Meet the minds

behind the mission

Mission

To inspire and educate the public about wild animals by dispelling myths, sharing science-based knowledge, and empowering individuals to take action. Through storytelling, community engagement, and accessible learning, we aim to shift perceptions and build a culture that values and protects the misunderstood creatures among us.

Vision

A world where wild animals are understood, respected, and treated with compassion—where curiosity replaces fear, and coexistence replaces conflict.

Our team

  • Founder

    Tracy is a wildlife rehabilitator, educator, and lifelong advocate for animals—especially the ones most people overlook. With over 15 years of experience working in wildlife centers across Ohio, Florida, and California, Tracy has helped care for thousands of injured animals and led public education efforts to shift how people see the wild world around them.

    She holds a Bachelor’s in Zoology, a degree in Veterinary Technology, and an MBA, combining hands-on expertise with a strategic approach to conservation education. Most recently, she helped launch a wildlife rehabilitation center in Southern California before hitting the road to visit nature centers and conservation projects across North America.

    Now, through Wild and Misunderstood, Tracy is on a mission to replace fear with curiosity and encourage more compassionate, informed coexistence with wild animals.

  • Design Director

    Kim is an artist, creator, and lifelong animal lover with a passion for bringing stories to life through bold, imaginative design. With a background in clay work, painting, and large-scale murals, Kim brings a distinctive creative voice to Wild and Misunderstood. Her unique style blends whimsy with purpose, helping to visually reframe how people see the wild animals around them.

    When she’s not designing for Wild and Misunderstood, Kim works at a public library, where she shares her love of creativity by leading community craft events. Her own home is filled with art supplies and stacks of books—along with her beloved (and slightly spoiled) crew of animals: a dog, several cats, and a growing flock of chickens she’s come to adore.

    Kim believes that great design can shift perception, spark empathy, and invite people of all ages to learn more about the misunderstood creatures we share our world with.

  • Technology Consultant

    Josh is a computer scientist and researcher specializing in artificial intelligence. To maintain balance and step away from the screen, he volunteers with wildlife organizations, where he has helped raise and rehabilitate raccoons, skunks, squirrels, rabbits, various birds, as well as dogs and cats.

    Although he didn’t grow up with pets, Josh developed a deep appreciation for animals through a wide range of experiences during his college years at Cal Poly Humboldt, located in Northern California’s redwood forests. Simply walking to class meant hiking through towering trees, and his coursework often included studying tide pool ecosystems and foraging for mushrooms. It was during this time that he adopted a vegan lifestyle—a commitment he has maintained for nearly 20 years—deepening his understanding of the complex relationships between humans and animals.

Contact us

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