Meet our team

Jared Swanson

Country Coordinator for Tanzania.

Jared is the Country Coordinator at Lion Landscapes Tanzania, where he provides strategic leadership across the organisation's conservation and community programmes. Working closely with Field Programme Managers and cross-functional teams, he helps strengthen organisational systems, develop staff capacity, and foster partnerships that support effective, community-centred conservation. His role spans programme oversight, operational leadership, and organisational governance, ensuring the Tanzania programme is well-positioned to deliver meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes.

Jared's expertise lies at the intersection of conservation, community development, and programme management. His connection to Tanzania began as a Peace Corps Volunteer, where he lived and worked in rural communities, supporting education initiatives and development projects in close partnership with local leaders. Fluent in Swahili, Jared has developed a strong understanding of the importance of language, culture and local relationships in effective conservation. Those experiences shaped his understanding of the vital relationship between people, livelihoods, and the natural environment, and inspired his long-term commitment to conservation in East Africa.

He holds a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of West Alabama and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Whether he's exploring the outdoors, playing video games, or gathering friends for a game of cards, Jared enjoys making the most of his free time. He proudly claims the title of Spoons champion and welcomes all challengers to his (self-given) title. A dedicated foodie, he's also always on the lookout for hidden-gem restaurants or cooking up his next memorable meal.