Wildlife crime and illegal trafficking are among the most urgent yet under-addressed threats to global biodiversity.

Poaching, smuggling, and illicit trade networks are driving countless species toward extinction, disrupting ecosystems, and fuelling organized crime.

Despite the severe consequences, wildlife criminals often operate with near impunity - prosecution rates remain alarmingly low due to lack of specialized training, resources, and coordinated enforcement.

Without targeted intervention, we risk losing irreplaceable species and further destabilizing vulnerable natural environments.

Unregulated wildlife trade not only endangers animals but also poses serious risks to human health. Many zoonotic diseases - including SARS, Ebola, and potentially COVID-19 - have been linked to wildlife trafficking, where unsanitary conditions and lack of oversight enable pathogens to jump from animals to humans.

This creates a global public health threat with devastating social and economic consequences.

To address this, there is an urgent need to train wildlife professionals, law enforcement officers, and border security personnel in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wildlife crimes. Equipping them with the skills to process wildlife crime scenes and understand forensic evidence is essential to disrupting trafficking networks and protecting both biodiversity and human health.

MEET THE TEAM

  • | BOARD CHAIR

    For over a decade, Holly Hughes served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, Atlanta, where she prosecuted some of the nation's most high-profile cases - including involvement in the Ray Lewis murder trial. Known as a "triple threat," she specialized in homicide, hate crimes, and major felony prosecutions.

    Before establishing her reputation as a formidable prosecutor, Hughes practiced law in the areas of Civil Rights and Discrimination. She gained national recognition through her role as host and frequent guest on CNN’s Nancy Grace Show, and has also appeared as a legal expert on Swift Justice with Nancy Grace, Court TV, In Session on TruTV, and CNN HLN’s Prime News.

    A recognized authority in high-profile litigation and criminal procedure, Hughes is an expert with Georgia’s Cold Case Research Institute and a regular guest speaker at academic institutions and conferences. She has been featured in Madison Avenue’s Who’s Who of Young Professionals. Following her tenure at the DA’s Office, she transitioned into private practice in Atlanta, focusing on criminal defence and civil litigation.

  • | TREASURER

    Jessy currently serves on the State and Superior (Family Division) Courts of Fulton County, Georgia. With nearly two decades of judicial experience—including 17 years on the Fulton Magistrate and Administrative Law Courts—she is notably the first Indian female judge of South Asian descent appointed to the Georgia judiciary.

    Since 2007, Judge Lall has presided over a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including personal injury, malpractice, landlord/tenant, construction disputes, divorce, custody, and family violence cases. She has also handled felony and misdemeanor cases, suppression hearings, bond hearings, and issued thousands of arrest and search warrants. In addition to her courtroom duties, she trains new judges and mentors incoming magistrates.

    Before her judicial career, Jessy was a civil trial attorney on both the plaintiff and defense sides, handling litigation in areas such as personal injury, malpractice, real estate, and corporate matters. She later ran her own solo practice covering traffic, criminal, domestic, and real estate cases.

    Outside the courtroom, she serves as a mediator and arbitrator with BAY Mediation and is a consultant with the RMN Agency, a legal recruiting firm. Jessy has held leadership roles on the Georgia Council of Magistrate Court Judges, the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA), and served as President of the North Fulton Bar Association. She is also active in the Stonewall and South Asian Bar Associations and frequently participates as a speaker and mock trial judge.

    Judge Lall earned her J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law in 1994 and holds a B.S. and M.B.A. from Wright State University in Ohio. Known for her balanced, respectful, and solution-oriented approach, she brings extensive judicial and litigation experience to every role she takes on.

  • | BOARD CHAIR

    With over 35 years in the Criminal Justice Chain, Andro’s decision to build the Wildlife Forensic Academy came after his visit to the Southern African Wildlife College.

    After hearing about the extent of wildlife crime, Andro visited a horrific crime scene. Since there were no witnesses, the poachers were going to get away with it. He then noticed there were forensic traces all over the scene, similar to those found on human crime scenes. No one else seemed aware of this.

    It was then he decided to build the Wildlife Forensic Academy as a way to educate people on how to solve and prevent wildlife crime.

  • | CEO

    Dr. Greg Simpson qualified as a veterinarian in South Africa, working in the United Kingdom, Central Asia and Africa. After receiving a Masters Public Health in Developing Countries, as well as a Masters in Wildlife Management, he began developing a unique training clinic for veterinary students in a resource limited community outside the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

    The clinic treated all wildlife in neighbouring reserves and not only made a difference to the local community through clinical service provision, but also school learner’s education and research. This research led to a Ph.D. on brucellosis in domestic animals, wildlife and humans.

  • | SECRETARY

    Landi holds a Master’s degree in Fynbos restoration and pollination biology - focused on preserving South Africa’s endemic and threatened vegetation. With a career in Nature Conservation, she brings hands-on experience as a nature reserve manager and as a lecturer and facilitator of nature-based programs. Before establishing herself in South Africa, Landi also worked in five-star passenger cruise ship facilities, honing her hospitality skills in diverse, high-pressure environments.

    Her strong interest in environmental education, conservation and connecting with people, led her to the Wildlife Forensic Academy. With a penchant for detail, Landi plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation Wildlife Forensic Academy, South Africa

  • | BOARD CHAIR

    Dr. Andrea Allen is a professor of criminal justice at Clayton State University who combines expertise in policing research and forensic science. With a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, her early work on policing has been published in leading journals and continues to influence law enforcement policy and practice. She now focuses on forensic science as a researcher and educator, with recent publications like the Forensic Science Anthology and How to Investigate a Crime Scene demonstrating her commitment to evidence-based methods. Dr. Allen teaches various forensic courses and holds multiple professional certifications, which inform her practical teaching style and bridge theory with practice. Dedicated to open-access education, she provides free resources and mentors students, preparing them for careers in policing and forensic science. Additionally, as Co-Lead of the Laker Wildlife Initiative, she addresses the growing challenges of wildlife crime and environmental threats by fostering interdisciplinary training and research that empowers individuals and communities to make meaningful impacts in conservation, law enforcement, and environmental stewardship locally and globally.

  • | BOARD CHAIR

    Renee earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University and has been a practicing attorney since 1980. She is admitted to the State Bars of Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas.

    Growing up in Louisiana, Renee developed a strong connection to nature through summers spent on the bayous, swamps, and Gulf Coast. Hunting and fishing were a way of life, always guided by a deep respect for conservation to ensure future generations could enjoy the same traditions.

    She has been a long-time supporter of wildlife and conservation efforts, particularly through her involvement with the Boone and Crockett Club—America’s oldest conservation organization, known for its role in shaping landmark legislation and protecting national parks and wildlife habitats. Renee has also supported a wide range of other conservation-focused groups, including organizations dedicated to the preservation of waterfowl, game birds, big game species, and coastal ecosystems.

    Her lifelong commitment reflects a passion for ethical hunting, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of North America’s natural heritage.