About Debbie Ethell

Debbie Ethell is an elephant conservation scientist, author, speaker, educator, and science communicator with over thirty years of experience. Through her book collection, The Will of Heaven, and her web series The Elephant in the Room, Debbie brings to life the groundbreaking research of fellow scientists and shares compelling stories of real elephants. Her work blends scientific insight with engaging storytelling to educate and inspire audiences worldwide.

Debbie Ethell elephant conservation scientist and author onstage giving a presentation at the headquarters of Columbia Sportswear in front of a large live audience.

Debbie giving a presentation at Columbia Sportswear headquarters.

Headshot of Debbie Ethell, elephant conservation scientist and author.

Whenever my childhood spun out of control I thought to myself…if the elephants could overcome such barriers to survival I could get through this.

–The Will of Heaven

How It All Began

I became obsessed with a herd of wild elephants when I was eight years old. Eleanor, the first elephant I met in a documentary, sparked a fascination with elephant behavior and ignited a lifelong curiosity. Her story made me want to understand who elephants really are, why they make the choices they do, and why their survival matters to us all.

My book series (The Will of Heaven) shares not only the elephants’ stories but also my own struggles with homelessness and addiction. By reflecting on our shared experiences, those of the elephants and mine, I discovered a common theme of loss, resilience, and belonging in a world that often forgets how deeply connected we all are.

Debbie Ethell, elephant conservation scientist and author, pictured in Kenya with wild elephants in the background.

Consultant

Debbie has consulted with leading organizations—Friends of Animals, One Voice, and the Nonhuman Rights Project—helping advance legal precedent and reform how we think about nonhuman intelligence.

Producer

Funded by a generous grant from Lush Cosmetics, Debbie wrote and produced the 11-episode series The Elephant in the Room, highlighting lesser-known elephant facts to reveal their remarkable nature.

Founder

As the founder and Executive Director of The KOTA Foundation for Elephants, Debbie led global education efforts — from classroom programs to the First Things First campaign, which provided desks for schools in rural Kenya — while advancing initiatives that educated more people about elephants.

Author

Debbie shares her journey of resilience and discovery in the critically acclaimed book series, The Will of Heaven. Driven by an unwavering commitment to one of the world’s most extraordinary species— elephants — she confronts the depths of her own alcoholism while unveiling the complex realities of elephant conservation. Her powerful memoir series reveals a powerful bond between humanity and the natural world.

You can’t save the elephants if you don’t help the people.

–Debbie Ethell

Debbie Ethell, elephant conservation scientist and author, teaching students outdoors in Kenya.

The KOTA Foundation for Elephants

A Note from Debbie:

The KOTA Foundation for Elephants was born out of my love for elephants and a desire to bring their lives and stories to light. As founder and Executive Director for nearly a decade, I take pride in the many accomplishments we brought to life. Ultimately, the pandemic and circumstances beyond our control led to the closure of KOTA.

Though closing the foundation was bittersweet, it also gave me an unexpected opportunity: time. This freedom has allowed me to focus on the most impactful work of KOTA and carry forward its legacy. It has given me the space I need to continue writing my book series, publishing blogs, producing podcasts, and creating even more educational resources—work that upholds KOTA’s mission, bringing elephants into the hearts and minds of everyone.

I look back with the fondest memories of what we were able to achieve in such a short time, and I am thrilled for what lies ahead.

As always,
For the elephants…

Below you’ll find a snapshot of one of KOTA’s (and mine) greatest achievements…our First Things First campaign.

Here is a snapshot of what KOTA accomplished in such a short amount of time.

6

The number of rural schools KOTA supported in Kakamega, Kenya.

900

KOTA built desks for more than 900 students to have a seat off the wet floor.

40

Through KOTA, Debbie gave more than 40 presentations on the importance of elephants across Kenya.

KOTA’s
First Things First
Campaign

Watch the video below of KOTA’s proudest achievement—providing desks for nearly 900 young students in Kenya. Download the video transcript here.

Photos from KOTA’s First Things First Campaign

During the monsoon season, water flowed into the classrooms, leaving nowhere dry to sit.
Holes in the school roof let the rain pour in.
Each desk seats two to three students.
A young girl trying out her new desk in Kakamega, Kenya.
Kenya’s future, in the hands of young girls in Kakamega.
At the desk-donation ceremony, trying out a desk KOTA built.
Young girls’ choir in Kakamega, Kenya, performing at the desk-donation ceremony.
Thanks to Jake, and a generous grant from the Wilsonville Rotary Club, we were able to provide 300 additional desks to students in Kakamega, Kenya.
Edwin Ibrahim, my driver and close friend, is celebrating with us in Kakamega, Kenya.
Young students celebrate at the desk ceremony in Kakamega, Kenya.