Speakers

Laura Gruber is a Senior Programs Manager at the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), where she oversees the development and growth of WCN’s Rising Wildlife Leaders capacity-building programs and supports the operational management of WCN’s Conservation Department. Laura is a proud alumni of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Class 5, and now serves as the Executive Director. 

Nina Fascione is Executive Director of The International Rhino Foundation, responsible for the organization’s strategic direction, growth and performance in support of all rhino species. Nina has held roles at Defenders of Wildlife, including as Vice President of Development and Vice President for Field Conservation Programs, and served as Executive Director of Bat Conservation International. Nina co-founded the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program and serves as advisor to Ewaso Lions in Kenya.

Jeffrey Flocken is the CEO & President of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Los Angeles County, California.  Prior to this appointment he was President of Humane Society International and also worked as the North American Regional Director for IFAW and for the federal government doing global endangered species conservation. Flocken is also cofounder of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders initiative and is coauthor of the book Wildlife Heroes.

Pamela Flick, California Program Director for Defenders of Wildlife, works to advance imperiled species conservation, wildlife-human coexistence and responsible energy development. Prior to joining Defenders in 2005, Pam held leadership roles in the California Wild Heritage Campaign at Friends of the River to permanently protect public lands and rivers statewide.

Masha leads political strategy for Pew’s environment campaigns, including helping secure the U.N. biodiversity target to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030. Previously, she advanced global wildlife protections at Humane Society International. She holds degrees from George Washington University and William & Mary Law School.

With 10+ years of experience in environmental conservation, spanning NRDC, WWF, WRI, USFWS, and beyond, Alexander is a strategic communicator who champions inspiring and inclusive storytelling to drive meaningful change for people and nature. His work blends multichannel communications strategies to amplify and advocate for impactful solutions on pressing environmental challenges. 

Jody Cassell is the Deputy Director of Birmingham Zoo, Alabama’s only Zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  With over 20 years leading conservation projects in the SE region and around the globe, her favorite thing (besides manatees) is empowering people to act for conservation and ‘be the change’ they wish to see in the world.

Nav Dayanand has more than 15 years of experience in conservation and climate policy, legislative, communications campaigns and public funding matters. He has worked for several global conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and Fauna & Flora International in many leadership roles. He is based in Washington, DC and is an advocate for minorities in conservation. 

Crystal DiMiceli is an environmental storyteller, podcast host, and educator with 20+ years in conservation. Through her podcast Forces for Nature and engaging workshops, she bridges science and everyday action, inspiring realistic, hopeful steps toward sustainability while connecting diverse audiences to the shared goal of a thriving planet.

Rhett Ayers Butler founded Mongabay in 1999 with the mission of raising interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife. For the first several years of the project, he operated Mongabay on his own, publishing thousands of stories.  Today Rhett serves as editor-in-chief and CEO of Mongabay, a non-profit media organization with more than 120 staff across five bureaus and a network of around 1,000 correspondents in 80 countries who pursue stories ranging from conventional news articles to deeply-reported investigative projects.

Marja Diaz is the Senior Manager of Documentary Films at National Geographic. She’s a Stanford University graduate, RAY Marine Senior Fellow, alumna of EWCL, the Environmental Leadership Program and on the board of Conservation Nation. As a multicultural, impact-driven storyteller, she aims to combine film and science to inspire change. 

Bryan Christy is an author, journalist, and filmmaker. He is author of the espionage novel IN THE COMPANY OF KILLERS and the non-fiction book THE LIZARD KING (Twelve), currently in production for HBO by A24 and Goode Films. Bryan founded Special Investigations at National Geographic, the organization’s first criminal investigations effort, and is a National Geographic Society Rolex Explorer of the Year. For its 125th anniversary, National Geographic named his work “One of Ten Ways National Geographic has Changed the World.”

Donna Gadomski is a passionate advocate and strategic external affairs leader with extensive experience across nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors. As Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns at Humane World for Animals, she leads global campaigns to advance animal welfare for policy, awareness, and fundraising impact; builds influential partnerships and mobilizes high-profile supporters through meaningful engagement to drive measurable impact.

