Meet the team
Executive
Cameron Meyer Shorb
Executive Director-
Cameron studied biology at Carleton College, where his research focused on tallgrass prairie ecology. Before Wild Animal Initiative, he worked on the policy and operations teams at the Good Food Institute, where he built coalitions with other nonprofits, lobbied state and federal legislators, and designed hiring and human resource processes. Cameron is located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.
Contact Cameron for:
Institutional collaborations, public speaking requests, and philanthropic partnerships.
cameronms@wildanimalinitiative.org
Cameron’s advisor has access to the inbox above. If you need to contact Cameron privately, please use cms.confidential@wildanimalinitiative.org.
Mark Onley
Executive advisor-
Mark studied political science and philosophy at the College of William & Mary. Prior to joining WAI, he worked for the Good Food Institute to secure federal funding for research on alternative proteins and as a litigation paralegal for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. Mark enjoys rock climbing, playing chess, and spending time at the beach.
Contact Mark for:
Cameron's schedule, organizational operations, and general inquiries about Wild Animal Initiative.
Strategy
Mal Graham
Strategy Director-
Mal completed their PhD in Engineering Mechanics at Virginia Tech, analyzing the biomechanics of arboreal gap crossing in jumping and gliding snakes. Prior to this, they studied physics and philosophy at the University of Oxford. Mal has also worked with animals in shelter, veterinary, farm, and zoo environments. They are located in Philadelphia.
Contact Mal for:
General inquiries about wild animal welfare, ideas for organizational collaborations or partnerships, and data on Wild Animal Initiative's impact tracking efforts.
Simon Eckerström Liedholm
Strategy researcher -
Simon completed his PhD at the Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, focusing on the relationship between life history and behavior, physiology, and morphology among different species of fish. He has both interest and experience in Bayesian statistics, and has taught statistics for several years to graduate and undergraduate students. Simon is located in Stockholm.
Learn more about Simon’s background and expertise.
Contact Simon for:
Questions about life history theory, biostatistics, behavioral ecology, and philosophical and long-term considerations for wild animal welfare.
Science
Luke Hecht
Science director-
Luke completed his PhD in molecular ecology at Durham University, focusing on the use of population genetics to compare the demographic histories of wild animal populations. Luke has also done research in microbiology and geology related to understanding the limits and signatures of life on Earth and potentially other planets. Luke is located in the United Kingdom.
Learn more about Luke’s background and expertise.
Contact Luke for:
Information on WAI grant proposals, thoughts on relating welfare to demographic and ecological models.
Michaël Beaulieu
SENIOR researcher-
Michaël completed his veterinary studies at the University of Nantes and his PhD on the ecophysiology and behavioral ecology of penguins at the University of Strasbourg. In his post-docs, he mostly worked on songbirds and butterflies. He has taught animal ecology and conservation, and organized ornithological excursions. Michaël has spent much time in polar regions (as a researcher and a naturalist guide) and is currently located in Germany.
Learn more about Michaël’s background and expertise.
Contact Michaël for:
Questions about ecophysiology and behavioral ecology.
Janire Castellano Bueno
Outreach manager-
Janire completed her PhD in Animal Welfare and Affective Neuroscience at Newcastle University. During her doctoral research, she focused on the assessment of long-term welfare of laboratory macaques using a multidisciplinary approach. She has extensive experience in primate welfare and behavior as well as in statistical modeling. Janire is located in Newcastle (UK).
Janire is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
Learn more about Janire’s background and expertise.
Grey Fernández
services coordinator-
Grey completed their MA in Asian Studies at Florida International University, with a focus on Daoism and Animals, and a BA in Psychology, emphasizing coursework in behavior analysis, animal cognition, and neuropsychology. Before Wild Animal Initiative, Grey has served as an academic advisor, naturalist, zookeeper, and dog trainer. Grey is based in Florida, US.
Grey is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
Bonnie Flint
physiology & Behavior Researcher -
Bonnie completed her PhD at the Virginia Tech Department of Biological Sciences, studying behavioral ecology, physiological ecology, and disease ecology of banded mongooses in Botswana. She has worked on varied projects in ecology and conservation, as well as spending many years in science education teaching introductory biology and anatomy and physiology, and consulting for the YouTube channel Crash Course. Bonnie is located in Houston, Texas.
Bonnie is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’sJustice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
Learn more about Bonnie’s background and expertise.
