Our Team

How I got here: I ran Friends of the National Zoo as the first female leader in its 63-year history from 2015 until the separation from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 2021. Prior to FONZ, I led several groups at AARP, ran a marketing agency in DC, and started my career in advertising in New York City. In 2016, my team and I began Conservation Nation as an initiative to provide grants to Smithsonian conservation scientists working to save threatened wildlife around the globe. I’m thrilled we’ve evolved that initiative into our new Conservation Nation organization today.

Favorite animal: The cassowary, for sure.

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: Beyond a desire to help endangered animals, my mom is my passion. She was the child of very poor Italian immigrants and spoke no English when she started school – but she loved math and was brilliant at it. In high school, she was one of a handful of students selected to take a test to go to MIT. But the other students selected were mostly sons of well off and well-educated parents. No one else looked like her or lived how she lived, so she didn’t show up for the test. No student should limit their academic options simply because they don’t see a role model who looks like them or walked a similar path.

How I got here: My relationship with nature stems from the environments in Tanzania where I was raised at a young age and continue to visit almost every summer. Growing up, I fondly remember playing in the river at the family farm in Iringa and walking along the lively beaches in Dar es Salaam. Along with these memories, a growing awareness of environmental destruction has driven me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy at Harvard University. As an older sister, I have also understood the power of education in equipping future generations with the tools to implement climate solutions. In practice, I have enjoyed co-teaching elementary school students across my home county, Montgomery County, Maryland, about renewable energy through fun, adventure-themed lessons and developing engaging lessons for Boston 5th graders about civic engagement and environmental justice. I am excited to learn from Conservation Nation’s amazing work!

Favorite animal: Giraffes!

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: Our most underrepresented communities are impacted most by our relationship with nature. And yet, far too often, they are barred from opportunities in the environmental sphere to redefine this relationship. I look forward to learning tangible ways to help lift these barriers through Conservation Nation’s education programs!

How I got here: I developed a passion for nature as a young child growing up in DC when I would watch nature channels with my mom and admire the beauty of the natural world. As I grew older, I sought out opportunities to interact with and conserve nature, from turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica to bird research in the high alpines of the Sierras. More recently, I have been providing outdoor and environmental education access to underrepresented youth in the DC metropolitan area as an environmental educator, working at non-profits such as City Kids and Wilderness Kids Alexandria. In joining Conservation Nation, I am honored and excited to be part of a team whose mission is to make the field of conservation accessible for all.

My favorite animal: Koalas – funny, cute, unique – what more could you ask for?

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: Being a Black person in the field of conservation, I have always recognized the lack of representation in this field. I sought opportunities to be in nature because it was a burning passion of mine as a kid. But many kids today do not have such an opportunity due to lack of access to the outdoors, and they may not feel encouraged to pursue a career in conservation due to the absence of people in the field who look like them and can relate to them. That is why I want to be a part of the solution to this problem and be someone that kids can look to for the inspiration and confidence to see themselves thriving in a conservation career.

How I got here: I’m a bilingual visual artist with experience in graphic design, video editing, motion graphics, and photography. Since 2015, I have worked with a variety of nonprofits that work toward social and environmental justice. Most recently I worked with Nature Forward (formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society) to produce a Spanish-language video tutorial focused on how to design and install a large-scale rain garden. Funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the video is aimed at Spanish-speaking landscaping professionals.  With funding from the US Forest Service, and as part of Nature Forward’s Taking Nature Black conference, in 2022 I designed and illustrated Belonging, an eBook consisting of photographs and narratives of Black American environmental advocates and nature lovers. I have also edited videos for the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).  I am thrilled to join Conservation Nation and work towards a future where environmental education is accessible to all.

Favorite Animal: I love ALL animals SO MUCH, but I have special affection for snakes, and if I had to choose one snake, I would choose the Western Hognose Snake. I love its upturned rostral scale.

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: I am an environmentalist who has always been in awe of nature, from the smallest creature to the biggest tree. I am passionate about protecting nature and I believe that the only way to do so is to bring every person on board, no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or country of origin. We need everybody if we want to protect biodiversity and ensure a liveable climate.

How I got here: I’m a web developer with over 15 years’ experience working as a freelancer and with non-profit organizations. I joined Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) in 2014 where I developed and managed FONZ content on the National Zoo’s website, helped customize several CRMs and websites, and tried to make sense of the analytics. Although I enjoyed working on all projects at FONZ, my most rewarding time came when I had the opportunity to collaborate with the designers and marketing department to develop the Conservation Nation website. Focusing on conservationists and their work in the field has always been important to me.

Favorite animal: Terrapin. Go Terps!

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: As a Washington, DC area native, I grew up loving nature and wildlife. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and, after a brief time in the for-profit world, spent a year as a FONZ volunteer at the Zoo’s Invertebrates Exhibit while conducting native bee research with the USGS at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. I’ve always enjoyed conservation science, but my career path veered, and I found myself back in school studying digital design. The new vision for Conservation Nation is one that I relate to, and I’m fortunate that I can apply my professional experience toward giving future conservationists the opportunities to help save wildlife.

