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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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
Community Outreach 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. Connie has 2 years working with the Department of Wildlife and National Park's, Problem Animal Control Department from 2010-2012 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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Scientific Research Department
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Christopher Mbisana
Scientific Research Coordinator Chris joined CCB in October 2015 as a research intern in Ghanzi CCB camp and was appointed research officer in November 2016. His passion lies in nature conservation and he has volunteered in a number of game reserves and National parks. He has also volunteered in educational initiatives with schools and the general community over the past few years. Chris has sound knowledge and experience in the farming sector and holds a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture majoring in Soil and Water conservation from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Lucas Motlhabane
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. Marie-Charlotte Gielen
PhD Candidate Marie has a Bachelors in Biological Sciences and a Masters in Biology of Organisms and Ecology from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. As part of her Masters projects, Marie completed a GIS study on poaching distribution in the western part of Botswana in collaboration with CCB in 2015. Marie returned to Botswana in August 2016 to re-join CCB’s research team as part of an extended large carnivore occupancy study for Botswana. Marie has always been passionate about the natural environment and wildlife, especially carnivores and she is now starting her PhD with CCB looking at conserving the Kgalagadi Wildlife Corridor. |
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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. She 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. Koketso Mosimanewamokwena
Research Intern 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. |
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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. Her 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. |
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Communities for Conservation Department
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Refilwe Baatweng
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 Communities for Conservation Officer, she will support the design, implementation and monitoring of our activities at community level. Titus Thabo Thomba
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 Intern 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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Jane Horgan
Grants and Communications Coordinator 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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Katlego K Kolanyane-Kesupile
Public Relations and Marketing Officer 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 Masters 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. 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. |
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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. She has a background in English and African languages from University of Botswana, 2006 and holds a certificate in Financial Management (Management Accounting for NGOs) UK in 2012 as well as AAT 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. From Kanye, Botswana, Connie holds a BTECH degree in Tourism from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa and is a great addition to the CCB team. |
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