WHO WE ARE
The CCB team consists of a diverse array of people committed to conserving wildlife in Botswana. With a shared passion for the environment, a love of the bush and a drive to help people that live alongside wildlife, we are a tight-knit team that have a lot of fun and work well together to create meaningful change for Botswana's wildlife and people.
Management
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Rebecca Klein
Executive Director Rebecca became interested in starting up a cheetah program when she moved to Botswana in 2001 to work at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Upon discovering that there was no conservation going on for the regularly persecuted and threatened cheetah she decided a project needed to be started. After teaming up with Dr Kyle Good and Ann Marie Houser, Cheetah Conservation Botswana came into being in 2003. Rebecca has a degree in Wildlife Biology from Leeds University, UK and completed her Masters in Science through Rhodes University in South Africa on the topic of human-wildlife conflict in the Kalahari. Rebecca has experience in a wide range of conservation projects worldwide, and has travelled the world experiencing a wide variety of cultures and wildlife. She is committed to ensuring a future for Botswana where wildlife and people can happily coexist and she has dedicated her life to seeing CCB be the tool to help that happen in the Kalahari. 
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Douglas Thamage
Operations Manager Douglas joined Cheetah Conservation Botswana in May 2011. He has served the civil service as a Technical Officer at the Department of Agricultural Research and SADC-SACCAR respectively before moving to civil society in 1992. He holds a Diploma in Modern Management and Administration (Cambridge International College, UK) and Diploma in Community Based Development, (Coady International Institute, and St. Francis Xavier University, Canada). He brings a wealth of experience in organizational development, project planning, participatory development, community based research, natural resources management just to mention a few. Douglas enjoys volunteering and serves in a number of community based organizations, non-government organization boards and government committees and is making valuable contributions to the development of Botswana and the conservation of wildlife and the environment. 
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Nidhi Ramsden
Development Manager Nidhi joined CCB on a part-time basis in July 2014. She has a BA Biology from Bryn Mawr College Masters degrees in Resource Conservation from WITS in South Africa as well as NGO and Development from London School of Economics, UK. She is well-placed to view conservation issues from the broader perspective of development. She has a diverse range of work experience from elephant conservation in India, to supporting the establishment of the KAZA TFCA during its early years. When she's not at CCB, Nidhi continues to provide support services to a range of other regional and national conservation projects, particularly those with a transfrontier focus. Nidhi was born and raised in Southern Africa and her underlying belief in community service see her play an active role in the Art of Living Foundation in Botswana – an international, non-governmental, charitable organisation with the goal of human development and social upliftment. 
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Jane Horgan
Grants and Communications Manager Jane began working for CCB as a volunteer in July 2009 and spent five years working as a Research Officer in Ghanzi, during which time she completed her MSc. entitled "Testing the effectiveness and cost efficiency of livestock guarding dogs in Botswana". In 2014 Jane began coordinating our Engagement and Awareness Department. Passionately dedicated to human-wildlife conflict alleviation, Jane has worked across CCB's community, farming and education departments to facilitate meaningful impact for people and wildlife. Originally from Australia, Jane has a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Wildlife Biology and Zoology) and Arts from the University of Queensland. Jane has experience working with a variety of conservation and research projects including research experience with brown hyenas, vultures and Tasmanian devils. 
