Yvette Taylor

I was born in South Africa and live in Durban, and was exposed to the untouched wilderness from a very young age. I am a keen conservationist, environmentalist and humanitarian. I am currently the Executive Director of The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization International (LAEO). In my tenure with LAEO, I opened 12 new international offices bringing the total number to 23. I head successful environmental education projects in counties from Uganda to LA to Paris. I also engage with the public and have done talks reaching thousands learners and adults as well as several million on radio and TV. I am a trustee for the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife since 2011(CROW), on the committee of Happy Earth, affiliated to Project Rhino KZN and since 2013 to present I’ve raised over R8million for rhino protection. I’ve done community work in the creation of a Mayubiye Game Reserve in Camperdown, helped to create the first Rhino Orphanage in KZN and did a 3 day hike in Lesotho called the Mutter trail, usually reserved for extreme athletes. I love the fact that we are going to learn so much about elephants by meeting people in the field and seeing the projects that are successful in saving these magnificent animals as well as reducing human/elephant conflict. The opportunity to work with some amazing women and be part of an all-women’s team who not only encourage other women to become empowered but also allow us each to grow as individuals .