Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by the rainforest: its secrets, its vitality and the extraordinary diversity of its flora and fauna. This early connection inspired me to study biology and helped me to understand that the preservation of biodiversity is only possible through collaboration with the people who live in these areas, especially the farmers.

For this reason, I have focused my training on developing methods to optimize agricultural production and on the valorization of local products to create added value. In this way, I want to contribute to strengthening the farmers' economy and at the same time promote the protection of the rainforest as a path to prosperity and sustainability.

I never thought I would one day work in nature conservation. When I was little, I wanted to be a vet because I had a special connection with animals. But life took me down a different path. I grew up in Piura in northern Peru, surrounded by sun, sea and desert. There I learned to look at nature with wonder. Later, as a Girl Scout, I discovered that camping under the stars, listening to the sound of the forest or hiking together in community were not just great experiences, but lessons in respect, service and caring.

Although my professional career began in the field of culture and communication, nature has always been my refuge and inspiration. Today, at Wilderness International, I have found a place where I can combine these two passions: to communicate and to protect. I believe that stories have the power to awaken connections and that every story about the Amazon can remind us why it is worth protecting what gives us life.

Did you know that a single tree in the tropical rainforest can be home to thousands of animal species? Neither did I until I met Kai from WI. The team's passion for preserving the last intact ecosystems has motivated me ever since and makes me proud to be a part of it. Because in a world where for many people a dead tree seems to be worth more than a living tree, we need to act and raise awareness of the value of intact ecosystems.

As a PhD student at WI, I would like to pick up exactly where I left off and make nature conservation as tangible and transparent as possible for people and companies. Previously, I spent 10+ years researching crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and blockchain at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. I am delighted to be able to bring these topics to WI in order to make nature conservation a tangible experience for everyone.

In my private life, I am also interested in how we can use money as a lever for positive change. I have developed a preference for impact investing. Away from all the numbers, I enjoy playing soccer and walking my dog in the beautiful nature of northern Germany.

As a 5-year-old, I dreamed of becoming a whale researcher. I couldn't imagine anything better than swimming with orcas and humpback whales. 

I thought this childhood dream had faded. Until I applied to WI. Suddenly it was back: that childish, naive, a little romantic, excited, and wild heartbeat. 

And I quickly realized that it is this heartbeat that unites the most diverse people here for a cause. The 5-year-old in me is dancing for joy that I can be a part of this and, through a few corners, make a small contribution to the protection of orcas, humpback whales and every other living creature on this planet.

I am firmly convinced that the preservation of our world lies in the wilderness and that each of us carries this wilderness within us and it beats like the heart of a child. 

What you can't do - and move - with a degree in German studies! After several years as a content manager and copywriter in the Berlin media and start-up bubble, it was my thirst for adventure and love of nature that led me to Wilderness International. 

I grew up far away from the urban jungle in the central German Elbe floodplain, surrounded by frog concerts, beaver castles and crane migrations. In addition to ornithological fun facts from the Middle Elbe Biosphere, I also have plenty of creative ideas, word games and strategic communication skills for the conservation of flora and fauna in Peru and Canada. What connects creativity and nature? Their wilderness. The indomitable. The worthy of protection.

I look forward to tackling the challenges of protecting the last wild forests on our planet, following the example of my favorite bird, the red-backed shrike - as thorny opportunities!

For me, wilderness is a state in which the direction of man is absent and the presence of man is a respectful guest stay. In the course of my life as a scientist, I have been able to experience and explore nature on various continents. I often found only remnants of pristine nature or nature that had been heavily impacted by humans, while species were also disappearing at home in Germany.

In 2011, I experienced the rainforests on the Pacific coast of Canada for the first time during a WI expedition. I was captivated by the centuries-old Douglas firs and giant live trees that were over 70 meters tall. Often there were only a few trees left that could be quickly counted, surrounded by the growth of young trees on former clear-cuts. How do we humans manage to leave these trees to the wilderness and not one day take a saw to them?

