Last year, Dalton decided it was time to pass the baton. We were delighted to have Nicole Biondi, Pavitray (Pavs) Pillay and Stephen Granger join the board in 2023; they will support our two remaining trustees, Dave de Korte and Mike Gregor. 

Nicole and Pavs, who did not know much about our organisation, bravely agreed to guide us as we grow our impact. Nicole has over 20 years experience in conservation, tourism and early childhood development sectors. She also consults on social impact investing, leadership and strategic communications — her expertise will guide our strategic positioning.

Pavs, a marine biologist and behavioural-change specialist, has led WWF-SA’s Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) for the past eight years. Pavs’ experience with fostering behavioural change will contribute immensely to Nature Connect’s work as we encourage people across Africa, young and old, to embrace the stewardship of our natural ecosystems and their rich biodiversity.

As another of Nature Connect’s founding drivers, it’s only appropriate that Stephen has come back to the fold. He was with the City of Cape Town for many years. His deep understanding of environmental protection and extensive network make him invaluable in aligning our efforts with local and international environmental plans and strategies.

We are excited to work with our new trustees – our team will benefit greatly from their expertise. Together, we will take Dalton’s baton and transform Nature Connect into a leading force for environmental and social change.