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Staff

Karah Rawlings, M.P.A.

Executive Director

Karah was hired in May of 2019 as Wolf Park’s Executive Director. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Purdue University and her Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Some personal hobbies include reading, native plant and vegetable gardening, and camping.

Pat Goodmann, M.S.

Head Animal Curator Emerita

Pat started out as a graduate student with Wolf Park in August 1974. She was later hired in May of 1978. Pat received her B.A., specializing in Zoology, from Stephens College. She then received her M.S. in Psychology from Purdue University. Some personal hobbies include reading, horses, and dogs.

Jon Joyce

Head Curator

Jon was hired as Wolf Park’s Head Curator in January of 2022. He has years of experience with a wide variety of species ranging in size from poison dart frogs to elephants and everything in between including wolves. He is used to grunt work such as scooping poop, but also has a lot of experience navigating government regulations which is an important part of keeping zoos and nature centers on the right side of the law. He is a professional member of ZAA and AAZK. He is especially passionate about birds of prey and is a member of the Indiana Falconers Association.

Kimber Hendrix, M.S.

Animal Care Supervisor

Kimber started out as a volunteer with Wolf Park in July 2012. She was later hired in May of 2014. She received her B.A. and M.S. from Purdue University. Kimber is an IAABC Supporting Member, IZE Member, ZAA Professional Member, ZRA Professional Member, and associated with Living and Learning Animals 2020. Some personal hobbies include reading, hiking, crocheting, spending time with family, and learning new things.

Nikki Yoder

Public Engagement Director

Nikki started out as a volunteer with Wolf Park in August 2019. She was later hired in June 2021. Nikki received her Bachelors from Purdue University in Animal Sciences with a focus in Behavior and Wellbeing in 2013 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.

Rain Gerteis

Education and Advocacy Coordinator

Rain was hired as the Education and Advocacy Coordinator at Wolf Park in January of 2023. After working in public libraries for four years, she’s developed a passion for creating engaging educational programs for people of all ages. Her hobbies include watching movies, gardening, and taking pictures of other people’s cats. Rain received her B.A. in History and English from the Mississippi University for Women, and she’s currently pursuing her M.S. in Information Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Caroline Kester

Education and Outreach Project Manager

Caroline was hired as the Education and Outreach Project Manager at Wolf Park in May of 2023. Her hobbies include knitting, hiking, and volunteering for a range of organizations including Tree Lafayette and 4 Precious Paws. A recent graduate of Purdue University, Caroline has her B.S.E. in Multidisciplinary Engineering. Her degree was concentrated in engineering applications to theatre and entertainment, developing a range of skills not just in technical arenas, but also as a project manager working to supervise and balance personnel, timelines, and budgets.

Monty Sloan

Photographer/ Senior Keeper

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.

Dan Weiss, Ph.D.

Senior Keeper

Dan started out as a volunteer with Wolf Park in July 2013. He was later hired in November of 2017. He received his B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Ithaca College, his M.S. in Sociology from Purdue University, and his Ph.D. in Sociology from Purdue University.

Lauren MacKichan

Senior Keeper

Lauren started as an intern at Wolf Park in February 2019. They were hired as a Seasonal Keeper in 2021. Lauren graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and has worked with animals professionally for 7 years, dedicating the last 6 years to caring for over 60 different species of wildlife and exotics. She has experience working in a wide variety of sectors within the animal profession, including research labs, veterinary clinics, animal care and husbandry positions, as well as currently working toward her training certification through CCPDT. Lauren is passionate about ethical fear-free training methods and an animal centric approach to working with wildlife, placing their welfare and quality of life at the forefront of their care. In their free time, Lauren loves caring for their plants and playing in dirt, rollerblading, exploring with friends, journaling, and morning snuggles with their cat, Fig.

Tom Schumacker

Associate Keeper
Tom graduated HS from York Community High School Elmhurst, IL, in 1969, attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL, and then spent six years in the Navy and Navy reserves as a Navy medic attached to the 2nd Battalion 24th Marines.
After 24 years managing restaurants, at age 45 decided he needed a career change, so he quit my job and went back to school. Three years later, Tom completed a Nuclear Medicine Technology program and spent the last 19 years of his working career as a nuclear med tech. Tom volunteered at Brookfield Zoo for six years, where Dr. Klinghammer got his first two wolves. After retirement, Tom moved to Monticello, Indiana, and he still lives on the lake there with his wife of 34 years and their three dogs. Tom has been a Wolf Park volunteer since Oct 2018. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and traveling. He loves to serve as a B&B for any of his six kids and ten grandkids when he’s in town.

