Our Mission

The Global Conservation Corps is a non-profit organization bridging the gap between communities and wildlife.

Our Inspiration:
Martin’s Legacy

Martin (far right) was born in apartheid South Africa where he had no opportunities, no rights, and no future. He grew up in a rural part of the Underberg in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Martin’s father passed away when he was young, so as the oldest of his siblings, he needed to provide for his family. Martin became a soldier. He went and enlisted-it’s one of the few things a black male could do during that time. He joined the 111th Battalion, where he fought for a country that didn’t even recognize him as a complete citizen.

When Martin came out of the military, he took his skills and started training rangers. He got involved with the people on the ground, because he truly believed that the future of Africa’s wildlife belonged to the local people. He sensed that there had to be ownership and direct benefit for the people living in close proximity to wildlife.

In 2014, Martin tragically passed away. That was the impetus for starting the Global Conservation Corps. Our mission statement is conserving wildlife through the education, development, and training of people. Poaching is not a wildlife issue-it’s a human issue. It’s a symptom of a much bigger human condition that we find ourselves in.

Our Team

Matt Lindenberg
Matt LindenbergFounder / Executive Director
Ellie Milano
Ellie MilanoPresident, Board of Directors
Michele Sofisti
Michele SofistiBoard of Directors
Mbhoni Mzamani,
Mbhoni Mzamani,Community Liaison Officer
Kate Vannelli
Kate VannelliBoard of Directors
Justin Walker
Justin WalkerCOO / Board Treasurer
Robert Ludke
Robert LudkeAdvisor to the Board
Bea Asuncion
Bea AsuncionMarketing Associate
Karabo Ramuhashi
Karabo RamuhashiPodcast Sound Engineer
Michelle Morgridge,
Michelle Morgridge,VP - Board of Directors
Chandni Hirani,
Chandni Hirani,Board of Directors
Stephanie Welsh,
Stephanie Welsh,Board of Directors
Lefa Malapane
Lefa MalapaneFaciliator
Promise Mkhantshwa
Promise MkhantshwaFacilitator
Craig von Chamier
Craig von ChamierChief App Developer - Future Rangers
Stefan Murariu
Stefan MurariuHead of Product - Future Rangers
John Jurko
John JurkoCreative Director
Rebekah Wortman
Rebekah WortmanDigital Manager
Ernest Hlati
Ernest HlatiAdvisor to the Board
David Raper
David RaperAdvisor to the Board
Sophie Furley
Sophie FurleyChief Editor
Austin Dingledine
Austin Dingledine Experience Director: Wildlife Guardians

Support GCC

100% of your donation goes directly to conserving Africa’s iconic wildlife. Our operations are lean and covered completely by private donors. Give monthly, and you’ll become a part of “The Corps”, a passionate community invested in conserving our world through education.