The Snow Leopard Trust employs staff members in China, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, and Pakistan as well as in the United States (in Seattle, WA where our home office is located). These dedicated researchers and conservationists work closely with local communities in snow leopard countries to develop conservation programs that protect snow leopards and their habitat while improving the lives of the cats' human neighbors.

Meet these exceptional people:

International Staff

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		Örjan Johansson Ph.D. Candidate at Uppsala University Sweden
Where I live:		Presently SLT Mongolian Base Camp

China Staff Members

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		Wang Danjun Ph. D. Wildlife Biologist
Where I live:		Beijing (China)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I am a wildlife biologist from Peking University, China. As a endangered species, I find snow leopards very interesting and I am more than happy to be working on snow leopard research and conservation projects. Another reason is I love the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the people living with snow leopards for thousands years, I enjoy to work and learn from them.

India Staff Members

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		Dr. Charudutt Mishra, Science & Conservation Director
Where I live:		Mysore, Karnataka (India)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		The snow leopard has such a powerful appeal. It is a fantastic ambassador for wildlife conservation across the mountains of south and central Asia.
		Koustubh Sharma Regional Biologist
Where I live:		Delhi (India)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:
		Rakhee Karumbaya Executive Assistant - SLT
Where I live:		Bangalore (India)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:
		Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar India Program Director
Where I live:		Mysore, Karnataka (India)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I have always liked the Himalaya. In 1991 got the chance to study ibex for my PhD in Spiti. I have had the chance to see snow leopards on 8 occasions - once for a full 9 hours. The whole experience was so exciting that I never thought of doing anything else...
		Pranav Trivedi Head - India Education & Outreach
Where I live:		Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I have been attracted by the Himalyas and led student groups for environmental education programmes for the past 10 years. The present work offered me the first opportunity and challenge to carry out systematic education and outreach work with diverse target groups.
		Tanzin Thinley Manager of Research and Conservation
Where I live:		Spiti (India)
		Karma Sonam Field Coordinator
Where I live:		Ladakh (India)
		Rishi Sharma Research Affiliate, NCF
Where I live:		Mysore/ Spiti (India)
		Kulbhushansigh Suryavanshi Research Scholar, NCF
Where I live:		Mysore/ Spiti (India)
		Kalzang Gurmet Manager of Conservation Education Programme
Where I live:		Spiti (India)

Kyrgyz Republic Staff Members

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		Kubanychbek Jumabay uulu (Kuban) Program Coordinator
Where I live:		Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		When I was young I heard many interesting stories about snow leopards from old people and hunters. Many of them described snow leopards as beautiful, elusive and magic animal of celestial mountains which moves with an incredible lightning speed having shining skin, and grim or hypnotic look. I so wanted to see snow leopards. Unfortunately, the number of snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan decreased. To understand how to save snow leopards, its habitats and prey animals we work with people of remote areas, visiting their unique nature. It is a pleasure to think that what you are doing now helps to save this fantastic animal.

Mongolia Staff Members

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		Agvaantseren Bayarjargal Mongolia Program Director
Where I live:		Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		Because it is beautiful animal and I can help to save it. I am also involved because I want to provide help for women through Snow Leopard Enterprises.
		Lkhagvajav Purejav Mongolia Program Researcher
Where I live:		Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		Snow leopards are beautiful and interesting animals.
		Unurzul (Unuuru)
Where I live:		(Mongolia)
		Byambajav Ts. (Byamba)
Where I live:		(Mongolia)
		Enkhtuvshin Gi. (Tuushii)
Where I live:		(Mongolia)
		Purevsuren (Pursee)
Where I live:		Ulan Baatar (Mongolia)
		Tserennadmid Mijiddork (Nadia)
Where I live:		(Mongolia)
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Pakistan Staff Members

		Muhammad Ali Nawaz Country Program Director
Where I live:		Islamabad (Pakistan)
		Hamid Ahmad Manager of the Chitral Office
Where I live:		Chitral, Northwest Forest Province (Pakistan)
		Jaffar Ud-Din Snow Leopard Field Biologist
Where I live:		Chitral, Northwest Forest Province (Pakistan)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		Being a zoologist and more importantly sharing the alpine ecosystem with the snow leopard; I think, I had no other choice than to join the Snow Leopard Trust and conserve the snow leopard, so future generations could also have a glimpse of it.
		Asif Ibrar Dar Accounts Assistant
Where I live:		Islamabad (Pakistan)
		Doost Ali IT and GIS Expert
Where I live:		Islamabad (Pakistan)
		Muhammad Younas Field Biologist
Where I live:		Gilgit (Pakistan)
		Shoaib Hameed Associate, Research and Monitoring
Where I live:		Chitral/Gilgit (Pakistan)
		Siraj Wali Khan Field Assistant
Where I live:		Chitral (Pakistan)
		Muhammad Ayub Field Biologist
Where I live:		Chitral (Pakistan)
		Shamim Akhtar Income Generation Officer
Where I live:		Chitral (Pakistan)

