Secretary, ORP – Maldives & Global Educational Outreach Officer
Growing up in the Maldives, the ocean was simply part of everyday life for Risha. Spending time in and around the water from a young age sparked her interest in the marine environment and the importance of protecting it.
This led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management from the Maldives National University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Project Management, with a focus on strengthening her skills in planning and delivering educational projects and outreach initiatives.
Risha began her career as a research intern with the Blue Marine Foundation, in collaboration with Six Senses Laamu and the Maldives Marine Institute, where she contributed to research on grouper fisheries that informed national size limits for grouper in the Maldives. She later worked as a Marine Lab Assistant at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, and as a ranger with IUCN in the South Ari Marine Protected Area, where she worked with local communities, fishermen, tourism operators, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about whale shark conservation. She was the first female ranger in the Maldives to take on the role.
Driven by her love for sea turtles, Risha joined ORP to turn her passion into action. As Global Educational Outreach Officer, she oversees the organisation’s education and outreach initiatives across its locations, developing programmes and resources that foster awareness and engagement. She also serves as Secretary of the ORP – Maldives Executive Committee and played a key role in establishing the NGO.
