Staff, Partner Organizations & Board

The Snow Leopard Trust’s staff is based both in the United States and internationally. In addition, we work closely with partner organizations in China, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, and Pakistan. These dedicated scientists and conservation experts work closely with local communities in snow leopard regions to develop conservation programs that protect snow leopards and their habitat while improving the lives of local people near those habitats.

Science Team
  • Science & Conservation Director: Koustubh Sharma, PhD (Kyrgyzstan)
  • Assistant Director of Science: Gustaf Samelius, PhD (Sweden)
  • Senior Conservation Scientist: Justine Shanti Alexander, PhD (China / Mongolia)
  • Senior Scientist: Örjan Johansson, PhD (Sweden)
  • Senior Conservation Scientist: Ranjini Murali, PhD (India)
  • Senior Advisor: Suri Venkatachalam, PhD (India)
Operations Team
  • Executive Director: Charudutt (Charu) Mishra, PhD (India)
  • Deputy Director: Marissa Niranjan (USA)
  • Finance, Admin & Compliance Director: Laura Farnitano (USA)
  • Director of Philanthropy: Shelly Watts (USA)
  • Senior Philanthropy Manager: Jennifer Snell Rullman (USA)
  • Senior Communications Manager: Beth Stewart (USA)
  • Senior Technology Architect: Jeff Brown (USA)
  • Event & Travel Manager: Maggie Marovich (USA)
  • Grant Writer: Deborah Turnbull (USA)
  • Grant Writer: Maddison Rosenberg (USA)
  • Marketing & Communications Specialist: John Klees (USA)
  • Administrative Coordinator: Hayley Moore (USA)
  • Philanthropy Associate: Alissa Ordabayeva (USA)
  • Inventory Coordinator: Charlotte Shear (USA)
Snow Leopard Trust Board of Directors
  • President: Rhetick Sengupta
  • Vice-President: Gayle Podrabsky
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Gary Podrabsky
  • Barbara Blywise
  • Lisa Dabek, PhD
  • Todd George
  • Jed Gorden, MD
  • James Platts
  • Brad Rutherford
  • Stephen Sparrow
  • Laurie Fritts
Country Partner Organizations

We collaborate closely with Country Partner Organizations in five key snow leopard range countries. They are independent, locally registered organizations led and staffed by leading snow leopard conservationists and scientists.

China | Partner Organization – Shan Shui Conservation Center

India | Partner Organization – Nature Conservation Foundation

Kyrgyzstan | Partner Organization – Snow Leopard Foundation Kyrgyzstan

Mongolia | Partner Organization: Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation

Pakistan | Partner Organization – Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan