Tracey Thomas

Executive Director

Tracey has a strong background in operations and administration. She also holds her SHRM certification and is on track to complete her B.S. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology in 2025.

In her free time, Tracey enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending quality time with her family.

 

Nikki Yoder

Public Engagement Director

Nikki received her Bachelors from Purdue University in Animal Sciences with a focus in Behavior and Wellbeing and has been passionately working with animals ever since.

Some personal hobbies include indoor and outdoor plant care, bad movies, foraging, sipping coffee with her cats, listening to podcasts and infamously misremembering song lyrics.

 

Michelle Proulx

Animal Care Director

Michelle holds a BS in Zoology from Colorado State University and has always been passionate about animals and their care. She had over 20 years of experience working and volunteering at various animal rescues, aquariums, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries before beginning her journey at Wolf Park.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, dancing, photography and spending time outdoors with her dog, Buttermilk Biscuit.

Ryan Talbot

Behavioral Enrichment & Training Manager

Ryan began volunteering with Wolf Park in 2007 after sponsoring Orca two years prior. He moved from Virginia to Indiana in 2014 to dedicate more time to the park.

Ryan holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech and is a Certified Professional Animal Trainer (CPAT). In his free time, he enjoys hiking, wild edibles, motorcycles, and sharing really awful puns.

Pat Goodmann

Head Animal Curator Emerita

Pat started out as a graduate student with Wolf Park in August 1974, just two years after Wolf Park opened. She was later hired in May of 1978.

Pat received her B.A., specializing in Zoology, from Stephens College, then received her M.S. in Psychology from Purdue University. Some personal hobbies include reading, horses, and dogs.

Monty Sloan

Photographer & Animal Care Specialist

Monty started out as a volunteer in January 1988. He was later hired in April of 1988. Monty received his B.A. in Geology from the University of California – Berkeley.

Some personal hobbies include scorpions and scorpion peppers.

 

Katie Forbis

Visitors Center & Engagement Manager

Katie received her bachelors in Marketing and Communications and brings years of experience working with captive canids in the nonprofit sector. She aims to utilize her love of marketing and fundraising to serve Wolf Park.

In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking with her dog Arya, listening to audio books, portrait photography, and consuming way too much Diet Coke for her own good.

Lucas Russo

Conservation & Animal Care Specialist

Lucas began as an intern at Wolf Park in March 2022 and was hired as staff in February 2024. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies and Criminal Justice from Millikin University and has volunteered with Indiana Forest Alliance and AmeriCorps as a Park Conservationist.

In his free time, Lucas enjoys painting, hiking, DnD campaigns, and archery. 

Karly Taylor

Animal Care Specialist

Karly graduated from Indiana University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Animal Behavior and Psychology. Karly has previously worked in wildlife centers and zoos around the country. Karly is a Certified Professional Animal Trainer.

When not working, Karly can typically be found at home spending time with her two cats, watching movies, and playing video games.

Debbie Gianaris

Nutritional Coordinator

Debbie started as an animal care volunteer in June 2019. She was later hired in October 2024 as the nutritional coordinator. Debbie received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in Zoology. Has over 25 years of experience in animal nutrition working previously for Pet-Ag, Inc
and Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition.

Her hobbies include traveling, playing USTA tennis, and spending
time with her family and dog Casper.

Joshua Crow

Research Assistant

Joshua graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Biology. They became interested in studying wolves after volunteering at the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center.

That experience inspired Joshua to join Wolf Park as an intern in 2024 and stay on as staff after. Joshua has many hobbies, such as taking care of their cat, writing, gardening, going on cute little hikes.

Rick Suter

Facilities Coordinator

I’m known for being highly motivated, dependable, and the kind of person who can fix just about anything. If something’s broken—from leaky faucets to electronics—I’ll find a way to make it work again. I actually enjoy the challenge. If there’s a mystery to solve or a project to tinker with, I’m all in.

 

Over the years, I’ve worked in roles that have allowed me to grow, take on new challenges, and help keep things running smoothly—whether it’s equipment, a process, or a tricky situation that needs some attention.

I’m also a big animal lover and often catch myself wondering what they’re thinking. I believe every animal deserves kindness and respect, and that mindset definitely shapes how I approach life.

 

For over 20 years, I’ve worked as a stagehand for rock, country, and pop concerts, as well as touring Broadway musicals like Chicago and Monty Python’s Spamalot. One of my favorite memories? Giving Alice Cooper a golf cart tour of White River State Park before his performance. I also worked there as a Maintenance Coordinator, which gave me a unique perspective on managing large-scale events and venues.

 

Life motto: “I hope I’m at least half the man my dogs think I am.”

No dogs currently—but I’m definitely looking forward to being rescued by one soon.

 

I’m proud to be part of this team and always ready to jump in wherever I’m needed!

