Welcome to WILD

Adam is a conservationist, community builder, and advocate for respectful and inclusive collaboration. With more than two decades of experience in international conservation, he has worked with governments, local communities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions to strengthen cooperation, bring together diverse perspectives, and advance practical solutions for people and nature.

Adam serves as Managing Director of Global Conservation Networks and Partnerships at the WILD Foundation and as Co-Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Wilderness Specialist Group. He is also the primary facilitator of the North American Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation for Protected Areas Conservation, which supports collaboration among land management agencies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. He previously served as Deputy Executive Organizer of the 12th World Wilderness Congress and serves as an Associate Editor and member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Wilderness.

Earlier in his career, Adam served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, supporting coastal resource management initiatives with local fisherfolk communities, including marine protected areas, alternative livelihoods, and coral reef and fish monitoring.

He holds a Master of Science in Biology from Old Dominion University, where his research examined the historical and contemporary influences shaping marine population connectivity in the Coral Triangle, and a Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University.

Aiita Joshua Apamaku is a wildlife biologist, conservation practitioner, and National Geographic Explorer working at the intersection of area-based conservation governance and socio-ecological systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. His work centres on the use of community-driven storytelling and citizen science to support shared natural resource use and inclusive conservation governance. He holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford (UK) and a BSc in Wildlife Health and Management from Makerere University (Uganda).

At WILD, Aiita serves as Conservation Associate, contributing to global wilderness conservation through research, technical writing, partnership development, and engagement in international conservation processes. He supports the development of guidance and policy resources, helps cultivate partnerships and funding opportunities, and contributes to initiatives that advance the protection and stewardship of wilderness worldwide.

Alyssa Erin Kardos Loera is a sustainability and social impact leader who brings together environmental health and artistic expression to strengthen communities. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of ReMade in Cambodia, where she leads strategy, partnerships, and advocacy through upcycled fashion and creative community building. She also runs a kombucha venture that reuses recycled bottles, carrying her passion for circular design into everyday life.

Originally from California, Alyssa is a Fulbright Scholar and advisor for the Iris Project. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Global Health with a minor in Theology from Georgetown University. She is passionate about using the arts to make environmental issues more accessible, amplify local voices, and reimagine waste as a resource.

Outside of work, Alyssa loves running, kickboxing, and trekking – activities that fuel her creativity and keep her connected to the outdoors. She enjoys sharing her journey of building environmental startups and looks forward to connecting with changemakers worldwide who are working to bridge inequities and create a more just, sustainable future.

Bob Dvorak, Ph.D. is a Professor in Central Michigan University’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration. Bob’s professional teaching and research interests include wilderness and protected area management, examining visitor use issues in parks and wilderness, and understanding the relationships and attachments people form with wilderness and protected areas.

He has partnered with WILD since 2013, first as managing editor of the International Journal of Wilderness (IJW). IJW is the tool of choice for wilderness managers and advocates, produced through a unique collaboration between the WILD and its many partners and sponsors He has been the Editor-in-Chief of IJW since 2018. Bob is also involved with the World Wilderness Congress, specifically partnering with the Science Symposium to support shared knowledge and scientific collaboration.

Fátima is passionate about participatory and community-based approaches to biodiversity conservation. She loves connecting people and facilitating the development of meaningful relationships. At CoalitionWILD, she is the person working ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the EXCELerator and Global Mentorship programs, following her keen interest in exploring community engagement and capacity-building strategies in the virtual space. Fátima has a multidisciplinary background, she is a biologist and has completed a Master’s degree in Forest and Nature Conservation from Wageningen University and Research. In the past, she has worked with local communities both in urban and rural areas on projects on human-wildlife coexistence, community forestry, and environmental education. At the present, she is looking forward to further developing herself professionally in the fields of facilitation, conflict management, and mediation, and experiential learning for reconnecting ourselves, as humans, to the natural world.

Jackie’s days at WILD began as an intern back in 2012, and she hasn’t been able to stay away for long. After finishing her undergraduate degree in Communications and Environmental Studies from Boston College, Jackie came back to work for WILD first as the Nature Needs Half Community Architect, then as Content Manager, and now, after finishing her Master of Science in Marketing from the University of Denver, as the Senior Communications Officer and Voices of Wilderness podcast host. Jackie is passionate about compelling and convincing storytelling as a means of opening people’s eyes to the environmental crisis our planet is facing.

Jennifer has been at WILD since late 2014, coming in with experience from the for-profit sector in both administration and marketing. After so many years at WILD, Jenn has learned that her heart lies with helping the planet and the people working so hard on a variety of Earth-related missions. Her role is managing all operations for programs, partners, and WILD’s core work. Solving problems and seeing the results brings her the greatest joy! Outside of work, Jenn enjoys spending time with her family, whether it’s in the mountains or cozy at home.

