On 31 May 2025, tragedy struck the conservation world when a committed leader, mentor, colleague and friend was lost. Sharon Haussmann, CEO of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) and former Chair of Balule Nature Reserve, passed away. 

Sharon’s influence and commitment extended across the Greater Kruger, where she has left a lasting impact on those who worked alongside her. Her contribution to Balule in particular will be felt for many years to come. 

Balule was in her blood 

Sharon once said that Balule was in her DNA, but the truth is that she was at the heart of Balule’s DNA. 

Sharon took on the role of Chair in 2018, an important period for the reserve and its regions. Rhino poaching in South Africa was at an all-time high and our conservation networks were under a lot of pressure. She stepped into the role, not only with experience but with a mix of passion, focus and problem-solving skills. 

During her time as Chair, Sharon played an important role in implementing the GLTFCA Cooperative Agreement, a major milestone for the Greater Kruger protected area network. Under her leadership Balule secured their position as a recognised reserve in the open system.

Leadership in Action

Sharon was known for her ability to listen first. She understood the complexity of reserve management across Balule’s regions and worked to uniform conservation efforts through a shared vision.

She supported everyone in the field and helped to design a system which resulted in a drastic improvement in Balule’s security record in recent years

A Legacy of GKEPF

Sharon expanded her leadership across the Greater Kruger in her role as CEO of GKEPF.  At a time when the Greater Kruger needed strong coordination, Sharon brought together private reserves, government entities and stakeholders, aligning their differing priorities into one common goal.

She didn’t just sit back, she jumped into everything head first and wholeheartedly. Whether she was facilitating rhino relocations, managing cross boundary meetings or attending rhino dehorning, Sharon approached everything with commitment, passion and energy. 

Her influence within GKEPF was widely respected, and her legacy continues in the foundation’s ongoing conservation work.

A steady voice in Conservation 

Sharon was not interested in titles or status. What mattered to her was getting the job done. She didn’t compromise on integrity, she led with principle, and faced hard topics head-on. In a male-dominated space, she led with respect and passion, asked the right questions, and pushed for decisions rooted in fairness. 

Rob Garmany, a former Chair of Balule, recalls how Sharon joined the committee in 2016 and immediately stood out. “From day one we knew she was formidable,” he wrote. “She was insightful, direct, and incredibly intelligent. She took Balule to the next level” 

Her ability to navigate policies, gain trust, and push for progress made her a rare kind of leader. She was responsible for ensuring Balule signed the GLTFCA Cooperative Agreement in 2018. This was a turning point for the reserve and positioned Balule within a wider network of protected areas.

Impact on the Ground

While Sharon was very involved in strategy and coordination, she never lost sight of what mattered on the ground. She maintained close relationships and contact with regional wardens and rangers, and took time to understand the challenges they faced on the ground.

Ian Evveritt-Penhale, former Vice Chair, put it simply: “Sharon made a huge difference. She was a brilliant leader – determined, grounded and fair. She never sought the limelight and was respected by everyone.”

Her work directly contributed to the stabilisation of the rhino numbers in Balule. It’s a result she never would have taken credit for but one that she has a large hand in none the less. 

More Than a Conservationist

Sharon’s Life wasn’t just defined by her career. She was a proud mother to her son Aden, and wife to Robin. And to all those that knew her they’ll know that family was more important to Sharon than anything else. Her friends described her as loyal, funny and deeply compassionate. She was known for her sharp wit, and her tendency to drop the occasional well-placed F-bomb during meetings.

She was close friends with many of her colleagues. Rob Garmany recalls shared drinks, drone flights to locate her beloved hyenas, and long conversations that turned into real friendship. “She was our ‘bush girlfriend,’” he wrote. “Part of the family.”

Final Words from friends and colleagues

Andy Dott, founder of Balule Nature Reserve, shared a personal tribute. Having known Sharon since she was young, he watched her grow into a leader who would eventually take on the same vision he had decades earlier.

“I have lost a best mate, an intellectual leaning post, a drinking buddy and a sparring partner,” he said. “She was meant to be around forever.”

Rob Garmany added: “She was instrumental in so many things. Her legacy will remain within the landscape.”

GKEPF echoed those thoughts: “We remain in awe of her leadership, integrity, and vision. Her passing is a tremendous loss to all who knew and worked with her. But the work she championed will continue—because it matters deeply. She would have expected nothing less.”

Continuing the Work

Sharon’s legacy is not just focused on the work she achieved but on how she made others believe it was possible. 

In her own words, shared during a Balule meeting not long ago, she spoke about the importance of shared heritage and unity:
“South Africans are far more alike than we are different, and we all have so much more to gain by emphasising our similarities rather than our differences.”

At Balule, we are committed to carrying her work forward. Her leadership set the foundation. Her values will continue to guide us.

We thank her family—Robin, Aden, and the Hearne family—for sharing her with us. She was one of a kind.

Your presence will be missed, but your impact remains.