About Us
Meet the team
Sue Lawther-Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Sue Lawther-Brown has 30 years of experience in the UK’s education and cultural sectors, including roles as Director of Spread The Word and Arts Council England/Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships Thames Gateway. She has also served as Senior Partner for Dr. Mathilda Joubert’s Excite programme and as a Special Advisor to the 2012 London Olympic Games on Young People’s Voice.
A long-time collaborator with The Map Consortium, Sue has focused on leadership and professional development. Since 2017, she has provided mentoring and consultancy for cultural and educational SMEs in the East of England. Her recent roles include Head of Communications for two regional UK theatres, Development Director for the Alef Trust, and Business Development Manager at the University of Suffolk.
Born in Lusaka, Sue returned to her roots in December 2023 to become CEO at Chipembele, merging her passions for wildlife and creative education. She is particularly fond of elephants and enjoys photographing local insects that find their way into her home!
Clara Nanja
Conservation Education Manager
Clara holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Wildlife from the University of Zambia
and is pursuing a Master’s in Philosophy in Tropical Ecology at Copperbelt University. With
over 12 years of experience in ecological research, wildlife preservation, and conservation
education, Clara joined the Chipembele Team in 2023. As the Conservation Education
Manager, she oversees Education Outreach, supports conservation initiatives, and ensures
comprehensive development and implementation of conservation education programs.
Emmanuel Njobvu
General Manager
Emmanuel Njobvu brings 17 years of hospitality industry expertise to our organisation. With a background ranging from waiter to lodge general manager, Emmanuel holds credentials in travel and tourism, hospitality management, and human resource management. His passion for conservation ignited during his tenure with the Chipembele Conservation Club, leading him to embrace conservation fully upon retiring from hospitality in 2023.
Japhet Shanungu
Accounts Officer and IT Teacher
Japhet holds a certificate in Computers, and a certificate in Teaching Methodology. He was a 4th year undergrad in a BSc in Production Management. He has previously taught computing at Chipata Trades Institute and worked for 4 years in office administration at Tribal Textiles. His interests include running, listening to music and playing and watching football (soccer).
Japhet’s Role
Japhet joined the Chipembele team in 2011. His main duties are to manage the accounts under the CEO’s oversight and to provide computer classes to Conservation Club members from Grades 6 to Grade 12 every afternoon of the school week and in the school holidays. The classes take students through the basics of computing using Word, Excel, Powerpoint and the Internet.
STANLEY MWANZA
Senior Community Conservation Educator
Stanley Mwanza, a native of the Luangwa Valley near South Luangwa National Park, discovered his passion for wildlife conservation in 2008 with Chipembele’s Conservation Club at Kawaza Primary School. Sponsored by Chipembele through high school, Stanley earned a scholarship to study Environmental Education at the Southern African Wildlife College in South Africa. He has experience as an assistant wildlife field biologist in Luiwe Plains National Park and has worked with Chipembele as a Community Conservation Educator since 2020 and in 2023 he was promoted to the position of a Senior Community Conservation Educator.
Stanley is particularly fascinated by the greater Kudu, appreciating their non-aggressive nature and sensitivity to their environment.
Suuba Muyamwa
Youth Leadership Coordinator
Suuba Muyamwa brings over 11 years of expertise in environmental and sciences education, youth mentorship, and leadership to her role as Youth Leadership Coordinator at Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust. With qualifications including a Certificate in Teaching Methodology, a BA in Environmental Education, and an MA in Educational Administration and Leadership, she has been pivotal since August 2023 in managing the Aspiring Conservation Leaders Program.
Suuba’s passion for the environment stems from her upbringing. “My father’s passion for gardening and my mother’s love for flowers deeply influenced me,” she shared
Haidee kinter
Social Media and Communications Specialist
Haidee Kinter joined Chipembele in 2023 after initially volunteering with the organization to support fundraising events in Australia. With over 20 years of experience in conservation, her background includes work on rhino conservation programs, conservation education, and the recovery and reintroduction of Australian native fauna.
As the Social Media and Communications Specialist at Chipembele, Haidee is dedicated to using her expertise to connect people with nature and inspire meaningful action for conservation.
Besnart Manda
Social Media Intern
Besnart Manda studied Journalism and Public Relations at Evelyn Hone College, where she earned a Diploma in Information and Media Studies. In 2024, she joined the Chipembele team as a Social Media Intern. Her role primarily involves creating compelling content for our social media platforms, as well as photography and video editing.
Previously, Besnart worked as a Communications Personnel at Conservation South Luangwa, focusing extensively on communication strategies.
Besnart has a profound fascination with giraffes. She finds their height, colour, and gentleness particularly captivating.
Anna Tolan
Founding Director
Anna’s experience in co-founding and leading Chipembele for the first 25 years has provided her with a wide range of skills and connections that continue to support her ongoing involvement in ‘on-the-ground’ work. Anna manages the Conservation Education Centre, developing teaching materials and facilitating day-long sessions for students. In addition, Anna uses her experience to provide mentoring support for tertiary students and Aspiring Conservation Leaders. Anna is the editor of the quarterly Kalata for Kids magazine and she manages the Chipembele animal rehabilitation programme. Anna is a specialist advisor for animal rehabilitation with Game Rangers International.