Nilanga Jayasinghe is a manager on the Wildlife Conservation team at WWF-US and focuses on Asian species, particularly elephants, rhinos, tigers, and snow leopards. She is also the WWF Network lead on Asian elephants through WWF’s Biodiversity Practice and sits on the leadership team of the WWF Network human-wildlife conflict working group. She has more than 20 years of extensive experience in international species conservation and has worked on diverse conservation issues across Asia, Africa, and North America. 

Scott Ressler is the Executive Producer for the Pristine Seas film team at National Geographic, where he leads storytelling efforts that support global ocean conservation. An Emmy Award–winning filmmaker with over 20 years in television and film, Scott has worn many creative hats—including director, camera person, editor, and graphics artist.

Renee Bumpus is Chief Animal Conservation Officer at the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, where she provides strategic leadership to develop and enhance wildlife conservation programming. Serving on the boards of the Center for Conservation Peacebuilding and Giraffe Manor and advisory committees for Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders, OneNature and Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Renee is passionate about supporting and strengthening global conservation efforts.

Errol Mazursky is the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships Project Director of Programs. He contributes to the to the strategic direction of the STPF including oversight of the fellowship cycle, from the selection process to the placement process for the four fellowship areas (Legislative, Executive, Judicial and Revelle), and providing fellows and hosts with support during the fellowship year. Errol brings nearly 20 years of fellowship experience to AAAS from coordinating the EPA STAR Fellowship Program to a 17-year tenure at the Environmental Leadership Program where he served as Executive Director for almost 13 years.  Outside of work Errol serves on several boards and advisory committees including the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Program, the Gavin Gladding Foundation and Impact by Design. 

Elizabeth Murdock is a consultant and writer dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places and building conservation organizations. She has worked locally, nationally, and internationally to strengthen marine protected areas, combat illegal wildlife trade and illegal fishing, and secure protections for sharks, birds, and other marine and terrestrial species. She is currently completing her first novel.

Danielle Brigida is Senior Director of Wildlife Communications & Strategy at WWF-US, leading campaigns that connect science, policy, and public engagement. A longtime digital innovator, she previously directed social media at the Department of the Interior, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and National Wildlife Federation, sparking global conservation conversations. 

Kaila Ferrari is a science communicator who integrates multimedia storytelling with behavioral science to advance biodiversity conservation. She spearheads Rare’s communication campaigns to inspire community-led action and restore coastal ecosystems. Kaila is an Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders class 10 member and formerly worked at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Justin Grubb is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, published author, and co-founder of Running Wild Media, a production company inspiring conservation through visual storytelling. He is also co-founder and president of Sleeping Bear Wildlife Fund, a Michigan based conservation nonprofit. Holding a Master’s in Biology, Justin is a Fellow of the Explorers Club, a TEDx Speaker, and a member of iLCP 

David Mizejewski is a naturalist, author and television presenter with the National Wildlife Federation. He holds a degree in Human and Natural Ecology from Emory University and is an expert on wildlife and our environment. David is dedicated to using his knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm to help others understand and protect the natural world. He regularly appears in the media to promote wildlife conservation. 

Chip Weiskotten is a senior communications strategist passionate about helping conservation and climate organizations tell their story. With experience in leadership roles at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, and on Capitol Hill, he blends storytelling, strategy, and media savvy to advance mission-driven goals. He lives in Washington, DC, with his family.

Cara Martel works with species on the brink of extinction, scaling conservation impact through managed breeding initiatives and reintroductions at Re:wild. With 20+ years in the zoological field, she connects in situ and ex situ teams for inclusive planning and targeted results, with a focus on effective conservation strategies for wildlife, wild spaces, and people to thrive.

Lucas Meers is the director of the Jacksonville University Sea Turtle Program and Mickler's Landing Turtle Patrol, where he has actively worked with sea turtles for 15 years in northeast Florida. He is an advocate for community-led conservation and has a passion for connecting people across cultures to save species.

Bentley Johnson is a husband, father, basketball player, and Michigan Wolverine, but in his day job he is the Federal Government Affairs Director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Before Michigan LCV, Bentley advised U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) on environmental issues and held several roles for the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, D.C. He is the board chair for the Michigan Climate Action Network and serves on the Ann Arbor Greenbelt Advisory Commission.

