The EJF team

Steve has been a passionate defender of our natural world for the past three decades. His professional career began as an investigator and campaigner against the illegal wildlife trade, illegal logging, and the illicit trade in ozone-depleting chemicals. As the Campaigns Director for the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and now as CEO of EJF, Steve has led investigations documenting the corrupt, brutal and devastating practices that have damaged wildlife populations and natural ecosystems across Asia, Africa and South America.

Steve is also a Founding Director of WildAid, served as President and led the China and India programmes to reduce the illegal wildlife trade. Steve led many successful campaigns, and oversaw the creation of films and partnerships, using the strapline "When the buying stops, the killing can too".

Steve is a gifted strategist and orator who has created "surgical" campaigns that reach the highest levels of political decision-making. His tireless dedication has secured changes to policies, laws and enforcement, and business leadership that have greatly improved the governance of our natural world.

With a determination to amplify the voice of the communities that live alongside some of the world's most threatened ecosystems, Steve devised an activist training programme to provide training, essential equipment, and support to environmental defenders. He is committed to protecting the rights of those most dependent upon the conservation of the natural world and bringing ignored issues into the spotlight.

Juliette's lifelong love for wildlife and wild places has inspired her career. After studying Politics and Economics at Liverpool University, Juliette began working with the Environmental Investigation Agency. She became the Forest Campaigner, combining research into illegal logging and forest conservation in Indonesia with high-level political advocacy. In 1999, Juliette became a Founding Director of EJF and shares responsibility for strategic development, fundraising, governance and reporting, and ensuring that EJF's campaigns have a measurable, meaningful impact on our natural world.

Juliette shares responsibility for overall governance and reporting to the Trustees, financial and strategic oversight and planning. Juliette leads in securing and reporting on funding from statutory and private grant makers.

Max joined EJF in 2011 following a sabbatical to research the socio-economic role of fisheries in Sierra Leone. Prior to this, Max was a Senior Associate with PwC. Max has a BA in Modern History from the University of Oxford, and an MSc in African Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies and is qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Max is involved in EJF's global oceans campaign and liaises closely with coalition partners in the EU. He was promoted to COO in 2021 and assumed day-to-day oversight of the finance team, risk management, designated fundraising and staff / asset management.

Charlie has worked for EJF since 2013 and now heads the Film Unit. Charlie has led many investigations in Asia and West Africa, focusing on ocean protection, deforestation and most recently on the impacts of climate change on fundamental human rights. Charlie has trained environmental defenders to use video, drones and cameras to document threats to their natural world.

Dominic is responsible for managing projects, staff and resources in Thailand and Indonesia, planning and guiding investigations, grassroots partnerships and advocacy with governments and industry. Dominic has undertaken numerous investigations and provides legal and policy analyses relating to illegal fishing and human trafficking within the seafood sector. Dominic also initiated EJF's Net Free Seas project, which works with fishing communities to end the harm caused by plastic fishing nets discarded into the ocean.

Steve McIvor (Chair) is a freelance consultant with extensive experience in the non-profit and commercial sectors. Most recently Steve was CEO of World Animal Protection, overseeing programmes in 40+ countries, prior to which he held several executive roles in animal welfare charities and ethical companies including The Body Shop International.

Bob Lutgen (Treasurer) is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Director at Alta Advisers, London. He holds an MSc in Finance and Economics from LSE.

Tessa Gregory is a Partner with Leigh Day, London. Tessa is an experienced lawyer who has led ground-breaking litigation in cases relating to human rights, wildlife and the environment.

Andrew Kalman is a Director at Crane Kalman Gallery, London. Andrew has long supported EJF’s work, beginning with pro bono contributions to the ArtAction auction held at Sotheby’s London in 2001.

Juliana Ruhfus is an award-winning investigative journalist, independent filmmaker, writer and media trainer. Juliana has made 60+ films in nearly 50 countries and worked for some of the world’s largest broadcasters, with several NGOs and the UN Security Council group investigating breaches of the Somali arms embargo.