Our People

Margaret O’Gorman operates at the intersection of business and nature. As President of the Wildlife Habitat Council, she helps companies find value in natural resources conservation and mainstream biodiversity across operations. She works with multinational corporations to develop integrated strategies to implement conservation projects to meet business needs and, in so doing, enhance ecosystems, connect communities and engage employees. She helps WHC members build conservation into their sustainability efforts and helps sustain conservation efforts through WHC’s signature Conservation Certification recognition, which serves to define the standard for corporate conservation worldwide.

Prior to joining WHC, she served as the Executive Director of Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey where she transformed the little-known statewide non-profit into a well-respected and effective organization focused on rare and imperiled wildlife protection and recovery in the Garden State. Margaret’s extensive fundraising and development experience comes from almost a decade in lead development roles at New Jersey Future and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. She began her career in education publishing, developing an expertise in secondary and university STEM education.

Margaret is a compelling writer and speaker on the power of natural resource conservation to restore ecosystems, recover species, connect people and make a positive difference to business, people and planet. She is the author of Strategic Corporate Conservation Planning (Island Press) which lays out a road map for companies of all sizes to mainstream conservation and biodiversity.

She holds a BSc in geology and geophysics from University College Ireland, Galway and a Masters in Micropaleontology from the University of Southampton, UK.

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Watch Margaret speak at the Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit:

Watch Margaret discuss corporate conservation on CCTV America:

Since joining the Wildlife Habitat Council in 2005, Josiane has occupied various positions within the organization, as Biologist, Director of Field Programs, Senior Director, Conservation Strategy & Planning, and, currently, Chief Operating Officer. Josiane focuses on the development of mechanisms and launch of industry strategies for corporations to embrace conservation as a tried and tested business value.  With her team, she maintains a technical support system to translate this value into tailored contemporary conservation actions across the globe.

Josiane specializes in natural resources management in the mining industry, linear infrastructure planning and remediation projects. She balances her passion for biodiversity with participation in industry committees and focus groups, including the Board of Director of the Right-of-Way Stewardship Council.  While attending Université du Québec à Montréal, Josiane received a Bachelor of Science in Ecology. Prior to joining WHC, she dedicated close to a decade to the field of emergency management before joining the timber industry as a scientific consultant.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Monica leads WHC’s branding, content and public relations efforts. This includes the development and activation of multi-channel marketing campaigns to promote WHC initiatives, services and products, including membership, WHC Consulting, Conservation Conference and Conservation Certification.

Prior to joining WHC, Monica held senior level marketing positions at multi-national corporations, ACE Group (now Chubb) and AXA, as well as at non-profits including the American Lung Association and the National MS Society.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

As Director, Technical Services at the Wildlife Habitat Council, Rob works closely with an array of member companies to deliver targeted products and services aimed at supporting each company’s pursuit of unique sustainability goals. In his role, Rob serves as liaison to member representatives across industry sectors assuring they are kept appraised of information relative to their company’s initiatives.

While earning a MS in Environmental Studies at the College of Charleston, Rob worked with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as an environmental educator to develop curriculum for local primary schools and to teach on estuarine topics. As a native Marylander, he has developed a knowledge base on coastal topics and aquatic ecosystems. Complimenting his passion for the natural world, Rob has extensively studied anthropogenic effects on the environment and holds a graduate certificate in Urban and Regional Development, as well as a BA in Economics and Psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

As Director of Business Development at WHC, Sara collaborates with member companies to help them strategically leverage existing business models as platforms for conservation and recognition.  Sara has over 16 years of experience in the environmental sector and is skilled in the areas of environmental management and sustainability, as well as government and public affairs.  She has worked in the waste and recycling industry, in a regulatory capacity, and as a regional manager of environment and public affairs in the construction materials and cement manufacturing industry.  Because of her professional background, Sara is adept at translating conservation opportunities for member companies in a manner that fits their unique business driver, operation model, or corporate social responsibility target.  Additionally, Sara connects WHC members with the right community and professional partners, opportunities, and resources to achieve success making every act of conservation matter.   

She studied Natural Resources and Environmental Management at Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana, where she developed her multi-faceted and dynamic problem-solving style while participating in a study abroad program focusing on coral reef health and the intersection of conservation and local economies (fishing, tourism) in Jamaica.  It was at Ball State where she was first introduced to the concept of the triple bottom line, sustainability and green business, and the role corporations play in overall environmental and community health.   

As Manager for Conservation Planning, Art is responsible for providing technical support to companies by identifying strategic approaches to implement biodiversity assessments; climate change adaptation plans; biodiversity conservation plans; stakeholder engagement plans; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evaluations; conservation education programs; and appropriate projects that meet the needs of the company and its stakeholders.

Art’s education, training, research, and professional experience are interdisciplinary and have focused on integrating socio-economic considerations with biodiversity conservation in support of planning and implementing natural resources and protected area co-management. Art has considerable experience in biodiversity assessment, adaptive management, project management, strategic planning, proposal development, project design, policy, monitoring, performance evaluation, conservation education, institutional assessment, training, and capacity building.

