International Advisory Board
IVONNE A-BAKI
Ecuadorian Ivonne A-Baki participated in the negotiations that led to a peace treaty between her country and Peru in 1998. As minister of foreign trade from 2003 to 2005, she was instrumental in advancing regional integration projects in Latin America. She also served as Ecuador’s ambassador to the United States and honorary consul general in Beirut, Lebanon. Ms. Baki, of Lebanese origin, speaks English, French and German in addition to her two mother languages, Spanish and Arabic. Holding a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University, she is also a recognized painter who spent 1990 to 1998 as artist-in-residence at Harvard. Recently, she was designated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, recognizing her commitment to projects aimed at strengthening dialogue between cultures.
SAM BRANSON
Sam Branson is the founder of Sundog Pictures. He is a social entrepreneur, adventurer and philanthropist – and is passionate about the medium of film and the positive impact it can have on the planet.
JACKIE CHAN
Jackie Chan is an internationally renowned kung-fu action hero. He has been acting since the 1970s and has appeared in over 100 films. Chan has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a keen philanthropist and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, having worked tirelessly to champion charitable works and causes. He has campaigned for conservation, against animal abuse, and has promoted disaster relief efforts for floods in mainland China and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. He strongly supports tiger conservation programs and has filmed numerous PSAs with WildAid since 2002.
SILENCE LEUNG
Entertainment, concert and television producer heavyweight, Silence Leung has been working in the production industry for over thirty years. Silence has made a name for herself since the ‘90s in China spearheading numerous major concerts for top leading Chinese singers including Anita Mui, Jacky Cheung and Faye Wong etc. Leung’s creativity and vision in the industry is undeniable and she has produced concerts and reality TV shows featuring major-league celebrities which led and shaped entertainment trends and behavior in China. For more than 25 years, Silence has generously given her time to support the following charitable organizations and events: The National Tour of Disaster Reduction in 1993-1994, The Poverty Alleviation concert Live in Shanghai and Beijing 1998, The Wenchuan Earthquake Fundraising of Olympic Champions 2009 and Partnership with WildAid in 2019 to produce the shark documentary “The Gentle Giant”.
SACHEN CHANDARIA
Sachen is involved with many community, leadership, philanthropic, and corporate social responsibility initiatives including YPO and WEF, and serves on many corporate and institutional boards. Sachen is a successful Kenyan businessman with international multi-industry experience. Graduating in 1995 from Imperial College (UK) with an honors degree in chemistry and management, he joined the Kenyan family business. In 2002, he moved to Canada to operate the property development, FMCG, insurance and banking family businesses. In 2006, he returned to Kenya to run the family’s MEA businesses growing Orbit into the region’s largest FCMG toll manufacturer for multinationals, while managing the property development, chemicals, packaging, therapeutic food manufacturing, financial and investment management businesses. Sachen is involved with many community, leadership, philanthropic, and corporate social responsibility initiatives including YPO and WEF, and serves on many corporate and institutional boards.
SUE CHEN
Sue Chen founded Nova Medical Products in 1993 when she was just 23 years old with a strong vision to improve lives…with style. Sue was a finalist for the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, recipient of the Community Leadership Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and named one of the ten most powerful entrepreneurs in Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women issue. In 2011, Sue helped successfully lobby the California legislature to protect sharks with the passing of the shark fin ban. Sue is an Annenberg Foundation community champion, YPO member, trustee of the California Lutheran University Board of Regents, founder of Operation Blue Pride, and director of Reef Check Foundation. She is also a shark advocate, avid diver, classical music junkie and author of “Confessions of the Walker Stalker.”
JONATHAN M. CONRAD
Jonathan M. Conrad is the chairman, CEO and founder of AdmieMobile LLC an early stage company and the co-inventor of AdmieMobile’s peer-to-peer software. He was instrumental in the creation of the federal legislation enabling broad-based use of employee stock ownership plans, and served on a federal transportation committee during the Reagan Administration. Conrad also served as a senior advisor to the original X PRIZE for space travel, and is currently a member of the Harvard North Pole Discovery Centennial Commemorative Committee. He has chaired and led the discussions for a series of “green dinners” at The Explorers Club, where he is a medalist and former director and officer. Conrad is a graduate and trustee of Washington and Jefferson College, and resides in New York.