Dedicated to shedding light on the link between Sámi culture, indigenous rights and sustainable futures. By building a dedicated team, Johanna blends strategic leadership with advocacy to elevate the voices of her people whilst promoting stewardship, and fostering dialogue among communities, policymakers, and industry. She champions transparency, accountability, and long-term resilience, ensuring that Sámi perspectives are integral to decision-making at every level.

My name is Luna, I’m 18 years old. I currently live in Santa Barbara, California to learn English while studying political science. I’ve always liked history and geography as well as discussing politics, so international politics has everything I love and I think this can help me in the future. This knowledge can be a tool for the Yawanawá community. I’m originally from Brazil, I’m a Yawanawá Indigenous Person.

Life back at home is calm. I grew up in the middle of nature and what I love most about the environment are plants and whales! I remember watching a documentary about the communication between trees’ roots and leaves to avoid disease or warn about attack by predators like insects. They know when they are dying and pass all their nutrients to other plants. Whales are such intelligent animals that have culture, language and are matriarchal communities where the female older whales lead the group. I think this is all amazing.

Maddy joined the WILD team summer of 2023, returning to her love of conservation after a post-college trip to the world of human services. She graduated from the University of Denver in 2019 with degrees in International Studies and Environmental Science, and is passionate about bringing “everyday” people into the global conservation movement.

Outside of work, Maddy spends most of her time reading or gardening. She is a passionate no-till regenerative flower farmer; if you ever want to talk soil, you know who to call!

Maidi Eira Andersson is a young reindeer herder from Ran who, having faced threats and mistreatment of animals, channels her experiences into advocacy and leadership. Maidi is a bold voice for Sámi rights and animal welfare, speaking out to protect her people, herd, and culture. She pushes for stronger protections, responsible forestry, and constructive stakeholder dialogue, grounded in resilience
and commitment to her community.

Since 2018, Mark has been bringing WILD’s stories and communications to life through thoughtful, engaging graphic design. He believes great design is more than making something look good—it’s about finding the right visual story to create a connection with the viewer to inspire action.

Mike is an interdisciplinary conservation practitioner, researcher, and community engagement specialist. His conservation portfolio centers on connecting diverse people and ways of knowing, spanning key participatory and community-driven themes such as community-driven conservation, local and traditional knowledge, empowerment, and transdisciplinary collaboration. Drawing from nearly two decades of international experience with participatory and cross-cultural conservation and climate action, he is firmly committed to facilitating meaningful, relational, and solutions-oriented conservation through respectful and deep collaborations built on trust, reciprocity, and shared understanding.

Dr. Susan Canney has a variety of experience from working on conservation projects across Africa, Asia, and Europe, and as a research officer for the UK Government’s independent adviser on sustainable development at the Green College Centre for Environmental Policy & Understanding.

Her work involves using systems perspectives and collaborative approaches to understand the human-nature relationship and find sustainable solutions to conservation problems.

She is a Research Associate of the Department of Zoology, Oxford University, a Trustee of Tusk Trust, a Tusk Award Judge; sits on the Nature Needs Half Advisory Committee, the Sahara Conservation Fund’s Science Committee, and is a member of the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group. She has co-authored a recently published book on “Conservation” for Cambridge University Press, which takes a global perspective to bring conservation to the heart of sustainability and environmental policy.

Mali Elephant Landscapes is a joint program of WILD and the International Conservation Fund of Canada.

Tasia Talbert believes every good story starts small. With a humble entry point, a good story can touch even the more unexpected audience. As WILD’s Digital Communications and Storytelling Manager, she brings nearly a decade of experience turning complex missions into stories, bringing opportunities and experiences to underserved populations. Most recently, Tasia translated marine science into public-facing storytelling for a state-affiliated research institute. Before that, she helped a Baltimore housing non profit rebuild its narrative from the ground up, increasing engagement and funding for programs aimed at ending homelessness. Tasia holds a B.A. In Business Management and a Marketing MBA from the University of Baltimore.

Tori comes to WILD with a variety of professional experiences ranging from social science research, to non-profit work, to managing and training clients and their horses. This diversity of experiences is driven by her passion for creative problem solving through results oriented research, communications, client relations, and operations to support people, organizations, and their goals. She has a Master’s degree in International Studies with a concentration in international development and Latin American studies from the University of Denver, which allows her to bring an interdisciplinary social science background to her work. Most importantly to her work at WILD this includes, finding ways to foster the knowledge and understanding needed to solve the world’s most pressing environmental issues.

Outside of work, you will find Tori riding horses, spending time in her garden, or going on adventures with her friends and family.