WI is always on the lookout for the last wilderness forests, seeking to acquire them through purchase in order to prevent their deforestation. I find this nature conservation concept so convincing that I am very pleased to be part of WI and to be able to work for the preservation of the last wilderness areas on our planet.

I really enjoy the fresh morning air in the forest and love waking up early to watch the sunrise through the trees - it's a peaceful and energizing moment. That's one of the reasons why I love trail running and trekking.

Outside of work, I am passionate about running - especially after a long day at the office. I often take part in long distance trail races, so consistent training over time is an essential part of my routine.

I'm also a big fan of plants! I have a small garden on my balcony, which gives me a lot of pleasure and helps me to de-stress. It's my little way of staying in touch with nature every day.

My first big trip took me to the rainforest - a place full of color and infinite diversity. This unique experience showed me how closely we humans are connected to the forest: as a habitat for countless species, as a source of breath and as a source of energy - through an invisible bond.

Today, I am committed to preserving this bond at Wilderness International. Together with our partner companies, I want to permanently protect unique wilderness areas - so that their beauty and power can be preserved for future generations.

I now use my many years of experience in the areas of corporate cooperation, strategy, communication and marketing - including at Cisco and Workday - with full passion for wilderness protection. It is particularly important to me to create sustainable partnerships at eye level in which creative ideas have a real impact.

My goal is to work with strong partners to bring about sustainable change - so that the last great wilderness areas on our planet have a future.

I have been working as a filmmaker since I grew up, especially in the documentary field. I love using real images to touch people and show the world in all its power. And in the best case scenario, to initiate change.

What is happening to our planet and therefore to our future is devastating and terrifying, it is easy to despair and feel helpless.

I am all the happier to support Wilderness International with their great approach from now on by doing what I do best - making films. And spreading a good mood, because that's what people often say about me.

Filming and editing videos has always been a great passion for me, but it never occurred to me that I could also work with it professionally. That's why I did a normal apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic and worked in this profession for over 15 years.

When I became a father, I took a lot of time to travel with my children. This also rekindled my enthusiasm for filming - after all, what could be better than seeing your own children at a young age? On our travels, I was able to capture countless moments in the most beautiful natural surroundings. As a result, my awareness of its importance and protection has grown enormously.

It's all the better that I can now combine all of this at WI - my passion for filming and editing with my commitment to protecting nature.

I am a 28-year-old software developer with a passion for sports and the outdoors. I love to stay active through running, mountain climbing and cycling, which not only keeps me fit but also fuels my creativity. Nature, especially mountains and forests, is my ultimate source of peace and inspiration - I often explore the wilderness to re-energize and find balance in life. I believe true happiness comes from appreciating simple things, whether it's writing a perfect line of code or savoring a peaceful moment on a mountain trail. Protecting nature and staying grounded are values that are close to my heart.

Many leaves - one tree. We are each on our own and yet connected.

It has always been important to me to contribute to the common good - to be an active leaf in the big tree of the community.

Now I am dedicated to finding strong funding partners who are committed to protecting endangered ecosystems in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest and the temperate rainforests of Western Canada. My goal is to build long-term, effective collaborations: from one leaf, to many. This is how a tree grows. A forest. A wilderness. Our earth!

My ambitious goal is to permanently protect the last remaining intact habitats on our planet through WI's foundation work by the time I retire in 2050. With over 20 years of experience in events, networking, marketing, cooperation and communication, I have worked with brands from the finance, tech, mobility, hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle and food & beverage sectors and have been responsible for and sustainably positioned campaigns for and with Mastercard, FreeNow, Sony Pictures, Paramount, Booking.com, Napoleon, KptnCook, Sushi Bikes, Miles & More and many other brands. I use this expertise to make Wilderness International even more visible and effective in the long term - to advance our common goals with precision, passion and impact.