Meet Our Team
Executive Director
Christine Lippai
Born in the United Kingdom, Christine has spent her professional life living and working overseas. A zoologist by profession she began her career in Australia and has lived and worked extensively in Africa, including in Madagascar, the Seychelles, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, where she has a home. She is interested professionally in the interface between conservation and community livelihoods and has worked over her career to support the development of conservation-enabling natural resource supply chains that seek to create income generating activities built upon conservation.
Whilst living in Madagascar, Christine ran an NGO working with forest communities to produce essential oils that provided the triple bottom line of conservation of forest landscapes, building economic incentives through a solid link between the local communities and the private sector, and improving local livelihoods. She has also worked with and provided advice on sustainable sourcing for the luxury fashion industry.
Given her extensive experience in Conservation & Sustainable Development, Christine is looking to expand and bolster WFEN’s impact on biodiversity conservation through enterprise development.
Fun Fact: Christine spent 9 months sailing across the Indian Ocean, from Darwin to Durban, passing through Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Seychelles (including Aldabra Atoll).
Christine can be reached via: christine@wildlifefriendly.org
Project Coordinator
Violette Toffier
Eager to bridge the gap between sustainability theory and practice in the textile industry, Violette joined WFEN in 2024. After completing her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences at University College London, where she developed a strong foundation in circularity, eco-friendly design, and sustainability regulation, Violette’s passion for actionable change led her to WFEN.
Initially joining as a summer intern, she was soon promoted to Project Inception Coordinator for WFEN’s India Cotton Project, supported by the Regenerative Fund for Nature. Her on-the-ground experience in India, collaborating with the Chhindwara Organic Farmers Enterprise (COFE), deepened her understanding of sustainable supply chains and their role in biodiversity conservation. Witnessing firsthand the incredible efforts of farmers adopting Wildlife Friendly™ and regenerative practices, she saw how these initiatives directly protect wildlife habitats while supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
Now a full-time Project Coordinator for textile-related projects, Violette works to advance WFEN’s mission of safeguarding wildlife through responsible sourcing practices. She focuses on connecting pioneering sustainable raw material producers with conscious brands to promote Wildlife Friendly™ production processes that mitigate environmental challenges, enhance biodiversity, and foster coexistence between humans and nature.
Through her role, Violette remains dedicated to aligning sustainability goals with tangible action, showcasing how textile supply chains can support thriving ecosystems and build a healthier future for both wildlife and communities.
Violette can be contacted at violette@wildlifefriendly.org
Gorilla Friendly Program Coordinator
Sheillah Munsabe
Sheillah Munsabe completed a Master’s in Environmental Sustainability from O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Bloomington, and holds a Bachelor’s in International Business and Trade from the African Leadership University (ALU), where she was a Conservation Scholar at ALU’s School of Wildlife Conservation. Sheillah is passionate about merging environmental sustainability with business needs to create innovative solutions that advance environmental management and conservation efforts, and foster sustainable development.
Sheillah is an environmental enthusiast with proven expertise in creating and implementing impactful community conservation projects, sustainable practices and research. She has worked with environmental organisations such as International Gorilla Conservation Program, Earthmind, Singita Luxury African Safari Lodges & Reserves, and Kibale Forests Schools’ Program. Her work in conservation has been recognised by The Matriarchs, ALU School of Wildlife Conservation, UN Millennium Fellowship, Stories of Africa and The Sustainability Challenge.
Sheillah’s ambition is to help build a world where society prioritizes the conservation of nature for future generations – a world where both people and nature can thrive. She is passionate about the beauty of nature and enjoys amateur photography.
Sheillah brings to WFEN her first-hand experience working with community enterprises and is ideally skilled to provide key inputs to develop the Gorilla Friendly Program, including building out the Park Edge Community Products certification.
Sheillah can be contacted at sheillah@wildlifefriendly.org