Prior to WHC, Art worked as a conservation ecologist for more than 40 years in 18 countries in Southeast and South Asia, East Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean on a wide range of biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation projects funded by agencies such as USAID, the World Bank, and Asian Development Bank: LinkedIn

Born in Washington, DC, Art received his B.A. in zoology from the University of California at Berkeley and M.Phil., M.F.S., and Ph.D. degrees across two departments and disciplines – biological anthropology (primatology) and environmental studies (forestry management and conservation biology) – from Yale University. His doctoral dissertation examined the impacts of selective timber harvest and habitat disturbance on rainforest flora and fauna, focused on langurs, in Sabah, Malaysia. A certified professional coach and author of several books, Art wrote “Grateful, Not Dead: Rewire, Not Retire.” He lives with his wife in the Sonoran Desert, western Tucson, Arizona.

As Manager, Conservation Planning at the Wildlife Habitat Council, Rebecca is responsible for working with companies to identify strategic ways to implement conservation and education projects that meet the needs of the company and its stakeholders.  She works with members to increase participation in education activities and strives to stay up to date on current trends in sustainability, conservation, community engagement and education to improve outcomes.

Before coming to WHC, Rebecca worked as an environmental education coordinator at Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean, Courageous Sailing Center, The Bakken Museum, The New York Botanical Garden, and Tyler Arboretum.  She has extensive experience in curriculum and education program development, hands-on and applied learning theories, and STEM subjects for all ages.

She received her M.S. from Antioch University New England in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Education.  She wrote her Master’s project on educating the public about sustainable seafood through exhibit design.  Prior to graduate school, Rebecca earned her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Marine Biology from Global College of LIU, a study abroad college based in experiential and immersive learning theories.  She studied in Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Mexico, Australia, and South Africa and had internships focusing on cetacean research, marine ecotourism, and fishing practices.

As Conservation Specialist, Doreen provides site-level technical advice and support to new corporate conservation programs, as well as assisting with the improvement and maintenance of certified programs. Doreen has previously worked as Conservation Coordinator and Certification Coordinator at WHC.

In 2008, Doreen earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and in 2014 she earned an M.S. in Earth Sciences from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. While in graduate school Doreen worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. The focus of Doreen’s research was on Urban and Landscape Ecology as well as Biogeography.

As Manager of Conservation Certification, Caitlin serves as the primary point of contact for applicants with questions about Conservation Certification and the WHC Conservation Certification website. Growing up in Newport, Rhode Island her passion for the ocean led her to receive a B.S. in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Tampa in Tampa, FL. It was at UT where her interest in conservation grew. Wanting to explore the anthropogenic impacts on the ocean, she focused her graduate studies on the causes and consequences of Scyphozoan bloom phenomenon. These efforts resulted in a M.S. in Coastal Zone Management from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

As Director, Conservation Projects, Daniel works with Wildlife Habitat Council member companies and their communities develops partnerships on habitat restoration and land stewardship bringing about community participation and increasing ecosystem values for natural or degraded areas. He works to advance ecosystem management and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness Region by assembling and managing conservation and education partnerships between industries, environmental agencies, and conservation NGOs.

He is a Restoration Ecologist with 20 years of ecological reuse and restoration experience in urban lands and waters, industrial properties, and low-income communities. Daniel helped found and generates programs for Groundwork Gary and Calumet is My Backyard, a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools, Field Museum and WHC dedicated to school and community environmental stewardship.

Daniel received his BS in Natural Resources Management and Fresh Water Ecology from Cornell University, MS in Forest Ecology from Michigan State University, and MFA in Design and Ecology from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

As Senior Manager, Marketing, Patricia contributes to the development of the WHC marketing strategy and is responsible for executing marketing campaign communications. She also manages the WHC website and is the lead on the annual WHC Engagement Calendar.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, in College Park, with studies focused on journalism and criminal justice.

As Manager, Corporate Relations, Daniel Litow is responsible for member recruitment and fundraising. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Salisbury University.

Melissa began her career at WHC as the Conservation Coordinator for Strategy and Planning, where she helped to develop and implement the CRM, represented WHC at member events, worked closely with member sites on their application and program details, and coordinated meetings the department. In her current position as Coordinator, Content and Partnerships, Melissa manages the WHC-certified Woodlawn program in Maryland, as well as the partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. She also works to develop and implement programs for Conservation Academy and manages technical aspects of online learning events as well as assisting in implementing all details of Conservation Conference, from program to logistics.

Melissa graduated from Stonybrook University with a BA in Environmental Humanities, with studies focused on environmental education, politics, art and literature. She also holds a degree in Hospitality Marketing and Management.

As Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, LaVerne is responsible for computing, classifying, recording, and verifying numerical data for use in payroll and benefits.

Prior to joining WHC, LaVerne served as Receptionist/Administrative Assistant for a commercial real estate company in Washington, D.C. for 21 years. She also worked as a Facilities Coordinator with Icon Clinical Research in Bethesda, MD. She has completed accounting courses at Southeastern University in Washington, D.C.

As Accounting Coordinator, Kurt is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, data management, and expense reporting and billing.

Kurt received his BS in Aviation Business Administration from Emby Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.