Staff

Renee Seidler

Renee Seidler

Executive Director

Renee is the Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. She brings a diverse set of experiences and education to this position.

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Her career in wildlife biology and conservation has primarily focused on wildlife’s ability to move across large landscapes through connected habitats and ecosystems, including multiple research projects in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She has developed her expertise in this area as a migration specialist and road ecologist working for the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Her past work has had additional emphases on meso and large carnivore ecology, biological trophic cascades, and the impact of natural gas field development on ungulates, which has permitted her to broaden her perspective on issues regarding wildlife-human interactions at a landscape scale. She believes that tackling conservation issues requires strong human relationships at many levels, including between individuals, organizations, agencies and businesses. Renee has always had a love of animals and decided to enter the field of wildlife ecology because she knew it would be the most fulfilling career, conserving the wild animals and habitats that she loves. She very much enjoys spending time outside with her 2 dogs, Quentin and Stella.
Email: renee@jhwildlife.org 

Kate Gersh

Kate Gersh

Associate Director

Kate joined the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation team in May 2016. Previously, she contributed her expertise to the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program, promoting youth environmental and humanitarian education.

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Her journey also included fostering crucial partnerships with private foundations and corporations at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Notably, she played a pivotal role in managing AWF’s large-scale grant under the United States Agency for International Development’s Sustainable Conservation Approaches in Priority Ecosystems program.

Transitioning to Jackson Hole, Kate served as the Associate Director at The Murie Center from 2012 to April 2016. Her academic credentials further underscore her dedication to conservation and sustainable development, holding a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from George Washington University’s School of Public Policy and Public Administration, alongside a Master of Tourism Administration, Sustainable Destination Management from George Washington University’s School of Business.

Kate’s commitment to conservation leadership extends beyond her professional roles, evident in her participation in the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program. Here, she co-designed a conservation campaign, resulting in the creation of “Guidelines for Minimizing the Negative Impact to Bats and Other Cave Organisms from Guano Harvesting” Ver. 1.0 (12 March 2014), recognized by the IUCN SSC in 2014.

Email: kate@jhwildlife.org

Jessie Walters

Jessie Walters

Program Coordinator, Nature Mapping Jackson Hole

Jessie grew up in northeastern Oklahoma, where she discovered her love of the natural world and penguins. She attended the University of Montana, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology.

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After graduating from college, Jessie found herself in Jackson Hole working for a scenic raft company as a scenic float driver. She then volunteering with SANCCOB in South Africa, where she completed her life goal to work with penguins. After leaving Jackson for one winter, Jessie returned and has since worked at the National Elk Refuge, Jackson Hole EcoTours and the Teton Raptor Center When not working, Jessie enjoys the beauty of nature with her family and helping out on their small farm .
 Email: jessie@jhwildlife.org

 

Kelsey Persyn

Kelsey Persyn

Program Coordinator, Nature Mapping Jackson Hole

Kelsey Persyn is thrilled to be our new Habitat Program Coordinator. Kelsey was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas where her love for conservation began. Kelsey has a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University and has over seven years of experience in conservation work such as a Park Panger for the National Park Service, A biological technician, a teacher, a civic engagement manager and a field guide.

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In her free time, Kelsey enjoys long runs in the mountains with her dog Milo, hosting garden parties and being on the river. Kelsey is excited for this new role and bringing her passion and experience in conservation to the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation.
 Email: kelsey@jhwildlife.org

 

Alyssa Grelecki

Alyssa Grelecki

LaBarge Restoration Landscape Natural Resource Specialist

With a decade of experience in natural resources, Alyssa has dedicated her career to the conservation and restoration of diverse landscapes. Her journey began with native seed conservation, sparking a deep commitment to the field.

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Alyssa’s career took root in prairie restoration in the Midwest and has since flourished into her ongoing work restoring landscapes in the Western United States.

Alyssa has held key positions at the Chicago and Denver botanical gardens, as well as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Ecosystem Restoration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, providing a strong academic foundation for her practical expertise.

In her current role as the LaBarge Restoration Landscape Natural Resources Specialist, Alyssa collaborates with the BLM, Intermountain West Joint Venture, and Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. She is pivotal in advancing the conservation efforts of the LaBarge Restoration Landscape, a mission supported by the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA allocates funds to the BLM, aimed at making significant, long-term investments to enhance the resilience of selected public lands. These efforts promise enduring benefits for both current and future generations, improving lives and livelihoods.

Alyssa operates out of the BLM Pinedale Field Office in Sublette County, Wyoming.

Email: alyssa@jhwildlife.org

 

 

 

Jenny Wade

Jenny Wade

Development and Communications Manager

Jenny Wade has a 25-year long career in non-profit management and marketing. Jenny began her career in behavioral conservation, working on a four-year study at the Caribbean Primate Research Center before getting her graduate degree in Environmental Law.

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She lived in Arizona for 15 years where she founded an animal rescue nonprofit and partnered with PETsMART as the flagship organization to create the nationwide in-store adoption program. Upon moving to Victor, ID, Jenny served as the Executive Director of the Teton Valley Hospital Foundation for three years, significantly growing donor involvement and overall fundraising for the hospital’s most crucial equipment needs.  In 2019, Jenny joined Teton Springs Resort as the Marketing and Membership Director, growing membership and managing Club communications. Philanthropy is her passion and Jenny has been very active in the nonprofit community in Teton County, both in Idaho and Wyoming. She has served on the board of Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding, sat as Board Chair for Teton Valley Foundation and is now a member of the executive committees for HAPI Trails Horse Rescue and the ACT Foundation in Teton Valley.

Jenny looks forward to working with the Jackson community to grow a strong donor base and to increase effective communication about JHWF’s mission, values and goals. In addition to her love of the nonprofit arena, Jenny is an avid horseback rider and when summer comes, she hits the mountain trails on her horse, Solo, with her two black labs, Winne and Birdie.

 Email: jenny@jhwildlife.org

Photo Credits:

Henry Holdsworth
Mark Gocke
Steve Morriss
Sava Malachowski
Leine Stikkel
Tim Griffith
Jon Mobeck

Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation

Office Location:
25 S. Willow St., Suite 10
Jackson, WY 83001

Mailing Address:
PO Box 8042
Jackson, WY 83002

(307) 739-0968

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