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Who
We Are
The STEP team is made up of experienced conservation practitioners, field officers, scientists, and administrative staff who care deeply about conserving Tanzania’s extraordinary biodiversity, wildlife and landscapes, and enhancing the wellbeing of people who sustain and depend on these natural riches. We share core values that guide our work, ensuring that STEP is impact-driven, innovative, and collaborative in its conservation efforts. We strive to de develop novel solutions to conservation challenges, to be flexible and adaptive in our approach, to use robust impact data to guide our work, and to foster meaningful collaborations with partners. We uphold a deep respect for the environment, our team, the communities we serve, and our supporters.
Empowering communities and fostering coexistence
From the outset, STEP has also worked to improve community livelihoods and well-being and to foster human-elephant coexistence. As of 2025, we will be working in 60 villages in the Ruaha-Rungwa and Udzungwa ecosystems. Our multifaceted approach includes supporting farmers and wildlife agencies to mitigate elephant impacts, enhancing livelihoods and household resilience, increasing community benefits from conservation, fostering community tolerance for elephants through outreach and awareness programs, and restoring wildlife corridors.
In recognition of this work, STEP was invited by the Tanzanian government to lead the development of the country’s first national human-wildlife conflict management strategy. Under the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy, we are significantly expanding our community conservation efforts to villages in the Udzungwa mountains.
The STEP Team
Frank Lihwa
Executive Director
Frank has served as STEP’s Executive Director since 2024. Previously, he served as Assistant Director (2021-2022) and led STEP’s Protection Department (2016-2022). Frank is an experienced and respected leader who always makes time for his team. He played a key role in developing STEP’s partnerships with government institutions, expanding STEP’s aerial program, ranger support, and the use of novel conservation technology in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem.
Dr. Trevor Jones
Director of Strategy and Development
Trevor co-founded STEP in 2014 and became Director of Strategy and Development in 2024 after serving as CEO for 9 years. With over 20 years of experience in East African conservation, he has worked on research projects ranging from elephants and primates to wildlife corridors, resulting in more than thirty scientific papers. Trevor also contributed to key wildlife corridor assessments and led development of Tanzania’s Elephant Management Plan (2010-2015) and Tanzania's first National Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Strategy (2020-2024). Most recently, Trevor has co-founded the ambitious Udzungwa Landscape Strategy and serves as Secretary of its Steering Committee.
Flora Njau
Human Resources and Administration Manager
Flora joined STEP as Human Resources and Administration Manager in 2024 with over a decade of HR experience. She previously worked at Aga Khan University, Tanzania. Holding a Business Administration degree and an HR diploma, she brings a passion for wildlife conservation, gender issues, and mental health and wellbeing while advancing STEP’s mission.
Kim Lim
Coexistence and Livelihoods Manager
Kim has managed STEP’s Coexistence and Livelihoods program since 2023 after previously serving as project coordinator (2019-2023). Passionate about community conservation, she has expanded STEP’s efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, enhance community livelihoods, and foster coexistence through community outreach. She holds a BA in Community Development and is an alum of Grumeti Fund’s Women in the Field program.
Godfrey Nyangaresi
Protection Manager
Godfrey became STEP’s Protection Manager in 2023 after joining in 2017 as a project coordinator. He is a dedicated conservationist with over a decade of experience who manages STEP’s protection support to the Ruaha-Rungwa and Udzungwa-Kilombero-Nyerere ecosystems. Previously, he held key conservation roles at Ikona WMA and Serengeti. He holds a degree in Wildlife Management and MA in Community Development and Project Management.
Joseph Mwalugelo
Corridor Restoration Manager
Joseph leads STEP’s efforts to restore connectivity between the Udzungwa and Nyerere-Selous ecosystems. Passionate about wildlife corridors and human-wildlife coexistence, he works closely with communities and the government. Before joining STEP in 2018, he led the GEF Land Degradation Project. He holds degrees in Wildlife Management and Business Management.
Dr. Josephine Smit
Associate Researcher
Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Jo is a conservation scientist and co-founder of STEP who has lived in Tanzania for 30 years. She holds a PhD from the University of Stirling and a BSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University. Jo leads STEP’s research and monitoring program and cares deeply about using science and evidence for impactful conservation.es.
Nelson David
Finance and Administration Manager
Nelson became STEP’s Finance and Administration Manager in 2024 after serving as an Officer since 2016. He oversees accounting and daily operations. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Iringa, a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance Management, and an Advanced Diploma in Accountancy.
Regina Lugome
Assistant Manager, Finance and Grants
Regina joined STEP in 2024 with 5 years of NGO accounting and grant administration experience. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Dar es Salaam and is certified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She manages financial monitoring, reporting, and accounting at STEP.
Solomon Sembosi
Protection and Conservation Technology Officer
Solomon joined STEP’s Protection team in 2017. He coordinates the MBOMIPA WMA Protection Project, working closely with village game scouts, and supports mapping, geospatial analysis, and use of conservation technology across the organization. He holds an MSc in Ecosystem Science and Management and a BSc in Ecotourism and Nature Conservation.