How I got here: I have been a hopeful and determined environmental educator for more than 25 years. I truly enjoy the challenges of building innovative programs, supporting teachers in effective ways, and bringing joy and wonder to children of all ages. Since earning a B.S. in Zoology and M.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland, I have had the honor to work on a diverse range of conservation education projects at nonprofits such as World Wildlife Fund and the Center for Plant Conservation. Most recently, I spent the past 15 years creating and leading hands-on nature education programs for the Audubon Naturalist Society. Through the grant-funded GreenKids project, I formed strong partnerships with public school systems in DC, Maryland, and Virginia that connected schoolchildren with nature and fostered green schools. I am excited that this path has led me to Conservation Nation, where I look forward to serving as a champion for inclusive and inspiring environmental education.

Favorite animal: Elephants are my absolute favorite, but bats are a close second. I performed field research on bats as an undergraduate and am endlessly fascinated by the amazing adaptations and ecological roles filled by the more than 1,400 bat species worldwide – there is so much to learn about them!

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: I believe that we are all born naturalists and that cultivating a sense of wonder, curiosity, and connection with the natural world is one of the most important things we can do for the future of our planet. I am passionate about building programs that make the conservation movement inclusive and welcoming for everyone, and I am honored to be part of a team dedicated to empowering future conservation leaders.

How I got here: I am a nonprofit management professional with fifteen years of experience in board and advisory council support, project management, and stewardship. Prior to joining Conservation Nation, I served as the Senior Advisory Council Liaison for America250 (A250) where I worked to develop an advisory council program designed to ensure the nation’s top experts and community leaders had a voice in the planning of America’s 250th anniversary. I am returning to Conservation Nation after previously serving as the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) Culture & Board Relations Manager where I was able to contribute to our conservation mission by supporting the FONZ Board, advancing team culture efforts, and project managing cross-organizational initiatives. Prior to my time at FONZ, I spent five years supporting the Graduate Dean of Arts & Sciences at the George Washington University while also completing my master’s in public policy. I began my career as a Development Associate and Board Liaison at Progressive Maryland working on issues related to healthcare access and increased living wages. Originally from New Jersey, I am now a long-time resident of the Washington, DC area.

Favorite animal: I would have to say the fennec fox. Their giant ears are both adorable and critical to their survival as they help them find prey and regulate their temperature out in the desert.

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: Growing up in a coastal town in NJ, the natural world, and the impact I have upon it, has always been a large part of my life. It has led me to participate in dune grass plantings and beach clean-ups as a child and then more significantly to incorporating a focus on the environment into my studies in college and graduate school. I recognize how lucky I am to have had that connection to the environment from an early age and am excited to be joining a team that is dedicated to both addressing critical conservation issues and inspiring that connection through its work.

How I got here: I am an operations & IT professional with over 25 years’ experience in non-profit project and systems management, organizational strategy execution and technical implementation, and maintenance. I brought that experience to FONZ 7 years ago after a career that focused on health care administration, global non-profits like United Way Worldwide, and product design and fulfillment companies like Sales Service America. My intention, regardless of the role, is to ensure leadership’s vision and strategy is brought to life by supporting every member of my team with the best tools and systems available and ensuring the organization is well prepared to achieve its goals.

Favorite animal: I have always loved big cats, but my favorite by far are tigers.

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: To ensure that all big cats, a keystone species in ecosystems across the globe, have a planet that is safe and healthy for them not to just survive, but thrive.

How I got here: I am a wildlife conservationist with over 27 years of experience. At 12, I spent the summer volunteering at an aquarium in the Bahamas and never looked back. I began my career at Moody Gardens in the animal care department. I served in several roles, including zookeeping and connecting with communities for 12 years. After Moody Gardens, I worked at Galveston Bay Foundation for two and a half years as the Advocacy Programs Manager. There I educated and encouraged action to improve the overall health of Galveston Bay, Texas’ largest estuary. In 2019, I joined NAAEE as the EE Specialist and then became the Manager of Research, Evaluation, and eeBLUE—a five-year partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As I pursue a Ph.D. in organizational leadership, I am transitioning into various consulting roles and projects. In addition, I am serving on boards and committees dedicated to conservation work. I am excited to be a part of the Conservation Nation team in this career chapter!

Favorite Animal: Whale shark—majestic, gentle giants.

Special Passion For Conservation Nation’s Mission: Specifically, I have intentionally worked on my growth and development to be a more well-rounded conservationist over the past seven years. I am nowhere done with my learning, but I am excited to apply what I have learned to support wildlife conservation, habitats, and communities. Moreover, my love for people, places, and wildlife fuels me to support the next generation of conservation leaders to continue this vital work. Conservation Nation’s mission aligns with the many lessons I have learned over the years and the African proverb that rings true, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

How I got here: I joined Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) in 2017 after working as a Director of Creative Services and Marketing Manager for several national advertising agencies for almost 22 years. I had been volunteering for a decade with FONZ with a focus on helping visitors understand and appreciate cheetahs when the opportunity to connect my passion for animals with my career path aligned to be the perfect match! At FONZ, I helped manage the marketing and communications program, but my greatest joy was overseeing the Conservation Nation grant program and working with conservationists around the world to protect wildlife. I’m thrilled to now be expanding this mission.

Favorite animal: Has to be a cheetah!

Special passion for Conservation Nation’s mission: I’ve always loved animals. From volunteering with conservation organizations, to traveling around the world to see animals in their natural habitat, to helping raise money to save them, they have always had a special place in my heart. I am alarmed by the dramatic decline of not only the cheetah but of so many other animals as they struggle to co-exist with humans. The only way we can reverse this saddening trend is to get more people involved. I know that the more people we have in the fight, the better chance we have of saving animals from extinction. It doesn’t matter where we come from or how we get there, but all of us, in our unique way, can become wildlife champions.