John R. Childress began his career as a tropical biologist and marine ecologist, with studies at Harvard University and the University of Hawaii in the early 1970s. John had the good fortune of learning with E.O. Wilson at Harvard as well as Dr. Ernest Reese at UH. In 1968 John spent a year at the […]

Fred Nelson is founder and CEO of Maliasili, and organization that works to accelerate the impact of community-based approaches to conservation by strengthening local civil society organizations. H has been working for 25 years in African conservation to develop effective strategies and lasting solutions, support innovative local organizations, and build diverse partnerships. He’s lived and […]

Alex Wegmann, PhD: A 20-year veteran of managing and advising conservation projects in the Pacific, Alex Wegmann became The Nature Conservancy’s Palmyra Program Director in 2016 and then the Director of Science for the Palmyra Program in 2019. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Alex worked for Island Conservation for more than 10 years. Alex’s tenure […]

Founder and Executive Director, Willow Grove Foundation and Adjunct Professor, Pacific Water Research Centre Andrew S. Wright is a former high technology entrepreneur and currently an adjunct professor at SFU in the Faculty of the Environment. Since 2007 he has actively engaged in promoting enhanced inner-city childhood education programs and ecological conservation efforts.  In addition […]

Eric VanderWerf earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1988 and Master of Science degree from the University of Florida in 1992.  In 1999, he completed a Ph.D. at the University of Hawaii, where his research focused on plumage variation and effects of habitat disturbance and diseases on population biology of the […]

Lindsay is the Vice President of Research for the National Geographic Societys Pristine Seas program. She has spent more than 20 years conducting applied conservation research that spans the interface of marine and terrestrial realms through her work on the foraging ecology and conservation needs of marine birds. She previously served as the Executive Director […]

Mike is a respected environmental conservation leader with extensive experience managing nonprofit organizations, influencing public policy, advocating for natural resources, and guiding successful philanthropic efforts. His distinguished career has ranged from work with the National Park Service to senior conservation roles at the World Wildlife Fund, the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, the California Fish […]

Holt Thrasher is Founder of Synovia Capital, where he currently focuses on investing in the information technology sector supporting advanced ecosystem data analytics. Holt is an active conservationist and currently serves as an advisory board member of the Lincoln Land Institutes Center for Geospatial Solutions, a member of the President’s Council of Ceres, and board […]

Gregg has been working in the island conservation field for more than nineteen years, and since 1999 has focused on the restoration of island ecosystems internationally. Gregg served as Island Conservation’s Director of Global and External Affairs, and his experience and expertise are utilized for many of IC’s projects worldwide. Gregg has developed a diverse […]

Nick Holmes’ career and passion focus on research program management and conservation ecology. He earned his PhD from the University of Tasmania, Australia, working with the Australian Antarctic Division to develop best-practice guidelines for managing human impacts to seabirds in the subantarctic. Nick managed the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project at the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, […]