At UNEP-WCMC, we are fortunate to benefit from the diverse geographical and subject matter expertise shared by a wide range of women. Behind the numbers are individual journeys, and here we share parts of these journey’s by spotlighting three of our female natural and social scientists. 

Marina Huertas Garcia: Marina is an Associate Programme Officer working in the Protected Planet team, supporting many key areas of work, including management of the ICCA Registry, a global database covering the territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. 

Dr. Boipelo Tshwene-Mauchaza: Boipelo works at the science-policy interface, supporting countries to translate robust scientific evidence into effective climate change and biodiversity policy and action.  

Dr. Han Meng: Han is the Head of UNEP-WCMC's Engagement team, working to bring together work across regional and country engagement, fundraising, communications, partnerships and capacity development to support in delivering the Centre’s strategy. 

What inspired you to work in conservation? 

Marina: From a very young age, nature was a constant presence in my life. I grew up watching National Geographic and nature documentaries, mesmerized by Steve Irwin and finding joy in David Attenborough’s voice. I also watched The Lion King on repeat (a formative influence, as it turns out). I spent my childhood outdoors in parks, forests and with animals. Nature raised me. I knew my life would somehow revolve around it, though I didn’t yet know how. 

Everything crystallized in my teenage years when my sister moved to Kenya. Seeing lions, gazelles, zebras and giraffes for the first time, and experiencing the smell of warm grass at sunset across the savannah, was transformative. I was in the landscapes that inspired my favourite childhood movie, The Lion King! But learning about the threats facing these landscapes, which were more evident than in the forests back home, meant the very things I loved were in danger. That made it click: I was going to work in nature conservation. 

Boipelo: Growing up in Maun, Botswana, a tourism hub at the gateway to the Okavango Delta, conservation was embedded in me from an early age. Witnessing how healthy ecosystems underpin livelihoods, cultural identity and long-term development shaped my belief that conservation must deliver benefits for both people and nature. This values-driven perspective motivates my work at the science–policy interface, where I support countries in turning evidence into inclusive, resilient solutions, such as ecosystem assessments and Nature-based Solutions that advance equity, sustainability and climate resilience. 

Han: I’ve been an environmentalist at heart for as long as I can remember. Growing up close to the mountains, I spent a lot of time outdoors, and one memory that has stayed with me is going mushroom picking with my family. Those moments taught me to slow down, observe, and appreciate how closely our lives are connected to nature. That early connection shaped how I see the world and laid a strong foundation for my commitment to conservation. Not just as a profession, but as a deeply held value. 

Do you have a proudest career moment? Could you tell us a bit about your choice? 

Marina: During my studies, I realized that nature conservation is not a “nature problem”, but fundamentally a “people problem”. I dove deep into the history of conservation, understanding its colonial roots, the relationships between humans and nature worldwide and learning about Indigenous ontologies and traditional ecological knowledge systems. I knew I wanted to build a career doing my very best to conserve our planet in a just and inclusive manner, working alongside Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and improving conservation practices by emphasizing Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge. 
 
As such, my proudest career moment so far has been getting this job. I get to work at an international organization alongside inspiring colleagues, focusing on territories conserved by Indigenous and local communities worldwide and supporting rights-based conservation across teams, which feels deeply meaningful. It brings together my values, interests, and passions. 

Boipelo: I’ve been fortunate to experience many meaningful moments in my career, but my proudest has been providing technical support to Botswana in undertaking its first full national ecosystem assessment under Decision 14/1 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. As someone from Botswana, this work was deeply personal, it felt like a way of giving back to my country while helping shape a more just and inclusive approach to conservation. Knowing that the assessment’s findings can influence policies to uphold human rights, recognize Indigenous Peoples and local communities and avoid marginalization has been especially powerful. It reinforced my belief that conservation in the Global South can, and must, be transformative, people-centred, and grounded in equity as much as in science. 
 

Are there any women across the conservation sector who inspire you? Who are they and how do they inspire you? 

Han: Jane Goodall has always been an inspiration to me. What I admire most is her lifelong commitment to conservation and the persistence she brought to her work. Her journey is a reminder that meaningful change takes time, and that staying curious, grounded and true to your values really matters, especially in a field like conservation. 

Boipelo: I’m inspired by several women across the conservation sector, particularly African women who have shaped both policy and practice. Elizabeth Mrema inspired me through her leadership within the Convention on Biological Diversity, demonstrating how African women can influence global biodiversity governance with integrity, confidence and a strong Global South perspective. I’m also inspired by Wangari Maathai, whose work showed that conservation, human rights and social justice are inseparable. 

I’m also deeply inspired by women who work at the community–policy interface—often less visible, but critical in ensuring that conservation is inclusive, rights-based and grounded in lived experience. Together, these women remind me that impactful conservation leadership is about courage, representation and advancing people-centred, transformative change. 

Have you faced any challenges as a woman in your particular field? 

Marina: I’ve been fortunate to grow up in a generation in which women are strongly represented in zoology, ecology and environmental sciences. In many of my university lectures, women made up the vast majority of students, and many of my professors were exceptional women. Even during my master’s in environmental policy - a more traditionally male-dominated field - women were highly present. 
 
In my early career, I’ve been surrounded by women: my colleagues, managers and leaders across international environmental organizations. That makes me proud. As women, we bring empathy, care and attentiveness; qualities that are not just valuable, but essential in conservation science and policy. 

Boipelo: I’ve been fortunate not to face many direct challenges as a woman in my field. The main challenge has been helping to shift dominant narratives around conservation in the Global South, particularly by advocating for more inclusive, rights-based and locally grounded approaches. I view this as a constructive part of my work and an opportunity to contribute to more equitable and effective conservation policy and practice. 

If you could give a piece of professional advice to your younger self, what would you say? 

Marina: Don’t be afraid to take up space. Women are still less likely to voice their opinions and advocate for their worth in professional environments, but they deserve to be heard! 

Boipelo: I would tell my younger self to trust her voice and lived experience and not feel the need to conform to dominant narratives to be taken seriously. I’d remind her that technical excellence and values can and should go hand in hand, and that working at the science–policy interface requires patience as well as confidence. Most importantly, I’d say: your perspective matters, and staying grounded in purpose will always be your greatest strength!

Main image: zaire, Adobe Stock #734247677