Emmanuel Stephen
Udzungwa Landscape Strategy Livelihood Coordinator
Emmanuel rejoined STEP in 2024 as Livelihoods Coordinator under the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy. He holds degrees in Wildlife Management and Environmental Science and is a recipient of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Before returning to STEP, he served as Program Manager at Watu, Simba, and Mazingira (WASIMA) in western Tanzania.
Peter Mkilindi
Udzungwa Landscape Strategy Protection Coordinator
Peter joined STEP in 2025 with extensive experience in biodiversity conservation and environmental management, which serves him well in his role coordinating support to protected areas under the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy. He holds degrees in wildlife management and environmental policy. Before STEP, he worked as a biodiversity technician, research assistant, and assistant research and monitoring coordinator. He also specializes in applying novel technologies for conservation.
Catherine Kimario
Coexistence and Livelihoods Coordinator
Catherine became STEP’s Human-Elephant Coexistence Coordinator in 2024 after previously serving as project officer (2022-2024). She is passionate about community conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and supporting community livelihoods. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Management and is an alum of Grumeti Fund’s Women in the Field program.
Nasibu Kaluse
Coexistence and Livelihoods Officer.
A long-time Kilombero resident and beekeeping expert, Nasibu works with farmers in the Kilombero Valley on beehive fences and Village Savings and Loans Associations. He also conducts community outreach through park visits and cinema screenings. He previously surveyed elephants in the Udzungwa forests (2008-10).
Joseph Kidibule
Research Officer
Joseph, STEP’s Research Officer, is passionate about wilderness fieldwork. He supports our team of Local Elephant Monitors to monitor elephant activity on village land, conducts camera trapping and transects to monitor the Udzungwa-Nyerere-Selous corridor, and plays a key role in trialling innovative methods to reduce elephant crop damage with farmers.
Athumani Mndeme
Corridor Restoration Officer
Athumani supports STEP’s efforts to restore the wildlife corridor between the Udzungwa and Nyerere-Selous ecosystems. With over 20 years of conservation and research experience, he completed the first habituation of Sanje mangabeys and he is perhaps the only person in Tanzania who can call in a Cassin’s hawk-eagle. He is also a respected and well known farmer and active member of the Mang’ula community.
Kepha Mwaviko
Research, Coexistence, and Livelihoods Officer
Since joining STEP in 2016, Kepha has been central to our human-elephant coexistence efforts, including the Tembo Cup football tournaments, cinema nights, and park visits. He also supports research and monitoring activities, and is passionate about birds and trees, having originally trained as a tour guide at Mkuyu Guiding School.
Heri Bushiri
Coexistence and Livelihoods Officer.
Marieta joined STEP in 2023 and in her role as Coexistence and Livelihoods Officer. she supports community conservation and livelihood work in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Tourism and previously volunteered at the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Center.
Marieta Ndalio
Coexistence and Livelihoods Officer.
Marieta joined STEP in 2023 and in her role as Coexistence and Livelihoods Officer. she supports community conservation and livelihood work in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Tourism and previously volunteered at the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Center.
Elizabeth Masatu
Protection Officer
Eliza joined STEP in 2022 as an intern and worked on our project to restore the Udzungwa to Nyerere-Selous corridor in the Kilombero Valley. In her current role as Protection Officer, she supports STEP’s work with protected areas under the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Science and Conservation and is an alum of Grumeti Fund’s Women in the Field program.
Glory Pallangyo
Assistant Protection Officer
Glory joined STEP in 2022 as an intern after earning a BSc in Rural Development. Since becoming Assistant Protection Officer in 2023, she maintains protection databases and operates the EarthRanger control room for tracking ground and aerial patrols.
Christina Mgonja
Elephant Research Assistant
Christina joined STEP in 2021 as an intern and became an Elephant Research Assistant in 2022. She monitors elephants in Ruaha National Park and manages our elephant sightings and ID databases. She is known as “Tembo Lady” for her dedication and knowledge about elephants. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Management and is an alum of Grumeti Fund’s Women in the Field Program.
Tatu Abush
Junior Data Assistant
Tatu joined STEP in 2023 as an intern and became Junior Data Assistant in 2024, supporting with fieldwork, data collection and data management tasks, She gained experience in Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Saadani, and Arusha as a trainee and volunteer. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Management and is an alum of Grumeti Fund’s Women in the Field Program.
Beatrice Lihaku
Human-Elephant Coexistence Teacher
Beatrice is STEP’s in-house human-elephant coexistence teacher, having previously served as an Education Consultant. She teaches STEP’s 6-lesson human-elephant coexistence curriculum in 22 schools in Kilombero District. She holds a Bachelor degree in Education and previously taught Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) to primary students.
Oliva Mgongolwa
Finance Officer
Oliva joined STEP in 2023 and assists the Finance and Administration department. Prior to STEP, she worked as an accountant and administrator for 3 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the Institute of Finance Management of Tanzania.
Felister Kidunu
Finance and Administration Assistant
Felister joined STEP in 2018 as an assistant in Finance and Administration, also supporting office operations. Before STEP, she was an Office Assistant at Fundacion Paraguaya. She holds an Ordinary Diploma in Business Administration from Iringa Retco Business College.
