International Women's Day 2025
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible women working across Durrell to save species from extinction.
Dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide, this day is marked by millions of people to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and call gender equality to action.
Hear from several of our inspirational staff members based around the world as they share glimpses into their achievements and careers:
Martine Goder
Head of Durrell Conservation Training Mauritius
What is your role at Durrell?
I joined Durrell in 2023. I am the Head of Training at Durrell Conservation Training Mauritius, where we design and deliver training programs and internships for local and regional conservation practitioners. Our goal is to enhance their skills and knowledge, ultimately strengthening the effectiveness and impact of conservation efforts.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
Receiving the Chevening Scholarship and being accepted at the University of Cambridge for my Master's degree.
Have you overcome any obstacles in your career?
I’ve dedicated my career to conservation, focusing on recovering endangered species and restoring ecosystems, which has been incredibly fulfilling. However, conservation can be a quite challenging field, especially when working for a small under-resourced NGO in a developing country, where I was often required to wear many hats and be a "jack of all trades" while striving to excel in each task. Balancing multiple responsibilities and constantly dealing with urgent issues can be exhausting and, at times, demoralising. However, staying focused on the mission and the bigger picture — the positive impact my work is making — helped me persevere through those tough moments.
What advice would you give to women looking to get into a similar career?
To succeed in this field, you need a genuine passion for protecting the natural world. For many of us, it’s not just a career; it’s a life purpose, and this sense of purpose helps us persevere through the challenges we face. Always look for opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others working in the same field, both locally and internationally. These connections can provide new perspectives and open doors to exciting opportunities.
Are there any women role models who inspire you and why?
Primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey. I first learned about her through the movie ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. I admire her exceptional passion, courage, and steadfast commitment to protecting mountain gorillas in the harsh and perilous environment of the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda. Her resilience and unwavering dedication to conserving this highly threatened and persecuted species is truly inspiring. Additionally, we share a connection, as both of us were former students of Darwin College at the University of Cambridge.
Kate Mackay
Trust and Grants Fundraiser
What is your role at Durrell?
I am Durrell’s Trusts and Foundations Manager. I raise funds from trusts and foundations by building internal and external relationships with donors and communicating Durrell’s impact and potential.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
I’ve loved to produce engaging and effective communications, such as websites, annual reviews, campaigns and impact reports. Some years ago, I won a prize from the National Writers Centre for unpublished novelists, although I’m still working on being published!
Have you overcome any obstacles in your career?
After taking time out of full-time work to look after my children when they were small, I had to move sideways from managing communications, to fundraising. But I’ve sought out the more creative aspects of fundraising, and in recent years I’ve found my way back to working in conservation, my first passion.
What advice would you give to women looking to get into a similar career?
You can most effectively talk to supporters when you are truly passionate about the organisation for which you are fundraising, so choose a subject that matters to you. Listen to podcasts and join forums for fresh ideas, and don’t be afraid to ask advice; the fundraising world is incredibly supportive.
Are there any women role models who inspire you and why?
When I was just 15, a young local woman led a huge uprising against the building of a local bypass. I joined the protests, and that experience compelled me to study biodiversity. Dame Jane Goodall is also an important role model, for her vision and her bravery to use her voice and platform.
Marguerite Rasoaniriana
Socio-Organiser for Baly Bay, Madagascar
What is your role at Durrell?
My role is socio-organizer of the EAST sector of Baly Bay.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
Creating and tracking Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA)* groups makes me proud. *Poor environmental governance, declining agricultural productivity, and an increase in extreme weather make Madagascar’s rural communities especially vulnerable to financial shocks. For these communities, access to financial support is often geographically or financially out of reach. Financial insecurity drives damaging environmental behaviours like marsh destruction or charcoal making as people seek to make money quickly. VSLA groups meet regularly to save money together and take small loans from those savings. Providing access to community finance schemes has increased financial security and independence, strengthened food security, and increased participation in conservation and natural resource governance.
Have you overcome any obstacles in your career?
Motorbike travel to the villages during the rainy period is a physical obstacle that I come across from January to April. During this period the surface water rises, and the road can become very bad and difficult to travel on. It requires a lot of courage!
What advice would you give to women looking to get into a similar career?
Most socio-organisers work in the bush, which can be difficult to travel in, have a high rate of illiteracy in the communities, and come with insecurity. My advice would be to have courage, strengthen your knowledge, be sociable, put oneself in the place of the community you’re visiting, always have a solution in the face of obstacles, have transparency and equality, and always set oneself objectives.
Are there any women role models who inspire you and why?
Hanitra Rakotojaona, Durrell’s Head of Community Conservation, is a good leader. The team have benefited from the useful training she provides and now know how to solve problems between the team, are serious about achieving objectives, are understanding and listen, and have the courage to follow up activities during the rainy period.
Rose Murdoch
Bird Keeper, Jersey Zoo
What is your role at Durrell?
I am a Grade 1 Bird Keeper in the Wetland Section at Jersey Zoo.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
I have been a keeper for 8 months to date but, so far, my biggest achievement has been supporting the move of the free-roaming red breasted geese from the lawn to the valley. Building up trust with them so that they would follow me into the catch-up area felt very special.
Have you overcome any obstacles in your career?
Obstacles so far in my career have been learning to become more confident in my ability to present opinions and provide valuable input in discussions.
What advice would you give to women looking to get into a similar career?
My advice for other women is to be proud of every step along the way and remember that you deserve to use your voice and be a part of the conversation, no matter how early you are in your career journey.
Are there any women role models who inspire you and why?
My team inspires me every day! Working with other strong and passionate women is such a joy, and I look forward to continuing to learn from them.