Contact Bonnie for:
Questions about behavioral ecology, physiological ecology, disease ecology, science education, and conservation.
Tanya Payne
Science Team Coordinator-
Tanya completed her MSc by Research at the University of Exeter, studying the patterns and impacts of human-wildlife coexistence at Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone. Prior to joining Wild Animal Initiative, Tanya managed interdisciplinary research projects at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Tanya is located in Perthshire, UK.
Communications
Cat Kerr
Communications director-
Cat studied journalism and biology at University of Richmond, then earned her M.A. in nonprofit administration from University of Central Florida. She has worked in nonprofit communications since 2017, and before that she was a journalist and science educator. Cat is located in Atlanta.
Contact Cat for:
Media inquiries.
Shannon Ray
Science Writer & Editor-
Shannon studied English at Rutgers University, then earned her MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford. Before joining WAI, she worked for an online research institute and wrote for multiple organizations, including a climate change research initiative, an ocean conservation pressure group, and a farmed animal welfare charity. Shannon lives in England.
Jacie Woznicki
visual communications specialist-
Jacie studied graphic design and art history at Rutgers University. Prior to Wild Animal Initiative, she worked in higher education, supporting development, alumni engagement, communications, and marketing. Jacie is located in northwest New Jersey, US.
Jacie is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
Development
Casey Darnley
Development Director-
Casey studied environmental biology at Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, later earning his MS in nonprofit leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked as an urban forester for nearly a decade before shifting to fundraising in 2014. Before joining Wild Animal Initiative, he worked for the Schuylkill Center and the Philadelphia Zoo. Casey is located in Philadelphia.
Contact Casey for:
Planned giving, philanthropic partnerships, and institutional grantmaking.
Elizabeth Boor
Major Gifts Officer-
Elizabeth studied zoology at The Ohio State University. She began her professional career with nearly a decade in animal care at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, where she developed a deep passion for animal behavior and welfare. Prior to joining Wild Animal Initiative, she worked in fundraising at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, a place and cause that continues to hold a special place in her heart. Elizabeth is located in Columbus, Ohio.
Contact Elizabeth for:
Making a gift.
Ryan Torres
Development coordinator-
Ryan studied international business and communications at Fort Lewis College. Prior to joining Wild Animal Initiative, Ryan worked in immigrant rights advocacy and the anti-human trafficking movement, both causes about which he remains very passionate. He is located in Denver, Colorado.
Ryan is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
Contact Ryan for:
Donor support.
Operations
Jason Orlando
Operations director-
Jason studied at Youngstown State University and earned his degree in English with a focus on British literature. Prior to joining Wild Animal Initiative, he worked for the Cleveland Zoological Society, where he developed programmatic and operational strategy, oversaw technology, and managed the membership program. He also served on the Advancement Committee of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Jason is located in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jason is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
Erin Bohmbach
Finance Operations Coordinator-
Erin studied at Hamline University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English before completing her MBA with a concentration in leadership and change management. Prior to joining Wild Animal Initiative, she worked in finance administration, focusing on project management, strategic operational support, and talent development. Erin is located in Minnesota, US.
Isaac Esparza
People Operations Coordinator-
Isaac is an alumnus of Emerson College, holding a degree in Visual Media with a concentration in Writing for TV and Film. Before joining WAI, Isaac co-founded Healthier Hens, a nonprofit dedicated to improving egg-laying hen welfare, and spent eight years at The Second City, where he held diverse roles, ranging from Marketing Intern to Managing Director. Isaac now resides in South Pasadena, home to the iconic Pee Wee Herman, George Banks, and Michael Myers.
Emily Sharp
Hiring Manager-
Emily has a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Oregon State University. Before joining Wild Animal Initiative, Emily worked for a luxury international travel company for over 9 years, focusing primarily on Customer Experience and Field Staffing. Emily is originally from Portland, Oregon, though she lived in Seattle, Washington for 14 years before moving to Utah in 2021.
Fellows & Interns
Suzanne Van Arsdale
Law & Policy Fellow-
Suzanne is based in San Francisco on unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land. She is also a Research Development Specialist at the Legal Priorities Project. Suzanne completed her JD at Harvard Law School and studied biology, biomolecular science, and psychology at Clarkson University. She enjoys cooking, dancing, and spending time with her dog and partner.