James Ole Laizer has over 20 years of experience working in natural resources management in Africa, both terrestrial and marine and both public and private sectors. Beginning his working life in local government, James moved to socio-economic and ecological research, working with local people, governments, donors and investors in forested and savannah landscapes. He became head of communications and strategy for a private agribusiness, developing a number of community projects, then a tourist camp manager, before setting up Kilimanyika and co-leading a dynamic private consultancy business for many years. James then took on the responsibility of a senior position in the natural resources extractives sector, working for a significant gold mining investor and operator as the corporate social responsibility manager. This CSR role allowed for a significant support to local communities through the implementation of strategic management plans developed by the company with the community. After securing development financing support, James then became Managing Director of Sound and Fair Tanzania, an initiative focused on the trade of FSC®️ certified hardwoods from community managed, certified forests. He has subsequently returned to combining his time between managing Sound and Fair and engaging in specialist consultancy and advisory work through Kilimanyika Ltd. James was a founder member of Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative (MCDI), the NGO that oversees the establishment and management of certified forest reserves in Tanzania, and was a board member before setting up Sound and Fair. James' advisory work is wide ranging, covering all elements of project cycle management for donors and investors. James has substantial project and company design experience and successful financing, such as through UNDP and the GEF. He has carried out small- and large-scale evaluations of projects and programmes, such as for the EU and USAID.