Veronica Dandzo-Adzagudu holds a master’s degree in Environmental Management (Conservation) from the University of Stirling, UK and a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. With her budding passion in conservation, she volunteered at A Rocha Ghana during her 4-years undergraduate program in KNUST, and supported the implementation of several projects including the Climate Stewards Program and Collaborative Ecosystem Conservation of the Lake Bosomtwe Catchment. Veronica has been engaging in conservation research and working with conservation NGOs and local communities in implementing community-based natural resources management projects across Ghana. Naturally, she loves to inspire, encourage and mentor her peers and younger people by supporting them with resources for personal and career development. Veronica is an ardent believer that effective mentorship is needed to bridge the generational gap in all sectors as she recognizes that mentorship has had a significant positive impact on her career development. At CoalitionWILD, Veronica leads the Global Mentorship Program and is looking forward to an exciting journey of learning with the program’s mentees and mentors.

Zacharia Mutinda Muteti is a Kenyan wildlife ethnoecologist dedicated to community-led conservation that honors cultural heritage and ecological integrity. Founder and programme lead of the Eco-Jipe Program, he works to protect the Lake Jipe ecosystem, a transboundary biodiversity hotspot home to the endangered Jipe tilapia and a refuge for African savannah elephants. His conservation work spans Kenya, including research on human–elephant interactions, predator conflicts, and elephant communication.

Zak is a BeVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellow, Keystone Species Alliance Fellow, and grant recipient from the Rufford Foundation and Elephant Crisis Fund. His achievements include reviving Beach Management Units on Lake Jipe, launching sustainable fisheries, and advancing human–elephant coexistence. With a BSc in Wildlife Management (University of Eldoret) and currently pursuing an MSc in Environmental Studies (Karatina University) along with his expertise in project management, GIS, conservation education, and stakeholder engagement, he integrates scientific research with Indigenous knowledge to empower communities. Beyond his professional work, Zak is a passionate peer educator, birder, and photographer of human–wildlife interactions, especially with elephants and birds.

Joel D. Holtrop served as the Deputy Chief of the National Forest System Deputy Area at agency headquarters in Washington D.C., from March 2005 until October, 2011.  In this capacity, he oversaw the strategic and national program leadership for the 193 million acre National Forest System of forests and grasslands located in 42 states and Puerto Rico.  He retired from the US Forest Service following a 35 year career throughout the US.  Since his retirement in 2011, Holtrop has become Board Chair of The Corps Network, a national organization providing leadership to the nation’s 151 Service and Conservation Corps, annually enrolling more than 30,000 young men and women in service.  He is also leading the effort of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees to work with Global Parks and the International Conservation Caucus Foundation to pursue the concept of an International Conservation Corps, tapping the skills and interests of retired natural resource professionals to do volunteer conservation work in developing countries.  Joel is an avid outdoor adventurer and traveler.

Clay has worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute since 2011. He is currently a Senior Director where he leads its India Program helping to promote India’s clean energy targets. Clay has worked on energy strategy in more than 15 countries to help solve complex challenges in the energy sector. Prior to joining RMI, Clay worked in viticulture, marketing, and social-business incubation. As a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, he has led expeditions in the Sierra Nevada, Himalaya, and Rocky Mountains. Clay was appointed by Aspen City Council to the Aspen Next Generation Advisory Commission and is a member of the Aspen Institute’s Society of Fellows.

He holds a BA in Ecology and Philosophy from the University of California at Santa Cruz and an MBA in Natural Resource Management from Bainbridge Graduate Institute (Presidio Graduate School).

Jonathan believes we as humans can achieve nearly anything when we stand in solidarity, and the WILD Foundation is the premier organization to stimulate action and unite our diverse planet. He currently works full-time at his own business, Born Custom Guitars, where he practices sustainable manufacturing. Jonathan is also an active investor and conservationist and has two wonderful sons and a loving wife. He moved to Boulder, CO in 2009 from the Chicago, IL area so that he could be more connected with nature, develop a career doing what he loves, and live in a community with similar cultural and environmental ideals. Jonathan loves adventure and you can find him skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, travel, science, music, and playing guitar.

As a dreamer, he balances his novel ideals with strong analytical skills and a practical business acumen. Jonathan’s M.B.A. and background in finance and entrepreneurship combined with idealistic ambitions provide a unique perspective and ability to objectively evaluate what can be accomplished and how to do so. His greatest wisdom comes from listening to others.

