board of directors
Coe Lewis is a lifelong defender of animals and animal rights. Raised around the world and in Ethiopia, in both Addis Ababa and on the Awash game reserve...working for the welfare of animals has always been and will always be her greatest passion, excluding her family. But it's darn pretty close! A 30-year Radio Veteran on the airwaves in San Diego, mostly on 101.5 KGB-FM, Coe also heads another nonprofit named Coe's List. This charity helps San Diegans, wonderful organizations from all walks of life, and animals all at a very grassroots level, with 100 percent of funds raised going directly back into the community. Coe has worked with hundreds of charities and animals groups and donates to multiple international charities. Coe and her boyfriend Mitch, another member of NSEFU, rescue abused and abandoned animals and in particular, they rescue and rehab pit bulls with horrific injuries and trauma. They have a 100 percent success rate in rescue.
To Coe, fighting poaching is job one. Creating teamwork with local Zambians is the goal and creating opportunities for education, employment and joint protection of the precious wildlife is Coe's mission with NSEFU. Passion and compassion are her watch words.
To Coe, fighting poaching is job one. Creating teamwork with local Zambians is the goal and creating opportunities for education, employment and joint protection of the precious wildlife is Coe's mission with NSEFU. Passion and compassion are her watch words.
Victoria Wallace was born in a small town in Oregon, USA and holds a BSN in nursing. She spends half of the year in California and half in Zambia. Travel and animals are her two big loves (besides her husband David and son Max Demian). Zikomo Safari is the completion of a dream and Nsefu Wildlife is her way of giving back to Africa for letting her achieve her dream.
I feel that this is my mission on earth; to save wildlife. It is the main reason we started Zikomo Safari. To be a buffer zone of safety for wildlife and by having the camp we have saved a lot of elephants, lions, leopards and other wildlife as the land Zikomo is on was a heavily hunted and poached area.
Nsefu is the logical next step. We needed to have a dedicated non-profit that could work towards the goal of stopping poaching. Being in Africa feels like coming home. Watching a herd of elephants move through the bush, play in the river, help each other, play with each other, you see the wisdom and intelligence that is the elephant. Saving them is like saving the best part of ourselves. We have so much to learn from them. Each animal has an important role in the ecosystem that keeps everything in balance. Our work will be with all endangered animals both predators and prey. I have always loved animals. I was the child that brought home strays and used the first money I ever saved to buy a horse. I have 14 animals at home in California and most of them are rescues. Our 4 domesticated animals In our home in Africa are all rescues too. I have trained in hospitality and am a registered nurse but I am most at home in the role I do for Nsefu, helping to stop the suffering of wildlife and try to restore the systems that can keep nature in balance.
I feel that this is my mission on earth; to save wildlife. It is the main reason we started Zikomo Safari. To be a buffer zone of safety for wildlife and by having the camp we have saved a lot of elephants, lions, leopards and other wildlife as the land Zikomo is on was a heavily hunted and poached area.
Nsefu is the logical next step. We needed to have a dedicated non-profit that could work towards the goal of stopping poaching. Being in Africa feels like coming home. Watching a herd of elephants move through the bush, play in the river, help each other, play with each other, you see the wisdom and intelligence that is the elephant. Saving them is like saving the best part of ourselves. We have so much to learn from them. Each animal has an important role in the ecosystem that keeps everything in balance. Our work will be with all endangered animals both predators and prey. I have always loved animals. I was the child that brought home strays and used the first money I ever saved to buy a horse. I have 14 animals at home in California and most of them are rescues. Our 4 domesticated animals In our home in Africa are all rescues too. I have trained in hospitality and am a registered nurse but I am most at home in the role I do for Nsefu, helping to stop the suffering of wildlife and try to restore the systems that can keep nature in balance.
Dr. Thomas Snitch currently holds a Distinguished Senior Professorship at the University of Maryland’s Institute of Advanced Computer Studies [UMIACS] where he directs an international team working on anti-poaching and wildlife crime issues. He is also a Senior Professor of Science at the United Nations University in Tokyo. In this role, he serves as the UN’s Executive Officer for the Worldwide Enforcement Monitoring Systems which oversees the global trade in endangered flora and fauna.
Dr. Snitch is also President of Little Falls Associates, Inc. specializing in solving complex scientific and technological challenges in Asia and Africa. Since 1990, he has worked on issues such as responding to the Tohoku earthquake in Japan and the crisis at the Fukashima nuclear plant, remediation of abandoned chemical weapons in China, the disposal of PCB wastes on US military bases in the region, remote sensing policy in India and the North Korean nuclear weapons situation.
In May and June, 2013, he led the first team to successfully fly night anti-poaching mission, using unmanned aerial systems, in South Africa.
