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. His expertise in wild animal welfare has been cited in Wild Souls by Emma Marris, Animal Liberation Now by Peter Singer, and Meet the Neighbors by Brandon Keim. Cameron is based in Brooklyn, New York.
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.
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:
Questions about WAI's priorities; proposals for institutional partnerships; feedback on project ideas, especially relating welfare to population ecology.
Michaël Beaulieu
research MANAGER-
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 WAI’s research, wild animal welfare research more broadly, ecophysiology, and behavioral ecology.
Janire Castellano Bueno
Researcher - Academic Engagement-
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.
Learn more about Janire’s background and expertise.
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.
Bonnie Flint
Researcher and Education Specialist-
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.
Learn more about Bonnie’s background and expertise.
Contact Bonnie for:
Questions about behavioral ecology, physiological ecology, disease ecology, science education, conservation, and urban ecology.
Grey Fernández
services MANAGER-
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.
Tanya Payne
grants manager-
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 Bristol, UK.
Contact Tanya for:
Questions about WAI’s research grants.
Andrew Holmes
Services coordinator-
Andrew completed his PhD in evolutionary biology at the University of Liverpool. In his postdoctoral roles he worked on amphibian welfare and humane rodent control strategies. He has taught animal behavior and welfare, supported research addressing global challenges, built resources for postdoc careers, and developed researchers and research communities. Andrew is located in North Wales, UK.
Advancement
Cat Kerr
Advancement 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, where she volunteers at a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Contact Cat for:
Media inquiries.
Shannon Ray
Science Writer & Editor-
Shannon holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford and a BA in English from Rutgers University. Before joining WAI, she worked for an online research institute and wrote for multiple organizations including a climate change research initiative, an ocean conservation advocacy group, and a farm transitions project. Shannon lives in Devon, UK.
Ryan Torres
Development specialist-
Ryan studied business at Fort Lewis College. Prior to joining WAI, he worked at an ecosustainability nonprofit in Guatemala and then with local immigrant and anti-human trafficking causes in Denver. Ryan is located in Denver, Colorado.
Contact Ryan for:
Donor support.
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.
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.
Erin is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.
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, California — home to the iconic Pee Wee Herman, George Banks, and Michael Myers.
Isaac is a member of Wild Animal Initiative’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.