RESSON KANTAI DUFF
Resson is a community conservation advocate. She is the Founder of Risto za Nai, an urban movement the uses storytelling to decolonize and drive restoration and reimagination of Nairobi’s green and in-between spaces. Having worked in the environmental and conservation space for over fifteen years, Resson’s work has grown to revolve around co-creating and advancing a community-led narrative where Africans can reclaim their sense of ownership over their wildlife, culture and land. She shared these ideas as a TED speaker, calling the world to support local conservation efforts. She is also the Director of Portfolio Funding at Maliasili. She is a Women for the Environment (WE Africa) Founding Fellow, and a National Geographic Explorer. She holds a Masters in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Nairobi.
TREZER OGUDA
Trezer Oguda is a gifted storyteller and communication expert. The ‘amplify by akoma’ fellow believes in the power of well told stories to create and advance social change in Africa. For over a decade now she has curated stories for various organizations in the conservation, agriculture, health, youth, entrepreneurship and education sectors, many of which have been published in annual reports and magazines at Safaricom Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), GIZ among others. Her publications dignify people by giving them an opportunity to tell their own stories in a manner they know to be most authentic and truly representative of who they are. Trezer views storytelling as a conservation tool that aids in preservation of a people, culture, places and experiences; not to mention the powerful influence the tool has in educating the masses across different sectors. She holds a degree in Mass Communication and Marketing, certification from The YaLa Academy for Citizen Journalism as well as other certifications. She joins Risto za Nai as The Communications Director.
SAM DINDI
Sam Okiya Dindi, HSC, is an environmentalist and social development practitioner with over a decade of hands-on experience in environmental advocacy, community mobilization, and ecological research. As the Founder and Director of Mazingira Yetu Organisation since 2012, Sam has championed grassroots environmental action and spearheaded initiatives aimed at sustainable waste management, biodiversity conservation, and youth empowerment.
His notable recent work includes serving as the Project Coordinator for the Informal Waste Pickers Socio-Economic Survey at the Dandora Dumpsite, a joint initiative with the Danish Environment Protection Agency and the Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi. In this role, Sam demonstrated strong leadership in managing field teams, ensuring data integrity, and facilitating key stakeholder engagements.
Previously, Sam served as a Birds and Wildlife Control Scout with the Kenya Airports Authority, where he played a critical role in minimizing bird strikes at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport through proactive ecological monitoring and waste mapping. He also gained research experience during his internship at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), contributing to the development of botanical-based insect repellent products.
With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing, Sam continues to lead Mazingira Yetu Organisation in driving impactful environmental programs, policy engagement, and civic education across Kenya.
