Born and raised in South India, I completed my early studies with an undergraduate engineering degree in Biotechnology in Mysore. My first masters degree in Molecular Biotechnology with the University of Sydney kick started my career in the pharmaceutical industry in India, honing my scientific temper and building my confidence of working directly with international partners. Personal experiences in this industry pushed me to seek something more purposeful, leading me to a human rights charity; critical years of churning and unlearning that kindled my interest in drivers of social vulnerability. This role enabled me to work directly with programmatic staff and funding partners, developing effective funding proposals and project delivery reports. An opportunity to engage directly with stakeholders and work with wildlife steered me to an urban-wildlife rehabilitation centre in Bengaluru, India. Having rescued and rehabilitated over 3000 animals a year, and wearing the many hats that come with working in a small team of 10, enriched my knowledge and skills in wildlife-rescues, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, animal care, community engagement and awareness. Working closely with urban wildlife also guided my journey into the conservation sector, starting with my second masters’ degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Management with the University of Oxford, and my current job at Earthwatch Europe, engaging over 600+ volunteers, and promoting nature stewardship and citizen science across 200+ Tiny Forest sites all around the UK.