DUNCAN CLARK
UK TRUSTEE
Duncan Clark is chairman and founder of BDA China, an investment advisory he established in Beijing in 1994. Duncan is also an angel investor in mobile apps related companies, including App Annie subsequently invested by Sequoia Capital. He serves on the advisory board of the digital communication fund of the Geneva-based private bank Pictet & Cie. He has also a partner in a Beijing-based film production company CIB Productions. A graduate of the London School of Economics & Political Science, Duncan was invited as a visiting scholar to Stanford University where he co-founded the influential China 2.0 research initiative. He has lived in China for twenty years and divides his time between bases in Beijing, London and the San Francisco Bay Area. A former chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, Duncan was appointed officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the 2013 New Year Honours List for services to British commercial interests in China.
PHILIPPE COUSTEAU
Philippe is son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr., and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. As a member of the legendary family, Philippe is continuing the work of his father as CEO of EarthEcho International, a non-profit organization he founded with his sister and mother. Philippe serves on the board of directors of The Ocean Conservancy, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, and the National Environmental Education Foundation. He is also the advisory board of Discovery Communications Inc.’s Planet Green. He holds a master’s degree in history from the University of St. Andrews.
BO DEREK
CANADA TRUSTEE
Bo Derek is an American television and film actor and producer. Derek is best known for her breakout role in the romantic comedy film 10 and Tommy Boy Bo Derek is a long-time advocate for animal welfare. In 2006, she was appointed U.S. Special Envoy of the Secretary of State for wildlife trafficking issues. She was also appointed Commissioner of the California Horse Racing Board by the Governor of California and is a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare Institute’s national campaign to end horse slaughter through passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Bo chaired the Department of Veterans Affairs National Rehabilitation Special Events, whose games are designed to help veterans overcome their disabilities through sports and competition. Bo now serves on WildAid’s International Advisory Board.
ERIC DESATNIK
Eric Desatnik is the director of public relations at the X PRIZE Foundation. Prior to X PRIZE, Eric spearheaded communications efforts at WildAid. He founded and programmed the Environmental Film Festival at Yale, and alongside Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson, served as executive producer of the documentary “The Whale”. Eric’s background in the entertainment industry includes positions at George Magazine, Management 360, and BWR Public Relations, where he executed publicity campaigns for clients including Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, and Sirius Satellite Radio. Eric holds a master of environmental management degree from Yale University and is certified as a LEED Accredited Professional by the U.S. Green Building Council.
DR. SYLVIA EARLE
After receiving her PhD from Duke, Dr. Earle started her career as a research fellow at Harvard, then went on to the resident directorship of the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Florida. In 1969, she led the all-female Tektite II, Mission 6 living for weeks in an enclosed habitat on the ocean floor fifty feet below the surface. After, she began to write for National Geographic and to produce books and films. 1979, Dr. Earle walked untethered on the sea floor at a lower depth than any living human being before or since. She described this adventure in her 1980 book: “Exploring the Deep Frontier.” In the 1980s, along with engineer Graham Hawkes, she started the companies Deep Ocean Engineering and Deep Ocean Technologies. In the early 1990s, Dr. Earle took a leave of absence from her companies to serve as chief scientist of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. There, among other duties, she was responsible for monitoring the health of the nation’s waters. Today she is explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society. Dr. Earle is married and has three children.
ELISABETH PANG FULLERTON
Elisabeth Pang Fullerton is a venture partner, social entrepreneur and philanthropist for her family office and foundation. She is an active investor and advisor for early stage startups that focus in the areas of network solutions, enterprise software, biotech/life sciences, digital healthcare, edu-tech and media. Elisabeth also sits on various non-profit boards and pioneers fundraising efforts. Her philanthropic focus is to improve human conditions in health care, education, and human rights for underrepresented children, women and minorities. Additionally, Elisabeth is an award winning independent and documentary film and television producer. Her film “Test” was nominated for the Teddy Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. Elisabeth previously worked as a marketing executive for various high tech companies ranging from peripherals, catalytic converters and wireless communications to solar manufacturers.
BRYCE GROARK
Bryce Groark is a wildlife photographer and cinematographer specializing in the marine environment. In 2004, he started Living Ocean Productions in Kona, Hawaii. His award-winning work has been featured in magazines, newspapers, numerous domestic and international television networks as well as a myriad of international film festivals, aquariums and museums around the world. Sharks and large pelagic species are Bryce’s passion. For years, his images have worked to showcase the plight of sharks around the globe. He has made films and worked with conservation groups and policy makers by raising awareness and supporting multiple forms of legislation protecting sharks. In 2010, Bryce assisted in helping Hawaii become the safest place in the world for sharks, with the passage of a law that prohibits the possession, sale or trade of any shark fin products in the state.
