Karen Exell is a cultural sector leader and advisor with 30 years’ experience in the UK, Europe, Middle East and South Asia. Her most recent projects include developing a heritage-led masterplan strategy for Historic Diriyah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on the regeneration of Wadi Hanifah to restore fragile ecosystems damaged by nearby development and urban expansion.
She is passionate about sustainability, caring for our oceans and marine life, and keeping our water and beaches safe and clean.
Karen first fell in love with sea turtles when she read the wonderful novel Turtle Diary (1975) by Russel Hoban and has had the privilege of encountering sea turtles when swimming in the Maldives, a truly moving experience. Having seen some of the conditions that sea turtles can be kept in for tourism purposes, she is a strong advocate for education for all on their proper care.
