Dr. Stella Wanjala is a Kenyan conservation scientist, academic and gender equality advocate with over 25 years of experience in environmental conservation, aquatic ecology, natural resource management and community development. As Co-Founder and Director of Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC), she champions women’s leadership in conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Her work combines scientific research with community-led approaches that empower women and communities to protect natural resources and build resilience to climate change.

She is a Lecturer in Environmental Conservation in the Department of Biological Sciences at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), where she has served since 2012. She holds a Master of Philosophy in Aquatic Ecology and a Bachelor of Education Science, majoring in Biology, from Moi University, and is completing her PhD in Ecology. Her additional professional training includes postgraduate studies in limnology and certification in Environmental Impact Assessment. Her research focuses on wetland ecological integrity, biodiversity assessment and the use of aquatic organisms as indicators of ecosystem health, contributing to improved wetland management and sustainable water resource conservation.

At WWANC, Dr. Wanjala provides strategic leadership in advancing gender-responsive conservation, climate adaptation and community empowerment. She has contributed to initiatives supporting grassroots women and youth through environmental conservation, climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship, water and sanitation, and green livelihood programmes. Through partnerships with national and international organizations, she has helped advance forest restoration, wetland conservation, sustainable land management and community-based approaches that connect environmental protection with improved livelihoods.

Dr. Wanjala also serves as the Local Lead of the River Yala Water Fund, the world’s first women-led, community-based water fund. Implemented by WWANC in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Africa and the Nature for Water Facility, the initiative places women and local communities at the forefront of protecting water resources and restoring degraded landscapes across the Yala River Catchment. Its interventions include agroforestry, forest and riparian restoration, rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, tree nurseries and beekeeping. 

A committed gender specialist and climate action leader, Dr. Wanjala advocates for the meaningful participation of women in environmental governance, research and decision-making. Her work recognises women’s critical role in managing water, food systems and natural resources while addressing barriers to their leadership and economic empowerment. She integrates scientific evidence, community knowledge and inclusive approaches to promote sustainable solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss and water insecurity.

In 2025, Dr. Wanjala was selected as a Fellow of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), reflecting her commitment to advancing climate action, sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. She has also contributed to regional and international knowledge-sharing platforms on conservation, agroecology and community-centred development. Through her academic work, leadership at WWANC and contribution to the River Yala Water Fund, she continues to champion a future of healthy ecosystems, empowered women and resilient communities, demonstrating how science, community leadership and gender equality can work together to deliver lasting environmental change.