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Field Operations
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Phale Max Seele
Field Operations Coordinator Max joined CCB in 2008. From Lentswelemoriti, Botswana, he holds a Degree in Conservation, Tourism and Sustainable Development from North West University, South Africa. He has previously conducted research into the impact of HIV/AIDS on primary and secondary education schools. His interests include the environment, culture and football. In Max's spare time he likes to lead tours into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to share his passion for the Kalahari with others. Kenaleone Setlhakwane
Field Logistics Intern Kenaleone joined CCB in the winter of 2024 while concurrently completing an internship with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). Occupying a fresh and necessary role, Kenaleone will be assisting the field operations coordinator which will put her training as a graduate of the Bachelors in Business Administration in Transport and Logistics Management to great use. Also holding a Certificate in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management her passion for wildlife conservation is closely tied to her acknowledgement of the valuable role flora and fauna play in economic development. She will be supporting in infrastructural development, procurement, administration and related logistical tasks. |
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Farming For Conservation Department
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Connie (KB) Modise
Farming for Conservation Coordinator From Tsienyane/ Rakops in the Boteti central district, Botswana, Connie joined CCB in July 2016 as the new Community Outreach Officer in Ghanzi CCB camp. He has a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in tourism from Monash University, South Africa. From 2010 to 2012, KB worked with the Department of Wildlife and National Park's, Problem Animal Control Department in Letlhakane. He also has education experience from his work , as well as work as a teacher in Bere from 2013-2015. |
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Balekanye Solly Mbinda
Senior Farming for Conservation Officer Solly’s conservation career started in 2010, working with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks under the then Community Support and Outreach department in Ghanzi. In 2015, he joined the CCB team - following working as a temporary teacher at K’Joe Primary(New Xade) and Grootlagte Primary Schools. Having been born and raised in the Western Kalahari by a farming family, Mbinda’s rich knowledge of the terrain and farmer lifestyles make him an invaluable asset to the FFC department. He holds a double major degree in Geography and Tourism Management from Monash University (South Africa). A firm believer that coexistence with carnivores, the highlight of his work engagements is reaching out to communities and farms/cattleposts and giving advice on mitigating human wildlife conflict-related issues. Amongst CCB’s community outreach initiatives, the Livestock Guarding Dog programme is near and dear to Mbinda’s heart as it is a “living testimony of what we strive towards”. |
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Scientific Research Department
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Christopher Mbisana
Scientific Research Coordinator Christopher joined CCB in October 2015 as a research intern at the Ghanzi camp and was promoted to Research Officer in November 2016. His passion lies in large carnivore-human interaction research and ecology, and he has contributed to a wide range of initiatives in game reserves, national parks, and local communities. Over the years, Chris has also dedicated his time to educational outreach, working with schools and community groups to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. With a strong background in agriculture, Chris brings a unique perspective to conservation work. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, majoring in Soil and Water Conservation, from the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and a Master of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resource Science from Tarleton State University in Texas. Combined with his practical farming experience, Chris’ expertise helps bridge the gap between wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture, an approach central to fostering coexistence between people and predators. Lucas Motlhabane
Senior Research Officer Lucas hails from Molepolole and has a Bachelors (Hons) in Tourism Management from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. Lucas conducted an internship with the National Strategy Office at the Office of the District Commissioner in Ghanzi. He then went on to join the Research team with the Department of Wildlife of National Parks office in Ghanzi where he worked for one year. Following that, Lucas moved back to Molepolole to work with the University Research Institute working towards the 90-90-90 HIV-AIDS target. Before joining CCB, Lucas was working in Botswana’s National Parks and Game Reserves as a Reservations officer for the SKL Group. Lucas has been deeply passionate about wildlife from a tender age and is a valuable asset to our research team. |
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Koketso Mosimanewamokwena
Research Officer Koketso joined CCB's scientific research department in 2024 and has a Bachelor’s degree in Range Science from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN). Her range of experience includes with our fellow NGO in Botswana - Elephants for Africa. Koketso is passionate about wildlife conservation, and joined CCB because of her strong desire to gain hands-on research experience; she also hopes that through her engagement with CCB, she will make a meaningful impact on conservation efforts in the country. Otshabile Bahetoleng
PhD Candidate Otshabile is currently studying for her PhD in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University, with emphasis in anthropology and political ecology. She holds an MSc degree in Environment & Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and received her BSc degree in Ecology from the University of East Anglia, UK. Her interest lies in improving conservation decision-making through understanding human thought and behaviour, and through building social science capacity among conservation professionals. Otshabile studies human values toward wildlife, attitudes and behaviours toward wildlife-related issues, and the social factors underlying human-wildlife conflict. Her future plans include working with conservation agencies and organisations in the application of social science to inform their planning, management and communication efforts in community-focused work. |
