance For a Green Revolution in Africa and the Brenthurst Foundation, and has campaigned for the protection of Ethiopia’s natural resources.
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