Damien Mander

Damien, an Australian former special operations sniper and combat veteran, is the Executive Director of Abundant Village. He brings more than twenty-five years of experience in global philanthropy, operations and community-driven initiatives. Over the past sixteen years he has lived and worked across Africa, helping to raise US$60M+ to support wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and social-impact programs.

Damien imagined and built the 900 strong army of Akashinga into one of the most recognized and pioneering conservation models in the world, championing women's leadership and community stewardship of nature. Guided by an unwavering love for all animals, on land and in the sea, his work bridges human empowerment with environmental resilience. Now helping to lead Abundant Village, Damien is taking the lessons learned in Africa to a global scale, advancing a lifelong commitment to building a better world for animals, nature, and the people who live alongside these extraordinary ecosystems.