Mary Rice, Executive Director
Mary has been with EIA since 1996, joining as a volunteer before holding positions including Head of Communications & Projects, Head of Development and Head of Campaigns. She has been Executive Director since 2008 and is responsible for directing the long-term strategic management of EIA as well as working on specific projects and leading the Elephant Campaign.
David Johnson, Director of Programmes
David joined EIA in March 2026 as Director of Programmes. Prior to joining EIA, he was Chief Executive of the Margaret Pyke Trust, where he led the development of programmes linking environmental conservation, human health and sustainable livelihoods. A qualified solicitor, David practised law in the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and South Africa. While living in South Africa, he also worked with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and qualified as a Field Guide. David is a member of three IUCN commissions and has previously served on the Executive Committee of the IUCN National Committee UK and as a Trustee of the Western Sussex Rivers Trust.
Cheryl Tissot, Director of Operations
Cheryl joined EIA in January 2024. She is an experienced charity leader with a personal mission to inspire and drive operational excellence through visionary strategic leadership and collaboration. For over a decade Cheryl has held various senior roles in the charity sector including Director of Strategy & Development, Director of Commercial Planning & Operations and Chief Operating Officer. She went on to become Chief Executive at leading national volunteering charity Pets As Therapy. Most recently Cheryl held the position of Chief Executive at the children’s charity Rays of Sunshine. Prior to joining the charity sector, Cheryl worked in business operations management within many global corporations such as Microsoft, Invesco Asset Management and Gilead Sciences.
Emma Sheard, Head of Fundraising
Emma moved to the charity sector in 2007 and since then has held a number of fundraising roles within Individual Giving, legacy and trust fundraising. She joined EIA UK in 2022 as Head of Fundraising and a member of the Senior Management Team. Prior to this, she held the position of Head of Individual Fundraising at Isabel Hospice and has also worked at the RSPB, Children with Cancer UK, NSPCC and The Children’s Society. Emma is a member of the Institute of Fundraising.
Jean Nelson, Head of Finance
Jean has been responsible for the finance function at the Environmental Investigation Agency UK for the last 10 years. She has a passion for charity financial management and got her start by volunteering in the sector after leaving university with a BTEC HND in Business and Finance and a degree in Combined Studies (Accounting). Jean is a Fellow member of the Association of Certified Accountants who now has more than 20 years in the Not-for-Profit and Charity sector.