Selena Kitchener

Associate Keeper

Selena started out as a volunteer with Wolf Park in October 2023 and was later hired in February 2024. She received her B.S. from UC Davis in Animal Sciences with a focus in Behavior in June 2023. She is hoping to further her education by pursuing a PhD in Ethology. She has a passion for behavioral research and working with wildlife. Her hobbies include reading, working out, writing, and spending time with her dog Thor. 

Lucas Russo

Associate Keeper
Lucas started out as an intern at the park in March of 2022. After his internship, he volunteered until he was hired in February of 2024. Lucas received his bachelor’s degrees from Millikin University in Environmental Studies and Criminal Justice. He has also volunteered with Indiana Forest Alliance gathering data in Hoosier National Forest for their EcoBlitz Census. He has also served a term with AmeriCorp as a Park Conservationist for the City of West Lafayette. Some of his hobbies include painting and selling his artwork at local events, hiking, and archery. He hopes to be a Falconer one day, and to continue to do environmentally positive work.

Caity

Visitor Center Manager

Susan Laurie

SUPPORT STAFF - SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Susan was hired as Social Media Coordinator in March 2024. Susan received her B.A. in Communication & Culture from Indiana University and M.S. in International Cooperation & Development Economics from universities in Germany and Italy. She has worked on various environmental projects throughout her career – including sanitation in India, transportation in Latin America, and preservation in the Western Balkan region. In her free time, Susan enjoys riding motorcycles, hiking, and baking savory pastries.

Izzy Espinoza

Support Staff - Programs

Izzy was hired as Wolf Park’s Summer Camp Director in May of 2021. She is currently a student at Purdue studying English Education and Wildlife Sciences. She has a deep love for animals and nature, and finds the camps to be a great way to teach this love to the next generation of wildlife advocates. She has many years of experience working with younger kids and animals, and hopes to become an English teacher or zoo educator. Some personal hobbies include reading, writing, taking (almost) too many pictures of Wolf Park ambassadors, and being outside.

Blaize Marshall

Support Staff - Grounds

Blaize started as an intern in the Summer of 2021 and was hired in February of 2023.  He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the University of Houston.  He currently works as an officer with the Lafayette Police Department and spends his weekends working at Wolf Park.  He enjoys playing guitar, working on his cars and motorcycles, and taking long walks.

Chase Clayton

Support Staff - Videographer

Meet our dedicated Wildlife Videographer, Chase Clayton. With a lifelong passion for animals, wildlife, and conservation, Chase has found the perfect home here at Wolf Park. Raised on a healthy diet of animal documentaries, Chase’s fascination with the natural world was evident from an early age. This passion led to a Film degree from Purdue University, where Chase honed the skills necessary to capture the stunning beauty and intricate complexities of the natural world through the lens of a camera.

At Wolf Park, Chase combines a deep love for wildlife with exceptional videography skills, capturing the powerful stories of our wolves and translating them into engaging, educational content for our community. Beyond being a videographer, Chase is a fervent advocate for conservation and is deeply committed to the future of our planet.

Every frame Chase captures tells a story of the lives of our wolves, their play, their development, their social dynamics, and ultimately, their contribution to the world we share. Through Chase’s lens, we’re not just observing wolves; we’re connecting, understanding, and sharing in their journey.

Rose Mosier

Support Staff - Archives

Rose started as a volunteer in August 2020, and was later hired in February 2023. She is currently a student at Purdue University majoring in Wildlife. Her hobbies include drawing, reading, and crafting.

Grace Moynahan

Support Staff - Marketing

Grace was hired at Wolf Park in February of 2023. She currently attends Purdue University where she is studying Natural Resources and Environmental Science. Her hobbies include photography (specifically wildlife photography), watching movies, and going to concerts.

Riley Hunter

SUPPORT STAFF - PROGRAMS

Riley was hired at Wolf Park in October 2023. He 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.

a close up of a dog

WOLF PARK'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susan Rowe, President
Jen Schumaker, Vice President 
Edie M. Doland, Treasurer
Robin Adams , Secretary
Dr. Gordon M. Burghardt
Holly Jaycox
Shawna Lusk
Sheila Klinker
Steve Knecht
Dr. Nicola Osypka
Randy Vernon
Gladys Wright
Dr. Clive Wynne