Who We Are - Roam Africa Conservation

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Xtina Parks is the visionary founder of Roam Africa Conservation—a passionate photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist with a fierce love for wild places and the people who protect them. Whether she’s behind the lens capturing Africa’s untamed beauty or on the ground building partnerships for real change, Xtina brings storytelling, strategy, and soul to every corner of the mission. She’s the heartbeat of ROAM, turning passion into purpose, and purpose into impact.

Tyler Rogers is our unstoppable Operations Manager and field researcher—a true jack-of-all-trades with a heart for conservation. Whether he's fixing solar systems in the bush, building bomas, or tracking wildlife, Tyler keeps our fieldwork running smoothly with grit, smarts, and genuine care for the land and the people who protect it.

Vincent du Toit is our sharp-eyed Lead Researcher and RAC’s boots-on-the-ground manager in the field. With a mind for data and a passion for wildlife, Vincent leads our tracking and monitoring efforts with scientific precision—and just the right dose of adventure. Whether he’s deploying camera traps or decoding animal behavior, he brings curiosity, discipline, and a deep love for Africa’s wild places to everything he does.

James Kuria N’dungu is our brilliant biologist from Kenya—part herpetologist, part ornithologist, and 100% wildlife enthusiast. Whether he’s geeking out over rare snakes or spotting elusive birds in the bush, James brings deep scientific knowledge and contagious curiosity to our research team. With eyes always to the sky (or under a rock), he helps us better understand the wild creatures that make Africa so extraordinary.

Johnnie Cross is our logistics mastermind and trusted on-the-ground facilitator in Kenya. With a talent for making the impossible happen, Johnnie coordinates everything from remote field transport to last-minute supply runs—always with calm, precision, and a smile. He’s the glue that keeps our operations moving across Africa, connecting people, places, and purpose with heart and hustle.

Ricky Derby is our documentary editor and producer—aka the wizard behind the screen who turns dusty field footage, tangled audio, and rogue wildlife cameos into cinematic gold. Armed with caffeine, clever cuts, and a sixth sense for story, Ricky makes our conservation chaos look polished, poignant, and sometimes even poetic. If it made you cry *and* want to save the planet, chances are, Ricky edited it.

Pim Niesten is our award-winning cinematographer and resident biologist—a rare blend of scientific rigor and cinematic artistry. With a Master’s degree in Zoology and Marine Biology, he’s captured wildlife stories across the globe for top networks like BBC, National Geographic, NHK, and ARTE. He served as Director of Photography on Onze Natuur, a celebrated series and cinema feature that earned acclaim for its breathtaking visuals 

From tracking Ethiopian wolves to filming Galapagos iguanas, Pim’s lens dives into both grand panoramas and hidden micro-worlds. His meticulous eye ensures every frame is both scientifically rich and visually stunning, bringing Africa—and beyond—to life with authenticity and heart. In every shot, Pim doesn’t just show nature—he helps us feel its pulse.

Loni Francom is the valiant right hand of Roam Africa Conservation—keeping the chaos in check with grace, grit, and a can-do spirit. From coordinating logistics to juggling communications, Loni is the behind-the-scenes hero who makes sure everything runs smoothly. Fiercely organized and endlessly supportive, she’s the glue that holds the mission together—and somehow does it all with a smile.