Shannon Noelle Rivera is a conservation scientist focused on the importance of intersections within conservation practice including areas of the illegal wildlife trade. Shannon holds a Master of Science with Distinction in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law from the University of Winchester Centre for Animal Welfare, and two B.A.s in Environmental Studies and Gender Studies with minors in Zoology and Peace Studies from the University of Hawai'i. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Shannon is an elected board member with the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania.