About the Wildlife Restoration Foundation
The Wildlife Restoration Foundation brings healthy wildlife back to America’s land and seascapes. The work we do as a nongovernmental organization is rooted by partnerships and is growing fast. We empower partners to intervene with innovative—and very direct—conservation measures on the ground and in the water.
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Mission
Directly and measurably increase park wildlife population viability, health, and security through partnerships.
Vision
Native wildlife in parks thriving in ecological balance with habitat and through shared stewardship.
What We Do
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Zoo-Park Partnerships (ZPPs)™
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Aquarium-Sanctuary Partnerships™
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Wildlife Coexistence Strategies
Board of Directors
The members of the WRF board represent philanthropists and experts in wildlife and habitat recovery, management and science, animal husbandry and health, technology, infrastructure and media.
Michelle Flynn
Former Registered Investment Advisor
Meet the Team
WRF staff work closely with both government and private sectors to establish productive and targeted partnerships to benefit wildlife.
WRF Project Partners implement wildlife recovery solutions in the field—both in situ and ex situ—and include government agencies, nonprofits, Tribes, and businesses that seek collaboratively-derived wildlife coexistence and support strategies.
Julie Anton Randall
Founder & President
The founder of WRF, Julie brings 20+ years of leadership experience focused on the survival of wildlife, ranching, and Tribal communities—a commitment built on a family legacy of farming the West by 1865. Julie coordinated the 130-member American Bison Coalition for naming bison the U.S. National Mammal. For 6 years, she facilitated 6 agency directors on the North American Intergovernmental Committee on Wilderness & Protected Areas Conservation. She managed the North American Save the Rhinos Campaign for 3 years and has consulted on projects for dozens of NGOs, including Wilderness Foundation Africa’s anti-poaching projects. Julie was WILD Foundation VP of Programs and USDA agricultural economist with the Agricultural Marketing Service, first to staff the National Organic Program. She holds a B.A. from U.C. Santa Barbara and M.A. from Stanford University and is WRF President.
Olivia Kramer
Conservation Projects Manager
With an enduring passion for nature, Olivia earned a B.S. in Conservation Biology & Biodiversity from Auburn University—War Eagle! Seamlessly blending academic excellence with hands-on experience, she immersed in native bee research with the AU Bee Lab, exploring impacts of agriculture and environmental triggers on the Southeast native bee population. Gaining further expertise through an internship at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park & Conservation Biology Institute, she helped renovate a migratory birdhouse exhibit and practiced ex situ animal husbandry. Olivia manages key aspects of WRF operations and multiple WRF projects, and coordinates the NABS team, the Zoo-Park Partnerships Project and IABS Glacier Country.
Scott Wilkerson
Director of Partnership Development
Scott is a career Marketing Strategist with a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation. With over 20 years at HawkPartners, a boutique consultancy, Scott applies an extensive track record as a lead brand, communications and marketing strategist for Fortune 500 companies. Scott has a B.A. from Boston College and M.A. in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Scott serves as a Partner in Conservation for the World Wildlife Fund and as a Steward for the C&O Canal Trust . From his base in Bethesda, Maryland, Scott leads WRF’s corporate partner engagement and Park Experience major donor program, as well as advising on WRF marketing and donor communication strategies.
Karen Prest
Director of Project Planning
Karen has two-plus decades of experience equipping businesses with sound strategies, market analyses, and an understanding of consumer behavior. She holds a B.S. from University of New Hampshire and M.A. from Boston College. As co-owner of KWP Growth Partners in Minneapolis, Karen enables clients to scale operations so they can pivot and grow. Karen is an avid hiker and passionate about educating park visitors about responsible practices. She is also an engaging storyteller. Co-leading WRF’s IABS Project, Karen brings a data-driven approach and cross-industry experience to engaging small businesses in park gateway towns and partners with tourism dollars to support local economies.
Tucker Downs
Conservation Operations Manager
Having over 10 years’ experience working in zoos, Tucker has worked as a Large Mammal/Senior Elephant Zoologist at Dallas Zoo since 2019. He has also served as an animal care volunteer, education mentor, and conservation interpreter at Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas, and presented at the Elephant Managers Association conference. Holding a B.S. in Zoo Science & Business Administration from Friends University, he has applied his ex situ conservation expertise working on several endangered species’ responsible breeding programs. Tucker manages WRF accounts and other vital operational functions, while also working to secure rhino zoo partners for the iMfolozi Project.