Peter Lalampaa, a Kenyan conservationist and Indigenous Samburu pastoralist, is the executive director at GZT, Lalampaa seeks to achieve the organization’s vision of healthy, connected landscapes that support wildlife and pastoralism. Lalampaa earned the title of Disney Conservation Hero for his outstanding contributions to Grevy’s zebra conservation and was recognized as a member of the Explorer’s Club Top Fifty. Lalampaa is passionate about mitigating the impacts of rangeland degradation, which jeopardize both wildlife conservation and pastoralism.

Loren Mayor is the Chief Operating Officer of World Wildlife Fund US, where she oversees critical functions including strategic partnerships, finance, fundraising, , IT, and HR. Loren brings a wealth of experience in transforming operations across complex, mission-driven organizations—including NPR, PBS, and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting—where she consistently championed innovation and operational excellence.  

Dr. Mark Penning is the Vice President: Animals, Science and Environment for Disney Experiences, overseeing animal care and environmental initiatives at the company’s parks and resorts around the world, together with the field conservation initiatives and oversight of the use of animals in film and television. Mark is a veterinarian by training, with a special interest in wildlife. He has worked as a private veterinarian in South Africa, and previously served as President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

As the Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Brandie Smith oversees the Zoo facility in Washington, D.C. and the 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute campus in Front Royal, Virginia. Smith oversees operations, educational programs, ticketed events and other public services and programs. Prior to joining the Zoo, Smith spent 10 years as vice president of animal conservation at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Alison Zak is the director of the Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund, author of Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World, and a nonfiction book coach supporting nature writers.

Dr. Jen Miller is a wildlife conservationist and mindfulness guide dedicated to helping conservationists deepen their connection with nature and themselves. Jen works as the Senior Manager of the Sea Otter Fund at the Wildlife Conservation Network and volunteers as President of the Society for Conservation Biology's Revive Working Group on resilience and wellbeing. She is based in San Francisco, California, USA.

Claire Martin is the Senior Manager of Biodiversity Conservation at The Walt Disney Company. She leads the company’s philanthropic commitment to nature through the Disney Conservation Fund, which has helped to protect more than 1,000 species of wildlife across every continent and every ocean and provided millions of awe-inspiring nature experiences to kids and families around the world.

Shaun Martin is vice president for adaptation and resilience and deputy lead for climate change at WWF US. He has more than 25 years’ experience in capacity building, training, and leadership development and is a thought leader in climate change adaptation and nature-based solutions. In his current role, he helps influence policy and practice to foster conditions that help people to adapt to climate change in harmony with nature.  He serves on the board of directors for the School of Fields Studies and the advisory boards for the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program, for ee360, an environmental education training program supported by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and AmericaAdapts, a climate change adaptation podcast.

Dr. Onnie Byers joined the IUCN SSC’s Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) in 1991 and was promoted to the position of Executive Director in 2005. In 2011, she was appointed CPSG Chair becoming the first female to lead the organization, in its 40-year history. In this role, Onnie facilitated the development of management strategies to minimize the risk of extinction of hundreds of species around the world. Onnie retired in February 2025 but remains in a volunteer capacity as CPSG’s Director of Special Projects.

Ben Jones has 25 years in wildlife conservation with tenures at zoo-based conservation organizations and national wildlife institutions. He serves as Houston Zoo’s vice president of conservation and education responsible for the strategic direction of the Zoo’s Conservation Education, Guest Engagement, and Wildlife Conservation departments.

Lily Maynard, Ph.D., is the Director of Global Conservation at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. With a background in the human dimensions of wildlife, she focuses on collaborative conservation and behavior change. Her work spans Africa, Asia, and the Americas, supporting community-driven projects to help wildlife and people thrive together.

Beth Allgood is Associate Executive Director at Aceso Foundation and Founder of OneNature Institute. With over 20 years in conservation, sustainable development, and wellbeing-centered systems change, she brings expertise in biodiversity policy, cultural connection, and community-driven solutions. Her work has been recognized by The Explorers Club’s EC50.

Francine Madden has a 30-year, proven track record of effectively, impartially and devotedly intervening in complex wildlife conservation conflicts. Francine uses societal conflict over wildlife as entry points to reconcile the deep-rooted, systemic conflicts and help participants create lasting shared wins for people and conservation. Francine’s work has been featured in The Washington Post, Bloomberg Businessweek and Wall Street Journal.

