The people behind Wild Spirit

A team of veterinarians, scientists, and conservation experts.

Wild Spirit® is, above all, about good people.
As an international nonprofit organization, we are a diverse and committed team with a real presence in Africa, combining decades of experience with a shared vision: that wildlife conservation is possible, urgent, and necessary.

Our team brings together field veterinarians, researchers, strategists, and educators united by a shared conviction.

Professional portrait of Fabiola Jones in an outdoor conservation setting.

Fabiola Quesada

Founder & Veterinarian | Board Member in Spain, South Africa, and the USA

Dr Fabiola Quesada Fernández is the founder and driving force behind Wild Spirit. She built the foundation from the ground up and has grown it into an international conservation organisation with deep roots across Africa.

With over fifteen years of experience in wildlife health and conservation, her work bridges veterinary medicine, scientific research, and direct field action. Often described as “a force of nature,” she continues to lead Wild Spirit’s mission through global collaboration, One Health research, and conservation where it is needed most.

Brendan Tindall

Wildlife Veterinarian | Board Member (South Africa & USA)

Dr. Tindall has been part of Wild Spirit since its earliest days and has played a fundamental role in its growth and development. With more than 30 years of experience in wildlife veterinary medicine, he is internationally recognised for his expertise in the health and management of endangered African species. As a Board Member and senior wildlife veterinarian, he provides strategic guidance and veterinary leadership across our conservation programmes, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, scientific excellence, and field practice.

Olalla Montes

Business Strategy Advisor | Board Member (South Africa)

Olalla advises the foundation on financial planning, operational strategy, and long-term sustainability. With a strong background in business management, she supports key decision-making processes aimed at optimizing resources and strengthening the organization’s financial resilience.

Juan Luis Quesada

Board Member (Spain)

With more than 35 years of experience in education, Juan Luis leads the foundation’s educational initiatives and fosters collaboration between Spain and Tanzania. He promotes access to education in rural communities and contributes to the foundation’s strategic direction.

Martin Krog

Project Director | Board Member (Spain & South Africa)

Martin leads our field conservation projects and oversees on-the-ground operations. With more than 25 years of experience in African wildlife management, he brings deep practical knowledge and expertise.

Kate Bjordahl

Veterinarian | Board Member (USA)

Dr Bjordahl is a dedicated veterinarian and philanthropist who believes in the transformative power of sport and nature, and in the unique bond between humans and animals as essential foundations for health, well-being, and a meaningful life.

Heath Seerden

Board Member (USA)

A committed philanthropist who shares Wild Spirit’s vision. Heath & Cindy Seerden support the foundation’s long-term sustainability and the protection of natural ecosystems, with a particular focus on the legacy we leave to future generations.

Wild Spirit® works with an international network of veterinarians, researchers, conservationists, and collaborators who contribute their expertise to every one of our programs.

Our Global Network

TANZANIA

Carel Verhoef & Sally Grierson

Kazi Ya Tembo Project Leaders

They lead conservation initiatives through sustainable tourism in Tanzania. Their work focuses on elephant protection and reducing human–wildlife conflict through innovative solutions such as drone monitoring and water resource management.

TANZANIA

Mosses Mollel

Educational Program Director | Achieving Dreams NGO

A Maasai educator and Director of the Wild Spirit School in Tanzania. Through his leadership and the support of Wild Spirit, hundreds of children gain access to education each year, creating opportunities for future generations and helping reduce human–wildlife conflict.

USA

Sara Dietz

US Development & Partnerships

Dr. Dietz is a veterinarian currently pursuing board certification in small animal surgery in Massachusetts. After joining one of Wild Spirit’s conservation projects in Africa, she experienced firsthand the impact of our work and was inspired to help expand our mission in the United States.

GABON

Antonio Anoro

Gabon Untouched | Field Operations & Logistics

Founder of Gabon Untouched and a key collaborator in the foundation’s work in Gabon. He supports field operations and contributes to conservation initiatives focused on great apes and community-based protection.

ITALY

Jennifer Rabaglietti

Veterinarian | Representative in Italy

Dr. Rabaglietti is a long-standing collaborator with more than 12 years of involvement with the organization. She has supported the development of Wild Spirit since its early days and continues to strengthen its international network.

USA

Frank Sculli

Board Advisor | USA

Frank Sculli is a New York–based entrepreneur with deep experience in healthcare technology, fundraising, business development, and innovation. Franks company, BioDigital, transformed complex medical concepts into accessible digital experiences for millions of students and healthcare professionals around the world. At Wild Spirit, he supports the foundation’s global missions and growth in the United States, helping build strategic partnerships and expand its impact.

USA

Kate Owens

Veterinarian | Change to Wild Program, USA

A veterinarian and specialist in veterinary practice management in the United States, Dr Kate Owens leads Change to Wild, Wild Spirit USA’s round-up programme in American veterinary clinics. She has also participated in numerous Wild Spirit field conservation projects across Africa, supporting our mission both strategically and on the ground.

Spain

Bárbara Martín-M & Fernando Esperón

Wildlife Health Research | UEM. PhD. Proff.

Dr Barbara Martín-Maldonado and Dr Fernando Esperón are experts in wildlife health and infectious diseases, applying molecular diagnostics to study diseases within a One Health framework. Their research focuses on molecular epidemiology, disease surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance. Based at Universidad Europea de Madrid, they provide scientific leadership and support for Wild Spirit’s research programmes, ensuring scientific rigour while strengthening the link between conservation, research, and global health.

South Africa

Elisa Nemes

Global Leader in Tuberculosis Immunology / PhD

Professor Elisa Nemes is an internationally recognised leader in tuberculosis immunology at the University of Cape Town and Principal Investigator at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI). With a background in immunology and vaccinology, and a passion for wildlife conservation, she helps bridge world-leading human health research with wildlife medicine. Through Wild Spirit, she brings cutting-edge immunological techniques and scientific thinking to the next generation of wildlife veterinarians, embodying the true spirit of One Health.

Spain

Nerea Achucarro

Veterinarian | Logistics & Project Development

She supports the foundation’s operations through logistics coordination and the development of initiatives across multiple conservation projects.

SPAIN

Pepe Arespacochaga

Wildlife Photographer | Conservation Storyteller

Pepe Arespacochaga is a Spanish wildlife photographer whose life and career have been deeply shaped by Africa. He has lived and worked across countries including Ethiopia, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Through his lens, Pepe captures the essence of Wild Spirit and bears witness to our work in the field, transforming conservation moments into powerful visual stories.

SPAIN

Ruth González & Laura Quesada

Brand Experience & Digital Design

They shape the way Wild Spirit speaks to the world, ensuring that every image, every word, and every interaction reflects the same purpose: protecting nature through hope, respect, and action. Drawing on their experience in product design, UX, and brand strategy, they create a consistent visual and digital identity that transforms the foundation’s mission into an experience that is engaging, inspiring, and easy to connect with. They believe people protect what they feel connected to—and their role is to make that connection meaningful and lasting.