Leadership Opportunities in the Network
We pride ourselves in being participant driven and providing various avenues for our Members and Affiliates to step into leadership positions. Currently, people can take leadership roles in the Network through three primary avenues: serving on a committee or working group, being a Channel Host, or being an Empathy Trainer (more information coming soon!).
What are committees & working groups?
Committees are permanent groups that exist to support and drive the ACE for Wildlife Network forward while working groups are temporary and address short term-projects. Anyone in the Network is eligible to serve on a committee or working group. Recruitment for committees happens annually in the fall, while working groups may pop up at any time in the calendar year.
COMING SOON: What are Empathy Trainers?
An Empathy Trainer expands the awareness of fostering empathy for wildlife work through the facilitation of engaging day-long workshops.
What are Channel Hosts?
A Channel Host is responsible for cultivating community and conversation in one of our discussion board channels. Channel Host responsibilities are 1-year long. Recruirment for this role happens annually in the fall.
Our Committees
Made of of Members and Affiliates from across our Network, ACE for Wildlife Network committees drive the mission forward. Each individual brings their unique experience and knowledge to a group with a shared commitment to wildlife conservation. Curious about the requirements of serving on a committee? Reference our bylaws linked in the Steering Committee’s section of the page.
Expand the sections below to learn more about each of our current standing ACE for Wildlife Network committees. The committee call for service happens every year in October.
Communications Committee
The mission of the Communications Committee is to nurture connection and collaboration to effectively facilitate communication within and about the Network in an accessible and inclusive way. They are responsible for resources like the Network’s Welcome Guide and monitoring our discussion board.
Conservation Action Committee
This committee was created to develop resources for the “Advancing Conservation” part of our name. The mission of the Conservation Action Committee is to share a common vision to promote Partner conservation missions and motivate visitors to take conservation action. They are responsible for resources like the Anti-Wildlife Trafficking and Pollinator Action Toolkits.
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Committee
The mission of the DEAI Committee is to responsibly promote an inclusive environment within the Network and facilitate conversations that help Network Members and Affiliates feel supported to incorporate DEAI initiatives into their organizations. They are responsible for resources like the Inclusive Conservation list and the 2024-2025 webinar series with the Native Governance Center.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for developing the guidelines and practices of ACE for Wildlife Network membership levels and collaborating with the other committees to nurture connection between and within membership levels as the Network grows. They are responsible for creating a Network expansion plan and creating onramps for new Members and Affiliates.
Steering Committee
At the core of the ACE for Wildlife Network is the Steering Committee. They determine our priorities, goals, and structure, ensuring our efforts are well-structured and impactful. This includes setting timelines, supporting implementation, and establishing committees with the right expertise for our mission. Their guidance is essential in steering us toward effective wildlife conservation. They are responsible for resources like our bylaws, the Empathy Adoption Self Assessment Rubric, and creating long term goals and programs for the Network.
Strategic Learning Committee
The Strategic Learning Committee, driven by insights from our Network, shapes our collective learning journey. Their mission is to prioritize learning within the ACE for Wildlife Network, fostering collaborative skill-building and knowledge sharing among our Members & Affiliates. They are responsible for resources like the Empathy Training Toolkit, providing input on our Network’s learning agenda, or creating events on relevant Network topics.
Our Working Groups
Meet our current working groups working on innovative and engaging projects related to our Network!
Empathy Photo Contest Working Group
This working group reconvenes every year between approximately June-January to review the photo contest criteria, disseminate contest information to the Network, and select finalist photos.
Curriculum Development Working Group
Over the course of the next year (2026-2027), this working group will provide consistent input into the curriculum development project that the Network currently has underway. For more information, visit the learn more button below.
Empathy Summit Proposal Review Working Group
Our first proposal review working group will help decide which proposals become a part of the agenda for the 2027 Empathy Summit. We hope to offer this opportunity again in 2027 for our 2028 Virtual Summit.
Coming Soon: Empathy Trainers
Be a part of our newest leadership opportunity that’s been building for years! In 2027, we will be launching our new empathy curriculum that includes a day-long Empathy 101 (working title) workshop that can be taught in person or virtually. The Network is seeking up to 10 individuals to serve as the first cohort of trainers to teach this workshop that is currently being created by the Curriculum Development Working Group. This will be a meaningful opportunity to deepen your commitment to the ACE for Wildlife Network, build facilitation skills, elevate your organization’s leadership, and help shape a growing community dedicated to inspiring empathy for wildlife.
Applications for this new opportunity will be open from September 1-October 16, 2026. All Empathy Trainers in this first cohort will be required to attend an in-person training in Seattle, WA on February 4 following the Empathy Summit.
Learn more about this opportunity and apply at the link below! Questions? Email empathy@zoo.org.
Channel Hosts
Members and Affiliates have access to a robust discussion board where folks can connect with each other, share resources and events, and more. To help foster community in our various discussion board channels, the Communications Committee created the role of Channel Host. Hosts do not need to be experts on the topic of the channel they are acting as the host of, but they should be passionate about it, active in work related to it, and eager to help cultivate community.
The following channels are eligible to be hosted by Members and Affiliates:
Animal Husbandry & Programming:
Leah Peterson-Sisler, como park zoo & conservatory.
Biofacts:
Currently Open.
Communications:
hosted by the communications committee
conservation:
hosted by the conservation action committee.
DEAI:
hosted by the deai committee
education:
Jessica Herboth, mesker park zoo & botanical gardens.
Evaluation:
Lindsey Olimpio, Endangered wolf center.
fundraising & development:
Currently open.
signage & static interpretation:
Andrea Vahey, NEW Zoo & Adventure park
Questions? Reach out to us at empathy@zoo.org.
Engage with Our Community
Your voice matters. Share your thoughts, insights, and feedback to help shape our collective efforts. Together, we can make a real difference for our planet.