Wasseem Emam is an aquatic ecologist and fish welfare researcher with over 15 years of varied international experience across the fisheries and aquaculture sector. He holds advanced degrees in applied aquatic ecology and is completing a doctorate in the welfare of farmed Nile tilapia between the UK and Spain. In 2021, he founded Ethical Seafood Research, a research organisation with the mission to fill knowledge gaps around animal welfare in the fishing and aquaculture sectors. Before this, Wasseem had worked on fisheries and aquaculture studies for a wide range of clients including the United Nations, the European Parliament, the UK and Canadian governments, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and WWF with time spent across Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East, where he is originally from.

Abdul Rahman Safian is the co-founder and Director of WACPAW and a graduate of the University of Ghana. He officially started working to improve the welfare of animals in 2016 when WACPAW was registered. His journey started from infancy when he was selected as the shepherd  of his family flock by his father. Then He realized how it is to watch over the voiceless animals. From then, He developed a passion for protecting the welfare of animals. He has earned many certificates in animal welfare and behavior including; Animal welfare and Behavior, Cats and Dog welfare, Equine welfare, and Halal slaughter and Welfare. He has attended   a number of virtual and in person conferences and also at the governmental level to help review the curriculum of veterinary nursing students to include animal welfare courses.