Jackson Wild Team

At the heart of Jackson Wild is a passionate team of storytellers, creatives, and advocates dedicated to harnessing the power of media to inspire connection, conservation, and action for our planet. With backgrounds spanning wildlife biology, conservation, filmmaking, and media production, we bring diverse perspectives to curate world-class programs, foster global collaborations, and amplify voices driving change for a more sustainable future.

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  • Based in Boise, ID

    christie@jacksonwild.org

    Christie arrived in Jackson, WY, in the spring of 2012, where she found Jackson Wild. She began her journey with the organization as a Production Associate, quickly moving into the role of Film Competition Coordinator. Over the years, she has also served as Marketing & Design Director and Director of Operations before stepping into her current role as Executive Director.

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  • Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee

    melanie@jacksonwild.org

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  • Based in Austin, TX

    scarlett@jacksonwild.org

    Growing up in Texas, Scarlett has always had a passion 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 with Jackson Wild's film competitions and her eclectic experience is all in an effort to facilitate an impact for conservation through media. 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 or working on film & photography. Her favorite books include Ishmael and A Sand County Almanac.

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  • Based in Seattle, Washington

    samanthalynn@jacksonwild.org

    Born in the Philippines and raised in Seattle, Samantha-Lynn is a wildlife ecologist and creative storyteller passionate about using natural history and art to spark curiosity and connection. With degrees in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology and Marine Biology from the University of Washington, she’s worked in research simultaneously engrained in environmental education and science communication—through design, illustration, and camerawork—from deep-sea ROV expeditions in the South Pacific to studying Steller sea lions in the Aleutian Islands. 

    As Jackson Wild’s Marketing and Creative Design Manager, she’s dedicated to bringing inspiring stories to life and sharing the love of this storytelling community. Off the clock, you’ll likely find her filming wildlife, sketching new design ideas, or paddling on a body of water, wherever she may be!

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  • kathryn@jacksonwild.org

    Kathryn Jeffords is the Development Manager at Jackson Wild, bringing her experience as a television producer and partnerships manager to support the organization's mission. Her career began at Jackson Wild ten years ago, making her return a full-circle moment.  

    With a passion for storytelling, Kathryn has spent the past six years producing unscripted television. She has produced shows for RAW TV, Warm Springs Productions, Vice World News, and Law & Crime, with programs appearing on Netflix, Hulu, A&E and Discovery.

    Originally from North Carolina, Kathryn now lives in Idaho. She spends her time exploring the local mountain ranges, teaching yoga and embracing any opportunity for creativity and connection.

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  • Based in Salzburg, 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 in Europe, which finally took place September 2022 in UNESCO World Heritage National Park Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel, Austria. Since 2019 Petra has been Managing Director of Jackson Wild Austria.