James C. Deutsch, is a strategic leader in global conservation with a passion for saving wildlife and wild lands and a talent for translating cutting-edge science into field projects with maximum conservation impact.

James comes to Rainforest Trust from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation where, as Director of Wildlife and Biodiversity, he oversaw the Great Elephant Census, worked with IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) to close ivory markets and save sharks, and launched programs to support the Convention on Biological Diversity, to dismantle wildlife trafficking networks, and to save coral reefs.

Previously, James was Africa Director and then Vice President for Conservation Strategy at the Wildlife Conservation Society where he helped design and implement the Congo Basin Forest Partnership and launched new programs in Nigeria, Mozambique, and South Sudan. He also helped launch the Tropical Biology Association, taught secondary school in Kenya, and was founding chair of the boards of Aidspan and Community Markets for Conservation. For six years James was CEO of the UK’s national fundraiser for HIV/AIDS, Crusaid, helping make life-saving treatments available in the UK and Africa.

A New Yorker, James was educated at Harvard (A.B. Philosophy) and Cambridge (M.Phil. Biological Anthropology and Ph.D. Zoology) and lectured in ecology and conservation biology at Imperial College and the University of East Anglia. His research career included fieldwork on Uganda Kob antelope and Malawi cichlid fishes with papers in Nature, Evolution, and other journals and books.

A lifelong explorer, Mark Gruin has dedicated more than 30 years to international conservation and sustainable development. He has worked, lived and traveled in more than 40 countries, helping a wide range of local and international non-governmental organizations create, develop and implement sustainable development strategies that integrate preserving biodiversity and threatened habitats with creating economic and humanitarian benefits to local communities.

His career has been characterized by committed early involvement, working on the ground in early stages of difficult projects to find ways to quickly address immediate needs, while establishing a foundation for lasting and sustainable impact and increased local capacity. An inveterate wanderer and wonderer, working in remote places with little infrastructure and pressing needs has been the norm, including many projects throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean, the Russian Far East, sub-Saharan and the Horn of Africa, North America, Europe and the Caucasus.

Leslie VanSant brings a wealth of international organization and non-profit fundraising and communication experience to the Rainforest Trust. Across her career she has worked successfully building teams and stakeholder support in humanitarian relief and response, conservation, arts and community organizations large and small. Her travels to some of the world’s most vulnerable places in response to disasters, have given her a unique perspective on the importance of the intersection of land and habitat preservation with human development. Leslie holds a Bachelors from the University of Richmond in History and Art History. An avid equestrian, she rides show and fox hunters from her family farm in Middleburg where she lives with her husband and daughter.

Hooked on wildlife conservation when growing up in Africa, James has spent his career focusing on strategic approaches to addressing conservation challenges.

Born in the UK but raised on three continents, James has firsthand experience in a range of conservation arenas. Before joining Rainforest Trust, James worked as the operations director for the Amphibian Survival Alliance, helping to build the world’s largest partnership dedicated to amphibian conservation.

Although originally a field ecologist, James has spent time working on a number of domestic and international conservation topics, trade/policy issues, development of on the ground conservation projects and implementation of national conservation responses.

James’ undergraduate degree is in Conservation Management from Stirling University and his Masters is in Conservation and Biodiversity from Exeter University.

He has worked for several conservation NGOs including the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International and Global Wildlife Conservation and published on a range of conservation topics.

Liz joins the Rainforest Trust team after nearly a decade reporting on the global freshwater and sanitation crisis. She has also edited and written for organizations focused on global public health and Middle East news. Liz earned her BS in Linguistics, with a focus on French and Arabic, at Georgetown University. She also studied at the American University in Cairo, and has spent time in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Warrenton for more than 10 years, and enjoys volunteering as an ESL teacher, losing at pub trivia and bowling and helping tend to her ever-expanding vegetable garden.

Julie Bashford is a seasoned Human Resources Professional and People Leader equipped to guide and support teams toward individual, team and organization-wide success. Julie describes herself as a strategic thinker, tactical planner, people champion, juggler and sounding board. She enjoys getting to know people as people, with unique sets of hopes and desires, both professionally and personally and partnering with them to design engaging and effective career pathways.

Julie joins Rainforest Trust following a 20-year corporate HR career in sectors ranging from finance to tech to market research and strategy. Her intentional shift to the nonprofit world and to Rainforest Trust, in particular, stems from enlightening field volunteer work with Rainforest Trust partner, Osa Conservation, in Costa Rica where great strides have been made to replant and preserve critically important rainforest and ocean habitat.

