Board of Directors
The Fisheries Conservation Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that oversees strategic planning, project selection, foundation finances, and partnership development.
David P. Philipp, CEO and Chairman
Principal Scientist, Retired, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois
Dr. David Philipp is the Principal Scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, a research department within the Institute of Natural Resources Sustainability at the University of Illinois. His research interests focus on three major areas: conservation genetics, reproductive ecology, and the effects of fishing on natural populations. His findings have helped to document the negative impacts of outbreeding depression that can result from hatchery stocking programs, as well as to illustrate the evolutionary effects that fishing can have on natural populations. Much of his research has targeted centrarchid species, particularly focusing on the factors that impact their parental care activities, reproductive success, and annual recruitment. In recent years, Dr. Philipp has broadened his interest in these research topics to include the marine flats ecosystem, studying bonefish reproductive behaviors and the effects of recreational angling on post-release behavior and survival of flats fishes. Dave was one of the original group of founders spearheading the formation of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, and he currently serves as the Chair of its Board of Directors.
Kim Stanhope
CFO and Office Manager
Kim has been an integral part of FCF since 2007, bringing a diverse skill set and a wealth of experience to the organization. Initially joining as an editor, she played a key role in developing printed marketing materials. As communication methods evolved, Kim’s role adapted as well, transitioning to the digital realm where she became the webmaster, overseeing the development and management of three iterations of the FCF website.
In addition to her web responsibilities, Kim also serves as the office manager and CFO, contributing to the day-to-day operations and financial oversight of the organization. Her versatility and commitment have made her a cornerstone of FCF’s success over the years.
Julie Claussen
COO and Director of Operations
Julie Claussen is a fisheries research biologist with a career spanning research, conservation, stakeholder engagement, and science communication. A co-founder of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, she has worked extensively to bridge the gap between science and natural resource management. During her tenure with the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois, Julie led projects on reproductive life histories, conservation genetics, sustainable fisheries practices, and the role of recreational fishing in ecosystem health. She believes in a strong collaboration with stakeholders, fostering community engagement, and promoting sustainable practices and to that end, has championed the integration of evidence-based science into conservation efforts and natural resource management. She continues to dedicate her time to making complex ecological concepts accessible to diverse audiences.
Steven Cooke
Carleton Univeristy
Professor of Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology and Canada Research Chair, Institute of Environmental Science and Department of Biology, Carleton University (Canada)
Dr. Steven Cooke’s research covers many disciplines in the areas of fish ecology, physiology, and behavior, as well as research in human dimensions, knowledge mobilization, and policy. In 2015, he founded the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, which synthesizes information for policy makers. His research findings (600+ peer-reviewed publications) have ranged from fish passage solutions and habitat restoration activities, to addressing issues related to fish and turtle bycatch and innovations in recreational fisheries management. He has worked diligently to raise the profile of inland fish and fisheries to resource development globally.
Steve’s hard work in creative approaches in science and his ability to engage in partnership research has been recognized with several awards, including the Roderick Haig-Brown Award, the Latornell Leadership Award, and NSERC E.W.R. Steacie Award (given to the top six under-40 Canadian scientists), as well as being elected into the College of the Royal Society of Canada. Steve is an active member of the American Fisheries Society and is currently serving as President of the International Fisheries Section.
Marlis Douglas
Endowed Professor, Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas
Dr. Marlis R. Douglas is an endowed professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas. She co-directs aCaMEL (Arkansas Molecular Ecology and Conservation Laboratory) and works with a team of graduate students and collaborators on research that focuses on conservation and management of biodiversity. The lab strives to understand how fish species diversify within a riverscape perspective, and how this knowledge can be translated into management and conservation in a changing world.
The lab uses a variety of approaches, including genetics, morphometrics, and field-ecology. Major research foci include conservation genetics of southwestern desert fishes, and biodiversity assessment of Himalayan fishes in Bhutan, but Dr. Douglas’s interests are broad and extend from invasive to threatened and endangered species, and from local to global scales.
Bryant Dunn
Director, Himalayan River United
Bryant Dunn is the Director of Himalayan Rivers United, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote angling-based conservation across the Himalayan range. When not working to promote fisheries conservation, Bryant runs his international angling business, Wanderlust Flyfishing Adventures, and his domestic outfitting business, Sun Valley Outfitters, headquartered in the American Rocky Mountains of Idaho.
As a guide and outfitter, both domestically and internationally, for over 25 years, Bryant has witnessed both successful and failed conservation models across the globe. This experience has been crucial in contributing to Bryant’s passion for riverine conservation and developing solutions to the myriad challenges that face fisheries, and the human populations that depend on them. Bryant’s work is currently focused in the Himalayas, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific among other remote and exotic locales.
Michael Philipp
CEO, Ambata Capital Management
Michael Philipp is the Managing Partner of Ambata, a global investment and advisory firm specializing in clean energy and sustainability, with a strategic focus on the Middle East and Africa. For the past 25 years, he has held senior management positions across the financial services industry, including Credit Suisse as a member of their Executive Board, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and Deutsche Bank as a Member of the Board of Managing Directors and Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Asset Management. Michael holds a bachelor of arts, an M.B.A. in finance, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. He is chairman of Reykjavik Energy and a board member of World Wildlife Fund – US.
Aaron Shultz
Fisheries Biologist, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Dr. Aaron Shultz is a Fisheries Biologist at the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). In this role, he investigates the vulnerability of inland fish to climate change throughout the Ceded Territories in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota and works in collaboration with non-profit organizations, universities, and state and federal agencies to conserve these fisheries for future generations. His previous research focused on the ecology of marine and freshwater fishes, with an emphasis on how anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., development, climate change) and recreational angling may influence fish movement, behavior, physiology, and survival. Recently, his collaborative research projects on marine fish have focused on the reproductive ecology of bonefish, which led to the identification of multiple pre-spawning aggregations sites on several Bahamian islands. In addition to his role at GLIFWC, Aaron is an adjunct professor at Michigan State University, is an associate editor at Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, and serves on the steering committee for the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership.
Jeffrey Stein
Fisheries Research Scientist, University of Illinois
Dr. Jeffrey Stein works as a fisheries scientist at the University of Illinois where his research focuses on linkages between ecological function and exploitation of fish populations by humans. Using basic and applied research approaches, he explores how human activities can impact the reproductive ecology and behavior of fishes, ultimately translating findings into meaningful and effective conservation actions. A large component of that research investigates the impact of catch-and-release angling on the reproductive life history and recruitment dynamics of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), a popular freshwater sport fish. Additionally, Jeff worked on a study with our partners, the Cape Eleuthera Institute, that focused on a long-term historical shark data, re-creating a study from a dataset detailing the diversity and abundance of shark populations in The Bahamas that took place over 30 years ago. This research project looked at historical variation in the diversity, abundance and demographic population structure of apex predator assemblages to provide insight into the effectiveness of potential conservation strategies. A manuscript is currently in production.
Rick Williams
Conservation Biologist
Dr. Rick Williams is a fisheries ecologist with 30+ years experience working and consulting on native salmon and trout conservation in western North America, with particular expertise in Columbia River salmon recovery. Rick also has years of experience in the fly fishing industry as an outfitter, guide, and retail fly fishing shop owner. He is a Life member of Fly Fishers International (FFI) and Trout Unlimited (TU) and has traveled the world as a certified Master Casting Instructor and a Two-Hand Spey Casting Instructor.