Leadership Program
African conservation needs more dynamic, effective, and entrepreneurial leaders that can grow strong organizations and drive collaborations that can achieve large-scale change.
New African Leadership
The purpose of the ACLN is to achieve greater conservation impact in Africa by improving the quality and effectiveness of leaders of local organizations that work with communities to protect their land, natural resources and livelihoods.
WATCH: Sam Shaba explains his journey.
Our belief is that exceptional leaders and their organizations are critically important to catalyzing social change.
Our Theory of Change
By finding and investing in the best emerging African conservation leaders in an intensive and tailored way, we can foster a new generation of talented and connected leaders.
Three features of the ACLN Leadership Program
1. A carefully selected annual cohort of about 8 leading African conservation organizations. Each sends their top two people to participate.
2. A peer-to-peer learning and facilitation approach that fosters new relationships and a support structure for the participants.
3. A curriculum that integrates personal, organizational, and systems-level approaches to leadership development.
Our values
Sharing knowledge and solutions drives change
Trusted friendships underpin partnership and collaboration
Conservation leaders can achieve more by working together
Leaders draw strength and credibility from being both leaders and field-rooted implementers
The network needs to balance structure and adaptability, building interest and being informal
Like-minded leaders with shared purpose can achieve conservation outcomes together
“The three ACLN sessions have shifted my view of leadership. I’ve taken more leadership roles in my organization. I’ve learned enough to give me confidence in guiding others, at the same time embracing my new role as a manager.”
—Sam Shaba, Program Manager, Honeyguide, Tanzania
“Everything I have learned, all the skills, tools, and leadership qualities - I have been able to pass back to my team in Samburu. So the training has not just been impactful for me but has made a difference to a whole team in northern Kenya.”
—Shivani Bhalla, CEO, Ewaso Lions, Kenya