ABOUT US
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 and around parks thriving in ecological balance with habitat and through shared stewardship.
What We Do
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Collaborating with Wildlife
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Zoo and Aquarium Partnership Program
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Bison Program
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Wildlife Legacy Program
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.
Dan Ashe
President and CEO, Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Sharon Deem DVM, PH.D., Dipl ACZM
Director, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo
Mary Erickson
Former Custer Gallatin National Forest Supervisor (ret.)
Jesse Gilbert
President and CEO, Texas State Aquarium
Shannon Hackley
Shannon Leigh Design - Strategic Placemaking, Making Places for a Better World
Sally Mulvena
President and CEO, Red River Zoo
Susan H. Lylis
Executive Vice President, International Conservation Caucus Foundation
Mary Wagner
Former Associate Chief, USDA Forest Service (ret.)
Meet the Team
WRF team members are located across North America and dedicated to restoring native wildlife in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
WRF facilitates Project Partners implementing wildlife recovery solutions in the field and focuses on habitat retention that enables animals to meet their needs. Partners
include protected area agencies, ranchers, NGOs, Tribes/First Nations, businesses, and investors who seek collaboratively-derived solutions to wildlife challenges.
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.
Tucker Downs
Director of Operations
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.
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.
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Kayla Andra
Conservation Program Director
A Utah native, Kayla is a marine scientist dedicated to wildlife conservation. With a B.S. in Natural Science from Utah Tech University and M.S. in Applied Ocean Science from the University of Cape Town, she is most passionate about communications and the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems. Her diverse roles include science curriculum developer, Blue Parks Conservation Scientist for the Marine Conservation Institute, Taxonomist for Pivotal, and published academic and children's book author. Kayla serves on WRF's iMfolozi Project and NABS teams, driving conservation efforts through grant writing and scientific expertise.
Sydney Payne
Conservation Program Manager
Originally from Georgia, Sydney began her career in conservation by following her childhood dream and studying marine biology at Florida Gulf Coast University. There she gained experience with multiple sea turtle research projects, and worked within Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve as a biologist and environmental educatuor. After graduating she went on to work at Georgia Aquarium, where she helped develop an initative in partnership with NOAA that developed research projects in K-12 schools. Sydney now brings 4 years of project coordinating experience to our team. She currently manages our Zoo-Park Partnership program, Vendor/ Exhibitor Relations for our summits, and our new hire and onboarding process.
Michael DeLuca
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Michael developed an interest in conservation through environmental education, beginning his career with Nature’s Classroom after graduating from Iona University 2017. He spent several years working across New England leading outdoor education programs, and later in Yellowstone National Park as well. Michael is passionate about making environmental topics more accessible and helping people build a stronger connection to the natural world. He is currently completing his MBA with Iona University and is interested in how program development, communication, and data can support impactful conservation work
Quinn Donahue
Program Coordinator
A Chicago native, Quinn is a marine scientist dedicated to wildlife conservation and public outreach/education regarding wildlife. With a B.S. in Marine Science-Biology and B.A. in Political Science from the University of Tampa, she is most passionate about wildlife conservation through collaborative work and research. Quinn is a Wildlife Conservation Specialist with WRF and has been working on the CW Summit team
Addison Dunn
Tech Advisor
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.
Hannah Knight
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Hannah has lived in Texas for most of her life, and received her Bachelor's of Science from Texas A & M University. She studied parks and tourism in college and interned with the Tourism Department in College Station, TX. The environment and its longevity is her passion in life. She recognizes the importance of balance when it comes to National Parks and the tourism within them. Hannah is focusing on identifying valuable Models & Methodologies in the recreation and tourism industries for our Collaborating with Wildlife Summit.
Dharma Gergenson
Development Coordinator
Dharma grew up in a southern CA surf town going to the beach everyday. It was always something that called to her. She spent a semester studying marine biology in Turks and Caicos with the School for Field Studies. This was a semester of hands-on research that was presented to Turks and Caicos officials. We monitored the success of MPAs on seagrass and Queen Conch populations. Following this, Dharma volunteered with Saving the Blue tagging sharks off the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas. During her last semester of college she studied Small Island Biodiversity on the Galapagos. All of these experiences shaped her future career ambitions. Dharma wants to one day be on the board of directors and philanthropy team doing exactly what we are doing here with WRF.