Lynda comes to us from the for-profit world. She has her BA from the University of Delaware in Human Resources. She has been working in the accounting field for 30 years, has training in ASL Interpreting, homeschooled her children for many years, and has owned a local bakery before becoming part of our team at Rainforest Trust. She raises free range chickens and goats on her 5 acre farmette. In her free time, Lynda enjoys knitting, teaching, and traveling.

Steve Bernacki joined Rainforest Trust in the Fall of 2018 and is responsible for a portfolio of projects across Southeast Asia. He has a PhD in plant biology and studied a family of tropical plant viruses known as Geminiviruses. Before coming to Rainforest Trust he worked as a consultant for IUCN in Cambodia working on a forest landscape restoration assessment, karst limestone conservation, and advising on a new Environmental Code for Cambodia. In his free time, Steve is also an avid hiker, skier and traveler.

David has spent over 15 years living and working for conservation in southeast Asia, primarily in Indonesia, where he was based out of North Sumatra from 2007-2019. Although still passionate about orangutan conservation, he has recently moved back to the US, with an expanded focus towards landscape and ecosystem level protection. As such he strongly supports Rainforest Trust's strategy of securing key areas for biodiversity conservation, and looks forward to aiding forests throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

David has an MSc in Primate Conservation from Oxford Brookes University and a BA in Anthropology from Temple University. He loves spending time with his wife Diana and their family of too many dogs.

Erin McCreless is a conservation scientist with 20 years of experience working on both the biological and the socioeconomic aspects of biodiversity conservation. Her overarching goal is to use data and evidence to improve conservation science and implementation.

Since her first field experience monitoring piping plovers on Cape Cod, she has had the opportunity to work with wildlife in the Appalachian Mountains, the Aleutian Islands, Hawaii, and Palau, among other places. In her dissertation research at the University of California Santa Cruz, Erin used global datasets to investigate the costs and outcomes of protected area designations, the role of invasive mammals in driving species extinctions on islands, and the cost-effectiveness of invasive mammal eradications on islands globally. She has also worked on threatened species conservation on Australian islands, financial investments in coastal green infrastructure, and natural resource management in California’s Central Valley. At Rainforest Trust, Erin’s focus is using long-term financial, ecological, and spatial data to better understand the costs and conservation impacts of Rainforest Trust’s portfolio of protected areas.

Erin has a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UC Santa Cruz and a BA in Biology from Yale University. She lives in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon, where she spends much of her time hiking and canoeing with her husband and dog. She also enjoys running, playing cello, and trying out local wineries.

Rina joined Rainforest Trust as Madagascar Conservation Associate, after pursuing her Graduate and Postgraduate studies at Antananarivo and Rovira i Virgili Universities.

Rina is a member of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and the SCB Madagascar Chapter. She was part of a group of international researchers on Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation (http://www.p4ges.org) and has co-authored various research on this topic.

She continues to support the Malagasy government in implementing the National Politic of Payment of Ecosystem Services as a member of the Technical Committee. Rina has strong interests in conserving the remaining natural resources in Africa and Madagascar while ensuring the wellbeing of local communities living around those critical habitats. She enjoys traveling and tasting different foods.

Katie has always been interested in wildlife and environmental conservation. She became passionate about international conservation when she studied rainforest and marine ecosystems in Belize during her undergraduate career.

Katie graduated with her Master’s degree in Biology from Miami University. Through Miami’s Global Field Program she attended courses abroad in Baja, Australia, and Kenya where she gained experience in methods of wildlife and habitat conservation.

Katie also enjoys hiking, horseback riding, boating and traveling.

Gabriela Fleury has been passionate about wildlife conservation since the age of 5, a passion that was further fanned by a childhood spent everywhere from Brazil to Alaska. She majored in Geographic Science at James Madison University with a concentration in Environmental Conservation and completed her undergraduate thesis on lion (Panthera leo) and livestock conflict with pastoralists in the Amboseli Region of Kenya. Dedicated to the study of human dimensions of wildlife conservation, Gabriela received a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship from Rotary International and completed her Masters degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Inspired by her earlier community work, she completed her Masters thesis on the social drivers of land cover change in a land restitution case in the Northern Cape of South Africa. After graduate school, Gabriela spent two years assisting on-the-ground NGOs Action for Cheetahs and Big Life Foundation in Kenya with human-wildlife conflict research, data analysis and grant-writing, and leading Cheetah Conservation Fund’s human dimensions research team in north-central Namibia. Working with a variety of rangers throughout her time in Eastern and Southern Africa inspired her drive to promote these frontline heroes of conservation through her current position at Rainforest Trust. Fascinated by technology and a self-proclaimed geek, in her spare time, Gabriela likes to research and develop conservation tech innovations, play tabletop board games, and go on outdoor adventures with her giant lab Churchill.