Javier is the Assistant Under Secretary for Research Programs & Partnerships at the Smithsonian Institution, where he leads pan-institutional research strategy, coordination, and partnerships. With over 25 years of global experience in conservation and sustainable agriculture, he has held roles at CGIAR, the Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Yale School of Environment, The Nature Conservancy, and the Organization for Tropical Studies. He is a member of EWCL’s Advisory Council. 

Julia Byrd serves as the Citizen Science Program Manager for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. She oversees the Council’s citizen science efforts – helping connect fishermen and scientists to develop and support projects that address key research priorities. She lives in Charleston, SC with her husband, Joe, and dog, Bodie.

Dillon is the Conservation Project Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, he previously led grassroots organizing around wolf reintroduction and worked on ocean conservation efforts with NRDC’s Oceans Team in San Francisco. He now lives in Denver, supporting conservation efforts across the state.

Hugo Pereira is a Wildlife Veterinarian from Mozambique, and a member of Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Class 10.  Hugo has been working in the field of conservation for almost 10 years, focusing his work on community engagement and veterinary interventions. He loves laughing, music and practicing capoeira. 

Zack Dvornicky-Raymond is a wildlife veterinarian and conservationist with over 10 years of global experience in zoo, wildlife, and One Health initiatives. He currently serves as Program Officer for the IUCN Wildlife Health Specialist Group, operates his own veterinary consulting business, and supports recovery programs for California condors and mountain lions. He is a member of EWCL Class 10 and recently completed a project related to human-lion coexistence.

Marissa is a conservation biologist with over a decade of experience helping companies drive positive biodiversity impact. She is the Director of Commercial Development at Map of Life Solutions, a biodiversity intelligence company that integrates AI, remote sensing, and ecological data to provide near-real-time biodiversity insights, enabling organizations to measure, manage, and report on nature-related risks and opportunities. 

As vice president of wildlife in Science and Innovation programs at the National Geographic Society, Colby Bishop leads a team of business and science experts that adaptively manage a portfolio of grants and programs with the overall vision to explore, protect, and promote species diversity. Her career started at National Geographic in 2007 and has since driven internal strategy and program management for impact driven programs. Colby also serves on the EWCL Advisory Committee.

Kasie Coccaro oversees the National Geographic Society's Exploration Technology Lab, a portfolio of technology services that support a global community of National Geographic Explorers. From access to off-the-shelf technologies to sensor hardware built by its engineers, the technology offered by the Ex Tech Lab allows Explorers to capture unique data and content from the most remote and extreme environments.

Dr. Arnaud Lyet is a lead specialist in animal population monitoring, modeling, and decision science at WWF on the Wildlife Conservation team. He has extended and practical experience leading complex biodiversity monitoring and conservation programs at regional and global scales, and is recognized for his leadership in assessing biodiversity using creative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and environmental DNA (eDNA). He has been actively involved in the development of two global initiatives for biodiversity mapping and monitoring, one based on eDNA (Wildinsync) and the other on AI applied to camera-trap images (Wildlife Insights). 

Over a 20-year career, Onkuri Majumdar has trained over a thousand officials in Asia and Africa on preventing, detecting, and investigating wildlife crime. She has also trained airlines, shipping companies and banks to act as eyes and ears for law enforcement. She strongly believes that wildlife has a right to thrive, without ‘paying’ for their continued existence by being useful to humans. 

Lona is the Chief Operations Officer and Innovation Counsel at Conservation X Labs, where she provides strategic leadership across the organization's technology and innovation programs, including the Sentinel, Wild Me Lab, and NABIT technologies. Prior to joining CXL, she served as Chief Innovation Officer / Vice President of Impact and Innovation at CARE, an international NGO implementing over $900 million in programs. In that role, led CARE's strategy to scale the world's most impactful solutions, and provided technical direction for digital, innovation, economic inclusion, social business, impact investing, and data, evaluation, and accountability practice.

Alison Styring is a graduate of Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders' pilot class.  She is currently a professor at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.  She also collaborates with researchers in Sarawak, East Malaysia to study land use effects on birds and to provide communities with information they need to promote biodiversity conservation. 

