Changemakers - Leif Cocks
15 October 2012 at 9:45 am
Leif Cocks, Founder and President of The Orangutan Project, is profiled in Changemakers – a regular column which examines inspiring people and their careers in the Not for Profit sector.
The Orangutan Project (TOP) is a Not for Profit organisation, supporting orangutan conservation, rainforest protection, local community partnerships and the rehabilitation and reintroduction of displaced orangutans back to the wild, in order to save the two orangutan species from extinction.
What drew you to the Not for Profit sector?
Saving orangutans and other wildlife.
How long have you been working in the Not for Profit sector?
When I founded The Orangutan Project in 1999.
What was your first job in the Not for Profit sector?
I was The Orangutan Project’s founder and have been its only President since, however I have only been full time as its CEO since January 2012.
What is the best thing about working in the Not for Profit sector?
The ability to make meaningful change for good and to have a life that has meaning beyond just one’s own personal existence.
What do you like best about working in your current organisation?
I get to work with a fantastic and dedicated team that is making real meaningful achievements for both conservation and animal welfare.
I consider my greatest achievement to be…
Together with my team, I have developed The Orangutan Project from inception to the effective and respected organisation that it is today. I also believe that forming of the new umbrella organisation, Wildlife Asia, will prove to be a great achievement. On the ground, I am proud of all of The Orangutan Project’s achievements, however in particular being instrumental in founding the Wildlife Protection Units in the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem, Sumatra.
Favourite saying…
The only way to be happy is to completely give up caring about yourself. But you must give it all up! If even a little selfishness remains, it will eventually poison both your happiness and your work.
