Tod Emko is a conservationist from New York City. He has saved animals from Antarctica to the equator since 2008, but his greatest accomplishment is probably raising Piggy, the three-legged dog who was the inspiration that led to the creation of Darwin Animal Doctors. Together, Tod and Piggy visit schools and teach children that they can overcome unimaginable struggles, both mental and physical. And that being different is just another kind of superpower.

Andrea dedicates herself to saving lives and working for the public good. As a lawyer, she litigated for a nonprofit organisation in New York City for a number of years after earning her B.A. From Duke University and J.D. From Washington College of Law. She utilizes her experience in law, nonprofit organizations and wildlife conservation to protect animals and nature.

Zoe Weil (pronounced Zoh Wile) is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE) and is considered a pioneer in the comprehensive humane education movement that works to create a peaceful, healthy, and just world for all people, animals, and the environment through education. Zoe created IHE’s online M.Ed., M.A., and graduate certificate programs as well as IHE’s acclaimed workshops.
Zoe is the author of seven books including The World Becomes What We Teach: Educating a Generation of Solutionaries (2016), Nautilus Silver Medal winner, Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life (2009), The Power and Promise of Humane Education (2004), and Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times (2003). She has also written books for young people, including Moonbeam Gold Medal winner, Claude and Medea: The Hellburn Dogs (2007), about 12-year-old activists inspired by their teacher to right wrongs where they find them, and So, You Love Animals: An Action-Packed, Fun-Filled Book to Help Kids Help Animals (1994). She has written numerous articles on humane education and humane living and has appeared frequently on radio as well as television.
In 2010, Zoe gave her first TEDx talk “The World Becomes What You Teach” which became among the 50 top-rated TEDx talks within a year. Since then she has given five other TEDx talks: “Solutionaries” “Educating for Freedom”“How to be a Solutionary” “Extending our Circle of Compassion” and “How will you answer this question?”

Katarina Popović, PhD is Associate Professor at the Department for Andragogy, Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade and Secretary General of ICAE (International Council for Adult Education), visiting professor for adult education and lifelong learning at few European universities, and president of the Serbian Adult Education Society. She is the member of International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame, several relevant European and international organisations, editor in chief of the journal “Andragogical studies” and author of numerous publications, articles and books in the field of adult education and lifelong learning.

She is certified trainer (Swiss) in adult education with rich experience in trainings worldwide; for many years she was the vice president of EAEA, and coordinator of German DVV international for South East Europe, participating and coordinating numerous projects in the field of adult education, lifelong learning and vocational training in various roles – policy advisers, evaluator, curriculum developer and trainer.

As Secretary General of ICAE she works mainly on the policy level, and as support to the implementation of the global agendas (SDGs, EFA), bringing global goals and commitments to the local practicies and implementation.

Mag.Ricarda Motschilnig, MSc. completed her studies of pedagogic and educational science, followed by a master’s degree in social and cultural anthropology at the VU University Amsterdam. Over the past years she worked in international adult education and lifelong learning in various countries. Among other things, she was responsible for the representation of interests and coordination of strategic European projects at the European Association for Adult Education in Brussels, and for the implementation of EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning Europe) in Austria within the National Agency for Lifelong Learning. Currently, Ricarda Motschilnig is the policy and advocacy officer for the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) and lecturer at the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt/Austria.

New York City animal welfare veterinarian Lorelei Wakefield works with non-profit organizations (NGO’s) to provide expert opinions on pressing issues. She collaborates with media to help educate the public on topics such as vegetarian diets for companion animals, factory farming, hoarding, animal cruelty and dog / cat overpopulation. Dr. Wakefield founded the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Animal Welfare Society, a group that organizes educational sessions for veterinary students. Currently, she provides veterinary care and consulting services for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She is also a relief and house call veterinarian in NYC.

From the busy downtown streets of New York City to the freezing waters of Antarctica and the remote islands of the Galapagos, Sam Sielen has been there with a camera capturing historical moments.

After graduating with honors and a BFA in film from his hometown University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Sam moved to New York City where he worked full time in the Visual Evidence Unit at the District Attorney’s office in Manhattan filming crime scenes, editing footage for use in court, testifying and managing thousands of hours worth of video on a regular basis.

Wanting to do more for this planet, Sam joined Sea Shepherd where he regularly produced a variety of video and photo content year round for web and media distribution. Sam soon joined the Whale Wars team, and has been Director of Photography for the show on Animal Planet for two consecutive years.

He has been a camera operator for the Discovery show Tech Toys 360, as well as for the feature length documentary about childhood cancer, The Truth 365. In between projects, Sam works a video consultant providing expertise on workflow, gear, technical or creative assistance.
His passion stems from wanting to share world-changing stories. With a focus on animal welfare and environmental issues, Sam knows there is no shortage of stories to be told!

