Join us for an evening with Damian Mander, a former special operations sniper and Iraq war veteran who traded conflict for conservation. After years on the front lines, he dedicated his life to protecting the natural world, working across Africa to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems under threat.

Through building one of the continent’s largest community-based conservation forces, he has helped create pathways for hundreds of women to become protectors of their environment and leaders in their communities. His work merges military precision with compassion and sustainability, creating new models for conservation that balance security, empowerment, and ecological restoration.

Damian’s approach is rooted in the belief that the preservation of nature is inseparable from the advancement of people. His vision has inspired global audiences, from grassroots villages to international forums, to reimagine conservation as both a moral duty and an investment in our collective future.

He has been featured in major international media including National Geographic, CNN, and Forbes, and has spoken on stages such as TED, the United Nations, and leading conservation and leadership forums around the world. His work has been recognized through multiple humanitarian and environmental awards, and his story continues to inspire new generations to act with courage and purpose.

He continues to travel and speak around the world, sharing lessons from a life that bridges warfare and wilderness, and calling on those with the means and influence to help secure a living planet for generations to come.