Sylvia Medina
FOUNDER/CHAIR
Sylvia Medina is the Founder of the Love The Wild Foundation. She established this so she can help share the message to children to help preserve our planet and its animals. She is also the founder of the Snake River Animal Shelter.
Ms. Sylvia Medina is the President and CEO of Green Kids Club, Inc. Green Kids Club specializes in writing children’s books related to Environmental Stewardship and learning concepts for children. The stories highlight two children that drink water from a magic spring giving them the power to communicate and talk with animals. Together the kids and animals work towards ensuring they have a healthy ecosystem. Green Kids Club has won a number of awards including the 2016 Green Company of the Year by Dr. Toy, Family Choice Award in 2015, the Mom’s Choice Award (2014), and the Dr. Toy Best Green Award (2014). In 2017, we have been awarded the Dr. Toy Award for Top 10 Socially Responsible and the Top 100 for 2017.
Ms. Medina was also past president and owner of North Wind, Inc. an Environmental engineering and construction company. She attended college at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico, where she received Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Environmental Engineering and Biology. After graduating from New Mexico Tech, Ms. Medina relocated to Idaho to work for the Idaho National Laboratory. While working she also obtained a Masters in Waste Management.
In addition to her work in the environmental industry, she is also an accomplished Jewelry Artisan (Sylvia Medina Jewelry).
Sylvia Medina is the Founder of the Love The Wild Foundation. She established this so she can help share the message to children to help preserve our planet and its animals. She is also the founder of the Snake River Animal Shelter.
Ms. Sylvia Medina is the President and CEO of Green Kids Club, Inc. Green Kids Club specializes in writing children’s books related to Environmental Stewardship and learning concepts for children. The stories highlight two children that drink water from a magic spring giving them the power to communicate and talk with animals. Together the kids and animals work towards ensuring they have a healthy ecosystem. Green Kids Club has won a number of awards including the 2016 Green Company of the Year by Dr. Toy, Family Choice Award in 2015, the Mom’s Choice Award (2014), and the Dr. Toy Best Green Award (2014). In 2017, we have been awarded the Dr. Toy Award for Top 10 Socially Responsible and the Top 100 for 2017.
Ms. Medina was also past president and owner of North Wind, Inc. an Environmental engineering and construction company. She attended college at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico, where she received Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Environmental Engineering and Biology. After graduating from New Mexico Tech, Ms. Medina relocated to Idaho to work for the Idaho National Laboratory. While working she also obtained a Masters in Waste Management.
In addition to her work in the environmental industry, she is also an accomplished Jewelry Artisan (Sylvia Medina Jewelry).
Julie Foster
BOARD MEMBER/SECRETARY
Julie was raised in Pocatello, Idaho and graduated from Idaho State University with a business degree in 1993. As a single mom, she has worked and raised her children in Southeastern Idaho and is passionate about giving back to her community. Julie works to provide good paying jobs in Idaho and is committed to several other causes near and dear to her heart. Once an avid rock climber, she now plays tennis, skis, and hikes.
Julie owns and operates JFoster & Associates, LLC. JFA provides technical and professional services to a variety of government and commercial energy customers.
Julie was raised in Pocatello, Idaho and graduated from Idaho State University with a business degree in 1993. As a single mom, she has worked and raised her children in Southeastern Idaho and is passionate about giving back to her community. Julie works to provide good paying jobs in Idaho and is committed to several other causes near and dear to her heart. Once an avid rock climber, she now plays tennis, skis, and hikes.
Julie owns and operates JFoster & Associates, LLC. JFA provides technical and professional services to a variety of government and commercial energy customers.
Dr. Terry Neese
BOARD MEMBER
Serial entrepreneur Dr. Terry Neese, is a lifelong Oklahoman and has spent over thirty (30) years finding careers for men and women. She is the founder of Terry Neese Personnel Services (TNPS), National Grassroots Network, Women Impacting Public Policy and the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW).
Current and previous roles include: Board of Director to the Euro-American Women’s Council, U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, through which she traveled to Afghanistan in 2007, National Advisory Council on Indian Education, Les Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM) Regional Commissioner for the Americas, National Women’s Business Council (a bipartisan federal government council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President and Congress) and Advisory Council for the United States Committee for United Nations Development Fund for Women.
Serial entrepreneur Dr. Terry Neese, is a lifelong Oklahoman and has spent over thirty (30) years finding careers for men and women. She is the founder of Terry Neese Personnel Services (TNPS), National Grassroots Network, Women Impacting Public Policy and the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW).
Current and previous roles include: Board of Director to the Euro-American Women’s Council, U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, through which she traveled to Afghanistan in 2007, National Advisory Council on Indian Education, Les Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM) Regional Commissioner for the Americas, National Women’s Business Council (a bipartisan federal government council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President and Congress) and Advisory Council for the United States Committee for United Nations Development Fund for Women.
