Tracey Thomas

H.R. & Administrative Director

Tracey brings a strong background in administrative and operational roles and has recently earned her SHRM certification. She is on track to complete her B.S. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology in February 2025.

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

 

Tracey Thomas

H.R. & Administrative Director

Tracey brings a strong background in administrative and operational roles and has recently earned her SHRM certification. She is on track to complete her B.S. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology in February 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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

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 (All Aquarian Art), hiking, DnD campaigns, and archery. 

Debbie Gianaris

Nutritional Coordinator

Debbie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Montana and brings over 25 years of experience in animal nutrition, having worked with Pet-Ag, Inc. and Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing USTA tennis, and spending time with her family and her dog, Casper.

Sam Smith

Educational Programs Manager

With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Purdue and experience as an educator at Columbian Park Zoo, Sam is passionate about sharing knowledge on conservation and ensuring every guest at Wolf Park has an unforgettable experience.

Sam’s interests include all things Spider-Man, hockey, and werewolves, along with writing, hiking, playing video games, and exploring Indiana’s native wildlife.

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 (All Aquarian Art), hiking, DnD campaigns, and archery. 

Debbie Gianaris

Nutritional Coordinator

Debbie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Montana and brings over 25 years of experience in animal nutrition, having worked with Pet-Ag, Inc. and Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing USTA tennis, and spending time with her family and her dog, Casper.

Sam Smith

Educational Programs Manager

With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Purdue and experience as an educator at Columbian Park Zoo, Sam is passionate about sharing knowledge on conservation and ensuring every guest at Wolf Park has an unforgettable experience.

Sam’s interests include all things Spider-Man, hockey, and werewolves, along with writing, hiking, playing video games, and exploring Indiana’s native wildlife.

Izzy Espinoza

Education Program Specialist

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.

Izzy Espinoza

Education Program Specialist

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.

Rose Mosier

Interpretive Naturalist

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

Her hobbies include drawing, reading, and crafting.

Rose Mosier

Interpretive Naturalist

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

Her hobbies include drawing, reading, and crafting.

Catherine Brainard

Interpretive Naturalist

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.

Riley Hunter

Interpretive Naturalist

Riley is currently a student at Purdue University studying Genetics. Specifically he has quite an affinity for plants and their role in the ecosystems around them.

His hobbies include Hiking, Gardening and Cooking.

Erik Wilbur

Facilities & Animal Care Support

Erik has over 15 years of experience working with wolves and other canids at Wolf Haven International in Washington state, as well as having completed a Wolf Park internship in 2010.

When not wrangling wolves, Erik can be found on beaches across the west coast doing professional sand sculpting.

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.

Drew Cox

Grounds Crew

In 2023, Drew earned a DMA from the University of Illinois. He is currently an adjunct teacher at Purdue for jazz history. 

In his spare time, Drew is working toward an AAS in Renewable Energy Technology at Ivy Tech. Other hobbies include being in and on any type of water (particularly kayaking).

Catherine Brainard

Interpretive Naturalist

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.

Riley Hunter

Interpretive Naturalist

Riley is currently a student at Purdue University studying Genetics. Specifically he has quite an affinity for plants and their role in the ecosystems around them.

His hobbies include Hiking, Gardening and Cooking.

Erik Wilbur

Facilities & Animal Care Support

Erik has over 15 years of experience working with wolves and other canids at Wolf Haven International in Washington state, as well as having completed a Wolf Park internship in 2010.

When not wrangling wolves, Erik can be found on beaches across the west coast doing professional sand sculpting.

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.

Drew Cox

Grounds Crew

In 2023, Drew earned a DMA from the University of Illinois. He is currently an adjunct teacher at Purdue for jazz history. 

In his spare time, Drew is working toward an AAS in Renewable Energy Technology at Ivy Tech. Other hobbies include being in and on any type of water (particularly kayaking).