Lisa Samford, Executive Director
lisa@jacksonwild.org
Lisa Samford left a career in journalism to become a documentary filmmaker, specializing in difficult and remote expedition projects. She has filmed across five continents on a diverse collection of projects exploring topics ranging from violent crime, espionage, and ethnographic/scientific exploration to intimate portraits of author Wallace Stegner and conservation pioneer Mardy Murie. Joining the ranks of the urban refugee, Samford returned to her native Wyoming to raise her son with paleontologist Wallace Ulrich. Executive Director of the internationally renowned Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival since 2004, Samford holds a BS and MA degrees in Communication.
lisa@jacksonwild.org
Lisa Samford left a career in journalism to become a documentary filmmaker, specializing in difficult and remote expedition projects. She has filmed across five continents on a diverse collection of projects exploring topics ranging from violent crime, espionage, and ethnographic/scientific exploration to intimate portraits of author Wallace Stegner and conservation pioneer Mardy Murie. Joining the ranks of the urban refugee, Samford returned to her native Wyoming to raise her son with paleontologist Wallace Ulrich. Executive Director of the internationally renowned Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival since 2004, Samford holds a BS and MA degrees in Communication.
Christie Quinn, Operations Director
christie@jacksonwild.org
After spending most of her life on the east coast, Christie followed the call of the mountains to Jackson, WY in the spring of 2012 where she found Jackson Wild. She began as a production associate, shortly moving into the role of Film Competition Coordinator. She directed the 2012 film One Day In Jackson Hole, worked as the Jackson Wild's Marketing & Design Director, and now is the Director of Operations. A lover of videography, photography and travel, Christie spends her time outside of the office exploring the beautiful surroundings in Jackson - always with a camera in hand. She graduated from Elon University with a degree in Media Arts & Entertainment and Spanish.
christie@jacksonwild.org
After spending most of her life on the east coast, Christie followed the call of the mountains to Jackson, WY in the spring of 2012 where she found Jackson Wild. She began as a production associate, shortly moving into the role of Film Competition Coordinator. She directed the 2012 film One Day In Jackson Hole, worked as the Jackson Wild's Marketing & Design Director, and now is the Director of Operations. A lover of videography, photography and travel, Christie spends her time outside of the office exploring the beautiful surroundings in Jackson - always with a camera in hand. She graduated from Elon University with a degree in Media Arts & Entertainment and Spanish.
Melanie Judd, Client Relations and Jackson Wild On Tour
melanie@jacksonwild.org
Born and raised in Nashville Tennessee, Melanie enjoyed exploring the countless hills and waterfalls surrounding her hometown and spent most summers on her grandparents’ farm. After moving to the Grand Tetons, the hills seemed more like stepping-stones. With a BS in Environmental Science from Belmont University and being an animal lover since childhood, Melanie is passionate about habitat conservation and species preservation. She is a conservation photography enthusiast and cant help trying to capture the magnificent beauty of the natural world with her camera. Her favorite book is The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, and she fills her spare time exploring the nearby national parks and snowboarding in the backcountry.
melanie@jacksonwild.org
Born and raised in Nashville Tennessee, Melanie enjoyed exploring the countless hills and waterfalls surrounding her hometown and spent most summers on her grandparents’ farm. After moving to the Grand Tetons, the hills seemed more like stepping-stones. With a BS in Environmental Science from Belmont University and being an animal lover since childhood, Melanie is passionate about habitat conservation and species preservation. She is a conservation photography enthusiast and cant help trying to capture the magnificent beauty of the natural world with her camera. Her favorite book is The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, and she fills her spare time exploring the nearby national parks and snowboarding in the backcountry.
Dana Grant, Media Awards Coordinator
dana@jacksonwild.org
Raised on a farm in the woods of Connecticut, Dana gained an early appreciation for nature and living, growing things. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with a B.A. in Archaeology and Studio Art with a photography focus. A drive to explore has led her to a number of adventurous occupations such as training polo horses in Hawaii, leading dogsled tours through the Wyoming wilderness, and even washing dishes at a science station in Antarctica. Having made Jackson her home and begun work with Jackson Wild, Dana is grateful for the chance to pursue an interest in media, expand her skills, and ultimately help benefit wild places and animals around the world.
dana@jacksonwild.org
Raised on a farm in the woods of Connecticut, Dana gained an early appreciation for nature and living, growing things. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with a B.A. in Archaeology and Studio Art with a photography focus. A drive to explore has led her to a number of adventurous occupations such as training polo horses in Hawaii, leading dogsled tours through the Wyoming wilderness, and even washing dishes at a science station in Antarctica. Having made Jackson her home and begun work with Jackson Wild, Dana is grateful for the chance to pursue an interest in media, expand her skills, and ultimately help benefit wild places and animals around the world.
Abbey Greene, Media Manager
abbey@jacksonwild.org
Abbey comes to us from the east coast after graduating in Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. While at school, she focused on reporting on environmental issues and took several science classes for background knowledge to fuel her stories. She spent her summers interning at ecoRI as an environmental reporter for southern New England and at the coastal nonprofit Save The Bay in their communications department. She is excited about coming here to explore the Jackson area and dive into world of nature filmography. In her free time, she loves hiking, volleyball, and getting outside as much as she can.
abbey@jacksonwild.org
Abbey comes to us from the east coast after graduating in Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. While at school, she focused on reporting on environmental issues and took several science classes for background knowledge to fuel her stories. She spent her summers interning at ecoRI as an environmental reporter for southern New England and at the coastal nonprofit Save The Bay in their communications department. She is excited about coming here to explore the Jackson area and dive into world of nature filmography. In her free time, she loves hiking, volleyball, and getting outside as much as she can.
Petra Gnad, Managing Director, Austria
petra@jacksonwild.org
Born and raised in Salzburg, Austria, Petra studied international economics in Vienna and has lots of experience being Marketing Director including PR & Event for several international brands. When her daughter was born, 2005, she decided to work more independently, founded her own business and started working as consultant and event & congress manager. After spending two years in Capetown she followed the call of her home city and its nature around this area and moved back to Salzburg. Whenever possible, Petra spends time in the mountains or lakes that surround her home. It was one of her dreams to put all her efforts into a project that makes so much sense and so there was immediate love when she was introduced to Jackson Wild and to the idea of having the Jackson Wild Summit also in Austria!
petra@jacksonwild.org
Born and raised in Salzburg, Austria, Petra studied international economics in Vienna and has lots of experience being Marketing Director including PR & Event for several international brands. When her daughter was born, 2005, she decided to work more independently, founded her own business and started working as consultant and event & congress manager. After spending two years in Capetown she followed the call of her home city and its nature around this area and moved back to Salzburg. Whenever possible, Petra spends time in the mountains or lakes that surround her home. It was one of her dreams to put all her efforts into a project that makes so much sense and so there was immediate love when she was introduced to Jackson Wild and to the idea of having the Jackson Wild Summit also in Austria!
