Team Archive | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

Cath Lawson

Board Chair

Cath has over 10 years of programme management experience working for a number of leading environmental NGOs and across a diverse portfolio of projects and programmes. She has strong technical knowledge, with a particular focus on the illegal wildlife trade in Africa. Cath is skilled in building relationships with key partners and stakeholders at all levels and have managed and supported work that is funded by a range of donors, including statutory funding, trusts and foundations, individuals, and corporates. Cath works as Senior Programme Manager, Eastern Africa at Fauna & Flora International and is IGCP’s board chair.

Cath.Lawson@fauna-flora.org

Matthew Lewis

Board Member

Matthew is the Regional Director at Conservation International . He is a Wildlife biologist and conservationist with 25 years of international experience managing and implementing field projects for a variety of species conservation programs in North America, Asia and Africa.

mlewis@conservation.org

Wellard Makambo

Director

Wellard joined IGCP in 2007. Wellard is a Congolese national and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in Business Administration from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Wellard has served as a manager in charge of coordinating the IGCP program across the three countries with support of the Country Coordinators. Since 2022, Wellard assumed a new position as IGCP Director. Wellard is passionate about football, music, and community development.

wmakambo@igcp.org

DRC

Jessica Farish

Focal Point

Jess Farish joined Fauna & Flora International as part of the Africa team in 2015. Her current role includes the IGCP Focal Point position for FFI, together with supporting project level monitoring and evaluation, project management and operations management across the Africa team. Jess holds a Masters degree in Conservation Science, from Imperial College, London and has over 8 years’ experience working for a variety of wildlife conservation NGOs.

Jessica.farish@fauna-flora.org

Marsden Momanyi

Comms Gatekeeper

Marsden Momanyi, is a Communications Manager for Wildlife at WWF and is based in Kenya. He leads communications around WWF’s wildlife conservation strategy and initiatives including several key species and landscapes globally. He joined WWF in 2017 from the African Union (AU) where he served as a strategic communications expert supporting regional conflict prevention, management and peace-building policy and advocacy efforts over a period of six years. He has over 15 years development communications experience with leading international and regional organizations among them the African Technology Policy Studies Network, Amref and ActionAid. He has a Masters degree in Communications from the University of Leeds and Bachelors degree in Communications from Loughborough University.

mmomanyi@wwfint.org

Tim Knight

Comms Gatekeeper

Tim is a communications specialist who has worked closely with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) as a writer and editor since 1999. Tim has been actively involved with IGCP throughout that time and helped create IGCP’s first website in 2003. He has edited FFI’s annual magazine for almost 20 years and is co-author of With Honourable Intent - A Natural History of Fauna & Flora International, which includes an in-depth account of IGCP’s origins.

tim.knight@fauna-flora.org

Jean Paul Hirwa

Deputy Director

Jean Paul joined IGCP in June 2023 as Deputy Director. He completed his master’s degree in an Erasmus Mundus master’s program on Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, which offered him opportunities to attend universities and research institutions in France, Cameroon, Belgium and Panama. Jean Paul has worked in the field of conservation, in different positions since 2009. Jean Paul’s role at IGCP is to provide input to develop and adapt the IGCP conservation strategy, ensure high-quality implementation, monitor progress and impacts of that strategy across the three countries, in close collaboration with the entire IGCP team and various partners. Jean Paul is passionate about making significant impact in communities. He likes traveling, music plus watching and playing tennis.

jhirwa@igcp.org

Emmanuel Nkomeza

Head of Human Resources

Emmanuel Nkomeza joined IGCP in November 2024 as Head of Human Resources and is based at IGCP Head Office in Kigali. Emmanuel holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Kabale University, a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration & Good Governance from Institute of Applied Sciences -Ruhengeri and an additional bachelor’s degree of Law from St. Joseph University – Goma. Emmanuel has over 18 years of diverse experience in Human Resource Management and Operations within Non-governmental organizations. Emmanuel has worked with several reputable organizations in the past including the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) as Country Human Resource & Operations Manager and Acting Country Director. In 2022 Emmanuel was voted as the Intra Health Global Best Employee of the year and was given the “Excellent to Commitment Award”. Emmanuel is driven by a deep passion for people and culture, dedicated to creating thriving workplaces where individuals can flourish and reach their full potential. Emmanuel enjoys engaging in meaningful conversations with colleagues and friends. He also loves to spend his free time in spiritual worship activities, and fun outdoor activities with his family and friends.

enkomeza@igcp.org

Alice Mbayahi

Communications and Media Engagement Expert

Alice joined IGCP in 2015 as Communications Officer and became the Communications and Advocacy Manager in February 2020. Alice is a Ugandan national and holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from Makerere University, and a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Uganda Christian University. Alice manages and champions IGCP’s communication and advocacy mountain gorilla work in the region. Alice is passionate about advocacy comms for best practices and community development.

Uganda