Conservation Careers

For Samara P. El-Haddad, conservation isn’t just a profession—it’s a force that has shaped her life from the very beginning. From a child whose the biggest connection to the world was through wildlife documentaries to a leading conservationist navigating crises and reshaping biodiversity efforts, her story is one of defiance, resilience, and unshakable determination.

This isn’t just a tale of career growth—it’s about challenging expectations, breaking barriers, and proving that passion can carve a path even in the most unlikely circumstances.

A Childhood Rooted in Wildlife

Even before she could fully speak, Samara’s world revolved around animals. As a toddler, she could name over 100 invertebrates, and her fascination only deepened with time. But an accident left her with severe memory loss, struggling to regain speech. The only thing that brought her back? Watching wildlife programs. As her family played nature documentaries, she slowly started responding, reigniting her connection with the animal world.

Her love for wildlife was undeniable, fueled in part by her admiration for figures like Steve Irwin. However,  it wasn’t until her late Native American aunt introduced her to the concept of zoology that she saw her future clearly. Recognising Samara’s passion, and her dream of following in the footsteps of the conservationists she admired, her aunt explained what a zoologist does and told her, with conviction, that she could become one. That moment shaped her trajectory forever.

Overcoming Scepticism to Pursue a Dream

Despite her unwavering passion, Samara often encountered misunderstanding about her chosen path. Many people struggled to grasp what a zoologist actually does, frequently assuming she aspired to be a zookeeper.

Worried about Samara’s well-being in a physically demanding career, her mother supported a series of conservation internships, trying to help her gain real-world experience and be in a better position to realise whether this path was truly right for her. In the end, Samara was very grateful for her mother’s courage in supporting her, as these experiences truly confirmed her choice.

One of those experiences became a defining moment: gruelling research expedition in Russia, where Samara lived in extreme conditions while tracking snow leopards in the Altai Republic. Far from deterring her, the experience reinforced her conviction that this was exactly the life she was meant to lead.

A Chance Turn That Led to Impact

Although Samara dreamed of working with Fauna & Flora, a UK based conservation charity, she found herself in Lebanon, initially viewing it as a temporary stop. However, an unexpected opportunity with the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) changed everything. What started as a short-term internship transformed into a six-year tenure, during which she established a Research & Development department focused on wildlife conservation.

Faced with economic collapse, political instability, and a devastating explosion in Beirut, Samara’s work was far from easy. But she thrived under pressure. One of her proudest achievements at LRI was securing funding from the Disney Conservation Fund for a Eurasian otter project—something she thought was impossible given Lebanon’s crisis. That win triggered a chain reaction, attracting further funding from the U.S. Forest Service and other organizations, allowing her to expand Lebanese conservation efforts beyond otters to bats, rodents, and wild bees.

In addition to her work with LRI, Samara also passionately supported Lebanese Wildlife, a grassroots start-up NGO dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating local wildlife and fighting the illegal wildlife trade.

Changing Perceptions and Breaking Barriers

One of Samara’s biggest challenges was shifting local perspectives on conservation. In Lebanon, wildlife protection is often overlooked in favour of more immediate humanitarian concerns. Many people assumed Lebanon had no wild animals at all. Samara worked tirelessly to change that mindset, proving that wildlife conservation is deeply interconnected with human well-being and economic sustainability.

Her work also highlighted the power of education. She developed training programs, mentored aspiring conservationists, and inspired colleagues to see the value of protecting fauna. Through persistence, she embedded wildlife considerations into national conservation strategies, a significant shift in a country where ecological restoration had traditionally focused only on flora. 

Lessons for Aspiring Conservationists

Samara’s advice for those looking to enter the conservation field is clear:

• Take care of yourself from day one. Conservation can be an emotionally and physically demanding career, so having a support system is essential.
• Passion is a secret weapon. It will push you through challenges when resources are scarce, or support is lacking.
• Perseverance is key. Whether securing funding, changing policies, or altering public perception, patience and persistence are essential.

Looking Ahead: Technology and Conservation’s Future

Samara is excited about the role technology can play in conservation. She sees tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) as game-changers for data collection, making monitoring more efficient and cost-effective. She also believes that the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as a wake-up call, reinforcing the need to respect and protect nature to prevent future crises.

Now based in the UK as a Senior Program Officer at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Samara is expanding her impact globally. But Lebanon remains close to her heart, as she continues to work remotely for LW, helping to champion its mission and protect the unique wildlife of her Lebanese heritage.

Her journey is proof that following your passion is worth it—even when the world seems to be against you. With every challenge she faced, she refused to step back. Instead, she carved her own way forward, showing that conservation isn’t just a career, but a fight worth taking on—no matter the obstacles.

Author Profile:

Marketing and communications leader with 20+ years of experience in strategic marketing, commercial growth, and business development. As founder of La Regenera Consulting, I help impact-driven organizations build scalable growth systems that expand market reach, accelerate adoption, and strengthen long-term commercial impact. I also write for Conservation Careers, sharing stories that inspire action in sustainability and conservation. Passionate about systemic change, I am committed to helping regenerative and mission-driven organizations grow their influence and scale their impact.

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