United States Staff Members

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		Brad Rutherford Executive Director
Where I live:		Hansville, Washington (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I first fell in love with the people of the region and it was while working with them that I came to understand the conservation issues of the region and the role of the snow leopard as the top predator. The Trust's approach of partnering with communities to protect the cats is one that I completely agree with.
		Jennifer Snell Rullman Conservation Program Director
Where I live:		Bainbridge Island, Washington (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I am passionate about conservation of our wildlife and wilderness areas, especially those that are threatened and endangered like the snow leopard. I am also interested in conservation that focuses on a balanced ecosystem and works with local communities in a sustainable and respectful way.
		Siri Okamoto Development Director
Where I live:		Seattle, Washington (United States)
		Marissa Niranjan Conservation Commerce Manager
Where I live:		Seattle, Washington (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		While studying at the University of Washington, I became very passionate about the issue of sustainability. I support the Trust's philosophy of community based conservation, and my profound belief that the endangered snow leopard deserves a place on this Earth makes it easy to come to work everyday.
		Gina Robertson Product Development and Sales Manager
Where I live:		Seattle, Washington (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I’ve always had a passion for wildlife, especially big cats. The Snow Leopard inhabits an area of the world that I’ve been fascinated with. By working to conserve this magnificent and majestic animal I know that I am also helping to protect its natural environment. It’s a great feeling to wake up and know that each day I am doing something to help wildlife, people and an environment that are all struggling to survive.
		Katie Yankula Office Manager
Where I live:		Seattle, Washington (United States)
		Rana Bayrakci Research & Conservation Associate
Where I live:		Seattle, Washington (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		I met my first snow leopard as a zoo keeper in 1995 and fell in love. I finished my masters degree in 1999 and started my work with the Trust in the science department in 2007. I am inspired every day by the people I work with and the cats and communities that we support.
		Jeff Brown Technology Director
Where I live:		Seattle, Washington (United States)
Why I am involved in snow leopard conservation:		I had traveled in Bhutan where the kind people and their respect for all wildlife, including snow leopards was inspiring. I found the Snow Leopard Trust a few months later, and feel lucky to be a part of the team. The snow leopard is such a unique and majestic animal, and I firmly believe in the community-based approach of the SLT.
		Antonia Jindrich Donor Relations Manager
Where I live:		Seattle, WA (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		There’s something about the eyes of a snow leopard – they make me feel connected not just to wildlife, but to all of nature.  These cats help me to remember the beauty in this world, and let me feel that I can be a part of that beauty.  They make the world feel smaller, somehow.  Working at the Trust, I get to know that even if I never get to trek in the high mountains these cats call home, I can still make sure they, too, have a home on this planet.
		Makenna O'Meara Communications Specialist
Where I live:		Seattle, WA (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		Snow leopards have fascinated me since I was a little girl and in my time spent working with this incredible creature my respect for them has only grown. They have a range of emotions as deep as any human and I have seen them express love and contentment as well as uncertainty and fear. As a keystone species their success indicates the health of the Himalayan ecosystem and each snow leopard life is worth protecting.
		Arnica Luther Office Assistant
Where I live:		Seattle, WA (United States)
Why I'm involved in snow leopard conservation:		The snow leopard was always one of my favorite animals at the Woodland Park Zoo when I was little – and still is!  To be able to work to protect such an awe-inspiring creature is truly a privilege and an honor.  I believe it is our duty to protect the animals that share this planet with us – from charismatic predators to the smallest of living things.

Board of Directors

Board Officers

President – Carol Hosford
Carol served on the Board of Directors of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington for twelve years where she was instrumental in developing the field conservation program for the zoo. She is now a Director Emeritus of the zoo and is a member of the Chairman's Council of Conservation International. Since 1998, Carol has been involved with various conservation projects and organizations in Tanzania such as the Tarangire Elephant Project, the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum, The Dorobo Fund for Tanzania and the Ujamaa Community Resource Team. She has participated in conservation work in Kenya, Madagascar, Bhutan and Papua, New Guinea, is a board member of the Cheetah Conservation Fund and is involved with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Project. Through her extensive travels she has become acquainted with some of the most effective field conservation projects and scientists in the world and strives to connect these works with potential donors.

Vice President – Andrea Gates Sanford
Andrea Gates Sanford is the principal of Watchdog Graphics Production, a graphic design studio based in Seattle, Washington specializing in sustainable communications. Ms. Sanford has more than twenty years professional experience in visual communications and ten years experience with a variety of worldwide conservation programs. Ms Sanford received her formal education at Oberlin College and the University of Michigan School of Art, studying literature and fine art, earning a BFA in graphic design. She is currently an MBA candidate at Bainbridge Graduate Institute, pursuing her passion for sustainability through environmental responsibility and social justice in business.

Vice President – Rhetick Sengupta
Rhetick Sengupta is a 13+ year Microsoft veteran who has held a variety of positions in Operations and IT. He is currently focused on architecting IT solutions on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.

