Scott Christensen

Scott grew up in Minnesota, a place that fostered a strong connection to the outdoors from an early age. Alongside this affinity for nature, he developed a lasting interest in history and geography, which later shaped his academic and professional path.

While completing his PhD in the social sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Scott became increasingly interested in how different societies organise themselves to solve collective challenges. His early research focused on agricultural policy and resource management in Asia, laying the foundation for a career that bridged policy, economics, and long-term strategic thinking.

After spending four years in public policy research, Scott transitioned into investment banking, where he built a 25-year career as a financial analyst and Director of Asian Equity Research at JP Morgan. Over this period, he worked extensively with emerging companies and diverse teams, gaining valuable insight into organisational leadership, governance, and long-term impact.

In parallel, Scott served a twelve-year term on the board of a large international school, where he was closely involved in fundraising for major capital projects and the establishment of an endowment fund. This experience further strengthened his understanding of sustainable funding models and institutional resilience.

Scott was first introduced to Wildlife ACT several years ago while cycling in Namibia with Jo Maree and David Ryan. Since then, he has become increasingly involved with the organisation and its work. Having visited Africa regularly since 2012, he now feels fortunate to dedicate more of his time and expertise to conservation issues he cares deeply about, supporting Wildlife ACT’s mission through his professional experience and long-term perspective.