Pamela Isdell, dedicated conservationist and benefactor of BirdLife South Africa, passes away

Pamela Isdell, a passionate conservationist and devoted benefactor of BirdLife South Africa, passed away in Atlanta on 18 March 2025. Her unwavering commitment to habitat preservation and species survival, particularly in Africa, has left an indelible mark on global conservation efforts.

Born in Scotland, Pamela was educated in Zambia from the age of eight, an experience that ignited her lifelong dedication to Africa’s wildlife and people. Over 26 years in Africa, she cultivated a deep connection to the continent’s ecosystems, which she carried with her throughout her life, even as she lived in Australia, the Philippines, the United States, and Germany. Despite extensive global travels with her husband, Neville, she always returned to southern Africa for annual safaris, reinforcing her commitment to habitat sustainability.

As a trustee of the Isdell Family Foundation, Pamela played a pivotal role in supporting numerous nonprofit organisations, with a particular focus on BirdLife South Africa. Alongside her husband, Neville, former chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company and former chairman of WWF-US, she has helped support a broad portfolio of nonprofit organizations, especially The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Peace Parks South Africa. She was one of BirdLife South Africa’s four Honorary Patrons, a Golden Bird Patron, and a steadfast supporter of African Penguin conservation. Her philanthropic vision helped establish Isdell House, BirdLife South Africa’s headquarters in Johannesburg, and she provided crucial funding for the organisation’s Vulture Project Manager. Through her role as Patron of the African Penguin, she also funded the Pamela Isdell Fellow of African Penguin Conservation, ensuring sustained efforts to protect this endangered species.

Pamela’s influence extended beyond BirdLife South Africa. She served on the BirdLife International Advisory Group and was a committed member of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), holding leadership roles within its Georgia chapter and Africa Council. Her conservation impact was further demonstrated through her co-chairing of a $20 million capital campaign to preserve Atlanta’s Fernbank Forest and her advisory work with the Greater Cape Town Water Fund, among many other initiatives.

Her generosity and vision continued through her support of the Mouse-Free Marion Project, to which the Isdell Family Foundation recently donated $500,000.

Mark D. Anderson, CEO of BirdLife South Africa, paid tribute to Pamela’s extraordinary contributions:

“The world has just lost a remarkable person. Pamela was an exceptionally kind and humble individual who cared deeply for her family and friends, for Africa’s natural environment, and especially for African Penguins. Pamela and Neville have been incredibly generous to BirdLife South Africa. Thanks to them, we have Isdell House, our head office in Johannesburg, and our Cape Town office. She sponsored the Pamela Isdell Fellow of Penguin Conservation and three other key positions at BirdLife South Africa, including our Head of Conservation. Just weeks ago, she renewed funding for these roles for the next five years.

Pamela entered my life around the time of my mother’s passing, and for the past 12 years, she has filled that maternal role in many ways. We spoke regularly—hardly a few days passed without us WhatsApping, emailing, or chatting on the phone. I was fortunate to share time with her in Canada, the UK, the Kalahari, and across South Africa. A few weeks ago, I visited her in Cape Town to say goodbye. She held my hand at lunch, hugged me tightly, and we both shed tears. It was perhaps symbolic that on the day of her passing, we achieved a major conservation victory—securing protection for six African Penguin colonies by restricting purse-seine fishing. This intervention will undoubtedly benefit Pamela’s beloved birds.”

Pamela is survived by her husband, Neville, their daughter, Cara, and her husband, Zak, as well as their son, Rory. Her legacy of conservation and philanthropy will continue to inspire and protect the natural world she so dearly loved.