Sheri Horiszny, Chair of the Board
Sheri first started working with giraffe in 2002 at Safari West, a wildlife preserve in Northern California, while getting a degree in Conservation Biology. As the Director of Animal Programs and Conservation, she learned about the husbandry, training, and behavior of these amazing animals. After playing a major role in Animal Planet’s Growing Up Giraffe, she knew her connection to giraffes would be lifelong. In 2006, Sheri joined the Santa Barbara Zoo where she is currently the Director of Animal Care. She has been instrumental in creating and developing many giraffe conservation initiatives including Care for Karamoja and Jeans for Giraffes. She is the co-founder of Giraffe Conservation Alliance.
Ashley Scott-Davison, Vice President
Desiree Rogers, Secretary
Desiree first began working at the Santa Barbara Zoo in 2010 while finishing her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Upon graduation in 2011, she accepted a full time position working in the Conservation Education Department. Over the course of five years, Desiree designed and implemented numerous education programs and animal experiences at the Zoo. She became deeply involved in giraffe conservation, and currently manages the web content, marketing, and social media platforms for Care for Karamoja, Jeans for Giraffes, and Giraffe Conservation Alliance.
In 2014, Desiree left the Santa Barbara Zoo to pursue a career in the medical field, but remains heavily involved in the daily operations of The Alliance.
David Brown, Education Liaison
David Brown is a biologist, conservationist, and nature writer. He holds a B.S. in zoology and a master's degree in ecology from U.C. Davis. He has studied the ecological and genetic differences between the different giraffe populations across Africa and along with his colleagues published the results in a series of scientific papers. David is a member of the IUCN Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group. He currently works on developing meaningful, sustained awareness of giraffe conservation and finding ways for anyone interested in giraffe conservation to help the cause. He writes articles about nature and wildlife conservation for kids of all ages as part of his conservation work.
David lives in Ventura County, California with his wife, Tesi, a biology professor. He participates in several biological survey projects throughout Southern California.
Chandelle Cotter
Chandelle entered the professional animal field in 2004. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cat Tales Zoological Training Center with a certification in Professional Animal Management and Training.
Chandelle worked in facilities in Washington and Idaho before becoming a trainer and supervisor in the Wildlife department at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Here, she was given the giraffe herd to manage and quickly fell in love with these amazing animals. Seeing a need for a more intensive and positive training approach she was able to help build both a team and program that has proved quite successful for both the giraffe herd as well as the humans caring for them.
After a decade of full time work in the animal care industry Chandelle and her husband recently moved back to Alaska. She remains active in the animal community through her work in the Giraffe Conservation Alliance as well as through volunteer work and as a private advisor.
Anne Dagg
Amy Phelps
Jason Pootolol
Amy Roberts
Amy has worked as a Keeper, Supervisor and Curator at 6 AZA accredited zoos in North America. She is currently Curator of Mammals at the Brookfield Zoo/Chicago Zoological Society. Amy’s professional expertise is the care and management of African ungulates and carnivores. She holds degrees in Behavioral Sciences and is passionate about the welfare of animals in human care as well as the conservation of their wild counterparts. Amy travels to Africa each year to either volunteer on a conservation project or attend a conservation focused conference.
Amy’s other interests include international travel, volunteerism and following her favorite sports team. Giraffe have always been one of Amy’s favorite species and feels very fortunate to be involved in their conservation within a worldwide community of giraffe conservationists.