Secretary-Treasurer – Steven Kearsley
From 1970 until his retirement in 1998 Steven Kearsley worked for Capital Research and Management Company, one of the largest mutual fund managers in the U.S.  Kearsley is a Certified Public Accountant and has been the Trust’s Treasurer since 1998. He now lives in Philomath, Oregon on Old Peak Tree Farm where he grows Christmas trees.

Board Members

Elizabeth (Betsy) Alaniz
Betsy Alaniz has been an attorney with Perkins Coie LLP since 1991 and is currently a Partner in litigation. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Alaniz was a Communications Specialist for United Way of Orange County, CA where she held several positions including Communications Director. Betsy is an active member of the community and is currently a member of the Woodland Park Zoo board of directors.

Norma Cole
Norma Cole has been an active board member since joining the Trust in 1999. She has held the position of Vice-President and most recently of board President, for the past four years. Norma is employed as a clinical social work supervisor at Harborview Medical Center. She is active in the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents and has held positions on its board as conference advisory director and chairman.

Harry Freeman is the youngest son of Helen Freeman, the Founder of the Snow Leopard Trust.  His childhood was filled with observations and conversations of animal behavior, from the Pileated wood pecker that frequented the Freeman’s backyard to the many captive animals that inhabited the Woodland Park Zoo, where his mom was curator of education.  Now a professor of developmental psychology at the University of South Dakota, Harry conducts research and teaches on the nature of parent-child relationships and young-adult sexual relationships. In reflecting on his choice to study human behavior instead of animal behavior, he views the transition as a natural outcome of his childhood conversations, as his mother was a consummate observer of both social worlds.      

Jed Gorden
Jed Gorden is a native of Bethesda, Maryland with roots in Mississippi. A Graduate of Vanderbuilt School of Medicine in Nashville he moved to Seattle in 1997 to do his residency at the University of Washington. He is a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician and the Director of Interventional Pulmonary at the Swedish Cancer institute in Seattle. His work and research interests have taken him to many remote areas of Asia where he experienced first hand the need for thoughtful partnerships between NGOs and local peoples.

Henry Happel
Henry Happel was a founding partner of Mundt MacGregor LLP, a Seattle, Washington law firm, where he practiced corporate and commercial law from 1976 until 2001. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of DisplayLink Corp and Cambridge Visual Networks, two technology companies.  He also serves as an advisor to Iquique U.S. LLC, a fishing company engaged in marine sustainable fisheries in Alaska. Henry received a B.A. in Economics from Yale University in 1967 and a law degree from Stanford University in 1970.

Linda Jacobs
Linda Jacobs is a Seattle native and has a BA in English from the University of Washington and an AA from Edmonds Community College as a paralegal.  Professionally, she has been a legal assistant for over 27 years.  She has volunteered with the Trust for many years and is a docent at the Woodland Park Zoo.

Dr. Walter Pereyra
Wally is a Chairman of the Arctic Storm Management Group based in Seattle, Washington. This firm manages four large fishing vessels, for two of which Dr. Pereyra is principal. Wally has been in the seafood business since he began his career in 1977 as the General Manager of the Marine Resources Company, a joint venture between the US and Soviet Union. Dr. Pereyra served for nine years as Vice Chairman to the North Pacific Fishery Management Counsel, and was Chairman of the National Fisheries Institute in 2004. Prior to his involvement in fishing industry, Wally was a groundfish scientist with the Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and spent two years teaching at the Escuela de Pesquerias y Alimentos in Chile. Wally is presently involved as a founding investor for several successful start ups throughout Washington State.

Erica von Studnitz
Erica von Studnitz, a wildlife conservation supporter and advocate, has a M.S. in Physiological Psychology, and has worked in clinical research and medical writing in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. She is active in a number of wildlife-conservation organizations and has a particular interest in wild cat conservation. She has an interest in multifaceted approaches to, and greater community involvement in, conservation efforts. She is a proponent for expanding public awareness of the importance of, and critical need for, protecting and conserving wild species and habitat.

Seshadri (Sesh) Velamoor
Mr. Velamoor, a native of Hyderabad, India, is the Director of Programs at the Foundation For the Future in Washington State.  Mr. Velamoor previously held the position of President at Kistler-Morse Corporation in Bothell, Washington, a manufacturer of instrumentation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and has Master's degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration. Mr. Velamoor has more than 30 years experience in management at top levels of industrial corporations.

Founder

Helen Freeman
Helen founded the Snow Leopard Trust in 1981 while the education director at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. From 1982 to 1987 she headed the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan for the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums. Helen directed the Trust until 1996 when she transitioned to an active board member for the Trust. Helen passed away on September 20, 2007.

In Memory

Marilyn Fite
Marilyn Fite was active with the Trust since its founding in 1981 and was the longest serving board member, joining in 1982. She was an active member of the Trust's Membership and Events Committee for many years. Marilyn was also a board member of Treemendous, a Seattle based nonprofit working to restore urban forests, and the Seattle Garden Club. Marilyn passed away on August 7, 2010.