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Staff

Shaunna Costicov-McCombe

Executive Director

Shaunna CM comes to Wolf Park with over 20 years of experience in the corporate world, non-profit management, and wildlife conservation. She’s all about making things run smoothly and sustainably, with a knack for boosting efficiency and expanding outreach. Shaunna has always been incredibly passionate about wolves, spending over 22 years working with them and other exotics. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her dabbling in watercolors or watching too many horror movies. She’s super excited to help Wolf Park grow and make an even bigger impact.

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.

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.

Tracey Thomas

Human Resources & Administrative Director

Tracey was hired as Wolf Park’s Human Resources & Administrative Director in June of 2024. She has an extensive background in administrative and operational roles and will complete her B.S. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology in February of 2025. Her hobbies include traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her family.

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.

Lucas Russo

Conservation & Animal Care Specialist
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.

Ryan Talbot

Behavioral Enrichment & Training Manager

Ryan started his relationship with Wolf Park when he sponsored Orca back in 2005.  He became a big “behavior nerd” after his first trip to Wolf Park a year later, and started volunteering in the spring of 2007.  He was driving 540+ miles one-way from Virginia to volunteer for short stretches, until finally moving to Indiana in 2014 to be more readily available.  A software engineer by trade, Ryan holds a BS in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech.  He is a certified professional animal trainer (CPAT) through the IATCB, and loves training for cooperative husbandry.  When he’s not training wolves or his goats, or wearing his engineering hat(s), Ryan enjoys: traveling, hiking, trying not to poison himself with wild edibles, motorcycles, playing guitar poorly and really awful puns.

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. Debbie 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.

Erik Wilber

Interim Facilities & Animal Care Support

Erik arrived at Wolf Park in December of 2024 and will be assisting with anything and everything through the spring of 2025. He 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.

Sam Smith

Educational Programs Manager

Sam was hired at Wolf Park in May of 2024. Combining a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Purdue and experience as an educator at Columbian Park Zoo, Sam has a dedication to spreading knowledge about conservation while also making sure every guest at Wolf Park has a memorable visit! Some passions include anything and everything to do with Spider-Man, hockey, and werewolves! Sam also enjoys writing, hiking, playing video games, and of course, learning about the wildlife native to Indiana!

Izzy Espinoza

Education Program Specialist

Izzy was hired as an Education Program Specialist 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.

Makaila Summers

Education Program Specialist

Makaila was hired at Wolf Park in May of 2024. She 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.

Grace Moynahan

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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.

Kim Robinson

Merchandiser

Kim Robinson, a Purdue University graduate with a BA in Communications, hails from the Brookston, Indiana area. She joined Wolf Park’s staff in 2021. Kim has had an exceptional professional career in broadcasting, marketing, advertising, public relations, and social media. She is a freelance writer, loves to work in her flower beds, and will put a coat of paint on anything that doesn’t move.

Rose Mosier

GUEST EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE

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.

Riley Hunter

GUEST EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE

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.

Catherine Brainard

GUEST EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE

Catherine was hired at Wolf Park in May 2024. She 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.

Samm Buckles

GUEST EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE
Samm was hired at Wolf Park in May 2024 after working over a decade in the reference department of the Tippecanoe County Public Library and then as a visitor information specialist with Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette.
Samm has been a frequent visitor of Wolf Park over the years, even naming one of his cats “Marion” after his favorite wolf. She seems to have been a great match for that name as she is also small and feisty.
Some personal hobbies include enjoying 80s music and movies, collecting rocks, hiking, native gardening, spending time with his cats, and being a connoisseur of pizza and tacos.

Blaize Marshall

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 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

Drew was hired to work grounds and maintenance with Wolf Park in June 2024. In 2023, Drew earned a DMA from the University of Illinois. In the Spring 2024 semester, he taught full-time with Purdue Bands and Orchestras. For the upcoming school year, Drew will continue teaching adjunct while happily continuing with Wolf Park. 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)

a close up of a dog

WOLF PARK'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susan Rowe, President
Jen Schumaker, Vice President 
Steve Knecht, Treasurer
Robin Adams , Secretary
Holly Jaycox
Sheila Klinker
Dr. Nicola Osypka
Randy Vernon
Gladys Wright
Dr. Clive Wynne, Director of Research