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Our Team
"Since we humans have the better brain, isn't it our responsibility to protect our fellow creatures from, oddly enough, ourselves?"
RAVI PERERA - CEO and FOUNDER
A wildlife photographer for over four decades, and a Crime Scene Investigator for over 25 years, Ravi is a CSI instructor and consultant, and also handles electronic forensic investigations. His passion for travel has taken him to six continents and into the wilds of Africa and Asia on investigating and intelligence work on wildlife crime.
LINDA CROCE - ADVISOR and FOUNDING MEMBER
An educator for 34 years, Linda serves on several committees and boards in her community. She is a wildlife lover and fell in love with both Kenya and Sri Lanka on her first visit to the countries. Her favorite place is the Masai Mara in Kenya.
ANN COLEMAN - PROJECT MANAGER
Ann has experience as a senior manager in digital operations in California. She handles the processing and intake of volunteers at our foundation.
KHUSHBOO - CHEETAH RESEARCH MANAGER
Presently doing her doctoral studies in Canada, Khushboo was in charge of the Cheetah Project before being promoted. She is familiar with animal behavior and has worked assignments in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India for our foundation.
IRESHA PERERA - SRI LANKA ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator by profession, Iresha has visited Kenya and has been one of the fortunate few to visit the last North African Male White Rhino - Sudan. A wildlife lover for many decades, she possesses a good knowledge of birding.
NISHA GAMAGE - PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR, CHEETAH PROJECT
Nisha is Sri Lankan but was born in Botswana. She has a degree in Forensic Science with passion and love for wildlife. Nisha has been the Team Leader for the Cheetah Project on several occasions.
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SAJANI JAYAKODY- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Sajani studied at the University of Colombo doing her Bsc in Environmental Science. She is also a member of The Wildlife Society (USA), The Ecological Society of Japan, and Women in Wildlife (Australia).
ASHLEY MARSHALL, DVM - VETERINARY ADVISOR
Dr Ashley Marshall, BSc, DVM has a Master's in Conservation Veterinary Medicine. She is a practicing veterinarian with experience working with cheetahs in Somaliland and Kenya. She has a passion for transdisciplinary approaches to conservation, clinical teaching and international work.
DUSTIN RODRIGUEZ - ELECTRONICS & MAPPING TECHNICIAN
Dustin attended James Madison University, and has a degree in Geography, and a minor in Biology. He is a member of the Cheetah Project team.
KAVEESHA JAYASUNDARA - HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Serving as a Senior Editor of a leading TV station website, and a journalist, Kaveesha has brought in her experience and passion to head our COMMS team.
MUNEERA - INVESTIGATIVE ANALYST
A former director and general manager who
has undergone training in wildlife crime investigative techniques.
LISA MANESS - FUNDRAISING MANAGER
Lisa has her Masters in Library Science and her Bachelors in International Studies. She has worked for Saudi Arabian Airlines, Guest Services Management in St Maarten and Puerto Rico. She was a foreign exchange student to Sri Lanka from the US, and also studied Spanish, Arabic, and Sinhalese.
KINSEY - INVESTIGATIVE ANALYST
Presently doing her BSc. in Wildlife Biology, and has undergone training in wildlife crime investigative techniques.
ISABELLA MARCHIONNE - GRANTS COORDINATOR
Izzy has been a veterinary professional for over five years with experience with domestic and exotic species. She has travelled to different parts of the world as a conservationist.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR - VACANT
ADVISORS TO THE FOUNDATION
MR. SAMANTHA GUNASEKERA - ADVISOR,
B35 PROJECT AND WILDLIFE CRIME
Former Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Customs, and has worked in wildlife detection and investigation for over three decades. He created and provided leadership in the world's first Customs Biodiversity Protection Unit. He has represented the country in various WCO/CITES Working group sessions.
DR. PAULA KAHUMBU - ADVISOR B35 PROJECT
A prominent Kenyan conservationist and CEO of Wildlife Direct, she earned her Ph.D. from Princeton University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Paula is a Nat Geo Explorer, and has won numerous awards in conservation and wildlife.
DR. ROBERT WELADJI - SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR, CHEETAH PROJECT
Dr. Robert B. Weladji is a Professor of Biology and Graduate Program Director at Concordia University, whose research spans population ecology, behavioral ecology, and Human -wildlife interactions. With long time work across Africa and beyond, he provides scientific guidance as the Scientific Advisor for the Cheetah Project.
MR. HASANTHA KAUSHALYA - ADVISOR, WILDLIFE CRIME
Superintendent of Customs and Technical Operational Advisor in illegal Wildlife Trade for World Customs Organization. Hasantha is our advisor for the TUSKS team.
THE FORENSICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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