James is the CEO of Rainforest Trust. A strategic leader in global conservation with a passion for saving wildlife and wildlands, James has a talent for translating cutting-edge science into field projects with maximum conservation impact.

Previously serving as the Director of Wildlife and Biodiversity at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation he oversaw the Great Elephant Census, worked with International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Convention on Trade in Endangered Species to close ivory markets and save sharks. He also launched programs to support the Convention on Biological Diversity to dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and to save coral reefs.

James was the Africa Director and then Vice President for Conservation Strategy at the Wildlife Conservation Society where he helped design and implement the Congo Basin Forest Partnership and launched new programs in Nigeria, Mozambique, and South Sudan. James helped launch the Tropical Biology Association, taught secondary school in Kenya, and was founding chair of the boards of Aidspan and Community Markets for Conservation. For six years James was also CEO of the UK’s national fundraiser for HIV/AIDS, Crusaid, helping make life-saving treatments available in the UK and Africa. James was educated at Harvard (A.B. Philosophy) and Cambridge (M.Phil. Biological Anthropology and Ph.D. Zoology.)