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Advisors
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T. Wayne Schwertner PhD
Research T. Wayne worked with CCB on several collaborative research projects in the Western Kalahari before formally joining the team in 2025. Growing up on a farm, he became acutely aware from an early age of the importance of working with farmers and other stakeholders on wildlife conservation. A dedicated conservationist, after working on various projects in southern and west Africa, as well as throughout the western USA, he fell in love with the Kalahari ecosystem, its wildlife, and its people. His current research interests focus on human-wildlife coexistence, carnivore ecology, and biodiversity conservation, but he has worked on a number of taxa including various species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. He holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University and is a Professor of Wildlife Science at Tarleton State University in Texas, USA. He has held senior ecologist positions with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Bio-West, Inc. Marie-Charlotte Gielen PhD
Scientific Advisor - Research & Development Marie-Charlotte Gielen (Marie) joined CCB in 2015 as a research intern while completing her Master’s degree. She later worked as a CCB research officer for three years in Ghanzi camp before beginning her Ph.D. in 2018, focusing on refining track-based (i.e. animal footprints) surveys to support wildlife conservation and human coexistence in the Kalahari. In 2023, she also became a research collaborator with Leopard Ecology & Conservation, another Botswana-based NGO, and began offering consultancy services in wildlife and environmental mapping, data analysis, and applied conservation. Deeply passionate about the natural world, Marie has gained extensive experience in population monitoring of large carnivores and herbivores, their behaviour, habitat use, movements, and in developing human-wildlife coexistence strategies. She is particularly specialised in traditional animal tracking, working closely with Indigenous expert trackers, promoting the involvement of local communities in research and conservation projects. Originally from Belgium, Marie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, a Master’s degree in Biology of Organisms and Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Sciences from the Université Catholique de Louvain. After completing her Ph.D. in 2025, she now serves as an advisor to CCB, supporting a range of projects in research, conservation, and strategy. |
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Human-Wildlife Coexistence Department
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Rethabile Setlalekgomo
Human-Wildlife Coexistence Coordinator Rethabile is a familiar face at CCB having previously completed an internship with us. She has returned to the research department as a supervisor. Rethabile holds a BSc in Environmental Science and is currently pursuing a MPhil in Natural Resources focusing on spotted hyenas and leopards through the Okavango Research Institute at the University of Botswana. Rethabile's conservation interests lie in conservation ecology with a strong pull towards carnivores. When she's not out in the field, Rethabile likes to swim, take bush walks and go off-road driving. Boitshepho Modise
Human-Wildlife Coexistence Officer Boitshepho joins CCB after working for Botswana Predator Conservation Trust, and this makes him the first additional staff member since the establishment of the Human-Widlife Coexistence department in 2024. He has experience in wildlife monitoring, camera traps, satellite tracking, spoor tracking and working with communities on improving conflict mitigation. After attaining a Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware Maintenance, his passion for wildlife conservation saw him pursue a Botswana Qualification Authority Level 2 Nature Guide license. Boitshepho hopes that his work at CCB will improve data collection frequency, coverage, and monitoring. As a farmer himself, and with the department's working relationship with farmers in the study area already established, he hopes his results-oriented personality will enable positive outcomes for others through providing timely responses and building knowledge on human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies for coexistence. |
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Communities for Conservation Department
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Refilwe Baatweng
Senior Communities for Conservation Officer - Development Refilwe is a graduate of BA Social Sciences from the University of Botswana, majoring in Economics and Environmental Science. An alumnus of the UB Wildlife and Environment Conservation Society, her passion lies in raising consciousness on environmental issues at grassroots level. In her role as the Senior Communities for Conservation Officer focused on Development, Refilwe supports the design, implementation and monitoring of our activities at community level. Education-related activities also form part of her robust portfolio. Goitseone Samson
Communities for Conservation Intern - Development Goitseone is a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development graduate from the Institute of Development Management (IDM). A highly conscientious and seasoned community developer with an excellent community service record and a strong work ethic, she also holds a diploma in social work and brings with her, experience at Windows of Hope, District Councils and the CIET Trust. Her passion lies in building strong and thriving societies, empowering communities and driving economic growth. As a lover of nature, Goitseone believes that joining CCB will give her the platform to enjoy direct contact with nature and wildlife through her field work, while also feeding into her career development. Titus Thabo Thomba
