Danita Strickland is from Samoa and earned her bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Otago in New Zealand. She also holds a master’s degree in conservation and development from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. Her dissertation focused on evaluating the performance of Samoa's first national multi-sectoral project addressing land degradation. Danita has also completed the Pacific Island Conservation Co-management Course at the University of the South Pacific. Her research there explored the underlying factors and values that move individuals to engage in ocean management through marine protected areas. She is currently working as a Programme Coordinator with Conservation International Pacific Island Programme based in Samoa.