Before founding LFA, he served as Senior Staff Director of The National Academy of Sciences and directed studies of US technology transfer and weapons proliferation policy. From 1987-88, he was Senior Director for National Intelligence Programs at The Analytical Sciences Corporation.
From 1981-87, Dr. Snitch was Senior Advisor for Nuclear and Weapons Control Policy at the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in the US Department of State. In this position, he served on nuclear negotiating teams in Geneva, was responsible for nuclear, chemical and biological non-proliferation programs in Asia, and was the first US nuclear non-proliferation advisor for North Korea and South Africa.
Prior to joining ACDA, Dr. Snitch was Assistant Professor of International Politics and Director of US Foreign Policy Programs at The America University. In 1977, he was named the first NASA Doctoral Fellow in International Space Policy. He began his career in Washington in 1975 at The Brookings Institution in the Asian Studies section.
Dr. Snitch holds a BA in Chinese and Asian Studies from Bowling Green State University. He earned is MA and PhD at The School of International Service at The American University in Washington, DC and carried out post-doctoral work in nuclear physics at Los Alamos and Oak Ridge National Laboratories. From 1996 – 2003, Dr. Snitch was enrolled at Reitaku University where he earned the American equivalent of a Master’s degree in Japanese language.
In 2004, Dr. Snitch was named by the Government of Japan as “One of Japan’s Best Friends in the World’.
In 2010, he was elected to the prestigious International Academy of Astronautics. Dr. Snitch is Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the College of Computing, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Snitch is also President of Little Falls Associates, Inc. specializing in solving complex scientific and technological challenges in Asia and Africa. Since 1990, he has worked on issues such as responding to the Tohoku earthquake in Japan and the crisis at the Fukashima nuclear plant, remediation of abandoned chemical weapons in China, the disposal of PCB wastes on US military bases in the region, remote sensing policy in India and the North Korean nuclear weapons situation.
In May and June, 2013, he led the first team to successfully fly night anti-poaching mission, using unmanned aerial systems, in South Africa.
Before founding LFA, he served as Senior Staff Director of The National Academy of Sciences and directed studies of US technology transfer and weapons proliferation policy. From 1987-88, he was Senior Director for National Intelligence Programs at The Analytical Sciences Corporation.
From 1981-87, Dr. Snitch was Senior Advisor for Nuclear and Weapons Control Policy at the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in the US Department of State. In this position, he served on nuclear negotiating teams in Geneva, was responsible for nuclear, chemical and biological non-proliferation programs in Asia, and was the first US nuclear non-proliferation advisor for North Korea and South Africa.
Prior to joining ACDA, Dr. Snitch was Assistant Professor of International Politics and Director of US Foreign Policy Programs at The America University. In 1977, he was named the first NASA Doctoral Fellow in International Space Policy. He began his career in Washington in 1975 at The Brookings Institution in the Asian Studies section.
Dr. Snitch holds a BA in Chinese and Asian Studies from Bowling Green State University. He earned is MA and PhD at The School of International Service at The American University in Washington, DC and carried out post-doctoral work in nuclear physics at Los Alamos and Oak Ridge National Laboratories. From 1996 – 2003, Dr. Snitch was enrolled at Reitaku University where he earned the American equivalent of a Master’s degree in Japanese language.
In 2004, Dr. Snitch was named by the Government of Japan as “One of Japan’s Best Friends in the World’.
In 2010, he was elected to the prestigious International Academy of Astronautics. Dr. Snitch is Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the College of Computing, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland.
Tony Hunstiger has had a lifetime interest in the outdoors and wildlife, flora and fauna. Living in Hawaii since 1975, he has been active in sports, hiking, gardening and community service throughout his time in the islands. He works as a counselor, helping people with disabilities.
Because of a long-standing friendship with Victoria Wallace and her son Demian, Tony learned of the development of Zikomo Safari Camp as it was being built. He joined with David, Victoria and Demian Wallace to help bring this Zambian dream project to reality. Through time spent in the Nsefu sector and in support of the Zikomo Safari Camp, Tony has become more aware and more committed to the work of preserving endangered species and their habitat.
When the idea of forming a non-profit organization to give back to the local Nsefu community became a reality and Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation (NWCF) was organized, Tony, who is experienced with the operation of non-profit organizations, volunteered to work in support of NWCF’s mission:
“the preservation and protection of endangered species. Creating job opportunities through community projects and sponsoring scholarships to educate local children.”
Tony is committed to engage with the local Nsefu community by developing outreach programs that create a wildlife protection solution*.
* [Call to Action, http://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/06/03/reflections-on-my-trip-to-kafue-national-park-a-call-to-action-by-united-states-ambassador-to-zambia-eric-schultz/ ]
Because of a long-standing friendship with Victoria Wallace and her son Demian, Tony learned of the development of Zikomo Safari Camp as it was being built. He joined with David, Victoria and Demian Wallace to help bring this Zambian dream project to reality. Through time spent in the Nsefu sector and in support of the Zikomo Safari Camp, Tony has become more aware and more committed to the work of preserving endangered species and their habitat.