EmmaLee Robinson
BOARD MEMBER
EmmaLee Robinson has been working in the financial services industry for over 21 years. She has worked nationally as a strategic planner who focuses on business, estate and succession planning for entrepreneurs and families. Her emphasis is on educating, organizing, and preparing her clients on the latest wealth preservation and business planning. She has been married to Mark since 2001 and they have three children: Abigail, Jared, and Curtis. Her family loves to ski, golf, hike, and travel together. Their family moved from the Washington DC area to Idaho six years ago. Part of the reason for moving back to Idaho was so she could open a State Farm office. She is very passionate about helping and serving people in their hard times. She is NAIFA Idaho’s PAC chair, and chairman of the White Pine School board. Through her work and many committee experiences, she has developed strong leadership, communications, budget, negotiations, innovative direction, creative planning, and analytical skills. Her ability to listen to concerns, manage conflict, and use forward-thinking has been a huge asset to organizations she has represented and served. She was a finalist for 2021 Modern Governance and 2019 Small Business of the year.
EmmaLee Robinson has been working in the financial services industry for over 21 years. She has worked nationally as a strategic planner who focuses on business, estate and succession planning for entrepreneurs and families. Her emphasis is on educating, organizing, and preparing her clients on the latest wealth preservation and business planning. She has been married to Mark since 2001 and they have three children: Abigail, Jared, and Curtis. Her family loves to ski, golf, hike, and travel together. Their family moved from the Washington DC area to Idaho six years ago. Part of the reason for moving back to Idaho was so she could open a State Farm office. She is very passionate about helping and serving people in their hard times. She is NAIFA Idaho’s PAC chair, and chairman of the White Pine School board. Through her work and many committee experiences, she has developed strong leadership, communications, budget, negotiations, innovative direction, creative planning, and analytical skills. Her ability to listen to concerns, manage conflict, and use forward-thinking has been a huge asset to organizations she has represented and served. She was a finalist for 2021 Modern Governance and 2019 Small Business of the year.
Frederica Wheeler-Johnson
BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER
Graduated from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY in June, 1963, Major Field, Political Science and minor Field, French. Studied for a Master’s Degree in International Relations at the University of Virginia 1963-64. International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1971-1995. Summers in Glacier National Park, Montana at the family compound of Grandmother and Grandfather, Senator and Mrs. Burton K. Wheeler. Senator Wheeler was U.S. Senator from Montana from 1924-1946. Presently resides in Montana, Maryland and France. Present and recent affiliations: Member, Chevy Chase Club, member of the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter Three. Former member of the National Society of Colonial Dames where I was on the Board of Directors and served as Secretary and First Vice President. Member of the Potomac Bridle and Hiking Trails Association where I have served on the Board of Directors for 10 years. Former Board Member of the Glacier Park Conservancy. Present Board member and Secretary of the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation. Member of the Potomac Valley Dressage Association. Patron of the National Gallery of Art. Participant in the Adult Recitals of the Washington Music Teacher’s Association.
Graduated from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY in June, 1963, Major Field, Political Science and minor Field, French. Studied for a Master’s Degree in International Relations at the University of Virginia 1963-64. International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1971-1995. Summers in Glacier National Park, Montana at the family compound of Grandmother and Grandfather, Senator and Mrs. Burton K. Wheeler. Senator Wheeler was U.S. Senator from Montana from 1924-1946. Presently resides in Montana, Maryland and France. Present and recent affiliations: Member, Chevy Chase Club, member of the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter Three. Former member of the National Society of Colonial Dames where I was on the Board of Directors and served as Secretary and First Vice President. Member of the Potomac Bridle and Hiking Trails Association where I have served on the Board of Directors for 10 years. Former Board Member of the Glacier Park Conservancy. Present Board member and Secretary of the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation. Member of the Potomac Valley Dressage Association. Patron of the National Gallery of Art. Participant in the Adult Recitals of the Washington Music Teacher’s Association.
Jane Ratzlaff
CO-CHAIR
Jane has spent 30+ years in the non-profit world and is serving as our interim executive director/consultant. From volunteer, development director, executive director, vice president of development to a consulting business, Jane has been active in growing non-profits that follow her passions of education, wildlife and wildplaces. Her love for the outdoors and all that it has brought to her life, is why she is engaged in the Green Kids Foundation. She spent most of her career in education before taking the job with the Glacier National Park Fund and becoming passionately involved in preserving, protecting and sharing the outdoor experience which she has enjoyed all her life. In addition to her consulting business, Ratzlaff Consulting, Jane also helps her husband, Henry, run his company, A2Z Electric, and daughter, Brittany, with her Glacier Coffee House and Bearfoot Relexology. Together they have four kids, Garry, Pete, Brittany and James and five grandkids.
