The ZSL Youth Advisory Board

We're working to bring youth voice to the heart of ZSL's work. 

The ZSL Youth Advisory Board was launched in summer 2023 to bring youth voices to the forefront of shaping our organisation's future. Comprising twelve members aged 16-25, the board advises ZSL on incorporating the needs and perspectives of young people into all their work. 

Who are we & what do we do? 

We are a voluntary group, committed to amplifying the voices of young people and ensuring thier needs and perspectives are included in ZSL’s work. 

Our mission is to unite and amplify diverse youth voices within ZSL and beyond, fostering an inclusive and equitable future for both people and wildlife.

Everything we do is governed by our core values: 

• Collaborative: Seeking ways to work together to achieve more.
• Sustainable: Future-focused, ensuring we’re building sustainably on what’s come before.
• Reflective: A mindset of continuous growth and reflection.
• Equitable and Inclusive: Working to remove barriers for all and embracing all perspectives.
• Respectful: Building trust through respect.

If you are interested in staying updated on our initiatives and events you can join our mailing list. For any enquiries or to reach out about collaborations you can email us at : youthboard@zsl.org

Join our mailing list

Meet our members

Our current Youth Advisory Board Members have been in post since July 2025 (with a few being continuing members taking on a second term). We are a group with a wide variety of skills, interested and backgrounds. 

Alex Porter  - Deputy Chair

As someone inspired by nature since a very young age, the Youth Advisory board gives me a platform to put my passion into practice. Mobilising a history of pushing for greater conservation practices in local politics, I'm excited to contribute a perspective that challenges ideas and work towards a world where the ability to act sustainably is a standard, not a luxury.

Ceridwen Gulmohamed 

Animals and zoos have been a lifelong love of mine, and being a ZSL member has deepened my appreciation for the vital role conservation plays in protecting wildlife. I’m equally passionate about youth engagement, having empowered young people through teaching, my volunteering roles, and creating inclusive initiatives at university. 

Now working in social housing, I’m enthusiastic about strengthening community connections and advocating for inclusive engagement. Through the Youth Advisory Board, I’m excited to grow as a leader, contribute to meaningful governance, and help amplify diverse voices to build a future where conservation truly is for everyone.

Emily Li

I’m a product manager at a tech startup, interested in how people think, feel, and engage with digital tools. I grew up around the mountains of Vancouver and across three countries, where early encounters with nature and conservation shaped how I see the world.

I joined the board to help bring wildlife conservation closer to people’s everyday lives, especially for younger and more urban communities. I’m interested in using digital spaces and storytelling to spark curiosity and build a lasting connection to our planet and the environment around us.

E. Earnshaw

Following on from my undergraduate in Wildlife Health Sciences, I am now undertaking my Master’s to further explore avian influenza within wild mammals in South Africa. I have a keen focus on engaging young people in animal health and am delighted to be part of the board to support youth voice. 

I have a particular interest in breaking down the barriers to accessing careers in wildlife conservation and strive to help create equitable opportunities for a world where wildlife thrives.

Emma Murphy

I have always been passionate about conservation however have had little access to opportunities. I am a geoscience graduate, now working towards my PhD after previous work in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I’m hoping to bring the policy skills I’ve picked up from working in government to the team as well as a positive mindset!

Gabrielle Fads

I currently work in social media & design in higher education, and I’m passionate about fostering access and inclusion in conservation for young people.

I’m dedicated to inspiring my local community to reconnect with nature and find pockets of sanctuary in concrete-filled, busy London. I’m interested in interrogating how colonial legacies and industrialisation are linked and shape who are impacted most heavily by the climate crisis.

Grace Alagaratnam

I am a software engineering degree apprentice with a keen interest in how technology can aid wildlife conservation. I have engaged in various youth initiatives, from student council projects to apprenticeship outreach events, which have helped shape my skills in public speaking, teamwork and adaptability. My experiences have allowed me to collaborate with individuals across generations, enhancing my understanding of diverse perspectives.

As a young British-Tamil woman in STEM, I am also committed to amplifying the voices of those often overlooked. Overall, I am enthusiastic about utilising my skills and experiences to ensure young people's contributions and insights are recognised and valued in wildlife conservation.
 

Henry Ogoli

I am a science teacher with a background in chemistry and a keen interest in environmental education. My work focuses on helping young people connect scientific knowledge with real-world issues, particularly around biodiversity and conservation.

I believe that education plays a vital role in empowering the next generation to take informed action, and I am passionate about making science both accessible and meaningful. Through the ZSL Youth Advisory Board, I aim to help bridge the gap between scientific understanding and practical action, supporting youth-led initiatives that drive positive change for people and the planet.

Molly Russell - Deputy Chair

I work in research and evaluation at Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK), a student-led education charity. I’ve previously volunteered and worked in social justice-focussed roles in both the academic and third sector. My current role involves advocating for greater inclusivity and transparency of the existing inequalities in the environmental sector, aligning with the importance of ensuring diverse and accessible youth engagement. I’m excited to continue pushing forward for greater equity, transparency and youth opportunities in the sector as part of my role on the board.

Ollie Shribman-Hollings

With experience in community engagement and environmental education, I have now joined ZSL’s Youth Board to ensure underrepresented youth voices are included in the conservation charity’s work. As a climate podcaster, I actively seek out new partnership opportunities. I’m hoping to highlight a diverse range of stories through my time on the Youth Board, on the engaging and uncomplicated “How Climate Change Affects” podcast.

Poorna Baikady

It was frequent visits to the Isabella Plantation (my local park) and standing on termite hills in India that sparked my profound fascination for the nature and wildlife surrounding me. This has led me to reading Biology at university where I want to pursue a career in wildlife conservation and increase the representation of people in this field. As someone who is visually impaired, the first time I truly believed I could pursue conservation was when I met someone in the field with a similar disability to myself. I aspire to connect with others in the same way, helping to foster such inclusivity.

Yasmin Trivedi Davé - Chair

Growing up in West London, nature has simultaneously been separate and an integral part of my culture. Hearing stories from my grandparents about life in Gujarat and Soroti, and the importance of respecting nature, made this connection more real, as it’s deeply interwoven into our practices and relationships. 

However, I rarely saw myself or my community reflected in mainstream conservation spaces. That absence drives my motivation and passion as apart of ZSLs Youth Advisory Board, where we champion and amplify the youth voice. I am beyond proud and excited to work together, using my experience within the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion space to foster intercultural dialogue with diverse communities, supporting inclusive and accessible youth engagement.