Dr Sonja Luz is the CEO of Mandai Nature, a Singapore-based non-profit conservation organisation jointly set up by Temasek and Mandai Wildlife Group (MWG) which manages the city-state’s zoological parks including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise. Mandai Nature is the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group and was established with the aim of advancing efforts on biodiversity protection in Singapore and Asia.

Dr Luz is responsible for delivering and scaling up biodiversity conservation programmes for Mandai Nature and Mandai Wildlife Group by building strong strategies as well as linkages between ex situ and in situ conservation efforts for the zoological parks, in Singapore and the wider Asia region. She works closely with local communities and partners in the field to develop and manage holistic projects, as well as drive collaborative partnerships for tangible outcomes in the protection of species and their habitats. This includes hosting and supporting global multi-stakeholder collaborative alliances, like the IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership and the SCeNe Coalition for Nature Based Solutions, to address critical conservation needs in SEA. Mandai Nature currently supports over 40 conservation projects involving many critically endangered species such as the Rote Snake-necked Turtle, Negros Bleeding-heart Pigeon and Sunda Pangolins. She was also key in steering the establishment of the IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival Centre: Southeast Asia hosted by Mandai Nature.

Dr Luz advocates for conservation solutions that bring positive outcomes for Wildlife, People and Nature. To this end, she believes in the integration of ex-situ and in-situ conservation approaches, building capacity, and strengthening the links between zoological institutions and conservation partners for greater conservation impact.