Katy Teson joined African People & Wildlife in 2022 as the Communications and Outreach Manager. As part of this role, she serves as a liaison with Tanzanian team members, partners, community members, and the media to bring attention to the challenges and opportunities of delivering win-win solutions for people and nature.
Katy is a proud member of the APW team that created the award-winning ArcGIS StoryMap on elephant coexistence in Ngorongoro. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental science from Queen’s University in Canada and a master’s degree in geosciences from Oregon State University, where she researched the strategies of land conservancies in rural communities. Her previous work has included nonprofit website development and marketing/public relations for conservation initiatives like American Prairie, as well as ecological assessments and GIS for wildlife and land management. She is also an active community volunteer supporting youth education and scouting.
Katy’s path into conservation began with the Canadian Field Studies in Africa (CFSIA) program in Kenya. Her subsequent work with conservation organizations has reinforced her commitment to community-driven programs powered by science and a landscape-scale vision for wildlife.