Gwen is a Dutch legal counsel with a passion for wildlife, conservation and international cooperation. With a law degree and 30 years of experience, she has covered several legal areas in local government. Having travelled extensively throughout Africa in several roles, she has witnessed the challenges surrounding human-wildlife conflict, wildlife crime and the balance between conservation and local livelihoods firsthand. With this unique combination she hopes to support the development of effective policies and help strengthen the bridge between Africa and Europe in advancing animal welfare and wildlife protection.