Edith McBean is a dedicated philanthropist and global conservation leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing environmental protection and wildlife conservation. She currently serves as Vice Chair of African Parks, a pioneering organization managing protected areas across the continent. Her leadership has shaped high-impact conservation strategies that protect critical habitats and endangered species worldwide.
McBean has held advisory roles with the National Geographic Society’s International Council of Advisors and served on the boards of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, and the Newport Restoration Foundation. From 2014 to 2023, she was a board member of the Rainforest Trust, contributing to land protection efforts in some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.
Her conservation advocacy spans elephant and rhino protection in Africa, big cat preservation across multiple continents, and support for indigenous and community-led stewardship. Through strategic philanthropy and deep engagement, Edith McBean continues to champion cross-continental partnerships that ensure lasting outcomes for people, wildlife, and the natural world.