Susan Reno Myers ’74 has never been one to play it safe. From international finance to high school football coaching, she has embraced unexpected paths, always with determination and curiosity. But it was a later chapter—one that merged passion with purpose—that led her to tackle one of Africa’s quiet conservation crises: the rapid decline of giraffe populations in the wild.
After a successful career that spanned global markets and touchdown triumphs, Myers found herself drawn to wildlife advocacy. Serving on the board of the Dallas Zoo opened her eyes to a startling fact: giraffes, despite their iconic stature, were among the most neglected species in conservation. Motivated by that realization, she founded Save Giraffes Now in 2019—determined to protect giraffes through action, not just awareness.
This article is based on original reporting by Wellesley Magazine.
Originally published 5/9/2022
A Hands-On Approach to Conservation
From the beginning, Save Giraffes Now has distinguished itself through direct involvement in the field. Myers credits the organization’s rapid growth to its willingness to do more than just fundraise: the team engages in frontline efforts, from constructing protected sanctuaries to supporting research and drought relief work.
One early and defining project involved rescuing nine Rothschild’s giraffes stranded by rising floodwaters when their habitat became an island. Through careful planning and collaboration with local partners, these animals were relocated to safer terrain—an achievement that exemplified SGN’s philosophy of action.
In a short span, Save Giraffes Now has expanded from Myers and her phone to a growing team of U.S. and Africa-based staff and subcontractors, making it one of the largest giraffe-focused conservation organizations in the world.
Addressing an Urgent Conservation Crisis
With only about 100,000 giraffes left in the wild, every year counts. Habitat loss, fragmentation, drought, and human-wildlife conflict have placed unprecedented pressure on giraffe populations, a challenge that demands both innovative solutions and increased global awareness.
Myers’s transition from boardroom to savanna reflects a deeper conviction: that effective conservation requires passion, persistence, and the willingness to “stick your neck out” for those who can’t speak for themselves. Through Save Giraffes Now’s programs, partnerships, and on-the-ground initiatives, that vision is becoming a reality—one giraffe at a time.
This article is based on a profile published by Wellesley Magazine. Read the original story here: https://magazine.wellesley.edu/issues/spring-2022/sticking-her-neck-out-for-giraffes