Meet the Team
At the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT), our dedicated team is the driving force behind our mission to protect marine ecosystems and empower coastal communities. Comprising of passionate conservationists, scientists, educators and community leaders; with most members born and raised in Lamu, we work hand-in-hand with local communities to safeguard our marine environment, promote environmental education, and support sustainable livelihoods. Together, we’re committed to creating a lasting impact for both people and nature.
Elke Korschen
Program Director
Born and raised in Shella, Elke's upbringing has nurtured a deep connection with nature, community and the ocean. Her work focuses on building awareness about the underwater world through conservation, film making, art and education.
Atwaa Salim
Program Coordinator
A full-time conservationist and dedicated public servant, over his 25 years with LaMCoT, Atwaa has overseen its growth into a trusted, multifaceted conservation organization. With his background in Environmental Economics, he excels in community empowerment, policy development, and marine conservation.
Teresa Gulatoon
Program Manager
Our program manager combines academic expertise in Marine Resource Management and Aquaculture with a passion for conservation. Since 2022, she’s kicked off transformative programs, including fisheries, megafauna protection, and coral monitoring. She is driven by empowering communities and changing mindsets.
Simon Komu
Fisheries & Mangrove Conservation Lead
Formerly a Fisheries Expert for Lamu County, Komu’s expertise drives sustainable strategies, protecting fisheries, mangroves, and marine megafauna. He not only developed LaMCoT’s fisheries data monitoring system but is a skilled communicator with a gift for breaking down complex issues into easy-to-understand terms.
Mohamed Yusuf
Fisheries Coordinator & Marine Megafauna Lead
Born on Kiwayuu Island, Mohamed, has interacted with turtles since childhood. He combines his expertise in Marine Biology and a Master's in Marine Sciences with his local knowledge. Known for his meticulous planning, resource management, and wit, he coordinates impactful conservation efforts like the Kinyika JCMA Initiative.
Jackline Adhiambo
Fisheries Data Officer & Sustainable Livelihood Lead
A champion for coastal communities, Jackline brings a calm, orderly approach to marine conservation. From crunching data to empowering BMU members, her expertise and deep commitment to empowering coastal communities ensures sustainable fishing practices and thriving livelihoods.
Famau Shukry
Field Operations Manager,
Turtle & Waste Management Lead
Affectionately known as the "Turtle Guy," Famau has dedicated 22 years to marine conservation with LaMCoT. Born in Shella, he leads turtle programs, waste management, and community outreach. His greatest achievement,, is the remarkable transformation of former turtle poachers into dedicated conservationists.
Fatma Omar
Born and raised in Shella, Fatma was a pioneer of the LaMCoT Environmental Kindess Club in Bright Girls Secondary School. She was among the best performing students during her time there in 2013, While she is now the LaMCoT administrator, she provide guidance to the education program.
Program Administrator
Aisha Abdulbasit
Environmental Education Lead
Oversees the development of engaging educational resources, conducts exciting school visits and outreach programs, and analyzes data to measure the impact of our initiatives. Her assertiveness strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, enable her to work with diverse stakeholders, from teachers to community leaders, essential to the success of our education programs.
Husna Abdulrahman
Accounts Administrator
Since 2014 Husna's dedication to ensuring the highest standards of financial management has significantly contributed to the success of our organisation. Her commitment to transparency and accountability has been instrumental in maintaining the trust of our donors and partners.
Fondo Kalama
Environmental Educator
With a deep understanding of child psychology and physical education, Fondo plays a crucial role in delivering engaging and impactful educational programs. Providing students with valuable hands-on learning opportunities and empowering them to become active participants in environmental conservation.
Evelyn Kimori
PR & Communications Officer
With a knack for storytelling and a passion for connecting with people, Evelyn is the driving force behind LaMCoT's public image. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Chemistry and currently pursuing a Master's in Chemistry, she brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and creative flair to her role.
In The Field
Along with our operational management team, we would like to acknowledge the members of LaMCoT team out in the field; the turtle rangers, boat captains, data collectors, patrollers, beach and street cleaners. Without these dedicated members we wouldn't be able to do what we do!
Turtle Rangers
Nightly patrols Takwa and Shella Beach to monitor turtle nests, our 6 turtle rangers cover 20km of beach across 2 islands.
Boat Captains
Data Collectors
20 data collectors gather fisheries data daily from our 10 partner BMUs for the Kinyika JCMA Project.
Waste Managers
In partnership with SERG & LEF our team of cleaners collect 800kg per day along the 14km of Shella beach and the streets of Shella.