Addison Dunn
Tech Manager
Committed to using technology to support science and communications applications that benefit wildlife and parks and WRF’s partnerships, He holds B.S. in Computer Science & Business from the University of Virginia. His work experience includes sales for Zello, a walkie-talkie mobile app company based in Austin, Texas, and his current role as full stack engineer at Dimagi, a socially impactful technology company with operations in the United States, India and South Africa designed to build mobile apps that provide better data and new tools for solving societal problems. Addison serves as WRF’s Tech Manager, providing vital solutions to complicated tech problems.
Kayla Andra
Program Coordinator (Science)
A Utah native, Kayla grew up surrounded by pristine red rocks and riveting canyons. She earned her B.S. in Natural Science & Biology from Utah Tech University then M.S. in Applied Ocean Science from the University of Cape Town. Recognizing the interconnectedness of human communities and ecosystems, Kayla is a natural resource/forestry course writer. She is also a SCUBA Divemaster, guide and underwater cinemaphotographer, and a published children’s book author. From her base in Provo, Utah, Kayla serves on WRF’s iMfolozi Project and NABS teams and is a WRF grant-writer.
Emily Damon
Program Coordinator (Partnerships)
Emily brings 15+ years of experience as a volunteer for nature centers, wildlife hospitals, and environmental organizations. With a B.S. in Microbiology from Iowa State University, Emily has over a decade of experience in pharmaceutical and vaccine research and development, holding positions at Dynavax Technologies and Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biology. She is currently pursuing an M.P.S. in Wildlife Conservation and Advocacy from Unity Environmental University. Emily applies her lifelong love of wildlife to seek WRF partnerships with corporations that have a sustainability mission. She also serves as a WRF technical science writer and subject matter expert.
Delilah (Lulu) DeSilva
Program Coordinator
With a B.S. in Environmental Science from Santa Clara University and a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management from Oregon State University, Lulu specializes in wildlife behavior as applies to human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. During her undergraduate years, Lulu traveled with the School for Field Studies to Kenya and Australia to research elephant crop raids and the behavioral well-being of tree kangaroos orphaned by vehicle collisions. She was also a field tech and conflict mediator for Felidae Conservation Fund, camera-trapping mountain lions and bobcats and teaching the public coexistence measures. She also worked at San Diego Zoo as a research assistant, surveying and banding endangered shorebirds. From her base in San Francisco, Lulu is managing NABS exhibitors and other fundraising while serving on the “I Am Bear Safe” Project team.
Damian Foley
Program Coordinator (Communications)
A native New Zealander, Damian is based in Raleigh, North Carolina and manages marketing strategies and advertising campaigns for the NC Wildlife Commission. He also assists field biologists with sea turtle and other wildlife care and enjoys diving with sharks and hanging out among NC’s thriving coastal bear population. Damian holds a B.A. in English, Journalism & Sociology from Louisiana State University. Damian co-leads WRF’s website design team and supports WRF’s IABS Project.
Alyasa Johnson
Program Coordinator
Alyasa is passionate about the interdisciplinary application of Earth sciences and conservation. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Georgia State University (GSU) and is earning her M.S. in Ecology from Oregon State University. As a Development Manager for Seedlings, she championed citizen science while generating sustainable land use proposals for GSU. Post-graduation, Alyasa was a Freshwater Conservation Research Extern for National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy examining hydrosocial reconfigurations of racial inequity within Atlanta’s freshwater provision. She also interned with Zoo Atlanta. Alyasa contributes website tech and science expertise to WRF projects and works closely with WRF’s Tribal partners.
Wade Kogler
Program Coordinator (Marketing)
A Michigan native and nature enthusiast, Wade combines her business background with a passion for environmental science and animal well-being. Currently an Animal Care Technician at the Michigan Animal Rescue League, Wade began as a volunteer and helped raise over $200K through events like Yappy Hour. With experience in digital marketing and nonprofit management and B.A. in Art History and Visual Cultures from Michigan State University, Wade is now pursuing a B.S. in Rangeland Science at Oregon State University. Wade is WRF’s Team Lead on NABS Champions for the American Bison and also digital communications.
