Leela Hazzah
Dr Leela Hazzah: Executive Director and Cofounder of Lion Guardians, Leela obtained her PhD and MSc from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on understanding the predictors and motivations behind lion killing in Maasailand. She has worked on conservation issues in East Africa for more than 15 years and has been recognized through numerous awards during her career: Rolex Awards for Enterprise Finalist, CNN Heroes, Future for Nature Award, St. Andrews Prize for the Environment, Young Women Conservation Biology Award, Wings WorldQuest Award, Fulbright Fellowship, and the Jordan Prize for African Studies.
Born: 1979
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Education: Ph.D. in philosophy
Occupation: Wildlife conservationist
Expeditions: The plains of East Africa, the North African desert, and the rainforests of Latin America and the Caribbean Favorite Places: Namdapha’s magical forests and a remote Lisu tribal village in Arunachal Pradesh, NE India
Best Discovery: Lion Guardians – a community conservation program, which provides a platform for Maasai warriors to engage and participate in lion conservation
Favorite Items In The Field: My walking stick and companions
Personal Heroes: My parents, for supporting my dreams, and Ole Lepencha – a wise Maasai man who taught me about life and patience
Hobbies: My work
Website: www.lionguardians.org
Advice: Kula maisha (a Swahili saying) “Eat Life.”
