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 & Marketing 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.
Denise Robertson, Living Oceans Programming Manager
denise@jacksonwild.org
Raised in the mountains of California, Denise began her career in adventure and educational travel; planning and leading nature focused programs on six continents. Moving into the big event arenas of Olympics and World Cup Soccer, she balanced her work with major sponsors of these iconic international events with her wanderlust and penchant for frequent solo sojourns across Africa. Never quite able to shake the dust off her boots, Denise turned her passion and skill set to wildlife and wilderness conservation, where she now uses her expertise to plan and execute conservation focused summits and congresses around the world. Denise holds a degree in wildlife studies from Humboldt State University.
denise@jacksonwild.org
Raised in the mountains of California, Denise began her career in adventure and educational travel; planning and leading nature focused programs on six continents. Moving into the big event arenas of Olympics and World Cup Soccer, she balanced her work with major sponsors of these iconic international events with her wanderlust and penchant for frequent solo sojourns across Africa. Never quite able to shake the dust off her boots, Denise turned her passion and skill set to wildlife and wilderness conservation, where she now uses her expertise to plan and execute conservation focused summits and congresses around the world. Denise holds a degree in wildlife studies from Humboldt State University.
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.
Scarlett Brown, Event & Volunteer Coordinator
Scarlett@jacksonwild.org
Growing up in Texas, Scarlett has always had a passionate for wildlife and conservation. With a BS in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University, her passion has taken her from field research, to film, then to communications and outreach. She now works in event planning & coordination with Jackson Wild and her eclectic experience is all in the effort to facilitate an impact for conservation. She is beyond excited to be a part of the team and witness the power of media to inspire and ignite action to create a global impact for the preservation of our planet. In her spare time she prefers to be birding, hiking, working on film & photography, or traveling in her van. Her favorite books include Ishmael and A Sand County Almanac.
Scarlett@jacksonwild.org
Growing up in Texas, Scarlett has always had a passionate for wildlife and conservation. With a BS in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University, her passion has taken her from field research, to film, then to communications and outreach. She now works in event planning & coordination with Jackson Wild and her eclectic experience is all in the effort to facilitate an impact for conservation. She is beyond excited to be a part of the team and witness the power of media to inspire and ignite action to create a global impact for the preservation of our planet. In her spare time she prefers to be birding, hiking, working on film & photography, or traveling in her van. Her favorite books include Ishmael and A Sand County Almanac.
Carly McKay, Travel & Lodging Coordinator
Carly@jacksonwild.org
Carly is a second-year team member for Jackson. In 2018, she graduated from Indiana University’s O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs ( SPEA) with her B.S. in Public Affairs. Carly majored in Nonprofit and Public Management while attending SPEA. After graduation, the lifetime Hoosier followed her passion for environmental and wildlife conservation by moving to Jackson, Wyoming. In 2018, Carly joined the team as the Wild Fest Coordinator, and this year she is back to tackle Lodging and Travel for the 2019 Jackson Wild Summit.
Carly@jacksonwild.org
Carly is a second-year team member for Jackson. In 2018, she graduated from Indiana University’s O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs ( SPEA) with her B.S. in Public Affairs. Carly majored in Nonprofit and Public Management while attending SPEA. After graduation, the lifetime Hoosier followed her passion for environmental and wildlife conservation by moving to Jackson, Wyoming. In 2018, Carly joined the team as the Wild Fest Coordinator, and this year she is back to tackle Lodging and Travel for the 2019 Jackson Wild Summit.
