Meet the Team
Theo Olivier
Facility Manager
As well as being a competent facility and staff manager, Theo has been managing elephants since 2007. Theo joined GRI in June 2014 and his knowledge of large elephant handling has proven an invaluable asset with the oldest of the EOP elephant orphans.
As well as being a competent facility and staff manager, Theo has been managing elephants since 2007. Theo joined GRI in June 2014 and his knowledge of large elephant handling has proven an invaluable asset with the oldest of the EOP elephant orphans.
Vincent Abere
Post-Release Monitoring Coordinator
After completing his undergraduate degree in Geospatial Engineering, Vincent worked at Save the Elephants in Kenya before moving to Ol Pejeta Conservancy to work as a GIS and Remote Sensing data analyst. Vincent joined GRI in 2017. His role includes the monitoring and research of the orphaned elephants.
After completing his undergraduate degree in Geospatial Engineering, Vincent worked at Save the Elephants in Kenya before moving to Ol Pejeta Conservancy to work as a GIS and Remote Sensing data analyst. Vincent joined GRI in 2017. His role includes the monitoring and research of the orphaned elephants.
Lasick Kapeshi
Head Keeper - Release Facility
Lasick joined GRI in 2007 as a labourer but was quickly identified as a suitable Elephant Keeper due to his strong work ethic, attention to detail and love of the elephants. He has gained invaluable knowledge during his time at GRI and he holds great respect amongst the team.
Lasick joined GRI in 2007 as a labourer but was quickly identified as a suitable Elephant Keeper due to his strong work ethic, attention to detail and love of the elephants. He has gained invaluable knowledge during his time at GRI and he holds great respect amongst the team.
Lisa Olivier
Head of Research
Lisa has been involved in elephant behaviour research since 2007. Upon joining GRI in 2014, she established the ‘Behavioural Observation Study’- an essential tool to understand the behavioural development of orphaned elephants and guide best management practices.
Lisa has been involved in elephant behaviour research since 2007. Upon joining GRI in 2014, she established the ‘Behavioural Observation Study’- an essential tool to understand the behavioural development of orphaned elephants and guide best management practices.
Siphiwe Sakala
Administrative Assistant
Siphiwe has been with GRI since 2017, and holds a BSc in Public Health as well as a Certificate in M&E. Siphiwe’s role involves daily reconciliations of the GRI Country Office cash tin, capturing and allocating disbursements and receipts, and producing daily updates to projects versus cash expenditures per project.
Siphiwe has been with GRI since 2017, and holds a BSc in Public Health as well as a Certificate in M&E. Siphiwe’s role involves daily reconciliations of the GRI Country Office cash tin, capturing and allocating disbursements and receipts, and producing daily updates to projects versus cash expenditures per project.
Neddy Mulimo
Senior Support Manager
Neddy joined GRI in 2012 as the Resource Protection Programme’s Senior Support and Camp Manager following 33 years of dedicated service in Zambia's DNPW. He is responsible for the day-to-day logistics and administration of GRI’s Hook Bridge Camp in Kafue National Park. In 2018, he was 1 of 50 Rangers selected to recieve the African Ranger Award by the Paradise Foundation.
Neddy joined GRI in 2012 as the Resource Protection Programme’s Senior Support and Camp Manager following 33 years of dedicated service in Zambia's DNPW. He is responsible for the day-to-day logistics and administration of GRI’s Hook Bridge Camp in Kafue National Park. In 2018, he was 1 of 50 Rangers selected to recieve the African Ranger Award by the Paradise Foundation.
Ian Chongo
Procurement Officer
Ian is currently studying Purchasing and Supply part time. He first joined GRI in May 2013 as a Driver after working in the informal and private sector for several years. He enjoys his work in conservation under GRI and is proud to have risen to the position of Procurement Officer.
Ian is currently studying Purchasing and Supply part time. He first joined GRI in May 2013 as a Driver after working in the informal and private sector for several years. He enjoys his work in conservation under GRI and is proud to have risen to the position of Procurement Officer.