Senior Communities for Conservation Officer - Conservation Titus is from Letsholathebe in the north eastern region of Botswana. He holds Post-Graduate Certificate in Urban Nature-based Solutions from the Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, under Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management (CIPSEM), and a BSc in Range Science from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His conservation interests lie in fresh water conservation and terrestrial restoration ecology. Tumisang Lobaka
Communities for Conservation Officer - Conservation Tumisang joined CCB in the Communities for Conservation department in March 2024. After completing his internship with the DWNP Ghanzi office with a focus on community empowerment through promoting wildlife biodiversity. Tumisang holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Tourism and Hospitality from the University of Botswana, where he was also an active member of the Association of Environmental Clubs of Botswana (AECB). As someone whose passion keeps pulling him closer to wildlife-related work, his sights remain set on using every opportunity to strengthen community resilience such that people of all walks of life can see the value in conservation as a means of future sustainability and prosperity. |
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Engagement and Awareness Department
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Katlego K Kolanyane-Kesupile
Engagement and Awareness Coordinator Heritage, Rights and Culture Advisor Katlego joined CCB in 2019 on a part-time basis, after some years of offering support services to the organisation. Katlego, fondly known to the team as Kat, was born in Francistown and has a long history of loving cheetahs. Katlego holds a Master's in Human Rights, Culture and Social Justice from Goldsmiths University of London, and a BA (Hons) Dramatic Arts specialising in directing and design from University of the Witwatersrand. She is also a matriculant of the Advanced Human Rights Course on Indigenous People's Rights in Africa at the University of Pretoria Centre for Human Rights. With over a decade of communications experience, Katlego is also a multi-skilled educator, artist and development practitioner which allows her to contribute to broadly to CCB’s engagement and awareness work. Her commitment to social justice and decolonial development make her a prime contributor to the foundations of CCB's culture-based, social change initiatives. Thembiso Nhlekisana
Engagement and Awareness Officer Thembiso initially joined CCB in 2024 as the Events Coordination Officer for our 20th Anniversary activities. Fondly known as Thembi, she is a development practitioner, gender justice and environmental equity advocate, and feminist. With over a decade of experience in intersectional activism, she has worked across Southern Africa to advance social protection, women’s rights, and inclusive conservation efforts. Thembi holds a Master’s degree in Social Policy from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, and a BA in Sociology from Amsterdam University College. Her work experience includes being Programmes Manager at DEMASK — where she championed grassroots movements, and contributions to The Handbook on Social Protection Systems. Thembi blends academic insight with on-the-ground activism, ensuring marginalized voices shape systemic change. Her work with climate justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, or HIV advocacy reflects her commitment to a just, feminist future. At CCB she leverages her expertise to bridge gender equity and conservation. |
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Administration & Finance
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Boitumelo Marape
Finance Coordinator Boitumelo joined CCB in August 2009 as the Administration Officer. From Tonota, Botswana, Boi has travelled to the U.S.A through the Inter-Exchange Program where she studied Physical Education, Recreation and Southern Culture at Royal Oak Community College Michigan (MI) as part of the program. She also volunteered part-time with Feed The Hungry movement and has volunteered for several projects here in Botswana. Boi has a background in English and African languages from University of Botswana, 2006 and achieved a certificate in Financial Management (Management Accounting for NGOs) UK in 2012, as well as AAT qualification from Botswana Accountancy College in 2013. Boi is passionate about wildlife in general and brings much enthusiasm to her role. Connie Sebati
Administration Coordinator Connie joined CCB in September 2009 and works at Gaborone head office in our Operations Department. She originally served at CCB as an intern and became formally employed in October 2010 as our Public Relations Officer. Her role as Administration and Promotions Officer allows her to be involved in all of CCB's activities and she is particularly passionate about helping farmers to coexist with cheetahs. This Kanye native holds a BTECH degree in Tourism from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa and has grown to be a fundamental facet of the CCB team. Bernard Kelebang
Programme Monitoring & Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Livelihoods Coordinator Bernard is an agricultural and environmental economist from Ditshegwane in the Letlhakeng district with a strong interest in forest economics and habitat conservation. He holds an MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics specialising in environmental and resource economics, jointly awarded by the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Pretoria. He holds a BSc in the same field from the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Prior to joining CCB in October 2023, he worked in a consultancy role at the Centre for Applied Research (CAR) from January 2018 to April 2023. Bernard has contributed to a range of projects, including estimation of economic activity of Botswana using the nightlights satellite data; analysis of water rights applications in Botswana; and the economic valuation of forest and range resources in Botswana. He was also involved in a study that developed and build capacities on the estimation and use of environmental macroeconomic indicators for the Ghana Natural Capital Accounting Programme. Among his additional skills are econometric analysis and resource modelling. |
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