Ian Giacarlo
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Ian has a unique background in environmental engineering and consulting, environmental advocacy, and nonprofit fundraising. Previously, Ian worked in Connecticut as environmental engineer and in Colorado and Oregon working to protect wildlife at the grassroots level as an advocate for Environment America. Currently, Ian lives in LA and is involved in the outdoor recreation and trail/ultra-running community working with WRF to expand their fundraising portfolio.
David Puello Gutiérrez
Wildlife Conservation
Film Specialist
David Puello Gutiérrez is a Colombian director, screenwriter, and photographer trained at the Subiela Film School. His work moves between fiction, documentary, and visual experimentation, with a strong focus on environmental conservation, collective memory, traditional knowledge, and the relationship between people and their environment. Blending poetic and social storytelling, his photography and films explore intimate, ancestral, and territorial narratives through an emotional and sensitive lens.
Victoria Newman
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Victoria is a graduate student at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her B.S.B.A. in Management and Marketing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in Sustainability (M.S.) and Business Administration (MBA). With a lifelong love for wildlife and marine ecosystems, Victoria is passionate about wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and protecting the ecosystems species depend on. She serves as an Animal Conservation Specialist, supporting initiatives focused on wildlife protection and environmental stewardship, and is especially interested in conservation efforts that protect vulnerable species and promote long-term ecological sustainability.
Haley Pavano
Recreation Specialist
Hayley comes to us with a diverse background in recreation and tourism. She has volunteered and work all over the country and the world on conservation projects in the outdoor recreation industry from Hawaii to Madagascar. As of late, she has been entrenched in the outdoor recreation industry as a guide and a photographer. She is passionate about how the recreation industry and conservation can work together to better the environment.
Virginia Vichi-Miller
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Virginia is a science communicator with a background in cultural anthropology and environmental studies. She received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Elon University and went on to receive her M.S. in Anthropology with a focus on sustainability from Utrecht University. Her graduate research focused on place identities and how people experience and respond to environmental changes. Virginia's love of both animals and nature cemented her passion for wildlife conservation at a young age, with a particular love for the ocean and marine conservation. During her free time, she volunteers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to educate the public about the island's native flora and fauna.
Jessica Wenclawiak
Bison Champion Specialist
Jessica is a biologist who enjoys all things related to wildlife. With a B.S. in Biology from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and a M.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston, she has an extensive research background in population ecology and aquatic toxicology. After earning her master's, she worked as a contractor with NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and recently moved to Southern California. Jessica is excited to use her scientific background to support WRF operations.
Brittany Price
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Brittany was born and raised in California’s Central Valley, where her lifelong interest in animals and the natural world began at an early age. This inspired her passion for conservation and environmental stewardship. She later earned an Associate of Science degree in Forestry and Natural Resources from Bakersfield College, specializing in wildlife management. Her professional experience includes habitat restoration, biological monitoring, and supporting efforts to preserve healthy ecosystems and protect native species. Brittany is especially passionate about wildlife conservation and the reintroduction of wildlife into their natural habitats through sustainable practices.
Emily Wilhelm
Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin – Steve Point, where she studied forestry management and environmental conservation. She has also completed coursework for a master’s program in Biodiversity Conservation. Emily’s professional experience includes almost 10 years in analytical sciences and over 3 years as an administrative official in the public sector contributing to civic engagement and operational support. She is passionate about using data and science to inform policy change and advance ecological protections.
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.
KEITH AUNE
Keith is a conservation scientist with 40 years’ experience including 3+ decades with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. As chief of wildlife research, he conducted field and laboratory research on bison management, black and grizzly bears, wildlife diseases, wolverine, and mountain lions. He joined Wildlife Conservation Society in 2007, becoming North American Bison Program Director. Keith was instrumental in the development of the National Bison Legacy Act and also The Buffalo Treaty integrating 30 Tribal/First Nations and transfer of Elk Island National Park bison back to Blackfeet Nation. Keith has chaired the IUCN Bison Specialist Group and consults, including on Ken Burns’ film, American Bison. Keith earned a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from University of Montana and M.A. in Fish & Wildlife Management from Montana State University. Keith co-leads NABS.
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ANDREW MUIR
Andrew is the CEO of the Wilderness Foundation Africa and, with 30 years’ experience, is one of South Africa’s most influential conservationists and social entrepreneurs with a background in wildlife anti-poaching in parks and private game reserves, eco-tourism, ranger and hospitality training programs for AIDS orphans, and experiential opportunities for township youth. Andrew is a Rolex Award for Enterprise Laurette and a Schwab Foundation (World Economic Forum) Fellow.
Pro Bono Partners
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.