Elizabeth Lunda
Senior Financial Officer
Elizabeth has a background of management, admin and bookkeeping, with 5 years experience after graduating from National Institute of Public Administration. Her roles are to monitor financial transactions, enter data assist with account reconciliations, and report the status of accounts.
Elizabeth has a background of management, admin and bookkeeping, with 5 years experience after graduating from National Institute of Public Administration. Her roles are to monitor financial transactions, enter data assist with account reconciliations, and report the status of accounts.
Sport Beattie
Founder & CEO
A native of Zimbabwe, Sport worked with elephants and Game Scouts in the jungles of Cambodia before returning to Southern Africa in 2007 to launch GRI.
A native of Zimbabwe, Sport worked with elephants and Game Scouts in the jungles of Cambodia before returning to Southern Africa in 2007 to launch GRI.
Handsen Mseteka
Project Manager USAID funded Community Wildlife Protection Project (CWP)
Handsen holds a Master’s Degree in Agrarian, Food and Environmental Studies with a specialisation in Environment and Sustainable Development from Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague (ISS). He joined GRI in March 2019 and brings with him detailed knowledge of ground realities of over 15years experience in conservation, particularly, promoting alternative livelihoods, law enforcement and building synergies with communities organisations, private and government institutions in Zambia. In 2017 he won the WWF Rusell E. Train for Nature Programmes "Conservation Leader" award with a research grant of $6,400.
Handsen is responsible for the overall implementation of the Community Wildlife Protection Project in Mumbwa and Namwala Game Management Areas and is the first point of contact with USAID. He has a great passion for conservation and curious about climate change and its effects on biodiversity and conservation.
Handsen holds a Master’s Degree in Agrarian, Food and Environmental Studies with a specialisation in Environment and Sustainable Development from Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague (ISS). He joined GRI in March 2019 and brings with him detailed knowledge of ground realities of over 15years experience in conservation, particularly, promoting alternative livelihoods, law enforcement and building synergies with communities organisations, private and government institutions in Zambia. In 2017 he won the WWF Rusell E. Train for Nature Programmes "Conservation Leader" award with a research grant of $6,400.
Handsen is responsible for the overall implementation of the Community Wildlife Protection Project in Mumbwa and Namwala Game Management Areas and is the first point of contact with USAID. He has a great passion for conservation and curious about climate change and its effects on biodiversity and conservation.
Oliver Munyama
Head Keeper (Lilayi Elephant Nursery)
Oliver joined GRI 2008 as a labourer, before becoming an Elephant Keeper in 2010. He began his studies to become a Veterinarian and was promoted to Head Keeper in 2018.
Oliver joined GRI 2008 as a labourer, before becoming an Elephant Keeper in 2010. He began his studies to become a Veterinarian and was promoted to Head Keeper in 2018.
Alice Chimbini
HR & Office Manager
Alice studied HR and served in the position of Administrative Assistant in various organisations before joining GRI in July 2013. She is responsible for all HR/Administrative functions of GRI's Country Office, liasing with Government offices, and providing welfare support to Zambia’s Rangers.
Alice studied HR and served in the position of Administrative Assistant in various organisations before joining GRI in July 2013. She is responsible for all HR/Administrative functions of GRI's Country Office, liasing with Government offices, and providing welfare support to Zambia’s Rangers.
Ian Hoad
Special Technical Advisor
Ian is an experienced Project Manger who has successfully lead large and complex projects in finance and e-learning. Ian joined GRI in 2015 to manage the Kafue Conservation Project, but now focuses on key donor reporting and grant applications, resource protection strategy, and delivering training to upskill field based local admin and support staff.
Ian is an experienced Project Manger who has successfully lead large and complex projects in finance and e-learning. Ian joined GRI in 2015 to manage the Kafue Conservation Project, but now focuses on key donor reporting and grant applications, resource protection strategy, and delivering training to upskill field based local admin and support staff.
Jeni Vanhoucke
Communications and Marketing
Jeni has a Master’s Degree in Global Health & Development and extensive experience working with disadvantaged communities and at-risk youth around the world. Her role involves raising awareness, funds and support for GRI's mission.
