For people, by people: Emirates Nature-WWF launches volunteer-led Advisory Committee for nature

International Volunteer Day: First-of-its-kind Advisory Committee signals new era of community-led conservation
Ten inspiring ‘Leaders of Change’ elected by their peers to champion conservation and grow a nationwide ripple effect for nature

Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

5 December 2025 – On International Volunteer Day, environmental charity Emirates Nature-WWF marked a major step towards people-led conservation with the launch of its first Leaders of Change Advisory Committee. Created for people, by people, the committee brings together ten exceptional Leaders of Change – elected by the wider volunteer community – who will help guide programme design, deepen community engagement, and amplify collective impact for nature across the UAE.

The Advisory Committee elevates experienced volunteers — each of whom has contributed more than 24 hours of hands-on service — into meaningful leadership roles. Their involvement strengthens community ownership, ensures the programme reflects volunteer voices, and drives a stronger, more resilient model of civil mobilization in conservation.

Arabella Willing, Head of Conservation Outreach & Citizen Science at Emirates Nature-WWF commented : “Leaders of Change has always been powered by a community of passionate people taking meaningful action for nature together. By giving volunteers a platform to lead through the launch of the Advisory Committee, we hope to see an ever greater ripple effect — members are now shaping the future of the programme and inspiring even more people to get involved.”

Committee members expressed the significance of this new opportunity:

Aaesha Alshehyari shared: “Being part of Leaders of Change helped me discover how much I could contribute. Joining the Advisory Committee showed me I could also guide others. It’s meaningful to help shape a programme that gives people real skills, purpose and confidence.”

Mara Carpencu said: “Volunteering started as a personal passion, but it quickly became something bigger. The Advisory Committee gives us space to bring new ideas forward and ensure every workshop and field activity feels inspiring and impactful.”

Andrea D’Ettorre added: “We each bring different strengths, and that’s what makes this committee powerful. Together, we can elevate the experience for everyone and help the programme reach more people across the UAE.”

The ten committee members were elected by the 5,000+ active members of the Leaders of Change community, which includes professionals, families and youth who regularly participate in conservation activities and citizen science efforts across the UAE.

The ten Advisory Committee members were elected by the wider Leaders of Change community, which includes 5,000+ active volunteers – professionals, families and youth – who regularly participate in conservation activities and citizen science efforts to protect the UAE’s natural environment.

Inaugural Advisory Committee Roles

Committee Co-Chairs: Sophie Cauvin & Ivana Lakic
Storytelling & Media Leads: Mara Carpencu & Rohail Akbar
Health, Safety & Quality Leads: Aida Othman & Aesha Alsheyari
Innovation & Activities Advisors: Parinita Manikandan & Tejasvi Prakash
Operations & Programme Support: Andrea D’Ettorre & Judy Mahfouz

Together, they bring a vibrant mix of backgrounds – from beekeepers to youth advocates, photographers to architects, turtle patrollers and data enthusiasts – reflecting the rich diversity of the community that powers Leaders of Change.

Learn more about Leaders of Change at https://www.leadersofchange.ae/

About Emirates Nature-WWF:

Emirates Nature-WWF is an environmental NGO established to conserve the United Arab Emirates’ natural heritage and build a future where people and nature thrive. The organization was founded in 2001 by our Honorary Founder and President, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed.

For two decades, Emirates Nature-WWF has been a prominent and active partner in designing, implementing and scaling up science-driven conservation across the MENA region. We work in association with WWF, one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations.

As a charity with a federal mandate, Emirates Nature-WWF places local communities at the heart of every initiative. Through the Leaders of Change programme, we engage civil society, government entities and businesses in hands-on conservation, supporting the UAE’s sustainability agenda. With roots firmly planted in the UAE, Emirates Nature-WWF also operates as a global platform that catalyzes action for climate resilience and environmental protection, delivering lasting impact for both people and planet.