Veronica Varekova — Disruptor Awards

Veronica is a globally-recognized supermodel, conservation advocate, and global ambassador for African wildlife. She resides in New York and Prague, where she was born, but continues to spend at least a quarter of her time traveling to Africa, where she works closely with a variety of African governments on improving their conservation strategies and policy.

At age 19, Veronica traveled to New York to study Fine Arts at the Parsons School of Design but was soon “discovered” and began modelling. For the next 15 years, she worked with some of the most prestigious photographers, publications, and brands in the world, including appearing multiple times on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and in campaigns for Chanel, Victoria Secret, and Hublot Geneve.

In 2008, during a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Veronica discovered her love for African wildlife. Between 2009 and 2019, Veronica served as a Trustee of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), one of the leading international conservation organizations, where she raised awareness and funds to support initiatives focused on conserving large landscapes, protecting endangered species, and empowering local communities.

Veronica works closely with government and NGO initiatives on conservation-related issues affecting African wildlife. For example, in 2011 Veronica worked with Tanzania’s President Kikwete to protect the migratory paths of animals in Serengeti National Park. In 2015, shejoined a diverse group of leaders from the United States Congress, the State Department, the NGO community, and other sectors to stop illegal poaching and the trade of ivory, rhino horn, and other wildlife products.

Veronica obtained a degree from CERVO University in Political Science and International Affairs with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. For10 years, she served as a patron of the SZPD Orphanage in her hometown of Olomouc, where she sponsored 50 children and supported various fundraising campaigns. She works closely with the United Nations, World Bank, USAID and other leading institutions and has been a participant of the CGI, Concordia Summit and WEF.