Peter Mtyana (BK)
Vehicles Coordinator
BK, Iringa’s most skilled and cheerful land rover mechanic, joined STEP in 2015. With experience as a driver and mechanic since 2009, he keeps STEP’s vehicle fleet running and is called upon for our most challenging fieldwork expeditions. He is passionate about elephants and being in the bush.
Kelvin Madege
Driver and Mechanic
Kelvin has been with STEP since 2017, supporting our Iringa office and projects in Udzungwa and Ruaha-Rungwa as a driver and mechanic. He loves fieldwork, car repairs, and is known for his fun personality. Previously, he worked at Ratherva Construction Limited and holds a Competence Bus (PSV) certification from VETA-Iringa.
Yuda Mtewele
Driver and Mechanic
Yuda joined STEP in 2022, working with the team that keeps our vehicles running smoothly. Before STEP, he worked as a tour guide for 10 years. Yuda is also a farmer and enjoys singing.
Saidi Mahinya
Driver
Saidi joined STEP in 2018 as a driver for our Kilombero-based teams. Previously, he worked as a driver for the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre and a safari company. A Mang’ula native, Saidi is also hands-on with assisting in kitchen activities.
Edmund Yalimba
Driver
Edmund joined STEP in 2022 as a driver, supporting the Iringa office and Research projects. With nearly 20 years of experience, he previously worked at ACRA Tanzania and Mdonya River Camp Ltd. He trained at VETA-Songea and is known for his calm demeanor, described as "cool as a cucumber.".
Edward Lupondo
Driver and Mechanic
Edward has been with STEP for over 5 years as a driver and mechanic, supporting operations in Iringa and MBOMIPA WMA. With experience at Kilolo District Council and Unilever, he holds certifications in Public Service Vehicles, motor vehicle mechanics from VETA, and a 4-year course at Don Bosco Youth Training Centre. He is also our “baba mchungaji” and performs the role well.
Thomas Tovagonze
Driver and Mechanic
Thomas joined STEP in 2023 as a driver and mechanic, supporting MBOMIPA WMA’s human-wildlife conflict unit. With 22 years of experience, he previously worked with the Participatory Plantations Forestry Programme. He holds a PSV Driving Certificate from VETA-Iringa and is known for his few words.
Severina Shayo
Office Caretaker
Severina joined STEP in 2023, supporting the Iringa office and assisting in the field. She maintains office cleanliness, cooks for events, and is known for her fantastic beans and rice. Previously, she worked as a cleaner at SURE Cleanliness Company Ltd and has completed her secondary education.
Amina Mndeme
Office Caretaker
Amina manages our Udzungwa office in Sole village, near the Udzungwa Mountains. She maintains office cleanliness, cooks for events, and excels in her cooking role. Originally from Kilimanjaro, Amina has lived in Mang’ula for many years.
Hamisi Mohamed Mbisa
Security Guard-Mang’ula Office
Hamisi, a long-term Mang’ula resident, has been with STEP in the same role for years. Known as "Shekhe," he approaches everything with wisdom and faith.
Abasi Lipongola
Security Guard-Mang’ula Office
Mzee Lipongola, a long-term Mang’ula resident, has been with STEP for years. Even after retirement, he remains invaluable and continues his role with wisdom. In Swahili, we call him “Mzee wa Busara.”
Charles Nagy & Anne Yeoman
Pilot Team Members
A dedicated conservation flying team from Wings Over Africa, joined STEP in 2014 to establish our Aerial Program. They conduct aerial patrols to protect the wildlife of the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem.
Ferdi Koekemoer
Pilot Team Member
Ferdi, originally from South Africa, began flying 26 years ago and has spent the last decade engaged in conservation aviation across Africa. Ferdi has flown hundreds of hours for STEP over the last eight years, skilfully conducting aerial patrols across all the challenging terrain of the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem.
Ahmed Dahal
Pilot Team Member
Ahmed (Eddie) is a skilled conservation pilot with flight training in Tanzania and South Africa, logging hundreds of hours. Qualified to operate 14 types of single-engine aircraft, Eddie aspires to become a flying instructor, mentoring young Tanzanians passionate about wildlife conservation and protecting natural landscapes
Kizigo-Muhesi Local Elephant Monitors
In the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem, STEP works with 15 community-based Local Elephant Monitors who play an essential role in our community livelihoods and human-elephant coexistence work. As residents of the villages where we work, they monitor and provide technical support to Village Savings and Loans and beekeeping groups, conduct outreach on safety around elephants and mitigation measures, raise awareness about human-elephant coexistence and elephant conservation, and monitor human-elephant interactions on village land.
Kilombero Local Elephant Monitors
In the Kilombero Valley of the Udzungwa ecosystem, STEP works with 7 community-based Local Elephant Monitors who monitor human-elephant interactions on village land, particularly incidents of elephant crop damage, and play an important role in implementing and monitoring mitigation measures such as beehive fences. They also conduct outreach with community members on safety around elephants and how to protect crops from elephant damage, and raise awareness of the importance and benefits of conserving elephants.
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