When the idea of forming a non-profit organization to give back to the local Nsefu community became a reality and Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation (NWCF) was organized, Tony, who is experienced with the operation of non-profit organizations, volunteered to work in support of NWCF’s mission:
“the preservation and protection of endangered species. Creating job opportunities through community projects and sponsoring scholarships to educate local children.”
Tony is committed to engage with the local Nsefu community by developing outreach programs that create a wildlife protection solution*.
* [Call to Action, http://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/06/03/reflections-on-my-trip-to-kafue-national-park-a-call-to-action-by-united-states-ambassador-to-zambia-eric-schultz/ ]
Rachel Reenstra is a celebrity wildlife conservationist and the host of the Emmy-nominated animal program The Wildlife Docs, airing weekend mornings on ABC Television. Before joining the show, which is filmed on location at Busch Gardens-Tampa, Reenstra hosted "Ms. Adventure", a travel show on Animal Planet. Her work has taken her to remote places around the world and her graduate degree in psychology has provided her with insight and intuition into non-human animal behavior. Reenstra launched her entertainment career as a comedian in the 1990's after relocating from her home state of Michigan to Los Angeles.
The actress and comedian has spent time in both Africa and Asia with elephants and champions causes that benefit the sentient species. She has showcased conservation efforts around the world and in North America from the elusive pine marten in Michigan (her home state) to the savannah elephants of East Africa. Rachel is poised to bring a platform and a passion to Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation, which develops, administers and manages conservation initiatives for Zikomo Safari Camp located in the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa National Park in Eastern Zambia.
The actress and comedian has spent time in both Africa and Asia with elephants and champions causes that benefit the sentient species. She has showcased conservation efforts around the world and in North America from the elusive pine marten in Michigan (her home state) to the savannah elephants of East Africa. Rachel is poised to bring a platform and a passion to Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation, which develops, administers and manages conservation initiatives for Zikomo Safari Camp located in the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa National Park in Eastern Zambia.
Dr. Jordan Schaul recently served on the Board of Directors of The Biodiversity Group (Tucson, AZ) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Grizzly People (Los Angeles, CA). He examined behavioral ecology and parasitic diseases of fish and amphibians for his MS thesis and later infectious diseases and behavior of captive and wild bears for his PhD dissertation at The Ohio State University.
Jordan served as an ex officio council member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management and served on the Bear Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He currently serves on the Conservation Education Commission of the IUCN. Jordan was a member of the editorial team for the IUCN publication International Bear News and currently serves as a correspondent for the publication for captive bear subject matter.
Jordan is an Associate Conservation biologist with Western Wildlife Outreach based in Washington State, where he works on human-carnivore conflict mitigation and education issues. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska - Anchorage's Department of Health Sciences and an Affiliate Research Associate at the University of Alaska - Fairbank's Department of Biology and Wildlife.
Jordan was a regular contributor to the National Geographic Society between 2010 and 2014, where he covered wildlife conservation topics in Africa around the globe, including responsible ecotourism (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/07/01/conserving-wildlife-through-responsible-tourism-an-interview-with-dr-michael-hutchins/), the safeguarding of giraffe populations (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/17/safeguarding-giraffe-populations-from-extinction-in-east-africa/), oryx restoration (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/12/26524/), vanishing black rhinos (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/19/one-more-generations-carter-olivia-ries-are-helping-to-conserve-south-africas-rhinos/), ex situ wildebeest conservation (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/04/californias-safari-west-brings-the-serengeti-experience-closer-to-home/) and the re-branding African wild dogs (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/02/international-experts-on-african-painted-dogs-convene-at-chicagos-brookfield-zoo/). More of his archived articles can be found here: http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/author/jschaul/.
Jordan continues to write for various publications as well as NWCF's own blog (leopards- http://nsefuwildlife.com/1/post/2015/07/july-21st-2015.html ; honey badgers- http://nsefuwildlife.com/1/post/2015/07/july-14th-2015.html) and has had articles cross-featured in Scientific American Magazine that were originally published in National Geographic online. His article on black rhinos was featured in The Dodo (https://www.thedodo.com/community/jordanschaul/increasing-the-numbers-of-east-731708565.html)
Jordan served as the General Curator and the Director of Operations at captive wildlife facilities in Southern California and Alaska. He also consulted a wildlife rescue organization in South Asia, which operates 10 sanctuaries for elephants, Asiatic bear species and a multitude of other charismatic fauna. Jordan also serves as an adviser to Association of Zoos and Aquariums' committees, as well as the National Wildlife Humane Society, among others. He is an exotic animal trainer and has worked on both feature films and documentaries with wildlife, including bears and moose.
