Nicci Young Wiese

With over 20 years experience in luxury and responsible eco-tourism, Nicci is currently President of Young Safaris, focusing on authentic travel to Africa. Nicci grew up in South Africa and France and obtained a BA from Tufts University and a Masters from The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy in Economic Development and International Environmental Policy. In 1992 she joined andBeyond (previously CCAfrica) to establish the Africa Foundation as its corporate social responsibility program and thereafter as an independent foundation which continues to serve as a model for conservation-based community development. As CCAfrica grew, Nicci joined the Corporate Development team managing new projects for conservation and lodge development. In 1998 Nicci established and managed the Getty Africa Trust working between South Africa and London. From 2002 through 2006, Nicci was Executive Director of The Explorers Club, a centennial international organization promoting scientific exploration and field research, headquartered in New York. Following years of informally advising on travel to Africa, Nicci formed Young Safaris in 2007. Nicci served for several years on the South Africa and UK boards for the Africa Foundation and more recently on the US advisory committee. She has worked with and/or visited most of the current projects that Empowers Africa is supporting. She is based in Connecticut with her husband Richard Wiese (producer and host of the TV series Born to Explore on ABC) and three children and remains passionate about the African continent, its people and the wilderness.