Natalie Bailey has worked at the intersection of conservation, policy, and development for 25 years. She enjoys bringing people together to tackle complex problems, learn from evidence, and implement One Health approaches. Most recently, she served as a Senior Biodiversity Advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development's Center for Natural Environment, where she co-founded the Agency's One Health Working Group, led the Wild Meat Collaborative Learning Group, and supported project design and monitoring of projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to her time as a federal employee, she worked for coalitions of conservation NGOs focused on wildlife and landscapes in Africa. 

Tracey Duffey is an international development executive with over 30 years of experience securing multi-million grant funds through partnerships and leading global teams to deliver impact at scale through agricultural and community-led development, gender equality, nutrition, and education programming. She is the Head of Global Partnerships at ofi (olam food ingredients).

Taldi Harrison is a seasoned public-affairs leader with 20 years of experience bridging business, government, and community partnerships to advance equitable access, economic vitality, and environmental stewardship. She most recently served as Chief Program Officer for the Foundation for America’s Public Lands, overseeing program strategy, grantmaking, and federal and state government relations. Previously, Taldi led government affairs for REI Co-op, partnering with nonprofits, and coalitions to support outdoor recreation access and infrastructure. Throughout her career, she built bipartisan alliances, designed cross-sector strategies, and championed community-driven solutions that strengthen public lands and the communities that depend on them.

For more than 25 years, Karin Kirchoff, founder and president of K2D Strategies has dedicated her career to working for causes that make the world a better place. By implementing dynamic and forward-thinking, multichannel marketing programs, she has helped to generate tens of millions for animal welfare and environmental causes, advocacy programs focused on women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, and children; and social service causes that help the people and communities most in need.

Julia (Jules) Luthringer is a Conservation Program Officer at the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. Jules oversees grant making related to coral conservation, institutional health, and US ocean policy, and supports on efforts for shark and ray conservation and marine protected area implementation. Previously, she led the ocean research and conservation grant portfolio at the National Geographic Society and worked with National Geographic Explorers to identify and develop ocean priorities for the organization. She has had a variety of roles in marine research laboratories and federal agencies across the US. 

As a Senior Wildlife Policy Analyst with the Environmental Investigation Agency US (EIA), Taylor leads and implements campaigns to protect rhinos and elephants from poaching, trafficking, and habitat loss. He regularly represents EIA at meetings for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) where he works to strengthen protections for rhinos and other threatened species affected by illegal trade, improve anti-wildlife trafficking law enforcement efforts, and ensure Party compliance with CITES. 

Amielle DeWan is Executive Director and co-founder of Impact by Design.  Amielle’s perspective and expertise have been shaped by over 20 years of experience in designing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for multiple national and international nonprofits and government agencies.  She’s worked with communities and organizations in Indonesia and China, across Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and the United States.

As Rare CEO, Brett leads the organization’s global mission to empower and inspire people to adopt sustainable behaviors and practices, transform individual action into collective action, and protect our shared lands, waters, and climate. Brett is a Catto Fellow, Braddock Scholar and McNulty Prize laureate with the Aspen Institute, a member of the Closed Loop Fund’s investment committee, a trustee to the Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Trust, and a recipient of the Rose-Walters Prize for Global Environmental Activism.

Sean Russell serves as Director of Youth Engagement at EarthEcho International, leading programs that build the capacity of young ocean advocates in 100+ countries. He brings over a decade of experience collaborating with nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies to elevate the role of youth leadership in the conservation movement. 

Paul Todd is a Senior Attorney at NRDC. For more than 25 years, he has provided guidance to NGO’s and governments on the use of international law and policy to achieve biodiversity conservation objectives, helping to build durable, equitable partnerships to design and implement effective policy advocacy campaigns. Paul previously worked for IFAW and Defenders of Wildlife, and on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide and communications director. He has degrees in journalism, environmental science, and law from the University of Kansas, and is admitted to the state bar of Colorado. 

Sara Barth joined Sempervirens Fund in 2016 after 12 years working in leadership positions at The Wilderness Society (TWS), most recently as Senior Regional Director for the Pacific and Southeast regions. Sara oversaw TWS efforts to protect wildlands around the country, including successfully preserving over 1 million acres of federal land in California, and she completed a major climate adaptation project for the organization. Prior to TWS, Sara served as an environmental advisor to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer in Washington, D.C. Her other professional experience includes working for the National Wildlife Federation and the World Wildlife Fund on U.S. land and wildlife policy. 

Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman is the co-founder and Director of Seratu Aatai, a Sabah-based NGO dedicated to fostering coexistence between people and the endangered Bornean elephant. She works closely with communities, government agencies, and international partners to address human-elephant conflict, integrating science, policy, and local knowledge to balance economic growth with biodiversity protection. She was awarded the prestigious Whitley Award 2025 and the Women of Discovery Awards (WINGS) 2025. 

Danielle Kessler is the US Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare and an alumni of EWCL Class 4. With professional experience that includes roles in zoos and aquariums, federal government, NGOs, and academia, Danielle enjoys bringing together varied perspectives and finding common ground and innovative solutions. 

As Chief Animal Officer at Colossal Biosciences and the Executive Director of the Colossal Foundation, Matt James is building animal care strategies around de-extinction programs and leading the Colossal’s disruptive conservation efforts. Previously, he advanced elephant welfare at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, supervised a 4,000-animal collection at Zoo Miami, and led animal care at the Dallas Zoo. Over a 20-year career he has coordinated AZA Species Survival Plans for elephants, rhinos, and tigers and field-tested husbandry and conservation protocols in Africa and Asia. 

Martha Parker is the Director of Grants & Partnership Development at the International Rhino Foundation. Martha has worked in wildlife conservation for the past sixteen years, with expertise in grantmaking to in-situ conservation projects, behavior change campaign design, implementation and evaluation, strategic planning, and building capacity in wildlife conservation professionals to maximize impact. 

Alli is passionate about helping nonprofits find funding that aligns with their missions and has two decades of experience as a nonprofit and fundraising professional. She currently serves as Senior Managing Consultant at CIMA Consulting where she advises clients on institutional fundraising and overall development strategy. She has a BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Rochester and an MA in Public Policy from the University of Maryland. 

Cullen Geiselman PhD is a conservationist, philanthropist, and bat researcher. She serves on the Boards of Directors of Rainforest Trust, Turtle Conservancy, Bats without Borders, Small Mammal Conservation Organization, Houston Parks Board, and on the Houston Zoo’s Community-based Conservation Committee. She is dedicated to building thriving organizations with strong leaders in regions with high biodiversity.

David Kuvawoga is the Operations Director at Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe, leading efforts to protect endangered painted dogs (Lycaon pictus). He holds a Bachelor’s in Nature Conservation from Tshwane University of Technology and a Master’s in Environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. An Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader (Class 8 Fellow), David promotes community-driven solutions that enable people and painted dogs to thrive together.

T’Noya Thompson, Ph.D., is a visionary leader in conservation organizational leadership and the founder of Wild Spark Consulting. With more than 20 years of experience, she cultivates purpose-driven leadership and resilient organizational cultures to facilitate positive conservation outcomes. Her people-first approach creates a lasting impact across conservation, education, and community initiatives, blending research, strategy, and warmth to drive meaningful change.

Nina Fascione is Executive Director of The International Rhino Foundation, responsible for the organization’s strategic direction, growth and performance in support of all rhino species. Nina has held roles at Defenders of Wildlife, including as Vice President of Development and Vice President for Field Conservation Programs, and served as Executive Director of Bat Conservation International. Nina co-founded the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program and serves as advisor to Ewaso Lions in Kenya.

Jeffrey Flocken is the CEO & President of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Los Angeles County, California.  Prior to this appointment he was President of Humane Society International and also worked as the North American Regional Director for IFAW and for the federal government doing global endangered species conservation. Flocken is also cofounder of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders initiative and is coauthor of the book Wildlife Heroes.

Julie Scardina is President and co-founder of Mission Wildlife, dedicated to species conservation. Her lifelong love of animals led to careers as animal trainer, conservationist and educator. Julie served as Corporate Director of Training and Animal Ambassador Programs, and was media spokesperson for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, appearing regularly on the Tonight Show and Today Show, discussing animals and conservation. 

Paul is Chief Programs Officer at the Wildlife Conservation Network. He oversees all of WCN’s conservation programs: the Wildlife Funds, Partner Network, and Rising Wildlife Leaders programs. Paul works across species and issues, but has long focused on pangolins, including co-founding Save Pangolins to conserve the world’s most illegally trafficked mammal. Paul is on the boards of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program and Kinship Conservation Fellows.