Women play a vital role in advancing knowledge, policy, and innovation, especially in the field of environmental conservation. Making space to acknowledge the contributions of women is key—and they’re scientists, leaders, mentors, advocates, and role models! 

This article highlights six women conservationists who are leading the charge to save ecosystems and biodiversity around the world. Here at Island Conservation, we are thrilled to work with many of these women on conservation projects for people and nature, and we’re excited to celebrate their work! 

Kate Brown of GLISPA 

The Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) is a collaborative platform where island leaders can work together to build resilient, sustainable communities. Kate Brown, its Executive Director, uses her experience in government and nonprofit work to connect wide and diverse networks to protect islands. GLISPA is recognized as a global platform that enables islands to work together to develop solutions to common problems and to take high-level commitments and actions that address these global challenges. At Island Conservation, we’ve benefitted from Kate Brown’s partnership in many ways—not least of which is her board work and co-authorship on this report about the connection between land and sea for island biodiversity! 

Ann Singeo of Ebiil Society

Ann Singeo is the Chair and Executive Director of the Ebiil Society in Palau. She co-founded this organization 17 years ago with a mission to improve environmental protection through an integrated approach that combines traditional ecology and biodiversity knowledge with Western science. The Ebiil Society’s collaboration was a key factor in the success of the very first drone-based eradication ever carried out in Micronesia, which we completed together on Ngerkeklau in 2022. Ann Singeo’s mission to preserve and promote indigenous environmental knowledge is the driving force behind the Ngerkeklau Nature/Culture Preserve, where local communities can learn about and participate in this wisdom.  

Sylvia Earle of Mission Blue

A field research scientist, government official, and well-seasoned nonprofit leader, Dr. Sylvia Earle founded Mission Blue to help build public support for ocean conservation around the world. By inspiring public awareness, access, and support for marine protected areas—what Mission Blue calls “Hope Spots”–Sylvia Earle aims to increase the protection and preservation of key marine ecosystems. We’re proud to call many Island Conservation projects Hope Spots, including Palmyra Atoll, USA, the Humboldt Archipelago, Chile, and Tetiaroa Atoll, French Polynesia.  

Mona Ainuu of Niue

A former journalist and public relations officer, Mona Ainuu is a Cabinet Minister and politician in Niue, a Polynesian island nation that has pledged (along with Samoa and Tonga) to ramp up its support for invasive species management at a large landscape/seascape scale by 2030 to increase the climate resilience of Niue’s ecosystems and communities. Leading Niue’s delegation to global climate conferences such as COP28, Mona Ainuu has championed gender inclusivity and cultural values on the international stage. 

Easter Chu Shing of SPREP

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is an organization committed to sustaining the Pacific environment in harmony with the cultures, livelihoods, and traditions of the region. Easter Chu Shing is its Deputy Director General, overseeing the international organization’s governance. Formerly its Biodiversity Adviser and then its Director of Environmental Monitoring Governance, Easter Chu Shing is SPREP’s first ever woman Deputy Director General. Under her leadership, SPREP has achieved new funding arrangements and shared information and expertise to multiple environmental projects across the Pacific. 

Penny Becker of Island Conservation

We couldn’t end this list without highlighting one of the many incredible women who make Island Conservation work! Dr. Penny Becker is Island Conservation’s Vice President of Conservation. An accomplished conservationist, she has helped establish partnerships with governments and NGOs to help us bring our mission around the world. She’s also an incredible environmental ambassador, spreading our message on podcasts and in scientific publications, and was a leading founder of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge.