The CEO of the World Wildlife Fund UK, who graduated from Lancaster University, has received an Alumni award at the July graduation ceremonies.

Tanya Steele gained a degree in BSc Management Science-Marketing in 1990. As the WWF’s first female CEO, she said the role utilises many of the skills she developed at Lancaster University.

She said: “It taught me how to think, not just to learn. I was really shy, and it gave me confidence. The nature of the course I was on I had to present to two hundred people and in doing so it forced me into a setting that I would not have experienced in an academic environment. It also gave me a sense of community. If you do not have those foundations you cannot do the tough stuff. It gives you resilience.”

Tanya began her career in the tech industry working in product development, marketing and communications in senior roles for Siemens and BT.

After nearly 15 years in the private sector and inspired by a volunteering assignment with the Red Cross, Tanya brought her corporate experience to the charity sector joining Save the Children in 2004 as Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Communications, and later led the organisation as interim Chief Executive.

Whilst working in international development, Tanya saw first-hand the impact the environment has on people’s daily lives, particularly in communities which are less resilient to environmental pressures. Fusing her passion for, and experience of, human development and the environment, Tanya joined WWF-UK in 2017.

She has also worked with David Attenborough on the BBC TV Wild Isles series, which was co-produced and supported by WWF-UK.

She was awarded a CBE for services to wildlife and the environment in 2023.