Jeni has a Master’s Degree in Global Health & Development and extensive experience working with disadvantaged communities and at-risk youth around the world. Her role involves raising awareness, funds and support for GRI's mission.
Britius Munkombwe
Senior Community Officer
Britius worked for the Ministry of Education, before joining GRI in 2010. As the Senior Community Officer, Britius is responsible for producing GRI’s radio program, empowering women’s groups and working with communities to mitigate human elephant conflicts.
Britius worked for the Ministry of Education, before joining GRI in 2010. As the Senior Community Officer, Britius is responsible for producing GRI’s radio program, empowering women’s groups and working with communities to mitigate human elephant conflicts.
Liz O'Brien
Senior Advisor
Liz heads up the Wildlife Rescue Veterinary Unit with special emphasis on the health, welfare and nutrition of the orphaned elephants. 7 years of working with the vulnerable, sick calves has led Liz to gaining a lot of invaluable knowledge which she tries to pass on to the teams of Zambians she works with.
Liz heads up the Wildlife Rescue Veterinary Unit with special emphasis on the health, welfare and nutrition of the orphaned elephants. 7 years of working with the vulnerable, sick calves has led Liz to gaining a lot of invaluable knowledge which she tries to pass on to the teams of Zambians she works with.
Muriel Simukonda
Volunteer Supervisor at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery
Muriel Simukonda first joined GRI in September 2018 as an intern, she is now the Volunteer Supervisor at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery. Muriel is a Zambian citizen by birth and completed her bachelor’s degree in 2016 at Mulungushi University.
Muriel Simukonda first joined GRI in September 2018 as an intern, she is now the Volunteer Supervisor at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery. Muriel is a Zambian citizen by birth and completed her bachelor’s degree in 2016 at Mulungushi University.
Carlington Kafwabwe
Technical Advisor
Carlington Kafwabwe joined GRI in 2008 as a casual worker. His talent for repairing things and his attention to detail were quickly recognised and he soon moved into the workshop. Carlington is now responsible for managing the workshop, as well as all maintenance and infrastructure developments within RPD.
Carlington Kafwabwe joined GRI in 2008 as a casual worker. His talent for repairing things and his attention to detail were quickly recognised and he soon moved into the workshop. Carlington is now responsible for managing the workshop, as well as all maintenance and infrastructure developments within RPD.
Andrew Mbewe
SMART Coordinator
Andrew joined the GRI team in February 2015 and is a qualified computer systems engineer. He is responsible for managing SMART (Spatial and Monitoring Reporting Tool), which is the standard computer-based platform used to measure, evaluate, and improve the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols.
Andrew joined the GRI team in February 2015 and is a qualified computer systems engineer. He is responsible for managing SMART (Spatial and Monitoring Reporting Tool), which is the standard computer-based platform used to measure, evaluate, and improve the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols.
Rachael Murton
Wildlife Rescue Director
Rachael has a background in Biology, and has worked with a wide range of animal species and environments through research, rehabilitation and education in Australia, Alaska and South East Asia. She has been with GRI in Zambia since 2008 and helped establish the Elephant Orphanage Project.
Rachael has a background in Biology, and has worked with a wide range of animal species and environments through research, rehabilitation and education in Australia, Alaska and South East Asia. She has been with GRI in Zambia since 2008 and helped establish the Elephant Orphanage Project.
Mishka Malinowski
Volunteer Coordinator & Research Assistant
Mishka completed her degree in Biology specializing in Ecology and Conservation in 2016, after
which she worked in a variety of conservation based projects. In April 2018, Mishka joined GRI, based at the Kafue Release Facility, and assists with conducting behavioral research and managing volunteers.
Mishka completed her degree in Biology specializing in Ecology and Conservation in 2016, after
which she worked in a variety of conservation based projects. In April 2018, Mishka joined GRI, based at the Kafue Release Facility, and assists with conducting behavioral research and managing volunteers.
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