DAVID HASLINGDEN
David Haslingden owns and operates a network of television production companies comprising NHNZ, Beach House Productions and Northern Pictures. Previously, Mr. Haslingden was president and COO of Fox Networks Group, which includes the Fox broadcast network, FX, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Fox Sports, Speed and Fuel in the United States, and all Fox, National Geographic, Star and other Fox owned channels in more than 50 countries. Mr. Haslingden has sat on a number of industry boards in the United States including the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. He is also chairman of Nine Entertainment, Australia’s largest television broadcast network group. Mr. Haslingden attended Sydney and Cambridge Universities and lives in Sydney with his wife and two daughters.
SHAWN HEINRICHS
Shawn Heinrichs is the founder and executive producer of Blue Sphere Media, a production company specializing in underwater and adventure films. He is a passionate scuba diver, cinematographer, photo journalist and marine conservationist. His award-winning work has been featured in broadcast, promotional and conservation productions around the world. During his career, he co-founded several successful businesses in the digital media, software and entertainment industries. Shawn also serves as the conservation moderator for WetPixel, the internet’s leading underwater photo/video forum.
MINDY HENDERSON
Mindy Henderson is a native San Franciscan who specializes in San Francisco residential real estate. She is a founder and past board member of San Francisco Ballet’s ENCORE! and was a member of the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary for 11 years. Mindy is also a member of the San Francisco Zoological Society board of directors. She founded the San Francisco Zoo Auxiliary and was president for three years. Mindy is also a past and current board member of the Town and Country Club and the California Tennis Club. Mindy has also served as a leader in her church, St. Mary the Virgin. Mindy attended Katherine Delmar Burke School, The Branson School and UCLA.
DERECK AND BEVERLY JOUBERT
Dereck and Beverly Joubert are award-winning filmmakers from Botswana, with five Emmys and a Peabody to their names. Their mission is the conservation and understanding of the large predators and key African wildlife species. The couple has been filming, researching and exploring in Africa for over 25 years. Their coverage of unique predator behavior has resulted in 20 films, six books, and many articles. In the year the Jouberts spent as National Geographic explorers-in-residence, they produced two films, two books and two magazine articles for National Geographic. The Jouberts also won a Panda award in the United Kingdom. Recently, they have expanded ecotourism/community partnerships via their company, Great Plains.
TIM KELLY
Tim Kelly is an American media executive, film producer, and conservationist. He is recognized for his role in moving the National Geographic Society from a primarily print-based organization to a multimedia global force in television and digital media. He was named president of National Geographic in 2011 and has also served as president and CEO of both the National Geographic Global Media Group and National Geographic Ventures. An avid outdoorsman, Kelly is recognized for his work in developing the role of storytelling in conservation. He serves on the boards of the American Prairie Reserve and the Great Plains Conservation Trust. Kelly grew up in Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Colorado.
DAVID KRACKE
David Kracke is an attorney in Portland, Oregon specializing in environmental issues including endangered species protection. He has authored and co-authored eight laws in the state, including a 2022 law focused on zoonotic disease and the banning of live animal markets, making Oregon the first state in the USA to do so. In 2011, David was part of the legislative team that banned the possession, sale and trade of shark fins within Oregon, and in 2017, he wrote the initial draft of Oregon’s landmark anti-poaching law which dramatically increased penalties for poaching Oregon’s wildlife, including bear and cougar. He served on the board of directors of the Rhino Trust where he worked closely with the late Anna Merz. David studied international environmental law at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, and at the University of Nairobi Law School in Kenya.
FRANS LANTING
Frans Lanting has been hailed as one of the great nature photographers of our time. His influential work appears in books, magazines, and exhibitions around the world. For more than two decades he has documented wildlife and our relationship with nature in environments from the Amazon to Antarctica. Lanting’s work has been commissioned frequently by National Geographic, where he served as a photographer-in-residence. He has received numerous prestigious awards for his work, including the Lennart Nilsson Award in 2005. In 2001 H.R.H. Prince Bernhard inducted him as a Knight in the Royal Order of the Golden Ark, the Netherlands’ highest conservation honor. He has received top honors from World Press Photo, the title of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award. He has been honored as a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in London.
MATTHEW MARGO
Matthew Margo is a senior vice president at CBS Television Network. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and practiced business law and litigation before joining CBS. Mr. Margo served on the advisory board of the Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Communications, and the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund. He now serves on the director’s advisory council at the National Institute of Health. He previously served on the advisory boards of the Harvard Public Health Review and the Better Business Bureaus Foundation. He was a global and US judge for the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, initiated by BA Chairman Lord Marshall, and which recognizes eco-tourism.
