About Me: Dean Muruven is currently employed by WWF International as the Global Freshwater Policy Manager, where his role focuses on representing WWF Internationally and assisting WWF freshwater basin teams with influencing water policy and governance in their respective countries. He previously worked for WWF South Africa, where he lead a programme around the protection of South Africa’s water source areas, involving a collective effort in bringing together corporates, government and civil society to achieve a water secure South Africa. The programme in itself is a flagship for the freshwater team in South Africa and through his work, water source areas have achieved national recognition, with Ministers and Members of Parliament all seeing the importance of conserving these areas and publicly acknowledging the value of partnering with WWF.

Dean's experience is unique for a conservationist as he has spent time as a consultant analysing policy for some of the largest mining houses in Africa prior to joining WWF. He graduated from the University of South Africa with a MSc in environmental science. His passion for freshwater conservation has also earned him personal accolades where he was featured by the Mail & Guardian as one of 15 young leaders in the environmental field for 2015. He has also had the privilege of addressing the House of Lords, as part of the WWF Freshwater Leadership and Development Programme.