Jane has spent 30+ years in the non-profit world and is serving as our interim executive director/consultant. From volunteer, development director, executive director, vice president of development to a consulting business, Jane has been active in growing non-profits that follow her passions of education, wildlife and wildplaces. Her love for the outdoors and all that it has brought to her life, is why she is engaged in the Green Kids Foundation. She spent most of her career in education before taking the job with the Glacier National Park Fund and becoming passionately involved in preserving, protecting and sharing the outdoor experience which she has enjoyed all her life. In addition to her consulting business, Ratzlaff Consulting, Jane also helps her husband, Henry, run his company, A2Z Electric, and daughter, Brittany, with her Glacier Coffee House and Bearfoot Relexology. Together they have four kids, Garry, Pete, Brittany and James and five grandkids.
Aria McKenna
BOARD ADVISOR
Aria McKenna is an actress, writer and producer turned climate advocate. She founded Global Cooling Productions and is in development with several mission-driven projects. She trained with Al Gore as part of his Climate Reality Leadership Corps and has studied, worked, and presented with organizations such as The American Sustainable Business Council, Citizens Climate Lobby, American Renewable Energy DAY, EarthX, and the Cooperative Impact Social Innovation Conference. She is currently working with the Healthy Climate Alliance and the Planetary Restoration Action Group to advocate for an emergency scale plan for climate restoration while developing and shaping content for GreenTV and RevolutionEarthTV.
Aria McKenna is an actress, writer and producer turned climate advocate. She founded Global Cooling Productions and is in development with several mission-driven projects. She trained with Al Gore as part of his Climate Reality Leadership Corps and has studied, worked, and presented with organizations such as The American Sustainable Business Council, Citizens Climate Lobby, American Renewable Energy DAY, EarthX, and the Cooperative Impact Social Innovation Conference. She is currently working with the Healthy Climate Alliance and the Planetary Restoration Action Group to advocate for an emergency scale plan for climate restoration while developing and shaping content for GreenTV and RevolutionEarthTV.
Frank Russo
BOARD ADVISOR
Frank Russo is a retired executive who supports land conservation and responsible development to protect wildlife and wildlife corridors. Frank now serves as a Board Advisor to Love the Wild.
Frank Russo is a retired executive who supports land conservation and responsible development to protect wildlife and wildlife corridors. Frank now serves as a Board Advisor to Love the Wild.
Dory Kurowski
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Dory Kurowski works closely with President and Chairman, Sylvia Medina, to develop messaging for the Foundation and handles all digital marketing.
Dory has 20 years experience in corporate, product communications and brand marketing, including work related to her app and the eco-minded products she recommends on it. Dory started her career as a communications professional in the biopharmaceutical industry, and then after certain life changes, pivoted towards the world of sustainability. Her mission has been to help the average consumer make better, more thoughtful product choices and also become aware about eco-minded and humane focused companies and organizations. She’s been a guest speaker at many national and local green fairs and festivals on her quest to educate others. She is also a consistent supporter of many animal advocacy groups.
Besides being a life-long lover of nature and wildlife, part of Dory’s decision to rigorously focus on sustainability was after the birth of her first child. With a son in elementary school, Dory is highly vested in teaching children about environmental stewardship and aims to do so on a daily basis. Dory is thrilled to be able to work with Love the Wild, which is quite a natural fit.
Dory Kurowski works closely with President and Chairman, Sylvia Medina, to develop messaging for the Foundation and handles all digital marketing.
Dory has 20 years experience in corporate, product communications and brand marketing, including work related to her app and the eco-minded products she recommends on it. Dory started her career as a communications professional in the biopharmaceutical industry, and then after certain life changes, pivoted towards the world of sustainability. Her mission has been to help the average consumer make better, more thoughtful product choices and also become aware about eco-minded and humane focused companies and organizations. She’s been a guest speaker at many national and local green fairs and festivals on her quest to educate others. She is also a consistent supporter of many animal advocacy groups.
Besides being a life-long lover of nature and wildlife, part of Dory’s decision to rigorously focus on sustainability was after the birth of her first child. With a son in elementary school, Dory is highly vested in teaching children about environmental stewardship and aims to do so on a daily basis. Dory is thrilled to be able to work with Love the Wild, which is quite a natural fit.
Syler Peralta-Ramos
Board Advisor
Syler is an award-winning photographer, guide, conservationist, storyteller, and teacher. He grew up in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, only briefly leaving Wyoming to complete his B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.A. in Multimedia Environmental Communication at Stanford University. In the classroom, Syler developed an in-depth understanding of wildlife, the natural world and the threats they face – always aiming to share that understanding with others through photography, film, writing and teaching.
