Zola brings over two decades of conservation leadership in PNG. Her last assignment was the Program Manager for Papua New Guinea’s Biodiversity and Climate Fund (PNG – BCF) where she played a key role in the design and establishment of a first-of-its-kind Conservation Trust Fund for the country to support sustainable financing of protected areas and climate change adaptation in PNG. She was also instrumental in developing the Fund’s grant program and fundraising strategies. In 2021, Zola played a significant role in organising and facilitating the first ever National Protected Areas Forum in the country bringing together conservation practitioners and protected area managers from CSOs, all levels of government, communities and private sector to share lessons, experiences and network.

Prior to the BCF, Zola worked for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – Pacific Program where she supported the establishment of protected areas in East Sepik, Madang, Southern Highlands and Western Provinces and advocated for sustainable forest management practices in the country. She also played a significant role in managing grants under the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for PNG in the East Melanesian Islands Biodiversity Hotspot. Zola holds a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. In her free time, Zola loves hiking, nature photography and volunteering for sports as a catalyst to foster youth development in Papua New Guinea.