About us

Gail Whiteman is the Hoffmann Impact Professor for Accelerating Action on Nature & Climate at the University of Exeter Business School. A social science expert, she focuses on how decision-makers interpret and respond to systemic global risks, including those posed by climate change and environmental threats. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Earth Decides community and the Professor-in-Residence of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. An award-winning science communicator, she is founder/co-founder of Arctic Basecamp and Climate Basecamp.

Rachel brings over 25 years experience as a Senior Executive Assistant and Programme Coordinator in the fields of Science, Weather and Climate having spent many years working with Senior Executives at the Met Office and more recently Project Managing the Exeter Climate Forum in the areas of Business, Policy and Research. Prior to this, Rachel had supported many Senior Executives within Music and Television working with organisations such as MTV, Channel 4, Carlton Television, Global Radio and Warner Bros Film.

Josh Ayers brings nearly 20 years of international experience as a climate professional rooted in systems thinking and nature-positive approaches. He has directed large programmes at the intersection of environmental, economic, and social development. Josh’s experience with interdisciplinary research and multidisciplinary partnerships facilitates innovative, sustainable solutions.

Cora has a background in chemistry and environmental science and policy. She has spent almost four years working with the Swedish start-up Volta Greentech, tackling climate change by reducing methane emissions from cows. As part of a small, driven team, she’s managed a factory, spoken at international events, secured funding, and worked closely with European policymakers.

Marcos holds BSc (2013), MSc (2016), and PhD in Computer Science (2024) focused on AI and meteorological data, applying Machine Learning to digital agriculture and agrometeorology. In addition to a 10-year career as an IT analyst, he has experience in innovation, entrepreneurship and startups, with his main interest being data science applied to climate change.

Edward has 20+ years of international experience as an environmental scientist, chemical engineer & R&D director across the steel, foods & chemical sectors. He is anchored in environmental life cycle management with a passion for scaling nature & climate innovation across multiple markets. He has directed large programmes at the intersection of long & short-term innovation, risk management and environmental impact. Edward brings experience with industry & academic partnerships together with collaboration with regulatory & policy makers focused on nature & climate impact.

Michelle is a strategic communications specialist with a decade of experience shaping public interest campaigns across the Caribbean. With a background in writing and creative production, she specialises in navigating stakeholder engagement, digital strategy and narrative development. Michelle has worked with government bodies and enterprise organisations to lead multi-platform campaigns on digital inclusion, disaster preparedness, economic development and more, working to make complex reforms clear, compelling, and actionable.

Stephanie is a Research Assistant to Professor Gail Whiteman with a background in neuroscience and academic research, specialising in cognition, affect, and brain plasticity. She holds a First Class MSci in Neuroscience and brings integrated research experience spanning clinical trials, neuroimaging, psychophysiology, and environmental psychology. Within the team, Stephanie supports Hope Through Nature projects by synthesising academic research across neuroscience, psychology, and ecology, and translating complex evidence into accessible narratives for public engagement, partnerships, and cultural collaborations. Stephanie is particularly interested in bridging academic research and real-world impact, ensuring that scientific insight meaningfully informs action.

Jess is a Communications Assistant with experience in the protected landscapes and conservation sector, having previously interned with South Devon National Landscape. She holds a first-class BA in Geography from the University of Exeter, where her dissertation examined the role of digital technology in shaping UK marine activism. Jess is committed to environmental and social justice, having undertaken sustainability internships with the University and created a food poverty reduction campaign as part of the ‘Grand Challenges’ extracurricular programme, which received first place in its category.

Mai is an English student at the University of Exeter with valuable experience in digital marketing and communications. Her creativity, resilience, and strong attention to detail enable her to thrive in the fast-paced world of social media marketing. Passionate about storytelling and audience engagement, Mai enjoys crafting compelling content that connects with people and drives meaningful impact across diverse digital platforms.