Susie Weeks

Susie Weeks, Executive Officer, Bill Woodley Mount Kenya Trust.

"Susie has 14 years experience in conservation and community development in Kenya and Tanzania. She graduated from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies with a BA in Geography with specific reference to Africa and Asia, and obtained a postgraduate Masters degree in Environmental Management and Protection at Edinburgh University a few years later. Susie has been running the Mount Kenya Trust since 2002. Previously she worked for the African Environmental Film Foundation with renowned wildlife film maker Simon Trevor, as a Director of African Operations for Blue Heron Films and as a Community Development Director and Lodge Manager for Loisaba Wilderness. She has also worked as a safari guide, a PADI Divemaster and as a voluntary marine research scientist on Mafia Island off the coast of Tanzania.

"Susie was born in Kenya and grew up in Nanyuki, Malindi and Mombasa where she went to school. Her passion for and East Africa’s wildlife, habitats and environmental security have been with her since childhood. Susie is fluent in Swahili and has had professional training in GIS, TEFL, Environmental Impact Assessment and Scuba Diving. She is also a member of the the Kenya Professional Guides Association.

"Recently Susie was nominated as Woman of the Year for the Wildlife and Conservation category in Kenya’s ‘Eve Woman of the Year Awards’. She was short-listed as one of the three finalists, who included Fleur Ng'weno and Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Fleur & Daphene are no less than institutions in Kenya. Fleur N’gweno was awarded first prize. Fleur is a National bird and wildlife expert who writes and talks tirelessly about these subjects.

"As the Trust’s Executive Officer Susie has been instrumental in building up the Trust from its 2nd year of existence. Originally set up by the Trustees and established by her predecessor Jessica, she has been running the Trust now for nearly 6 years. The position entails managing the Trust at every level: fundraising, research, marketing, project conception, project management (with Humphrey our Field Co-ordinator) and until July 2006 all the accounts and administration.

"As part of the fundraising efforts for the Trust Susie organises Kenya’s top mountain biking event, the 10to4, which is featured regularly on local and international media including Transworld Sport following the 2007 event. The 10to4 attracts both international and proffessional competitors."