Fred Johnston
Fred Johnston is the Chairperson of the W.O.L.F. Board of Directors. He joined the W.O.L.F. Board of Directors in 2018. He has degrees from Colorado State University in Psychology and Animal Science. From 1975 to 1998 Fred was a successful restaurateur in Longmont, Ft. Collins and Boulder. He managed hundreds of employees and worked cooperatively with countless governmental regulatory agencies. In 2002, Fred and his wife formed Summit Real Estate and Marketing. They developed and sold subdivisions in Weld and Boulder counties. They has been active in the Red Feather Lakes community since 1976, and they opened a Summit office in RFL in 2010. Fred’s deep contacts and excellent reputation n the Red Feather Lakes community will help W.O.L.F. make the transition to our new home in the RFL area. Fred is the Guardian Angel for W.O.L.F.’s beloved Nashoba.
Christopher Johnston
Chris joined the W.O.L.F Board of Directors in 2019. He graduated from Colorado State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Business Administration focused in Finance & Real Estate, as well as a B.A. in Economics. During school Chris held positions with the Denver Broncos as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain Prairie Region. After graduation Chris worked in a non-profit center involved in education & outreach as the Assistant Director-Interim Director of the Everitt Real Estate Center at Colorado State University for five years. Chris will graduate with his Master of Business Administration in May of 2020.
Recently transitioning, Chris now works as a Market Analyst and Commercial Marketing Manager for LC Real Estate Group in Loveland whose mission is to “Mindfully Create Community”. In his free time Chris enjoys spending time with his two Saint Bernards (Champ & Percy), being in the outdoors. He enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, snowboarding, & fly fishing, and obtained his private pilot certificate several years ago. Chris is very excited to be a part of supporting the W.O.L.F. mission!
Peter J. Dauster
Pete Dauster joined the W.O.L.F. Board of Directors in 2018. He has been practicing law in Fort Collins, Colorado since 2007 with a broad based civil practice. Prior to moving to Fort Collins, Pete practiced law in Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee. Pete is also licensed to practice law in Wyoming.
Pete graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in Administrative Management in 1985 and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at Memphis State University in 1989. In 2011 Pete completed the 40-Hour Mediation Training course through the Colorado Bar Association.
Pete is a member of the Larimer County Bar Association, where he is a former member of the executive board and the former President (2016-17). He is also a member of the Colorado and Wyoming Bar Associations.
Pete’s community service has included serving as legal counsel and former Board member (2010-2013) of Animal House, a Fort Collins no-kill dog rescue shelter. He currently a volunteer mediator for the City of Fort Collins’ community mediation program. Pete is the Guardian Angel for W.O.L.F.’s beautiful wolf dog Nysa.
Cynthia Wright
Cynthia Wright is an accomplished HR professional with over 20 years of experience managing and strategizing HR functions, primarily in the manufacturing sector. Based in Marietta, GA, she has redesigned key programs such as succession planning, mentoring, and talent management. Cynthia has a strong technical background in HRIS systems and extensive experience in RFPs, evaluations, and implementations. She excels in deep-dive analysis, process improvement, and strategy development, serving as both an HR generalist and specialist.
Cynthia is dedicated to relationship-building and professional development, having served as a Board Member/Secretary for the Southeast Benefits Education Network and a Steering Committee Member of Worldwide Employee Benefits. She is an active member of SHRM National and SHRM-Atlanta, holding SHRM-SCP, SPHR, and CEBS certifications.
Outside of work, Cynthia is passionate about animal welfare. She volunteers at Good Mews Animal Foundation, a cage-free cat shelter in Marietta, GA, where she serves on several committees and is the current Treasurer. With over 16 years of volunteer experience, she has also participated in rescue operations with the ASPCA and is deeply committed to animal rights advocacy. Cynthia’s interest in W.O.L.F. Sanctuary stems from her desire to support animals in need and contribute her nonprofit expertise to further the organization’s mission.
Jessi Russell
Jessi began her career in the sports media department at the University of Alabama. Her previous work experience includes time at Weber Shandwick, Momentum Worldwide, and VMLY&R Commerce, where she gained vast exposure to working with large brands in the DOD, oil, and spirits industries. Since 2021, Jessi has worked as a Senior Producer at Bowstring, a creative production studio outside Philadelphia. Her role includes everything from strategy and pre-production through post.
Growing up in an Air Force family, Jessi appreciates travel and has lived in Wyoming, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Illinois. Jessi has also recently added “Director” to her resume. With a Bachelor’s in Telecommunications and Film and a Master’s in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Alabama, Jessi is currently a part-time Master’s student at the University of Florida in Sports Management with a concentration in Sports Law. Jessi hosts a podcast, Pigskin & Pageantry, dedicated to all things SEC football and enjoys taking the stage in community theater productions when her schedule allows.
Jessi has always felt an innate connection to wolves. As a child, her bedroom was decorated with a wolf theme, while others her age gravitated toward Disney characters and flowers. As an adult, she felt forever changed after visiting a wolf and wildlife sanctuary and experiencing these majestic creatures up close and personal. Though she has continually used her social platforms, finances, and voice to support conversation, protection, and rescue efforts for wolves, the atrocities that occurred in Daniel, WY, in early 2024 left her feeling lost and defeated. It was then that she decided to look for more ways to use her professional skills to help those without a voice of their own. She soon found W.O.L.F. Sanctuary. She is humbled by the opportunity to serve on the board and looks forward to making an impact alongside this incredible team.
Audrey Nelson
Audrey Nelson, PhD., is an international trainer, key-note speaker, author, and consultant who helps organizations increase productivity and profitability through winning communication strategies. She specializes in gender communication, unconscious bias, inclusion, conflict management, generational and interpersonal communication skills. She holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Communication with Post Doctorate work at Warnbrough College, Oxford, U.K. Audrey is a published author. Audrey is the gender communication blogger for Psychology Today.
About ten years ago, Audrey read The Killing of Wolf Number Ten. It was a disturbing account of the illegal killing of a remarkable wolf. She made a promise when she retired to get involved with the saving and preservation of these keystone species. Becoming a board member of W.O.L.F. is the actualization of this goal. Her menagerie of animals has included horses, a donkey, 5 dogs at one time, and cats.
Jim Searle
Jim Searle joined the W.O.L.F. Board of Directors in 2024. An accomplished business executive with over two decades in the medical device industry, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics from Hartwick College. Jim has a proven track record of driving sales, revenue, and profitability growth. He has played vital roles in startups, including Area Vice President West for Regeneration at Enovis, General Manager at Legion Electric Vehicles, Managing Director and Co-Founder of CoreLogix Medical, and Vice President at Theragen Inc. He is currently a co-owner of 303 Cart Barn, showcasing his continued entrepreneurial expertise.
Jim’s commitment to wildlife conservation aligns perfectly with W.O.L.F. Sanctuary’s mission. His strategic planning, fundraising, and community outreach skills and dedication to service and leadership make him a valuable addition to the board. His volunteer work as a paramedic and fireman underscores his desire to positively impact his community.
In his spare time, Jim enjoys outdoor activities with his wife, Jennifer, their two sons, Cameron and Graham, and their golden retriever, Marley. He looks forward to contributing to W.O.L.F.’s growth and success as a board member.