Meet the Mthimkulu Conservation Team

Meet the Team

Our program is delivered by a resident team of ecologists, researchers, guides, and specialists based at the Mthimkulu field station year-round.

Jason Kipling

Operations Manager

Jason brings over 15 years of experience in conservation, eco-tourism, and expedition management across Africa and the UK. He has played a central role in building and growing conservation and research volunteer programs, with particular expertise in operational leadership, team development, and institutional partnerships. Jason oversees program delivery at Mthimkulu and manages all coordination with reserve management.

Katie

Research Manager & Environmental Consultant

Katie is an ecologist and qualified safari guide with over a decade of experience in South African conservation. She holds degrees in Wildlife Conservation & Ecology, Environmental Survey Techniques, and a Master’s in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. Her work spans ecological research, biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, and camera trapping across the Greater Kruger region. She develops the research frameworks for the program and ensures all data collection meets scientific standards.

Max

Camp Manager & Relief Research Guide

Max is a Cape Town native whose early career was shaped by years leading river exploration expeditions and whitewater rafting operations, first as a guide and later in program development. This background in remote logistics and group facilitation transferred directly to bush camp management. At Mthimkulu, Max oversees day-to-day camp operations and provides additional research guide support across the program’s field activities.

Micaela Venter

Research Coordinator

Micaela brings a research-driven approach shaped by years of academic study and fieldwork. She studied at the University of Pretoria, completing a BSc in Zoology, a BSc in Zoology and Genetics, and an Honours and Master’s degree in Wildlife Management. Since then, she’s done extensive work on free roaming African wild dogs, including movement, demographics and diet, and presented at multiple scientific conferences.

Stacey Isham

Managing Director

Stacey Isham brings over a decade of experience in educational travel, conservation, and community development. Since joining African Impact in 2014 in an operations role, she has progressed through the business, gaining extensive experience across Southern Africa before stepping into the role of Managing Director. Her goal is to ensure every participant leaves with a deeper understanding of the world around them, while every program contributes positively to the people, wildlife, and places that make Africa so extraordinary.

Joe Pietersen

Reserve Manager

A former professional rugby player turned conservationist, Joe oversees Mthimkulu’s ecological strategy, wildlife management, and anti-poaching operations. He works directly with the African Impact research team to ensure that student-generated data is applied to ground-level management decisions.