Syler is an award-winning photographer, guide, conservationist, storyteller, and teacher. He grew up in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, only briefly leaving Wyoming to complete his B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.A. in Multimedia Environmental Communication at Stanford University. In the classroom, Syler developed an in-depth understanding of wildlife, the natural world and the threats they face – always aiming to share that understanding with others through photography, film, writing and teaching.
Agnes Itote
Board Advisor
Agnes is a professional IT Project and Program Manager, with more than 18 years of experience in the IT industry, business management, project coordination, and development. She holds a master’s in management information systems, and various professional certifications including PMP®, PRINCE2®, CSM®, among others. Her project management experience has seen her support projects across East and Southern Africa, India and the United States. Growing up in Kenya, Agnes had an appreciation for wild animals and the environment. She experienced first hand the human/wildlife conflict, having to join in chasing elephants out of the farm from a young age. She is passionate about the growth and success of young people and the ability for humans to live in harmony with nature.
Agnes is a professional IT Project and Program Manager, with more than 18 years of experience in the IT industry, business management, project coordination, and development. She holds a master’s in management information systems, and various professional certifications including PMP®, PRINCE2®, CSM®, among others. Her project management experience has seen her support projects across East and Southern Africa, India and the United States. Growing up in Kenya, Agnes had an appreciation for wild animals and the environment. She experienced first hand the human/wildlife conflict, having to join in chasing elephants out of the farm from a young age. She is passionate about the growth and success of young people and the ability for humans to live in harmony with nature.
Kelly Landen
Board Advisor
Kelly Landen is a dedicated conservationist. Her love of protecting nature and wildlife led her to Co-found and is President of the non-profit organization Elephants Without Borders, which is dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resources; through innovative research and empowering local communities in Africa. Kelly has 20 years of international experience running non-profits, is active in the field contributing and supervising much of the organization’s field research, wildlife rescue operations, human-elephant coexistence program, managed an elephant orphanage, is an aerial survey expert, and co-author to several scientific publications. She is passionate about sharing her experience, knowledge, and love for nature through the many environmental education programs she facilitated and promotes a culture of coexistence with wildlife to learners and people of all ages. Kelly also shares her work as a professional photographer and has been featured in a number of prestigious magazines, web sites, scientific publications, journals and media.
Kelly Landen is a dedicated conservationist. Her love of protecting nature and wildlife led her to Co-found and is President of the non-profit organization Elephants Without Borders, which is dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resources; through innovative research and empowering local communities in Africa. Kelly has 20 years of international experience running non-profits, is active in the field contributing and supervising much of the organization’s field research, wildlife rescue operations, human-elephant coexistence program, managed an elephant orphanage, is an aerial survey expert, and co-author to several scientific publications. She is passionate about sharing her experience, knowledge, and love for nature through the many environmental education programs she facilitated and promotes a culture of coexistence with wildlife to learners and people of all ages. Kelly also shares her work as a professional photographer and has been featured in a number of prestigious magazines, web sites, scientific publications, journals and media.
Dr. Gerry Sehlke
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Sehlke has 31 years experience in various topical areas, including; regulatory compliance, environmental restoration and water resources policy programs, in designing and implementing, groundwater monitoring, groundwater protection and environmental sustainability programs, and designing and implementing energy, water-, watershed- and climate-change adaptation and resilience research and development projects/programs. His professional interests are focused on developing a nexus between policy/law and science; that is, ensuring that ongoing environmental/natural resources related science can support policy and legal needs and evaluating whether environmental/natural resources policies/laws are scientifically sound.
Professionally, He has been a Principal Compliance Engineer at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, an Advisory Scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory, an Adjunct Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Utah State University, an Affiliate Researcher at the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University, and a Legislative Affairs Fellow for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
Dr. Sehlke has earned a Ph.D. in Water Law, Management and Policy, a M.S. in Hydrology, a M.S. in Entomology, and a B.S. in Biology.
Dr. Sehlke has 31 years experience in various topical areas, including; regulatory compliance, environmental restoration and water resources policy programs, in designing and implementing, groundwater monitoring, groundwater protection and environmental sustainability programs, and designing and implementing energy, water-, watershed- and climate-change adaptation and resilience research and development projects/programs. His professional interests are focused on developing a nexus between policy/law and science; that is, ensuring that ongoing environmental/natural resources related science can support policy and legal needs and evaluating whether environmental/natural resources policies/laws are scientifically sound.
Professionally, He has been a Principal Compliance Engineer at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, an Advisory Scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory, an Adjunct Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Utah State University, an Affiliate Researcher at the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University, and a Legislative Affairs Fellow for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
Dr. Sehlke has earned a Ph.D. in Water Law, Management and Policy, a M.S. in Hydrology, a M.S. in Entomology, and a B.S. in Biology.