Lindsay Ellis is a scholar and activist who uses her understanding of written argumentation to support healthy ecosystems and quality education.  Lindsay has a Ph.D. in English and Education from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago.  She is an Associate Professor at Grand Valley State University. At GVSU, she serves as Director of Writing Across the Curriculum and the Lake Michigan Writing Project.  She has been a visiting scholar at the University of Amsterdam, where she studied argumentation and conflict resolution.  She has taught summer institutes on the teaching of writing to K-12 teachers for the last ten years.  Lindsay is also on the board of the Ellis Foundation, which directs grants to environmental sustainability and education in equal measure.  She is passionate about educating citizens to understand science and each other, to contextualize their needs within human and non-human ecosystems of competing interests, and to collaboratively design solutions to meet global challenges.  Her love of writing encompasses not only the critical logic of argumentation but also the attentiveness of poetry to the natural world.

Swati is part of IUCNs Protected and Conserved Areas Team and coordinates Act30, a global initiative by IUCN, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) and the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) on Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Prior to this, Swati worked in IUCN’s Forest and Grassland team where she managed the Barometer, a restoration pro[1]gress tracking tool for governments and the private sector. Before joining IUCN, Swati worked in South Asia for several years, designing and implementing field-level protection and community development projects in national parks and advancing trans-boundary dialogues on conservation. She is a Fulbright fellow from Columbia University, a member of the Board of Directors of the WILD Foundation and volunteers at the Humane Res[1]cue Alliance in Washington D.C.

An avid world traveler, nature lover, and volunteer, Charlotte Baron is also a professional systems and management analyst. She earned a Master in Public Administration, Finance and Policy Analysis (MPA) in 1980. Charlotte has been a Director, and the Vice President/Treasurer of both Fulcrum Publishing and Fulcrum Group since 1985, building on a career that included work with numerous US government departments. The number of her interests – culture, skiing, hiking, scuba diving, reading, and more – are matched only by the many non-profit organizations which have benefited from her goodwill and skills as a volunteer and/or trustee, such as the Denver Public Library, Denver Art Museum, Auraria Library, Tesoro Foundation, and others. Never one to slow down or give half-measure, Charlotte has added quality time with her three grandchildren to her list of enthusiastic pastimes.

Ed is a public policy and financial expert with broad experience in government, business and non-profit governance. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Yale and attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. He began as a Budget Examiner in the career staff of the President’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ultimately rising through the International Division to become Associate Director for National Security and International Affairs, a political level position. Following a change in Administration he was appointed Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He subsequently co-founded and was President and/or COO of several small consulting firms specializing in environmental technology transfer, alternative energy, and ecotourism, where he was involved in a number of conservation projects. Most recently, he served as interim CFO of Homer Energy helping position it for acquisition. In addition to his consulting work, he has also served on a number of non-profit boards, including locally on the Colorado Chautauqua Board.

Currently the Executive Director of Abercrombie and Kent Philanthropy, Keith is dedicated to utilizing eco/cultural tourism as an economic tool for the sustainable development of local and regional economies. He was previously the Tourism Business Advisor for the World Wildlife Fund in Namibia (Southwest Africa) and has worked in Asia, Africa, Central Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas with a focus on the economics of cultural heritage and nature-based tourism in rural communities. Keith is also the managing partner of the Bentwood Inn, located in Jackson, Wyoming, USA.

Keith earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont and a Master of Arts (international economics) from Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Belize, studying the expenditure patterns of visitors to archaeological sites.

Dr. Vivian Delgado, Yoeme/Tiwa-Tewa has expertise as a professor in Indigenous Studies and was instrumental in developing a four-year multidisciplinary curriculum and degree program.

Currently she works as a consultant and researcher for several treaty councils and has recently worked with lobbyists and environmentalists to preserve the buffalo, the wolves and bears in the Rocky Mountain Region.  Dr. Delgado actively works with the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project and was nominated to serve on their board.

Vance was asked by Ian Player in 1983 to return to the US and resurrect the International Wilderness Leadership Foundation. In 1984, he therefore restructured and established the WILD Foundation and became President and board member, in which capacity he served through 2022. An innovative leader known for bridging the interests of people and nature, he has lived extensively overseas, worked in over 80 countries, and helped to establish many non-profit organizations. An acknowledged expert in international nature conservation and wilderness protection, including strong friendships and working partnerships with traditional and indigenous community leaders, he continues to serve on the boards of numerous organizations such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Friends of Peace Parks, EarthToday/Union of Nature, International Conservation Caucus Foundation, and others. He is also a co-founder and President Emeritus of Wilderness Foundation Global (based in South Africa), and the Founder/Co-chair of the Wilderness Specialist Group (part of the World Commission on Protected Areas, within the International Union for the Conservation of Nature). He is the prolific author/editor of many publications in numerous countries. A native of the U.S. Piedmont region, he graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University. For more information about Vance, please visit his wikipedia page or check out this 2021 interview with our colleagues at great.com.