Our Team

All ZDR3 team members have responded to disaster events at non-domestic animal facilities.

Meet the Board of Directors

  • Michael Fouraker

    PRESIDENT

  • Dr. Eric Trager

    VICE PRESIDENT

  • Susan Kleven

    SECRETARY

  • Susan Kleven, the Director of the Frank Buck Zoo, oversaw a major expansion of the zoo in 2004, doubling the footprint, number of staff, and animal collection. The expansion included a shift from a free zoo to a fee zoo. 

    Susan and her team have been instrumental in helping to develop digital resource typing and management tools. The team has also been instrumental in developing cutting edge ways to measure and record data to optimize animal welfare. Susan is a strong advocate for husbandry training for cooperative care and staff professional development. She currently serves as board liaison to the Zoological Association of America’s (ZAA) Animal Training committee. 

    Susan and her team have responded to multiple flood events and ice events that have significantly impacted the zoo. Her team received recognition for flood response in 2007. Susan has received extensive emergency management training (FEMA, NIMS, and HAZWOPER) and experience. 

    In 2019 Susan deployed to Australia to volunteer with Bushfire Wildlife Rescue & Support. “Given my previous experience with macropod raising and handling, I felt my knowledge and skills could be put to good use,” she explains. Among her many experiences, Susan helped supply and monitor feed and water stations, organized supplies to wildlife carers, fed neonates, assisted with care of animals being treated for burns, and participated in search and rescue assignments.

    A founding member of ZDR3, Susan is the Secretary of our Board of Directors. She is also a valued member of the ZDR3 Communications Command Post.

    When hurricanes damaged zoos in Louisiana in 2020, Susan played a critical role, remotely managing communications among the zoos and the response teams. “I was connecting the dots for those in the field or en route to deployment and making sure documentation occurred in real time,” she says. "It was a lot of long hours, but very rewarding." Susan has since provided remote support for several ZDR3 responses.

Meet the Full-Time Staff

Julia Wilder

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

  • Julia has served in a variety of roles in the zoological industry for over 20 years, with a focus on risk mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery work at exotic animal facilities. She co-founded ZDR3 in 2019. During that time, ZDR3 has grown to include more than 180 facilities in 36 states and territories, and the network has been deployed on many response efforts, spanning the country and globe.

    Julia is responsible for overseeing ZDR3’s daily operations, developing and implementing the organization’s long-term strategic goals, and overseeing response operations and deploying with response teams. As the primary On-Scene Liaison and Needs Assessor, Julia is often the first responder deployed and the last one out. She has served in the wake of many significant incidents, including Hurricane Laura (2020 - Louisiana), Hurricane Ian (2022 - Florida), and Typhoon Mawar (2023 - Guam).

    As one of the most experienced zoological responders in the country, Julia serves on a variety of industry and government committees and working groups, including as the founding Co-Chair of the ZAA Safety & Security Committee. In addition to her focus on disaster response, Julia also has a background in security and industry government affairs, including state and federal legislative and regulatory considerations.

    “ZDR3 is the vision and work of many individuals, and it is predicated on our industry’s ongoing desire to care for one another,” says Julia. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help connect the dots between those who most need support, and those most willing and able to serve. The ZDR3 Network is many things, but perhaps most critically, we are purveyors of hope.”

Melanie Messer

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

melanie@zdr3.org

  • Prior to joining ZDR3, Melanie worked in healthcare for 15 years and has earned many certifications in First Aid and outdoor survival. She had also spent years providing administrative support for various zoo-related projects and initiatives, providing her important understanding of the zoo industry and its composition. In 2020, soon after she started working with ZDR3 to assist our Executive Director with various tasks, she deployed for a significant response, providing administrative, communications, and responder support.

    Melanie’s wide-ranging skill set led to an expanding role and a full-time position. Today she provides administrative and communications support for our day-to-day operations and during deployment; maintains our internal databases; onboards new network members; manages the Sponsor program and the online merchandise store; assists with general fundraising; and coordinates travel and service providers. When she deploys for a response, Melanie coordinates travel, lodging, onsite communications, and meals for ZDR3 personnel and, at times, responders. She is frequently part of remote response work, and our central communications efforts.

    “I love having a career that provides support to animals in need, and the people who care for them,” Melanie says. “I really believe in my team and our mission, and take pride in knowing we are making a difference.”

Cari Wittenborn

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

cari@zdr3.org

  • Growing up on a farm provided Cari with a solid foundation in animal husbandry, which was instrumental in shaping her career. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's in Animal Science and a master's in Equine Industry Management, with a strong focus on Animal Welfare. Cari’s zoo career evolved from Animal Health and Welfare Manager to Executive Director. She met the ZDR3 Executive Director during a response at the flood-prone zoo where Cari worked. The two collaborated so well that Cari volunteered to help our then-fledgling nonprofit organization with communications support.

    Cari’s dedication to the ZDR3 mission eventually led to a full-time staff position that has given her the opportunity to utilize both her creative and practical skills. She creates visually appealing and informative graphics for our website (which she also manages), presentations, and newsletters. When the need arises, she tracks storms and incidents, creating maps that provide real-time updates and critical information. She has also deployed as an On-Scene Liaison to facilitate effective communication and coordination among response teams.

    “My dedication to animal welfare runs deep, driving me to ensure that animals receive the care they deserve, especially in times of vulnerability,” says Cari. “I firmly believe that to truly support animals, we must also support the people who care for them, adding an extra layer of empathy and compassion to my work, which I'm truly passionate about. My commitment to this cause is personal; having experienced a disaster firsthand, I understand the critical need for aid and support.”

Meet the Volunteer Staff

Mandy Matson

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

communications@zdr3.org

  • Mandy was a freelance writer for 40 years, working in all media (TV, print, web, social media) on a wide variety of subjects. For more than 25 years Mandy simultaneously worked in animal care, communications, conservation, and education for zoological facilities. As a result, Mandy is especially adept at working with the media to ensure they have what they need to accurately report about zoological topics.

    While working at two different zoological facilities, Mandy helped manage some significant disaster responses, both as an on-the-ground responder and a communications professional, guiding organizations through crisis communications planning, execution, and media management. In her “retirement career,” Mandy volunteers her time to write and/or edit most of ZDR3’s documents, social media posts, website pages, and presentations.

    “Having experienced zoological disasters firsthand, I understand how much it means to a devastated staff to receive assistance from empathetic responders,” says Mandy. “It’s such a gift for overwhelmed and often traumatized staff members when colleagues from other organizations arrive with energy and enthusiasm to tackle difficult tasks. I’m proud to be part of the team that delivers relief.”

Kelly Trager

BOOKKEEPER