THE CONSERVATION EDUCATORS
The Conservation Education programme increased from 6 to 17 schools in 2016, then dramatically increased again to now reach 45 different schools. The Educators were recruited from the communities of eight geographic zones in the greater Mfuwe area.
The Conservation Educator’s Roles
The Conservation Educators teach conservation education to local community groups in the mornings and to children in each of the schools in their geographic zones 4 to 5 days a week. They travel everywhere on bicycles and carry their supplies and resources with them. There are five Conservation Educators. Every Friday the Conservation Educators report to the Chipembele Offices for training, lesson planning and report writing. They also assist in facilitating the Nature Nights programme, excursions and environmental campaigns.
Anderson Chulu
Anderson has been engaged as the Conservation Educator for Mnkhanya zone. Anderson brings to the team a wealth of practical conservation experience including several years as a lead conservation farmer teaching farming techniques to his community. Anderson also taught for 5 years at a local school. We look forward to utilising Anderson’s skills and experience to further teach the community and schoolchildren in his area about conservation.
Christine Chulu
Christine Chulu, born January 23, 2001, is a dedicated Community Conservation Educator in the Mfuwe Zone. She is responsible for managing educational programs and promoting conservation awareness within the community. Christine’s passion for conservation was ignited during the 2016 Big Five ZCP Cup at Nsefu, where she was inspired by Thandiwe Mweetwa’s commitment to the cause.
Her favorite animal, the Wild Dog, reflects her admiration for resilience and teamwork. Christine holds certifications in The Programme on African Protected Areas and Conservation (PAPACO), ACL, and G12, underscoring her commitment to wildlife conservation and community education.
Daniel Zulu
Daniel worked as an untrained voluntary teacher at two local schools in his area. He was a member of the Mnkhanya Community Resources Board and worked as a village scout for them as well. He has been with Chipembele since 2016 as a conservation educator and in his time he has seen big positive changes in his community in regards to how they interact with wildlife.
John Sakala
John worked as a volunteer untrained teacher for seven years at two local primary schools in his area and was involved in the Chongololo Clubs (junior conservation clubs). He was once the Natural Resource Chair for Nsefu Community Resources Board. He holds a certificate (level 2) in safari guiding.
PETER MWALE
Peter joined the team in late 2022 has been engaged as the Conservation Educator for Jumbe zone. Peter has vast experience in CBNRM (Community Based Natural Resources Management) and has served as the Vice Board Chairperson and Natural Resources Chairperson for Jumbe Community Resources Board (CRB). He has also worked with COMACO (Common Markets for Conservation) as a Lead Farmer. He has been attached to Zambia Statistics as an Enumerator and has participated in the 2010 and 2022 Zambian census.
OTHER STAFF
Andrew Kamanga
Vehicle Supervisor and Logistics Officer
Yona Phiri
Driver/Mechanic
Moses Banda
Centre Staff
Songiso Mwale
Centre Staff
Dyman Banda
Centre Staff
Mike Ng’uni
Centre Staff
Keben Mbewe
Watchmen
Daniel Mwale
Watchmen
Naomi Sakala
Cleaner
The Founders
Anna & Steve Tolan
Chipembele was established by Anna and Steve Tolan, who emigrated from England to Zambia in 1998 to fulfil their dream of running a conservation education programme for Zambian youth. Back in 1998 when Steve and Anna first arrived in Mfuwe, they were fortunate enough to be given some land by the late Chief Kakumbi on which to build the Centre. They established a Zambian charitable trust and used all their personal savings to finance it. Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre opened in May 2001. From there the project grew to encompass a range of other conservation and community projects. An office extension and manager’s house were built in the grounds of the local secondary school in early 2010.
Steve and Anna Tolan were married in 1983 and lived in Oxford, England until they emigrated in 1998. Before moving to Zambia they were both Police Officers with the Thames Valley Police but in their private lives Africa was their passion. They went on African safaris, bought old African tribal artifacts, read African wildlife and travel books and watched and recorded every African wildlife video that appeared on the television. Steve retired from the Police in 1998 after 27 years service and Anna resigned at the same time after 17 years service. They then moved to Zambia to set up their lifetime dream of establishing a conservation education programme for local children in a wildlife-community conflict area.
Anna has a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the 1970s and is pleased to be at long last able to put her life long interest to good use. She has developed her interest in and love of animals by rearing orphaned wild animals that are brought to her from all over the area. She runs a Pupil Sponsorship Scheme for orphaned and otherwise vulnerable children who are unable to find the fees and uniform necessary to attend school or pursue tertiary education. She has also managed a large number of school improvement projects using donated funds. She is the founder and co-ordinator of the Luangwa Schools Project Forum.
Steve is is the Senior Honorary Wildlife Police Officer for the Mfuwe area. He is actively involved in anti-poaching and forest protection operations, working with both the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Conservation South Luangwa (CSL). Steve’s particular interest is researching fossils, old pottery, stone tools etc. in the area. He has made a number of important discoveries and has inspired and facilitated a number of international paleontological expeditions which the Zambia Heritage Department has participated in. They are Consular Wardens for the British High Commission.
The Luangwa Valley is their permanent home and all the projects they now run have become an integral part of their lives.