A native of Brazil, Juliana serves as Rainforest Trust’s Latin America Conservation Officer. She previously lived in Venezuela, England, Angola, and Ecuador, exposing her to various ecosystems and cementing her passion for conservation and socio-ecological resilience.

Juliana holds a B.A. in Organismal Biology from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, where she worked in the Entomology Laboratory of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles studying the effects of urbanization on wildlife. She went on to launch the Global Mangrove Alliance with the World Wildlife Fund in Washington, D.C. Juliana holds a wide range of experience, from working in a laboratory, rehabilitating wildlife in the Ecuadorian Amazon, operating grants for conservation nonprofits, and through her most recent role, as an organizer for climate justice with the Sunrise Movement.

Juliana spends her spare time getting attached to foster dogs, convincing people that insects are incredible, and biking around Washington, D.C.

Felicia started working professionally in animal welfare at a young age. After graduating with a degree in Biology from Union College, she spent the summer volunteering with wildlife in Port Elizabeth, South Africa before starting veterinary school. Her time in Africa opened her eyes to all of the different connections between wildlife, their habitats, and the communities that shared their home ranges, and she shifted her graduate studies to the bigger picture of conservation.

Felicia holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Conservation Biology, with a focus on project planning and implementation, as well as community engagement and capacity building for long-term impact. She previously worked for the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Florida, managing the welfare of a large colony of six different lemur species and collaborating on building up conservation efforts in Madagascar. Felicia also assisted the Conservation and Science Department at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in coordinating their 500+ Species Survival Plans programs and, most recently, she was a part of the Science team at WWF developing strategic engagement events.

Felicia is excited to be at Rainforest Trust, where she can combine all of her passions working with local organizations on habitat and community level projects to safeguard the world’s most threatened species.

Stephanie received her BA in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin where she spent a semester studying tropical ecology and conservation. After completing her BA she served in the Peace Corps teaching biology at a local high school in Tanzania. Upon her return, she completed her MSc in Environmental Conservation at the University of Wisconsin which included community outreach work in Chile for The Nature Conservancy and the Chilean National Forest Corporation.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling, daydreaming and hanging out with her cat, Nacho.

Cece comes to Rainforest Trust with experience in project management and urban development but has always been dedicated to conservation. Her passion was cultivated through a childhood spent in rivers, mountains, and living places. While studying the history of conservation, she saw a need for locally based community partnerships and programs as well as immediate protection of vulnerable ecosystems facing human threats. Since graduating with an Environmental Studies degree, she has entered the field of conservation hoping to use her passion and expertise to do her part in ensuring a sustainable future for plants, animals, and future generations. She is grateful to work with Rainforest trust to help protect the world’s most diverse ecosystems while engaging and empowering local communities to ensure lasting sustainability.

In her free time, Cece likes to read, cook, and explore creative outlets. However, her most fulfilling moments are spent listening to, learning from, and engaging with the natural world.

With almost 30 years’ experience in nonprofit management, Beth has devoted her life to human services and critical causes. Her career includes 21 years with an international humanitarian organization; she was COO for the national headquarters of an organization dedicated to a rare disease; and VP of Philanthropy for organizations that focused on cancer, children in the foster care system, and epilepsy.

Beth has significant experience raising millions of dollars for nonprofits, planning local and national conferences and events, developing strategic plans, building and maintaining volunteer and internship programs, managing business office operations, and growing the capacity of organizations and their boards. She builds strong teams of paid and volunteer staff and lasting relationships with partners and stakeholders.

In her spare time, Beth enjoys travel, shopping, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Michelle brings strong database management and data analysis skills to the Rainforest Trust team. She earned a Dual Master's of Arts and Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, focusing studies on environmental peacebuilding. Michelle began her career with Rainforest Trust's Philanthropy team in 2015. A lifelong environmentalist, she joined Rainforest Trust to support the crucial mission of environmental conservation and stewardship. In her free time, Michelle enjoys reading, travelling, hiking, yoga, and is an amateur wine connoisseur.

Susi has a Bachelors in Business Administration from UMUC. Growing up, her family had an International Shipping company where Susi was the Import/Export Manager. The business was eventually sold and she moved to the outback in Australia with her husband who took a job there. Once the family moved back to Virginia, Susi took her first step into the nonprofit environment by volunteering at The Book Cellar in Warrenton. She has always been a hands on person – when something needs to be done, she often does it herself which has helped her fit right into the RFT family as the House Manager.

In her spare time, Susi enjoys golfing and scouring local antique shops with her girlfriends.