Michelle was born in Toronto, Canada, but grew up in country-town Australia, surrounded by animals. From a young age, Michelle showed a strong love and connection with animals of all kinds; bringing home the stray and wounded, big and small – any animal that needed help. Growing up in a family that valued education, Michelle also understood early on the power and independence that knowledge gives individuals. In an effort to spread change through education, Michelle has since worked as a Youth Worker and educator in various countries worldwide.

Michelle first crossed paths with Darwin Animal Doctors while she was running an education program in the coast of mainland Ecuador. Moved by an organization that places so much value on educating and empowering communities worldwide, Michelle soon decided to come on-board and head our education department. Soon after, Michelle also began coordinating our volunteer programs, fielding hundreds of application per year, from countries all over the world.

Born in the UK, Sarah studied Youth and Community work, Education and Development Studies. Sarah has over 25 years experience in youth participation and community development and education. Her work has taken her to Russia, China, USA, South Korea, Bahrain, France and New Zealand. Sarah has managed a variety of award winning youth participatory programs which enable young people to explore issues and express their views through creative platforms in order to effect change in their communities. Sarah has been involved in a variety of conservation projects and was an integral part of a Shark Expedition in Bahrain filming the documentary ‘Short Time Dying.’ More recently Sarah was an Academic Director in Beijing, China developing community outreach programs and such as Eco Ambassadors and Street Teach. Sarah has a keen interest in Island Communities and is keen to protect animals and support community education. She utilizes her expertise in youth participation, community development and education and is excited to be part of this global team.

Lucy is one of the youngest members of the world’s art community. Coming from the small European country of Bulgaria, her passion for art was originally triggered by the amazing beauty and charm of the Bulgarian nature. Lucy specialises in wildlife drawings and paintings, as well as murals, commissioned for various non-profit organizations around the world. Her professional path doesn’t include only art, however. Having a B.S in Software Engineering, Lucy also works as a software developer, delivering quality software solutions to clients every day. Her mission is to use her skills for good and inspire others to do the same.

Tara Clarke is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at North Carolina State University. Currently, she teaches a primate conservation seminar and introduction to biological anthropology. She is an invited member of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions and has been conducting research and conservation initiatives in Madagascar for the past sixteen years. Tara serves as the Chief Primate Conservationist for Darwin Animal Doctors, a U.S.-based non-profit organization. Her work aims to understand the motivations driving the illegal pet trade of lemurs within Madagascar. This work employs a multi-disciplinary approach, including conservation genetics, formal and informal surveys with local communities, collaborations with local and international NGO’s, as well as conservation outreach and education initiatives.

Born in a little country town in New Zealand, Hadee grew up in a rural setting and quickly developed a love for wildlife and the outdoors. Hadee studied a range of subjects at university, including human services, international development, and anthropology before settling firmly on environmental science. Hadee holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management, and is completing a PhD in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Canterbury. The topic of her PhD thesis was inspired by her experiences living in Indonesia where she worked with education and conservation groups helping communities in threatened ecosystems to protect their environment and further their livelihoods through sustainable means. She hopes that her research into oil palm agroecosystems will drive sustainable change in at-risk ecosystems. Hadee has experience leading projects, conducting scientific research and teaching in multiple countries, and has a deep love for wild places everywhere.

Cameron is a passionate environmental activist, environmental journalist, and advocate for media and art-based avenues for environmental justice awareness and public conservation education. A longtime Ecologist, she is a Doris Duke Conservation Scholar and Duke University undergraduate studying Environmental Science and Policy, Earth and Ocean Science, and Policy Journalism and Media Studies. Having been passionate about Mother Earth from a very young age, she decided to pursue a career that operated at the intersection of advocacy, awareness, and environmental science and justice: environmental communications. An avid environmental educator and artist, Cameron first joined Darwin Animal Doctors in 2018 when she was working on creating a youth and community environmental education program in Andasibe, Madagascar.

Cameron one day hopes to be a professional environmental journalist and news video/documentary producer touching on the stories of life, beauty, struggle, and injustice of nature, climate change, and diverse communities. For now, she combines her love of ecology and the environment and her affinity for art, journalism, and multimedia visual, auditory, and digital communications to promote community engagement and the protection of wild spaces.

Piggy is our 3-legged rescue pup who stars in DAD’s humane education superhero comic, A Piggy’s Tale! He is our daily inspiration for ensuring all animals of the Galapagos have access to life-saving medical care.

Simon was our very first patient, a sick, tiny kitten who was determined to survive the streets! He is now Piggy’s sidekick in New York City.