MEET OUR NEW AMBASSADOR, OLI CROSSLEY
We are thrilled to welcome a new member to Wild Tomorrow’s team of Ambassadors, Oliver Crossley. Oli spent almost one year in total volunteering at our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, where he applied his unique creativity and expertise in design and architecture to oversee our construction and renovation projects! While the construction is now complete, Oli’s passion for wildlife conservation extends far beyond these projects. Read more about Oli’s journey and his work supporting conservation and communities in our blog below.
Meet Oli Crossley!
Oli Crossley’s path to Wild Tomorrow was shaped by a lifelong curiosity for adventure and a deep appreciation for the natural world. A London-based designer and developer with a background in architecture, Oli has designed over a hundred homes, with his award-winning work featured in publications internationally. These influences eventually led him to found STUDIO WAKE, a design practice focused on creating unique, meaningful projects rooted in personal storytelling.
Oli’s respect for conservation was further shaped through hands-on involvement with Wild Tomorrow. He had recently finished volunteering in Kenya, where he contributed his time and skills and developed a deep appreciation for Africa, the bush, and the sometimes slower pace of life compared to the hustle and bustle he was used to in London. He then spent 10 months living and working with us in South Africa from June 2024 until April 2025, using his skills in project management, architecture, and design to oversee the renovation of the Wild Tomorrow Conservation Center. He also assumed the Role Wild Tomorrow’s on-the-ground project lead and client representative, guiding the construction and delivery of Kusasa – our brand new donor lodge created for immersive, conservation-centric experiences.
Oli’s drive and ambition—combined with his ability to tie his architecture and design expertise to his love and appreciation of the bush—made him the perfect person for this project. Taking on this work with Wild Tomorrow and NYC-based architects, GRADE, came at a pivotal moment in his life, allowing him to contribute meaningfully while also building his portfolio. In his free time, Oli explored the reserve and surrounding region, creating and dreaming, and socializing with the neighbors who form the fabric of this community—leaving a legacy that will last far beyond the Conservation Center. Oli brought drive, positivity, and ambition to South Africa, taking on a project we truly could not have completed without him.
“I fell in love with KwaZulu-Natal. Living in the bush and contributing to Wild Tomorrow’s mission profoundly shifted my sense of purpose. Combining meaningful work with the challenge of a new lifestyle, surrounded by nature, unlocked a deeper level of creativity for me.”
Oli’s proudest moment while living in South Africa was hearing the rave reviews from the first group to stay at Kusasa. Each group visit to the lodge contributes directly to Wild Tomorrow’s mission to protect and restore wildlife and wild places. Oli’s involvement in developing Kusasa also created jobs within the local community, supporting workers and their families. He is deeply proud to be part of an effort that is making a lasting, positive impact on the community and on generations to come.
Immersed in the daily realities of wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and long-term conservation thinking, Oli gained a deeper understanding of Wild Tomorrow’s purpose and impact.
The landscape, the people, and the mission left a lasting impression—both personally and creatively. These experiences continue to inform his work and his commitment to conservation, making his role as a Wild Tomorrow Ambassador a natural extension of his journey.
“I feel compelled to take what I’ve learned forward — reconnecting people with nature through Wild Tomorrow’s story. When we understand the story of something, we care more deeply about its future.”
Visit Studio Wakes website and Instagram (@studiowakex) to learn more about his mission and see more of Olis incredible work. Thank you Oli for your lasting contribution to the design and construction of our lodging in South Africa, which will fuel our guest experiences for decades to come.