Anela Hill

Guest Programs Coordinator

Anela earned her B.S. from Purdue University in 2024 in Wildlife and Aquatic Sciences with a focus on habitat management and sensitive species conservation. She has a strong passion for bat ecology in the Midwest and advocating for critters that are commonly overlooked or misunderstood.

In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, baking, plant care, hiking, and spending quality time with her family and pets.

I have always been deeply obsessed with wildlife and the natural world in general, so I’m happy to be able to teach others about it while also getting close with animals I otherwise wouldn’t see around here in Indiana (at least for the past 100-200 years). I’ve previously worked as a childrens’ educator at a nature preserve down in southern Indiana, so this has been the next step up for me and I’m happy to branch out.

Whenever I’m not here at WP, I love doing nature photography, coking, baking, gardening, taking care of my animals back home (chickens, ducks, dog, and reptiles), deep-diving into incredibly niche topics, playing games, birding, herping, bug hunting, and otherwise engaging in shenanigans.

Izzy Espinoza

Youth Programs Coordinator

Currently studying English Education and Wildlife Sciences at Purdue, she has a deep love for animals and nature and enjoys sharing this passion with the next generation of wildlife advocates through camps.

Her hobbies include reading, writing, photographing Wolf Park ambassadors, and spending time outdoors.

Makaila Summers

Education Program Specialist

Makaila adores working with Izzy to teach the next generation crucial information and skills for wildlife conservation and appreciation. She is currently a student at Purdue studying English Education and Sociology. She hopes to work as a high school English teacher or a writer for a big environmental company.

She loves looking at bugs, reading, needlepointing, and spending hours swimming or floating.

Catherine Brainard

Guest Services Specialist

Catherine has an Associate’s in Design Technology from Ivy Tech and is currently pursuing a B.A in Professional and Creative Writing at Purdue University. Having been surrounded by animals all her life, Catherine has a deep love for critters of all sizes and is excited to be a part of the Wolf Park team in serving the animals and educating people about them!

In her spare time, Catherine loves to play video games, read, write, draw, and care for her two snakes at home.

Rose Mosier

Interpretive Naturalist

Rose is currently a student at Purdue University majoring in Wildlife.

Her hobbies include drawing, reading, and crafting.

Roman Nester

Interpretive Naturalist

I’m a Wildlife Biology student at Purdue also minoring in Entomology. I’m pretty new to Wolf Park, having just joined this past fall, but I’ve been enjoying my time here being able to teach others about our wolves and other Indiana wildlife. That and being here also gives me an outlet to pursue my hobby in wildlife photography when I get the chance, especially with all the insects and other wild animals that live here in our surrounding preserve.

 

I have always been deeply obsessed with wildlife and the natural world in general, so I’m happy to be able to teach others about it while also getting close with animals I otherwise wouldn’t see around here in Indiana (at least for the past 100-200 years). I’ve previously worked as a childrens’ educator at a nature preserve down in southern Indiana, so this has been the next step up for me and I’m happy to branch out.

 

Whenever I’m not here at WP, I love doing nature photography, coking, baking, gardening, taking care of my animals back home (chickens, ducks, dog, and reptiles), deep-diving into incredibly niche topics, playing games, birding, herping, bug hunting, and otherwise engaging in shenanigans.

Ainsley Marshall

Social Media Content Coordinator

Ainsley started her time with Wolf Park as a volunteer and was hired as Social Media Coordinator in September 2025. She received her B.A. in Music History & Literature with a minor in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership from the University of Florida. She has had a lifelong passion for wolves and wildlife, and a history of experience working with animals and nonprofit organizations.

In her spare time, Ainsley can be found outdoors, making music, reading, or spending time with her two cats, Pigeon and Mazie.

Jumana Toukan

Administrative Assistant

Jumana is currently a Psychology student at Ivy Tech and looks forward to completing her bachelor’s degree at Purdue. Growing up with many pets and a deep love for nature, she was thrilled to have the opportunity to work at Wolf Park alongside it’s amazing team.

In her free time, she enjoys fixing cars, learning new handy skills, gaming, and spending time outdoors.

Andrea Bolton

Administrative Assistant

Andrea is currently a General Studies student at Ivy Tech and is hoping to either apply to Vet school or advance her career in Animal Behavior in the next few years. Andrea has always had a passion for animal behavior and has earned a diploma as a canine obedience instructor. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing, and hanging out with her son and their animals.

August South

Administrative Assistant

August is a Wildlife Sciences student at Purdue University with a passion for conservation, environmental education, and all things outdoors.

When they’re not at Wolf Park, you can find them birding around Tippecanoe County, photographing wildlife, or identifying blurry images of birds sent by their friends.

Blaize Marshall

Grounds Crew

Blaize has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the University of Houston. He currently works as a maintenance technician with the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department and spends his weekends working at Wolf Park.

He enjoys playing guitar, working on his cars and motorcycles, and taking long walks.