Our Team

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.

The cassowary, for sure.

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.

I'm a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of building mission-driven businesses. I'm excited to bring this energy to Conservation Nation, where I'll be leveraging my experience to support the mission of protecting the planet and its biodiversity. Well-being is at the core of everything I do, and to me, it's not just about individual health—it's about creating a balance between mind, body, and the environment. True well-being comes when we align personal health with the health of the world around us. We thrive when we nurture the earth, and in return, the earth nurtures us. This is the foundation of my work in wellness and now, in conservation.

I love dolphins. I love their intelligence, their playfulness and their deep social bonds. They embody the freedom and beauty of the ocean, reminding us why protecting marine life and their habitats is so vital. This work aligns so beautifully with Conservation Nation's mission.

Well-being doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's intricately tied to the health of the planet. Clean air, water, and food all come from healthy ecosystems. Biodiversity is the foundation of a flourishing world, and when species are lost, ecosystems suffer and so do we. By protecting biodiversity, we safeguard our own future. Conservation isn't just about saving individual species; it's about preserving the interconnected web of life that sustains us all. I'm excited to bring my experience and passion to Conservation Nation, to expand its reach and impact, and to strengthen the vital link between human well-being and planetary health. By working together, we can ensure that the planet—and the people on it—thrive.

As a co-founder of BB&R (Bright Bold & Real) with Tricia Reilly Koch, I've spent over two decades helping individuals understand and integrate holistic health into their lives, including co-hosting our Health Gig podcast where we've engaged in insightful conversations with leading authors, doctors, and wellness experts. I've also been deeply committed to education as the Honorary Chairman of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, helping families and communities nationwide build brighter futures through literacy education.

Several years ago, it became so clear to us that it's simply not possible to achieve optimal personal health while the planet's health is in peril. Tricia and I have long believed that we are all one with nature and that nature heals, provides, and sustains us. When we looked at how the loss of wildlife and their ecosystems is fraying the life-giving web of biodiversity we realized that our optimal health work needed to expand to sit at the holistic intersection of personal wellbeing, planetary wellbeing, and reconnecting with nature (particularly for our children). There's such a deep connection between human health, nature, and the preservation of wildlife – and this is becoming more and more important. That's why I became a co-founder of Conservation Nation and I'm so proud of the work we've been doing to save biodiversity, educate, and provide access to nature for all children.

I love all animals, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the elephant. They're intelligent, emotional, and vital to their ecosystems. Their strength, wisdom, and social bonds reflect the interconnectedness we need in conservation and life.

I'm hugely passionate about this intersection of personal health and planetary health. And I'm equally passionate about helping all children have access to the educational sparks that can inspire lifelong change, whether that's literacy through my mom's foundation or STEM education through Conservation Nation. Looking back, I suppose my passion comes from my early years spending time outdoors on the coast of Maine with my family, and the strong belief that was passed on that education is the key to thriving and that every child deserves access to that same key.

My path to Conservation Nation began in middle school in Mexico City, where I witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of pollution on potable water and air quality. Around that time, climate change became a growing topic of conversation, and it sparked a deep interest in environmental issues and conservation. I pursued this passion academically, earning both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology from The George Washington University. During my Master's, my research focused on how climate change affects pests on organic farms in Virginia, and I shared the findings with local farmers. Following that, I joined the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) Climate Fellow, facilitating collaboration between the agency and the U.S. Army to assess climate hazard impacts on military bases in the Southwest. I presented to national-level stakeholders and regularly collaborated with military staff to protect wildlife on their lands. Now at Conservation Nation, I'm excited to keep working at the intersection of science, conservation, and community—making sure more people from diverse backgrounds are part of the conversation.

My favorite animal is constantly changing as I learn more about the natural world, but right now, I'd say it's the bumblebee. They're incredibly important pollinators, playing a key role in ecosystems and food production—and there's still so much to discover about their species and diversity.

Throughout my education, I've benefited from programs created for underrepresented communities—experiences that deeply shaped who I am today. That's why Conservation Nation's mission really resonates with me. When I learn about initiatives like Teen Leaders in Conservation, I see a younger version of myself in those students. I also truly believe that advancing global conservation requires diverse voices and lived experiences. Conservation has to be intersectional—there's space for everyone in this work, and we're stronger because of it!

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.

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.

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.

I am a full-time biological science technician with the Yellowstone Wolf, Cougar and Elk Project. I've always had an extreme passion for wildlife, and have spent time exploring the globe searching for critters. After working as a naturalist in Yellowstone for a few years, I was honored to be announced Conservation Nation's inaugural fellow. I have been supported and encouraged by Conservation Nation over the years, and they're the reason I'm living my dream, and studying gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

African Wild Dogs.

Growing up, I'd always dreamt of studying animals. However, I never saw anyone who looked like me. I love that Conservation Nation strives to bring in underrepresented communities into the conservation field, and I love that I get to be a part of that. I appreciate their willingness to put their money where their mouth is by encouraging and inspiring younger generations to get out and be involved in wildlife, despite what someone might look like, or their socioeconomic status.

I am the proud principal of Barbara Bush Middle School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, where I am entering my fourth year as campus leader. My journey began as a high school math teacher and cheerleading coach, followed by five years as an assistant principal at both elementary and middle school levels. With over a decade of experience in public education, I've always been passionate about expanding access and opportunities for students—especially in areas where they've been historically underrepresented, like conservation, STEM, and environmental education.

At Bush Middle School, I helped launch the first-ever middle school partnership with Conservation Nation. Together, we created a schoolwide conservation lesson and hosted an inspiring assembly featuring Conservation Nation scientists. This experience sparked curiosity, purpose, and possibility for our students—helping them see themselves in conservation and scientific careers in new and exciting ways.

The Otter. Otters are playful, resourceful, and community-minded—traits I deeply admire. They hold hands while they sleep to keep from drifting apart, a behavior called a "raft." Otters use rocks as tools to crack open shells, showing creativity and problem-solving skills. They play an essential role in their ecosystems by keeping sea urchin populations in check, which helps protect kelp forests.

What excites me most about Conservation Nation is its power to connect young people with conservation in ways that feel personal, meaningful, and transformative. I believe every student deserves the chance to discover their passions and see themselves as future scientists, problem-solvers, and changemakers. Conservation Nation makes this possible by opening doors for students who may never have imagined a place for themselves in conservation. I am honored to serve as a liaison—bringing these experiences to classrooms and helping students see that they, too, can make a difference in protecting our planet.