This year’s class of 10 participants was chosen from a competitive pool of more than 60 applicants
The Wildlife Society is excited to introduce you to the Class of 2025 of the Leadership Institute, TWS’ flagship leadership development program. Members of this year’s class were selected from a competitive pool of applicants. Throughout the six-month program, participants will engage in a variety of distance learning and hands-on projects and develop a greater understanding of how to apply leadership skills in their professional careers. The Leadership Institute will culminate at TWS’ 32nd Annual Conference in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, this October.
A committee of TWS members and staff selects Leadership Institute participants based on factors such as demonstrated leadership capability or potential, commitment to and involvement in TWS and the wildlife profession, and potential to contribute to the growth and development of the group as a whole.
Meet the Leadership Institute Class of 2025:
Nicole Bealer, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks – Bealer works in the Research Unit for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, where she implements applied research projects focused on elk spatial ecology and population dynamics.
Jessica Brown, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station – Brown is a postdoctoral scientist at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, where she studies integrated tick management, focusing mostly on reducing populations by treating wildlife hosts.
Grace Campbell, Lykes Bros. Inc. – Campbell is a wildlife biologist for Lykes Bros. Inc., one of the largest landowners in Florida, with operations including cattle, forestry, hunting and land and water resource management. She manages the gopher tortoise recipient site program, which includes client relations, coordination of tortoise intake, extensive data management and prescribed burning to maintain tortoise habitat.
Hannah Clipp, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station – Clipp is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) postdoctoral research fellow with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, working with scientists in the Landscape Change Research Group to model climate change effects on birds, trees and forest pests.
Mallory Gyovai White, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources – Gyovai White is the human dimensions program manager at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, where she provides social science research and information for the various divisions within the agency.
Jane Kunberger, Texas A&M University – Kunberger is a senior research associate at Texas A&M University, where she researches how land management practices affect wildlife distributions and behaviors. She is also interested in testing the effectiveness of wildlife monitoring technologies and creating tools to assist with conservation decision-making.
Amanda O’Brien, University of Florida – O’Brien is a recently graduated wildlife ecologist from the University of Florida, passionate about field biology, travel, cultural exchange, scientific research and conservation storytelling and journalism. She is currently working in a seasonal position in California.
Elizabeth Painter-Flores, University of Montana – Painter-Flores recently completed her PhD at the University of Montana, modeling interactions between white-tailed deer populations and their predators. Last year, she cofounded the Latin American and Caribbean Working Group within TWS to build connections between Latin American and Caribbean researchers and U.S.-based scientists working internationally.
Sarah Pesi, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – Pesi is a wildlife biologist in the small game program with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, where she coordinates research and monitoring efforts in the state for mourning doves, bobwhite quail and other small game species.
Emma Schultz, Mississippi State University Geosystems Research Institute – Schultz recently completed her doctoral program in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. She has a varied research background ranging from sea turtle ecology to agent-based modeling informing effective drone use for wildlife surveys.
Over the course of their Leadership Institute experience, these participants will have the opportunity to learn from TWS Council and staff, take part in discussions on a variety of leadership topics and engage in mentorship activities with Leadership Institute alumni.
Congratulations again to the Leadership Institute Class of 2025!
Learn more about The Wildlife Society’s Leadership Institute.
The Wildlife Society is grateful for the Dallas Safari Club Foundation‘s ongoing support for the Leadership Institute program. Their dedication to ensuring the conservation of wildlife through public engagement, education and advocacy is evident through their dedication to helping the Leadership Institute thrive.
