Director, Africa Programs
Alice’s work as director of Africa Programs involves working closely with JGI’s field teams to ensure that our integrated conservation program results are met, reported and shared systematically with multiple stakeholders. Alice came to JGI as a research intern while she was completing her masters degree. After completing her degree, Alice was hired at JGI as a full time staff member, and since then has excelled in managing JGI’s programs in Africa.
Alice received her Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Nairobi, Kenya before going on to get her Master’s degree in Geography from Miami University of Ohio, where her research focused on community participation in wetland research and conservation. While in Kenya, Alice volunteered with the East African Wildlife society to assist with community centered conservation projects. Prior to working for JGI she worked as a teaching and research assistant at the Miami University of Ohio, as well as an assistant team leader for groups of students traveling to Kenya for their studies.
Growing up in Kenya, Alice was always intrigued by how people interact with their environment. However, when conducting research among communities in Tana River, Kenya, she realized that making a lasting difference in communities requires going beyond research to give the communities tools to work with. Alice is particularly proud of JGI’s work with communities to help them plan their land. As a result of this work, we have been able to work with villages and facilitate the establishment of village land use plans that have clearly set aside land as village forests in important and/or corridor areas for chimpanzees, as well as designated lands for economic and social uses within the villages.