Ms. Karren Shippey is the Chief Director: Environmental Sustainability at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) in the Western Cape. With over 25 years of experience in environmental management and sustainability, she oversees key areas including Biodiversity and Coastal Management, Climate Change, Sustainability, and the Green Economy. Her career spans 15 years as an Environmental Practitioner and 10 years in provincial government. Since 2017, she has also been the technical Gender Focal Point for the Department, advocating for Gender Mainstreaming in the Public Service.