Chaona Phiri is an energetic conservation ecologist with a solid history of achievements in ornithology, project and natural resources management, and business implementation.

She currently manages Oak Foundation’s Southern Africa grants portfolio of Wildlife Conservation and Trade, supporting about 50 partners in the region. She is also in the final stages of completing a
PhD in Conservation Ecology.

Chaona loves good coffee, is a collector of succulent plants, a photographer and an avid birder. Be warned, she is capable of turning any conversation into a discussion on birds and wild places.