We caught up with 2008 Pratt Foundation Fellow, Jessica McKelson, who explored Indonesian Conservation Management Practices & the Australian Zoo Industry. We spoke to her about how the Fellowship and its learnings have impacted her in different ways; personally, professionally and on the Australian conservation sector.
What has been the most significant impact your Fellowship has had on your sector so far?
The most significant impact of my Fellowship has been bridging the gap between conservation and business leadership. Traditionally, conservation has been viewed as a science-driven field, but my experience highlighted the critical need for strategic business management, leadership, and economic understanding to drive meaningful, long-term sustainable outcomes and change.
Through the Fellowship, I gained first- hand exposure to innovative conservation models and operating mechanisms, which allowed me to bring fresh perspectives to the sector. This knowledge became instrumental in my work (and still is today), particularly in developing alternative livelihood initiatives that reinvest funds into conservation and community efforts— demonstrating how responsible business practices can directly support environmental sustainability.
Additionally, the Fellowship provided me with a powerful global network, enabling cross-sector collaboration between conservationists, policymakers, and business leaders. This connectivity was highlighted as imperative for broader industry shifts, emphasising the value of interdisciplinary approaches in conservation. The impact this has today is securing partnerships and collaborations with industry sectors is critical for long term conservation outcomes.
Looking ahead, I anticipate that the Fellowship’s impact will continue to unfold as more professionals recognise the importance of integrating leadership, business strategy, innovative technologies and community-driven solutions into conservation approaches. By applying these principles, we can build resilient conservation models that are both ecologically and economically sustainable, ensuring long-term adaptation and success for our planets natural resources.
What were the key learnings from your 2008 Fellowship experience?
The Fellowship provided me with invaluable opportunities for growth, starting with personal development. It gave me the confidence and maturity to take the next steps in my career. Traveling to remote and less-explored regions to meet some of the world’s leading conservationists was a thrilling experience that sharpened my skills in communication, critical questioning, and information gathering.
A pivotal moment came during my time in Cambodia, where a former Director of Conservation advised me to focus on business management, leadership, or economics. He emphasised the vital connection between these skills and how conservation science is lacking these more broadly—an insight that deeply resonated with me. This advice became a turning point in my career, steering me away from pursuing a PhD and instead towards leadership, strategic business development, and design—skills that transcend industries.
Finally, the Fellowship exposed me to strategic thinking and the complexities of navigating challenging environments. I gained a deep appreciation for how protected we are in Australia compared to the realities of working within diverse geopolitical landscapes and grassroots conservation efforts. Understanding these dynamics was essential in applying future-focused strategies for protecting our natural world—an opportunity that was not as readily available in Australia at the time.
This experience shaped my career and reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary leadership in conservation. The lessons learnt to build strategic connections, the art of networking and having strong mentors to guide you and strategic development continue to support me in designing impactful solutions for biodiversity outcomes for Australia.
How have you implemented your Fellowship learnings professionally?
As the General Manager of Conservation at Phillip Island Nature Parks, the insights gained through the Fellowship have been instrumental in shaping my approach to future-focused strategy and sustainable conservation leadership. Since joining the organisation 7 years ago, I am proud to lead the development and implementation of the 30 year Conservation Vision and 5 year conservation plan, along with subsequent plans in threatened species outcomes. The strategy and mindset to look at saleable solutions was one of the biggest learnings I have applied to the industry and my current role. Currently, I am spearheading the development of a second strategy that builds on these achievements, aiming to drive even stronger environmental, social, and economic impact.
A key learning from the Fellowship was the ability to scale solutions for long-term sustainability. This perspective influenced my work not only in conservation planning but also during my decade-long leadership for responsible tourism. The creation of the travel agency, Raw Wildlife Encounters, was inspired from the Fellowship and I was able to work on this whilst working full time. By integrating business and conservation development, I created a model where travel funds were reinvested into grassroots community and conservation initiatives, whilst providing boutique travel programs that provided unique encounters. This approach directly contributed over $6 million to alternative income generation programs, leaving a lasting legacy in North Sumatra, Indonesia, where tourism has become the primary source of income in three key local communities that have transformed from damaging biodiversity, to custodians protecting their backyard. Today, I have completed this chapter to focus on Australian natural resource management where my time and attention is a priority. A difficult decision, but a decision that has enabled the local community tourism to flourish beyond my support which is inspiring and a testimonial to the model that was initially implemented.
The Fellowship also provided me with the strategic mindset needed to navigate complex conservation challenges. Exposure to global conservation strategies allowed me to adopt an adaptive, solutions-driven approach in considering political, socio-economic, and ecological barriers to biodiversity protection. I have since applied these learnings in strategic design, ecotourism initiatives, sustainable business frameworks, and conservation funding mechanisms that are now being utilised by multiple organisations.
Ultimately, the Fellowship’s lessons in leadership, business strategy, and interdisciplinary thinking have not only shaped my career but have also influenced the way I approach natural resource management and conservation. These insights continue to guide my work in developing scalable, high-impact solutions that deliver long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Today, I remain actively engaged in conservation both within Australia and globally, consulting for international organisations and applying these learnings to advance nature conservation efforts. This Fellowship provided me with the courage to continue to think outside and challenge the norm and use a visionary leadership approach that motivates and inspires everyone to have a role in valuing our natural world.
Dive back into Jessica's report: Indonesian Conservation Management Practices & the Australian Zoo Industry.
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