Rebekah Ficek
IABS Project Coordinator (Glacier Country)
Growing up inspired by Vermont’s nature, Rebekah earned a B.S. in Parks, Tourism and Recreation Management from Montana State University in 2022. She has held jobs with Americorps, stationed at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and the Institute of Tourism & Recreation Research. Working at the Wind River Bear Institute, Rebekah trained Karelian Bear Dogs to help prevent human-wildlife conflicts. At FWP, she focused on bear awareness, public outreach, and teaching bear spray use. Based in Missoula, Rebekah is a Glacier Country Project Coordinator for WRF’s “I Am Bear Safe” Project.
Rose Pollard
Project Coordinator (Yellowstone Country East)
A research biologist with a B.S. in Biology (Concentration in Zoology) from San Diego State University, Rose has specialized in animal behavior and conservation. Her field work has included studying Risso’s dolphin migration in the United Kingdom and humpback whale behavior in Mexico. Rose also worked as a positive reinforcement elephant trainer in Thailand, focusing on human-animal-environment relationships. Rose also has food service industry experience working in local restaurants and bars. A native of and based in Billings, Montana, Rose coordinates WRF “I Am Bear Safe” Project Park Gateway Partners and Beary Campaign in southeastern Montana.
Nick White
IABS Project Coordinator (Yellowstone Country East)
Based in Billings, Montana, Nick has extensive knowledge of Yellowstone region wildlife from in situ studies of the ecological relationship between bears and wolves and winter ecology of turtles while earning a B.S. in Environmental Science from Rocky Mountain College. He also holds an Associate’s degree in Fire Science from Montana State University-Billings and is a certified Big Sky EMS Emergency Medical Technician, wildland firefighter, and FEMA incident responder. Nick currently works as a Botanical Garden Technician while spearheading WRF’s IABS Project efforts in Wyoming.
Samantha Hooverson
Biologist
Sam is based in Weldon Spring, Missouri, and has her M.S. in Zoo Conservation Biology from University of Plymouth (England). She wrote her dissertation on the IUCN Green Status of Species as a tool to assess the status of species’ recovery and impact of conservation using counterfactuals and baseline scenarios. Sam also has a B.S. in Biology from Cal Poly Pomona, where she studied human effects on Laguna Beach’s rocky intertidal zones. As a café manager and sales and veterinary assistant, Sam has a varied set of skills that she contributes to several WRF projects.
Megan Moma
Biologist
A seasoned biologist with experience working at Wyoming Game & Fish as a Fisheries-Herpetology Technician, Megan resides in Laramie. She also researched eastern box turtles with John Ball Zoo. Megan is now a Laboratory Technician at the Wyoming State Vet Lab where she conducts federal serological tests for cattle, bison and horse diseases and reports data to state veterinarians. She holds a M.S. in Biology from Western Washington University and B.S. in Biology from Grand Valley State University. Megan co-leads the NABS Models & Methodologies sub-team.
Michael Aguilar
Conservation Specialist
From Los Angeles, California, Mike holds a B.S. in Environmental & Sustainability Studies from the University of Utah. He has hands-on conservation field experience working in Fishlake National Forest and Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. He also has aquarium husbandry and interpretation experience from work at SeaQuest. Mike is an experienced podcaster and data analyst and serves on WRF’s Conservation Fundraising and Communications & Marketing Teams.
Georgia Rankin
Conservation Specialist
Pursuing a B.S. in Animal Health & Behavior from Unity College, Georgia has worked as a volunteer to rescue and rehabilitate birds, mammals, reptiles and other vulnerable wildlife. Her work at veterinary clinics honed her skills in providing compassionate, high-quality care. Georgia serves on WRF’s NABS and Beary Campaign teams.
China Ray Granger
Conservation Specialist
Growing up in the foggy redwoods of the California coast, China graduated from the University of California-Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Writing. She applies her conservation expertise and outdoor guiding experience to WRF’s NABS and “I Am Bear Safe” Project teams from her base in Larkspur, California.