CLAUDIA A. MCMURRAY
Claudia is currently senior counsellor to the Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit, representing the sustainability work of the prince’s charities in the United States. She has worked as a lawyer, policymaker and diplomat, focusing on issues related to the environment, energy, natural resource conservation, and sustainability. Before joining the prince’s charities, Ms. McMurray served as senior counsel to the commission investigating the BP oil spill, and CEO of Mainstream Green Solutions. Ms. McMurray has held positions as assistant secretary of state for oceans, environment and science, deputy assistant secretary of state for environment, and associate deputy administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency. She currently serves on the board of directors of Panthera and on the advisory boards of the Energy and Enterprise Initiative, the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment, and the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
ROB MONDAVI, JR.
Rob Mondavi, Jr. is president of Folio Wine Partners and is the grandson of the late Robert Mondavi, founder of Mondavi Winery. Folio Wine Partners is family owned and employees are minority partners in the business, which is a key philosophical aspect to its business model
JOHAN ERNST NILSON
Johan Ernst Nilson is a Swedish explorer, photographer, philanthropist and television producer. He started his career in the early 1990s with research expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic to document wildlife and climate change for Discovery Channel. He has continued to document wildlife and nature for over 20 years and has today explored 162 countries on seven continents. He is called an “Adventure Activist” for his way of connecting adventures with research and charity. In 2016 alone, Johan raised $4.7 million for charity projects in wildlife, nature, glaciers and aids research.
DR. ELLEN K. PIKITCH
Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch is the executive director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science and a professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. Recognized as an international expert in ocean conservation science, she has authored and edited more than 100 articles and books on fisheries science and management. The scientific work of Dr. Pikitch has informed policy decisions such as the listings of both the Atlantic and beluga sturgeon under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, a U.S. ban on the sale of beluga caviar, and passage of the U.S. Shark Finning Prohibition Act. Dr. Pikitch received a PhD in zoology from Indiana University and MA and BS degrees in mathematics from the City College of New York.
JEANNE SEDGWICK
Jeanne Sedgwick is the former director of the conservation program at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California where she oversaw the program’s growth from an annual grants budget of $500,000 and a staff of two in 1989 to over $100 million annually, managed by a staff of seventeen. Under her direction, the conservation program launched the 5-year, $175 million Conserving California Landscapes Initiative, which helped protect nearly 500,000 acres of California’s critical habitats, as well as the China Energy Program, and national and international conservation programs on marine fisheries, coral reefs, and oldgrowth forests. Sedgwick has served in a variety of board positions, most recently including chairman of the board of the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity, the national affinity group of private foundations working on biodiversity conservation, and vice chairman of the board of trustees at Phillips Brooks School, an independent school in Menlo Park, California. She is a member of the coordinating committee at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve at Stanford University, as well as an advisory board member of the Lane Center for the American West at Stanford. Further, Sedgwick is a trustee and chair of the governance committee of the Resources Legacy Fund in Sacramento, and a member of the advisory board of Island Press in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of Stanford University. Jeanne previously served on the WildAid Board of Directors.
DR. JORDAN SHLAIN
Dr. Jordan Shlain is a practicing internist and graduate of UC Berkeley and Georgetown University Medical School. Dr. Shlain consults with many companies, non-profits and physician organizations to assist them in patient-focused innovation, and he founded the Current Health Medical Group in 1997. He is the president of the national American Academy of Private Physicians and has served as an assistant clinical professor at UCSF and a board member for the San Francisco Medical Society. In 2008, he won the Pioneer in Medical Practice award in Washington D.C. In 2010, he was appointed by the mayor of San Francisco to sit as a commissioner for the Health Services Systems Board. In 2011, he was named to the physician advisory board of OptumInsight, a global leader in health IT analytics and services.
MICHAEL SKOLETSKY
Michael Skoletsky is Apio System’s chief customer officer, guiding Apio’s development of a disruptive mobile platform to be highly useful to its customers. Michael began in traditional advertising, working with Procter & Gamble, Pepsi-Cola, and Coca-Cola. He is founder and president of Panolog and has held positions at Viant and Blast Radius. Michael applied his leadership, marketing and communication abilities to the cause of shark conservation as co-founder and executive director of Shark Savers, leading the organization from its creation to making a major impact on protecting sharks and rays. Shark Savers has now been merged into WildAid.
STEVE TRENT
Co-founder and former president of WildAid, Steve Trent has over 20 years experience in environmental advocacy, investigations, training, and project management. He has conducted investigations and trained environmental and human rights advocates in more than 25 countries and managed media campaigns in more than 15 countries. Steve has been involved in campaigns on marine issues, the illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances, illegal wildlife trade and illegal logging, orangutan conservation, and environmental governance. His advocacy experience includes the US Congress, the European Parliament and Commission, national governments, and a range of international conventions including the Montreal Protocol, the Commission on Sustainable Development, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).