Leadership

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Igniting Change: Strengthening Africa's Conservation Leaders →

Conservation in Africa is at a critical moment. Rapid environmental and social changes put immense pressure on landscapes, ecosystems, and communities. Today and tomorrow's conservation leaders need to drive systemic change by building organizations and networks far greater than the sum of their parts. Conservation needs leaders who can address local and global challenges, develop collaborations and movements, and build and manage outstanding teams of diverse and talented individuals.

“ACLN was a rounded and eye-opening leadership journey that challenged, transformed and equipped me. I understand myself better and have the tools that can help me balance between getting, and offering something to the team and partners in our work. It was an extremely amazing and enlightening journey that I wish more conservation leaders could take.”
Simbarashe

Maliasili works in partnership with other supporting organizations to design and implement leadership programs that are:

  • Practical and useful
  • Builds new skill sets and mindsets
  • Blend personal exploration alongside technical skills and training
  • Create opportunities to develop peer support
  • Foster effective collaborations and partnerships across Africa

The goal is to equip conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge, and self-awareness to develop their own leadership potential while helping their organizations - and those within their networks - to achieve even more.

Strong Leaders. Effective Organisations. Transformative Impact.

237

African conservation leaders

79

Organisations

17

African
countries

Curriculum→

Our 12-18-month programs follow the core curriculum designed to integrate personal, organizational, and systems-level approaches to leadership development. This includes:

1. Leading self

Focuses on self-awareness, personal leadership styles, and values-driven decision-making. Participants reflect on their leadership approaches, recognize their strengths, and learn strategies to navigate challenges effectively.

Key highlights include:

  • Personal leadership development: Strengthening confidence, vision, and self-awareness.
  • Values-based leadership: Understanding individual strengths and their role in conservation.

2. Leading teams & organizations

Equips participants with the skills to motivate, manage, and inspire their teams, fostering a culture of trust, inclusion, and shared vision within their organizations.

Key highlights include:

  • Building and leading high-performing teams.
  • Effective decision-making and conflict resolution.
  • Creating a shared vision and organizational culture rooted in community-driven conservation.

3. Leading collaborations

Strengthens the ability to engage external stakeholders, build strategic partnerships, and influence policy. Participants learn to work across government, donor, and civil society networks to amplify conservation impact.

Key highlights include:

  • Navigating governance challenges in conservation.
  • Influencing policy and engaging donors.
  • Cross-organizational collaboration and movement-building.

Catalyzing self-aware, capable and dynamic leaders →

Exceptional leaders and their organizations are the heart of transformative conservation efforts. Leadership isn’t just about managing teams of projects–it’s about vision, resilience, and the ability to bring people together to drive the last change. Across Africa, conservation leaders are safeguarding ecosystems, strengthening community rights, influencing policies, and developing sustainable solutions that benefit both people and nature. Investing in leaders will accelerate this impact. 
By identifying 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.

Our belief is that exceptional leaders and their organizations are critically important to catalyzing social change.

Our leadership programs →

Our leadership programs equip conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks to strengthen their organizations and scale their impact. Each program is tailored to address specific regional, sectoral, and leadership needs, supporting conservation leaders at different career stages. Through a blend of peer learning, coaching, and immersive training, participants develop essential leadership capabilities while building lifelong connections with fellow leaders.

African Conservation Leadership Network (ACLN)

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African Marine Conservation Leadership Program (AMCLP)

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Lead Up

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Canopy

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Madagascar Environmental Leadership Program (MELP)

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Leaders Lab KAZA

Coming Soon

More about our work →

Accelerating impact

Driven by our partners success

Organizational Development

Building stronger organisations

Leadership programmes

Developing conservation leaders

Maliasili Conservation Fund

Driving impact through better funding
Amplifying influence

Advocating for change

Consulting

Offering services beyond our core partners

Maliasili exists to help talented local conservation organizations overcome their challenges and constraints so that they can become more effective agents of change in their landscapes, communities, and nations.
READ OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

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© Maliasili 2014 - 2025

4 Carmichael St, Suite 111-193, Essex Junction, VT 05452

Maliasili is designated as a public charity (501c3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.