Holly comes to Rainforest Trust with a lengthy background in public service. She has degrees in Business Administration and Liberal Arts, and has worked in database and IT management for most of her career. Holly joined Rainforest Trust to fulfill a lifelong goal of working for an organization dedicated to conservation and environmental activism.

In her free time, Holly enjoys reading, knitting, building things, painting, watching the Science Channel. She is the servant of two feline overlords and a canine despot.

Emily joins the Rainforest Trust team after more than a decade fundraising for the nonprofit sector. She has worked to raise money for organizations whose missions she believes in from education and advocacy to international development. An avid environmentalist and lifelong animal lover, Emily is bringing her experience in fundraising to a cause she is truly passionate about. Emily earned her Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Michigan and enjoys cheering on her favorite sports teams, watching movies, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Whitney brings a lifetime of working with organizations to raise money with a focus on healthcare, the environment and education. She has worked in and with the Development Departments of multiple international organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Defenders of Wildlife, and People for the American Way to name a few. As a lifelong environmentalist she looks forward to applying her fundraising skills to advancing the Rainforest Trust’s mission. A Warrenton resident, in her free time, Whitney works with local political organizations to raise awareness of issues that deeply impact our society. She values and nurtures the relationships she has built over the years and hopes to bringing change and inclusivity to our community.

Jackie brings a passion for the outdoors and a talent for organizing people and events to the Rainforest Trust team. Her driving motivation is empowering people to join together to save our planet’s vital rainforests and the animals who live there. She has honed her skills during more than two decades of work in the fields of marketing, sales, non-profit management and outdoor leadership education.

Born and raised on the Connecticut coast, Jackie moved to Virginia with her husband, two sons and their Chocolate Lab. She enjoys hiking in nearby Shenandoah National Park and exploring the sites and neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.

After graduating from Washington Business School, her career has been Exec/Admin Assistant, Membership Services Asst. and Internet Support Specialist. She has worked for Associations and Organizations assisting with their Member Databases, customers/clients, etc. She brings her skills to assist Rainforest Trust with their Donor Database and help the Philanthropy team with campaigns, direct mail and other efforts. She lives in Culpeper with her fiancé Tom and their dog, Tanner. She has two daughters that she is very proud of and who live in Northern Virginia. Amber, attending George Mason University and Emily, a Math Teacher in Loudoun County. She enjoys working in the yard and garden, walking around the area with Tanner, fishing with Tom and time with daughters and family.

Kira comes to Rainforest Trust with a background in project management, events, marketing and communications. Her experience includes driving results by implementing integrated marketing strategies and campaigns using content, digital, email and social media marketing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Communications and has previously worked for the Federal government and two of the big four accounting firms before transitioning into legal marketing at a mid-sized law firm and promoting a local community college.

Catherine began her career working at an advertising agency in McLean, VA and has continued working in the field of marketing and design in various industries for close to 20 years. She holds a BBA degree in Marketing and a BFA degree in Graphic Design from Radford University. A lover of the outdoors and the arts, Catherine likes to spend time kayaking, painting & illustrating and exploring new places.

Madison comes to Rainforest Trust with a background in communications, writing and editing. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a Major in English and a Minor in Linguistics. Since graduation, she has primarily worked in communications roles and she wanted utilize her expertise in a field that she has been passionate about since childhood: the protection of the world’s threatened wildlife.

She is thankful to bring together her passion for writing and language with her passion for protecting the environment at Rainforest Trust.

Judy has been passionate about wildlife since she was very young, and has devoted her career to working for environmental non-profits. She honed her skills in communications and development with The Nature Conservancy in San Francisco and Idaho, the Hudson Riverkeeper and, most recently, while directing marketing and development for the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). She volunteers for 350Mass, BEAT, and other local activist groups. She also produces a podcast and hosts a radio show on WBCR-lp, a local community radio station, and helps run the station as a volunteer. Judy loves to hike with her dog, kayak, play music, sew upcycled clothing, read, and write. She grew up in New Jersey, graduated from Drew University, and lived ‘out west,’ where she connected with the wild landscapes she had been dreaming about since childhood. She is thrilled to be working for Rainforest Trust to help protect vulnerable species who share this fragile planet.

Erica joins the Rainforest Trust team after several years in the marketing and advertising industry. While she mainly focuses on print collateral, she is a multifaceted designer with knowledge in the digital space as well. Erica brings her contagious energy and excitement to her position on the Philanthropy team. She earned her Bachelor’s in Graphic & Information Design from Central Connecticut State University in 2017 and has continued to expand her creative abilities. As a lover of new experiences she enjoys traveling, reading and cooking for her friends and family.