CaLL

Bob is a retired well-rounded zoo professional with decades of hands-on experience in the care and welfare of animals, and management and professional development of zoo staff. Prior to his retirement, he was the Associate Director of Animal Care at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Before his position at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Bob was the General Manager and Curator of Big Bear Alpine Zoo, a small zoo located at 7,000 feet of elevation in the San Bernardino mountains just outside Los Angeles. At Big Bear Alpine Zoo, he was responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating all aspects of the Zoo, including the care and management of the animal collection as well as supervision, direction, and training of over 20 staff members. Prior to Big Bear, Bob worked at San Diego Zoo for over 22 years with various leadership responsibilities, working with multiple taxa. Additionally, he served on the board of directors for the American Association of Zoo Keepers for eight years, with four years serving as president. Similarly, he served on the AZA’s Professional Development Committee for four years and served 7 years on the executive board at the California Wolf Center, and on AZA's professional development committee and IDMAG (Institutional Data Management Advisory Group). In the early part of his career, Bob worked at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology as a research technician. Bob is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors for Action for Cheetahs in Kenya and a Steering Committee member of AZA's Institutional Data Management Advisory Group. He currently resides in a small town in West Central Iowa.

Kathryn has been in the animal care field for over 20 years. She is currently the Curator of Collections at Binder Park Zoo in Michigan. Kathryn was honored to volunteer with ACK in 2016 which lead her to being on the CaLL board since 2018.​ Kathryn also serves as a steering committee member on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE Cheetah, SAFE African Painted Dog and Canid and Hyenid TAG. Through AZA Kathryn serves as the African Painted dog SSP vice coordinator, along with being on the Ring-tailed lemur and African Painted Dog management groups.

Mary Wykstra is the founder and director of Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK). Mary started the program in 2001 in affiliation with the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Kenya Wildlife Service. In 2009, she founded Carnivores, Livelihoods and Landscapes, a Kenya-based charity under which ACK and other carnivore projects operate. ACK was the first project and has grown from having only two employees to over 20 in 10 years. Together with a fellow colleague, Cosmas Wambua, they launched research studies on the ecology and status of cheetahs in Kenya. They expanded the study to evaluate the range-wide status of cheetahs, and in 2007, they completed the first National Cheetah Survey. The study involved the mapping of prey, factors that influence cheetah persistence, and human impact on cheetah survival. It was also used in setting objectives for the regional and national strategies for cheetahs (and wild dogs). Mary holds a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a Master’s of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. In February 2020, she completed Women in Conservation Leadership training through Colorado State University's Pathways to Human Dimensions in Conservation Program. Mary has experience in both Kenya and in Namibia with data collection, cheetah research techniques, capture and immobilization, community development, and education. Mary is proud to lead a team of over 20 staff who share her passion for cheetahs as they continue to have an impact on saving the cheetah, reducing conflicts, and encouraging environmental caretaking. Young people are the future of cheetah conservation, and Mary enjoys watching staff and students grow their skills in research and conservation leadership. In 2010, ACK launched a second study site in Samburu at the Meibae Community Conservancy about 90 km northwest of the Samburu National Reserve to compare cheetah survival in pastoral communities. The field base was officially opened in 2017. Mary has co-authored peer-reviewed papers and several chapters in a cheetah book using data from the past several years.

Jameson worked as the Art Director at Utah’s Hogle Zoo for over 25 years where he created, designed and developed signage as well as themed exhibits throughout the Zoo. He was also over photographing the animal collection, drawing most of the animals and painting exhibit murals. In his early days at the Zoo, Jameson worked with Mary Wykstra creating exhibits for the Zoo which led to a life-long friendship that continues to this day as Jameson serves on the Action for Cheetah’s board that Mary started when she moved to Kenya. While at the Zoo, Jameson started an annual art exhibition for Utah artists and worked with some of the best wildlife artists in the state. Working with many of these artists led Jameson to organize art/photo safaris to East Africa to see wildlife in their natural habitats. Seeing so many of his favorite animals in the wild continues to inspire him to capture their majesty and beauty through his drawings. Though no longer working at the Zoo, Jameson is still a member of ACK’s board and continues to lead ACK sponsored safaris to African to share his love of the wildlife, people and the efforts of ACK in saving the wildlife and habitats of Kenya.

From an early age, Brianne had a love for cats. One of her first words was “kitty”, even though her family did not have a cat. At the age of 13, she volunteered at Shambala Preserve, helping the keepers and their three legged cheetah, Subira. Her love for big cats took her to Africa as a volunteer with amazing organizations like Cheetah Outreach, Cheetah Conservation Fund and of course Action for Cheetahs. She has educated people from all over the world about the plight of the cheetah. After working in the shelter world for seven years, Brianne followed her passion for smaller cats by starting Saving One Life - San Diego, in 2018. Saving One Life was a labor of love. It is a 100% volunteer run rescue and sanctuary. By the time the chapter closed its doors In 2023, Saving One Life - San Diego had saved over 1,000 from the streets of Southern California, making a meaningful impact on the orphaned feline population. She continues to foster, now for Kitten Rescue Life. Brianne is a full-time Wildlife Care Specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. She is a member of the Wildlife Connections animal ambassador team, everyday she gets to share the organization's commitment to saving species worldwide, and to inspiring passion for nature. Working with a wide variety of animals from all over the world to include Cape Porcupine, Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec, Tawny Frogmouth and California Desert Tortoise has given her a unique opportunity to connect with people about the struggles they face in the wild. She had the pleasure of working at the Carnivore Conservation Center at the Safari Park focusing on assisting the SSP programs with cheetah and black-footed cat breeding and having the unique opportunity to work with one of the last packs of Chinese Dholes in the United States. Each and every species has taught her not only about their species, but about the individual animal's personality and so much about herself. Brianne brings her passion for cheetahs and her creativity to assisting with organizing fundraising events like the annual Auction, San Diego’s Cheetah Soiree, and Ginger’s Hope Vaccination clinic. Being able to use her skills to raise more funds to support ACK’s mission.