meet jennifer

I'm Jennifer Croes, a Conservation Scientist, Communicator, Collaborator, Public Speaker, Adventurer and Eco-tourism host currently based in Dubai, UAE.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in Melbourne, Australia, I’ve lived, worked, and studied in various countries across the world.

My passion lies in inspiring people from all backgrounds and cultures to join me in creating a sustainable future for everyone.

I combine 25 years of experience blending my extensive business strategy and management skills with conservation science to consult and work with various organizations. I want the audience to understand my story, my journey, that persistence pays off, and dreams are possible and that we can all be the change.

I've always been drawn to wildlife, biodiversity, and our connection with nature. Since 2012, I've been committed to combating illegal wildlife trade and raising awareness about the delicate balance between humans and the natural world. It's a cause I’m particularly interested in, and I continue to use this driving force to help others find their own purpose and connection to the world around them. 

keep going – keep growing

Over the years, I've honed my skills in advocacy, stakeholder management, and political engagement.

These focuses have allowed me to engage with diverse audiences, including speaking at conferences and producing captivating wildlife and ecotourism documentaries. 

Overcoming significant challenges, including a battle with cancer, taught me a lot about resilience and the role that nature and food plays in recovery and living well.

Taking a leap of faith in 2005, I left my position as a management consultant at Accenture, blending my experience in business strategy and management to successfully transition into the world of conservation science. Venturing to the Amazon Basin, I dedicated myself to rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife, which ignited my passion for conservation.

I have a Master of Science, (MSc) in Conservation Science from Imperial College, London and a double degree, Bachelor of Arts and Commerce. These academic pursuits, combined with hands-on experience, have equipped me with a solid foundation to be able to tackle complex conservation challenges and building a vast conservation portfolio.

"In the end we will conserve only what we love, and we will love only what we understand."

Baba Dioum, African ecologist

My Journey

I'm eager to continue connecting with clients who are interested in making a positive impact in conservation, sustainability, or ESG. With my extensive experience and expertise, I can offer valuable insights and help drive meaningful change within organizations. My transferable skills from strategy, communications, leadership and project management extend from corporate to conservation.


If you share my passion for the power of nature, preserving our environment, or finding your own purpose, I'd love to connect with you. Together, we can make a lasting impact and pave the way for our connection with the world around us.

connect with me:

  • 2005

    Left the corporate sector (Accenture) & moved to Amazon to volunteer, rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. A nomad, adventurer, and animal crusader, she took a leap of faith in 2005 to follow her passion for conservation and had an epiphany working in the Amazon Basin in Bolivia, rehabilitating wildlife, rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and pet markets.

  • 2007

    Borneo Rehab Centre -Project manager at an Orangutan rehabilitation center in Borneo

  • 2007-2008

    AusAid volunteer project in Bali, Indonesia working on a species recovery project.

  • 2008

    Worked with the Institute for Sustainable Futures to lead the largest citizen- consultation process for the United Nations COP 15 to combat climate change

  • 2009

    WWF Earth Hour. Project manager for Earth Hour Australia and key in taking it globally.

  • 2010

    Developed the new slogan, Earth Hour, Every Hour to highlight a need to reduce our environmental footprint, not just for one hour a year, but as a long term behavioural change.

  • 2011

    Panda Ambassador China. Selected as one of twelve Panda Ambassadors from around the world (“Pambassador”) to learn about panda behaviour, breeding and conservation at the Chengdu Panda Research Base in Chengdu in the Sichuan province. The campaign was supported by WWF-China as the technical advisor to raise the awareness of panda conservation in China.

  • 2012

    Masters in Conservation Science – Imperial College, London;
Thesis on Illegal Wildlife Trade “Closing Shop".

  • 2013

    Mountain Bike Tours; Owner of Eco Tourism business in Byron Bay, Australia, blending adventure with conservation.

  • 2013-2015

    Director of Conservation – Rainforest Rescue;
    Campaign Manager – Save the Cassowary Campaign

  • 2017

    Anti-poaching Unit in Sumatra, Indonesia. In 2017, she was the first female granted access in Indonesia, to accompany rangers, and set up an anti-poaching unit patrol team in Sumatra, Indonesia.

  • 2018

    Moved to UAE Emirates Nature WWF. Relocating to the United Arab Emirates in 2018 to work at Emirates Nature-WWF, she developed and implemented the innovative Conservation Education and Leadership programme, ‘Connect with Nature’, in collaboration with the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi (EAD), to inspire and motivate youth to be part of the solution for long term, sustainable change.

  • 2021

    Cancer diagnoses. In 2021, with a sudden diagnosis of breast cancer, she was instrumental in creating an awareness and support group to support other women and has been vocal in bringing attention to this disease and speaks of the role Nature and Food plays in recovery and living well. Leveraging of her own experience and journey, resulted in creating and leading a new campaign, Food for Life, highlighting the need to transition to healthy diets from sustainable food systems, focusing on personal health and planetary wellbeing.

  • 2022

    Launched the Food for Life campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), Ministry of Health & Prevention, (MoHAP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The aim was to create mass mobilization and support the UAE’s vision towards building a healthy society and sustainable ecosystems towards a green (and blue) recovery, in a post Covid-19 world. The campaign was launched on 23rd February 2022, at the Food for Future Summit at Dubai Expo 2020.

    United for Wildlife launch of the MENA Chapter. Launched the United for Wildlife Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Chapter, an initiative of HRH Prince William and the Royal Foundation, to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in the region.

    UK Government Serious Organized Crime Network (SocNet). Launched the Financial Flows Toolkit, a collaboration between UK Government, WWF, and TRAFFIC, supporting the finance industry in taking action on illicit financial flows related to wildlife trafficking.

  • 2023

    Antartica on February 2023.

    Appointed to the Board of the Interpol Wildlife Crime Working Group as advisor and conduit between law enforcement authorities and civil society.

    Working with government entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on tackling wildlife crime.Conducted two stakeholder workshops in Riyadh.

  • 2024

    Launched jennifercroes.com

    Hosting a trip to the Great White Continent, Antarctica at Christmas and New Year.

"On a personal level, Jenn has exhibited remarkable strength and unwavering perseverance in the face of daunting health challenges which has been nothing short of inspirational. Her resilience, coupled with an optimistic spirit, fuels not only her personal journey but also radiates hope and determination to others."

Erryn Stephens, Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager at Wildlife Conservation International

Are you interested to join me on a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica in December 2024?