Caroline Kolb
Conservation Specialist
A chemical engineer, Caroline brings environmental data analysis skills to WRF. She earned her B.S. from Brigham Young University and served as Events Coordinator for BYU’s Connect Council, maximizing student participation. During internships, she improved processing mechanisms to reduce waste and save water and prepares compliant permit applications. Caroline serves on WRF’s NABS and ZPPs teams from her base in Provo, Utah.
Kristy Liercke
Senior Outreach Specialist
Kristy has 20 years’ experience as an environmental educator, producing webcast-field trips with USDA Forest Service to teach students about grasslands, wildfire, pollinators and more. Kristy is a Fairfax Master Naturalist and teaches suburbanites how to create native plant gardens to support suburban wildlife. Kristy holds a B.A. in Sociology & Journalism from the University of Maryland and M.A. in English from George Mason University. From her base in Virginia, Kristy serves on the NABS and “I Am Wildlife Safe” Project teams.
Midori Mendoza
Conservation Specialist
Midori is currently a Senior Coral Aquarist for SeaWorld Orlando, working with the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project to care for corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease. She also interned at Mote Marine Laboratory studying ocean acidification, red tide bloom and coral health. Midori is an experienced interpreter and diver, with a B.S. in Integrative Animal Biology from University of Southern Florida. Midori serves on WRF’s ASPs Project team.
Margarita (Margie) Morales
Conservation Specialist
Margie is earning a M.S. in Environmental Policy & Management from University of Denver, holding a B.S. in Biology from University of Central Florida. A keeper at Central Florida Zoo, Hubbs SeaWorld research intern, and now veterinary case record manager at WinderCare Animal Clinic, she has ample hands-on animal care experience. Margie serves on WRF’s NABS and ASPs Project teams.
Colleen Murphy-Evatt
Operations Specialist
Growing up on the beaches of Santa Barbara, California, Colleen developed an early passion for nature. Earning her B.A.in Cultural Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago, Colleen then served as an animal ambassador specialist at Denver Zoo and is now Adoptions Supervisor at the Cat Care Society, a free-roam cat shelter. Colleen serves on WRF’s NABS team as a vital local connection to the Denver-Fort Collins area. NABS Outreach Specialist
Christine Nelson
NABS Outreach Specialist
Christine recently pivoted her career to earn a M.S. in Sustainability Science-Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and completed an ag journalist internship with Northeast Organic Food Association-MA. With a passion for plants, Christine focuses on WRF outreach to involve the ranching and agriculture sector in NABS.
Haley Pavano
NABS Outreach Specialist
Just returned from Madagascar where she worked on a project to improve biodiversity and ecotourism, Haley is an accomplished rafting guide and outdoor photographer. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator. With a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Maine, she also holds an O.C.D. in Outdoor Adventure Naturalism from Algonquin College in Ontario, Canada. Haley serves on WRF’s NABS and IABS teams.
Madison Thayer
Conservation Specialist
Recently completing an internship at Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Madison is focused on environmental education. She also served as an entomology research technician at Ives Lab at University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned her B.S. in Conservation Biology and Spanish. She also served as VP of the American Cetacean Society Student Coalition for 3 years. Madison serves on WRF’s Fundraising and NABS teams.
Kiran Yousaf
NABS Outreach Specialist
An Animal Care Technician with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington for 5+ years, Kiran is also skilled in social media and runs a large book club. She also served as a Birds & Primates Keeper Intern at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Kiran is fluent in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi, and earned a B.A. in English from George Mason University in 2022. Kiran serves on WRF’s NABS team.
WRF Advisors
WRF Advisors are esteemed colleagues with expertise in wildlife and habitat field conservation and other matters directly connected to the WRF mission. WRF calls upon them to provide keen insights and valuable advice on best practices and novel approaches to conducting the highest priority wildlife restoration measures in and around parks with help of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, park gateway communities, and other WRF partners.
Acknowledgements
Arnold & Porter provides expert and comprehensive legal services to WRF on a pro bono basis.
Cbiz is providing pro bono accounting services to WRF.
Ctp Boston is a pro bono member of WRF's creative team.
Anna Mullin designed the logo for WRF and is an illustrator currently living in Denver, CO. She works in many mediums and outlets in her spare time, and recently published her first children's book "One Tomato."