Thomas Odeyo was a participant in the 2023 CoalitionWILD EXCELerator program. CoalitionWILD, driven by the potential of young people to improve the health of our planet, facilitates youth leadership in conservation. It does so through mentorship, capacity building programmes and amplifying young voices through collaborative platforms for policymaking and impactful storytelling. The EXCELerator Program is one such leadership development programme offered by CoalitionWILD. This is Thomas’ story, the second in a three-part series from participants in the 2023 cohort showcasing the love for nature at the heart of their work, and the power of youth leadership to make the planet a better place.