Sangdeaun Lek Chailert was born in 1961 in the small hill tribe village of Baan Lao, two hours north of Thailand. Growing up Lek got to spend a lot of time with the animals. Her grandfather was a Shaman, a traditional healer who would help the people of his community and some of the injured animals. During this time she discovered all animals strive to live well and she became determined to work to save animals. With love and respect for her country and its national symbol, knowing they were becoming endangered, she began advocating for the rights and welfare of the Asian elephants in Thailand. Advocating for change in the ways domestic and wild elephants are treated hasn’t been an easy battle, but with hard work and dedication, her voice is internationally recognized. She formed The Save the Elephant Foundation and has a dedicated team that works by her side endlessly to protect the Asian Elephants. Sangdeaun Lek Chailert has received many honors and accolades. In 2001 The Ford Foundation named her “hero of the planet and she was named one of Time Magazine’s Hero’s for Asia for her work in conservation. in 2005 and in 2010 Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton invited her to Washington DC to honor her as one in six Women Heroes of Global Conservation. Lek has earned Honorary degrees from Rajabhat Chiang Mai University and a National Geographic documentary highlight Lek’s work was recognized by the Humane Society of the United States with a Genesis Award. Today Lek continues to be at the forefront of elephant and other animal rights raising international awareness. She continues to encourage the world to follow her lead.