Freelance international lecturer based in England, Eleanor is responsible for conservation and welfare initiatives relating to chelonian endangered species. Eleanor is founder of education conservation and welfare charity ‘tortoise club’, Eleanor is instrumental in the management and development of this charity. She is also working with many similar organizations internationally.

Eric is an American entrepreneur, conservationist, and filmmaker. Eric began his career as an artist, educated at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and Parsons School of Design. Much of his early work was displayed in group shows with other upcoming artists of the day, the earliest in 1981 which was curated by Keith Haring. He continued to make and show his art throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s.

David K. Israel has been writing music for dance since he was in high school. He’s worked with choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Fatima Robinson, Melissa Toogood, Silas Farley, and Steven Melendez to name some. His music has been performed worldwide with bands such as The American Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Semperoper Orchestra in Dresden. David’s first novel was published by Random House and he’s written and produced screenplays and TV series, as well. For more info visit davidkisrael.me

Founder and Educator at Terrapin Nesting Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Diamondback terrapin, their nests and hatchlings on Long Beach Island, N.J. Kathy spearheaded this charity and runs its educational outreach programs to the public and school systems.

Russ is an American Anthropologist and has written several books for both popular and scientist audiences, and authored more than 300 scientific papers. He holds a Ph.D and M.A. from Harvard University and a B.A from Dartmouth College and is Re:wild’s Chief Conservation Officer.

Briana Reed (St. Petersburg, FL.) began her dance training at The Academy of Ballet Arts, studying Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Russian Character. Ms. Reed continued her studies at The Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School under the direction of Reginald Yates studying Ballet, Pointe, Martha Graham technique and West African dance.

Olivia Gintel Rudkevich has worked as a free-lance ballet and contemporary dancer in the New York area for many years. She received her training at Houston Ballet Academy and Miami City Ballet School before joining the Joffrey Ballet trainee program. She has danced professionally with the Orlando Ballet, and Connecticut Ballet. She has a B.A. from the University of Miami in Theatre Arts with a musical theatre concentration. She loves teaching and has taught and Walnut Hill school for the Arts. More recently, Olivia has danced with the Benjamin Briones Ballet company for the last four years. In addition to being a member of the company, Olivia worked as the Development Director helping to organize a variety of fundraising events for the company. Olivia raised funds for Dana Faber challenge while running the Boston Marathon and was invited to become a board member of the Friends of Connecticut Ballet, where she helped plan its annual gala event. She participated in development work to the benefit of St. Jude Children’s Hospital and engaged in numerous other charitable development events. Olivia is thrilled to be on the board of vildwerk.!

Nazir is Founding Member and Secretary-General at Focused on Nature, a Geneva based non-profit organization with a mission is to assist in the conservation and protection of threatened and endangered species, as well as habitat conservation efforts when and where possible. Nazir is currently also serving on the Board of Directors of ICVolunteers, an international non-profit organization specialized in the field of communication. Nazir’s experience includes 30+ years of environment, international business, management, negotiations and diplomatic experience.

Based in NYC, YYDC is not for profit contemporary dance company dedicated to the teaching, production and performance of original choreographic works by founder and artistic director, Yue Yin. Over the past decade, Yin has refined and expanded an original movement vocabulary – FOCO Technique™ — a fusion inspired by the Chinese dance, folk, ballet and contemporary dance movement. The vision for YYDC is to incorporate this signature movement style in original company productions and choreographic commission, to produce original, dynamic, emotionally and physically charged performances under the direction of Yue Yin and to present the works nationally and internationally; to establish and develop FoCo Technique™ into a globally recognized training method for professional dancers as well as dance practitioners; To cultivate audiences’ interest in dance especially in contemporary dance by presenting artistically responsible and socially conscious works.