Wild Earth Allies is governed by an active Board of Directors that brings a depth of expertise in science, law, finance, art, and philanthropy to ensure we operate to the highest standards in pursuit of our mission.
Today, we are celebrating decades of outstanding leadership and welcoming a new chapter of excellence within our Board of Directors. After 25 remarkable years with Wild Earth Allies—many of these as our Board Chair—Clea Newman Soderlund is passing the baton to our current Vice Chair, Virginia (Ginny) M. Busch.
Clea Newman Soderlund
Clea has powerfully advanced our community-centered conservation work, profoundly shaping our growth and success. As the youngest daughter of the legendary acting couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Clea’s parents not only encouraged her to find her passion in life and pursue it with fervor, but they also taught her the importance of giving back.
In addition to her work with Wild Earth Allies, Clea serves as the proud Ambassador and spokesperson for SeriousFun Children’s Network. SeriousFun is a global network that provides life-changing experiences to children living with serious illnesses and their family members, at no cost.
“My father used to say, ‘In life, I think we need to be a little like farmers, who put back into the soil what they take out.’”
—Clea Newman Soderlund
From left: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Wild Earth Allies Executive Director Katie Frohardt, and Wild Earth Allies Board Chair Clea Newman Soderlund.
Ginny Busch
Conserving wildlife has always been a passion for Ginny, who deeply believes that communities must be at the heart of conservation efforts. As Chief Executive Officer of the Endangered Wolf Center (EWC) for a decade, she inspired people to care about and protect endangered species. The EWC’s vision is a world where endangered wolves and other wild canids exist and thrive in their native habitats, recognized and valued for their vital roles as leading members of a healthy ecosystem.
Throughout her career, Ginny has focused on the human dimension of conservation. She is now building community through Prost, her company that imports exclusive Swiss wines made from sustainably grown grapes. Through Prost, Ginny raises awareness about how important it is to support healthy ecosystems.
“Conservation, at the end of the day, is all about people. It’s about the relationships that you form, the communities that you work with. Wildlife and wild places are the lucky recipients of those relationships.”
—Ginny Busch
Ginny Busch visits a vineyard for Prost, her wine import business.
As board leaders working side by side, Clea and Ginny have substantially grown Wild Earth Allies’ impact—increasing protection for at-risk species, restoring vital habitats, and improving the well-being of families around the world.
Wild Earth Allies Board Chair Clea Newman Soderlund, Vice Chair Ginny Busch, and Board Member Mohamed I. Bakarr, Ph.D., share what makes the organization’s approach to conservation unique.
New Board Officers
In her next chapter of board leadership for Wild Earth Allies, Ginny will be joined by three new officers, all of whom are current board peers stepping into expanded roles:
Jo-Elle Mogerman, Ph.D.
Vice Chair
Jo-Elle is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Zoo. She is the first woman and woman of color to lead the Zoo in its 164-year history. Prior to coming to the Philadelphia Zoo, Jo-Elle served as the first African American female zoo director as the Director-Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park.
Mohamed I. Bakarr, Ph.D.
Secretary
Mohamed is currently Manager for Integration and Knowledge Management in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat. In this role, he also oversees all major GEF programs designed to advance holistic and integrated solutions to global environmental challenges.
Steven Rosenthal
Treasurer
Steve is a Partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP. In his decades-long career as a litigator, he has handled more than sixty appeals in various appellate courts, including four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
We also extend our profound gratitude to our long-time treasurer, C. Jonathan Fischer, whose financial expertise has positioned Wild Earth Allies for enduring strength and resilience. Jon is an intrepid traveler with whom we have explored nature and culture across three continents.
We are enormously grateful to Clea and Jon, who will continue to drive our work forward as Ambassadors.
Wild Earth Allies Board Treasurer Jon Fischer treks mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The collective expertise of this group of distinguished leaders reflects both continuity and evolution as we advance conservation rooted in local values, knowledge, and practices.
Please join us in celebrating the remarkable talent that drives local conservation action forward.
From left: Wild Earth Allies Vice Chair Ginny Busch, Executive Director Katie Frohardt, Board Member Mohamed I. Bakarr, Ph.D., Board Chair Clea Newman Soderlund, Board Member Steven Rosenthal, Board Treasurer Jon Fischer, and Board Member Jo-Elle Mogerman, Ph.D.