Jordan has worked on anti-poaching initiatives for African elephants on behalf of IFAW. Recently, he interviewed former Israeli Commando Nir Kalron of Maisha Consulting on anti-poaching efforts aimed at protecting forest elephants in the Central African Republic (http://www.thedodo.com/former-1165909735.html).
He currently lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon with his rescued Doberman Baron and operates a dog training business (The Dog Trainer Dude) in his spare time.
Jordan served as an ex officio council member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management and served on the Bear Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He currently serves on the Conservation Education Commission of the IUCN. Jordan was a member of the editorial team for the IUCN publication International Bear News and currently serves as a correspondent for the publication for captive bear subject matter.
Jordan is an Associate Conservation biologist with Western Wildlife Outreach based in Washington State, where he works on human-carnivore conflict mitigation and education issues. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska - Anchorage's Department of Health Sciences and an Affiliate Research Associate at the University of Alaska - Fairbank's Department of Biology and Wildlife.
Jordan was a regular contributor to the National Geographic Society between 2010 and 2014, where he covered wildlife conservation topics in Africa around the globe, including responsible ecotourism (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/07/01/conserving-wildlife-through-responsible-tourism-an-interview-with-dr-michael-hutchins/), the safeguarding of giraffe populations (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/17/safeguarding-giraffe-populations-from-extinction-in-east-africa/), oryx restoration (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/12/26524/), vanishing black rhinos (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/19/one-more-generations-carter-olivia-ries-are-helping-to-conserve-south-africas-rhinos/), ex situ wildebeest conservation (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/04/californias-safari-west-brings-the-serengeti-experience-closer-to-home/) and the re-branding African wild dogs (http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/02/international-experts-on-african-painted-dogs-convene-at-chicagos-brookfield-zoo/). More of his archived articles can be found here: http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/author/jschaul/.
Jordan continues to write for various publications as well as NWCF's own blog (leopards- http://nsefuwildlife.com/1/post/2015/07/july-21st-2015.html ; honey badgers- http://nsefuwildlife.com/1/post/2015/07/july-14th-2015.html) and has had articles cross-featured in Scientific American Magazine that were originally published in National Geographic online. His article on black rhinos was featured in The Dodo (https://www.thedodo.com/community/jordanschaul/increasing-the-numbers-of-east-731708565.html)
Jordan served as the General Curator and the Director of Operations at captive wildlife facilities in Southern California and Alaska. He also consulted a wildlife rescue organization in South Asia, which operates 10 sanctuaries for elephants, Asiatic bear species and a multitude of other charismatic fauna. Jordan also serves as an adviser to Association of Zoos and Aquariums' committees, as well as the National Wildlife Humane Society, among others. He is an exotic animal trainer and has worked on both feature films and documentaries with wildlife, including bears and moose.
Jordan has worked on anti-poaching initiatives for African elephants on behalf of IFAW. Recently, he interviewed former Israeli Commando Nir Kalron of Maisha Consulting on anti-poaching efforts aimed at protecting forest elephants in the Central African Republic (http://www.thedodo.com/former-1165909735.html).
He currently lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon with his rescued Doberman Baron and operates a dog training business (The Dog Trainer Dude) in his spare time.
Nsefu Wildlife is proud to announce the addition of our new Communications Director, Jane Asher Reaney. Jane is a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She is also a lifetime lover of all animals. She had a long career as a radio personality that took her from Michigan to Santa Barbara and finally to her home in San Diego. Between her various radio jobs in California she spent a couple years in Chicago as a promotion and marketing director for Virgin Records. This time was spent on the road touring and promoting such artists as Lenny Kravitz, Paula Abdul, Steve Winwood, Iggy Pop and UB40. She spent these years making media contacts and becoming friends with many of them. Throughout these years she continuously brought these people together to work on various projects. At the end of 2014 she took a leap of faith and left radio to start her own company. She lives to connect and promote people through all forms of traditional and social media. She is driven and passionate about helping people and animals. Her passion has taken her to Mexico to build homes for the poor. She has done missionary work in El Salvador and most recently Borneo. We are thrilled to have her on board.
Big Jon is as much of an animal lover as the next guy, but he possesses the ability and desire to work with NSEFU in a technical sense. Having completed multiple coursework in computers and system operations, Big Jon is able to help with IT support from the states.
He is responsible for getting the website off the ground and running and is happy to be able to provide any support to such an amazing cause.
Big Jon has a computer background from when he worked with older 8086 PC systems with his dad in the late 1980's and into the 1990's. His fondness for electronics pushed him to work in the electronics industry for nearly 20 years mainly as a hobby. This hobby carried him through the military, where he spent 15 years, and beyond.