Crista Cullen MBE: Olympic Gold Meets Wildlife Conservation

In this episode, we are joined by Crista Cullen MBE, Olympic gold medalist (Hockey) and founder of the Kenyan-based Tofauti Foundation. From the heights of elite sport to being at the core of community‑driven conservation, Crista’s journey is fascinating.In this episode, we explore how she leveraged the discipline, teamwork, and resilience of elite sport to drive real change on the ground. Crista walks us through several of Tofauti’s defining projects: the “10 % Fence Plan”, “Crabs Alive”, and the Sand‑Dam Initiative, each designed to foster long‑term sustainability and community empowerment in the Kenyan communities she works alongside.Beyond the projects themselves, Crista shares a rare behind‑the‑scenes glimpse into the practical realities of creating enduring change - from navigating cultural dynamics and resource constraints to building trust within local communities. To learn more about the Tofauti Foundation, visit tofauti.org.