Our board is looking very healthy, and with the commitments made by our new board in South Africa, we have the makings of a truly impactful and committed brains trust that will drive the organization forward astutely, ethically and efficiently.
Meet the board members
The USA Board
The USA Board of Directors for the 501(c)(3)
Shannon Elizabeth
Founder
Shannon Elizabeth
Founder
Shannon has a deep and abiding respect for all life and is a staunch protagonist of a vegan lifestyle. In 2001, she began to follow her true life’s passion of saving animals by launching her non-profit, Animal Avengers, first as a dog and cat rescue operation and then with the broader remit of wildlife conservation. Shannon continues her acting career, but her primary focus has become helping wild animals in Africa and elsewhere by whatever means necessary. In order to be hands on with her projects and to expand their scope and influence, Shannon moved to Africa in 2016 and now lives in Cape Town.
The media development of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, especially production of video content, will be a major aspect of Shannon’s ongoing work. In addition, Shannon continues to travel for acting and public appearances, speaking engagements and whenever needed to help animals in the hope of making the world an even better place.
Stephen Ham
Board member
Stephen Ham
Board member
He received a degree in anthropology and environmental studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a returned volunteer with the United States Peace Corps where he served in Ghana, West Africa. Before moving into the role of Vice President of Individual Giving at Wildlife Conservation Society, Stephen was Senior Director with the African Wildlife Foundation. Stephen also spent years as a special assistant working alongside Dr. Jane Goodall.
When not looking for leopards, Stephen lives in the New York City area with his wife, two daughters and pup Daisy.
Allyson Spellman
Board member
Allyson Spellman
Board member
While working in various capacities in the Broadway, television and film industry Allyson has also built a highly successful business and multi-media platform empowering women to follow their dreams through personal coaching, workshops and motivational speaking. She is passionate about giving back to society and making socially conscious decisions in her everyday life.
Allyson has been devoted to animals and their well being all her life, but says that meeting Shannon changed her life, inspiring her to become an even louder voice for those who have none. After they met she knew there was no turning back or sitting on the sidelines any longer—she is committed to the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation and being active in saving our wildlife from extinction, suffering and abuse.
Her goal through her work with the Foundation is to create a ripple effect of positive change to influence people in the present and for future generations to honor our animals and the environment.
Jeffrey Tutor
Board member
Jeffrey Tutor
Board member
Along with his extensive experience in the handling of mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, private equity, and venture capital, Jeff also specializes in working with athletes, members of the entertainment industry, endowments, non-profit organizations, and private family offices.
Prior to joining Stifel, Jeff spent several years as a senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and UBS. He holds a B. A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Detroit Mercy and sits on the board as a consultant of several organizations and charitable foundations.
Joseph Reitman
Board member
Joseph Reitman
Board member
Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Joseph grew up breakdancing on the streets and helping to run his parents’ business Brookline T-Shirts & Jeans. Music, entertainment and sports were a major part of his school and college life at Pitzer College in California where he majored in theater. Though never a singer, he auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music on a bet and was accepted. Joe also founded Animal Avengers together with Shannon in 2001.
Outside of his successful acting career, Joe enjoys speaking at high schools about the importance of being able to write, cruising on his Harley motorcycle, playing video games and hanging out with his rescue dogs. In his downtime, he teaches acting in Los Angeles whenever possible.
The SA Board
The South African Board of Trustees
Shannon Elizabeth
Founder
Shannon Elizabeth
Founder
Shannon has a deep and abiding respect for all life and is a staunch protagonist of a vegan lifestyle. In 2001, she began to follow her true life’s passion of saving animals by launching her non-profit, Animal Avengers, first as a dog and cat rescue operation and then with the broader remit of wildlife conservation. Shannon continues her acting career, but her primary focus has become helping wild animals in Africa and elsewhere by whatever means necessary. In order to be hands on with her projects and to expand their scope and influence, Shannon moved to Africa in 2016 and now lives in Cape Town.
The media development of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, especially production of video content, will be a major aspect of Shannon’s ongoing work. In addition, Shannon continues to travel for acting and public appearances, speaking engagements and whenever needed to help animals in the hope of making the world an even better place.
Peter Borchert
Honorary Chairman
Peter Borchert
Honorary Chairman
His media and publishing career spans some 45 years, first as managing director of the general book division of Cape Town-based Struik Publishers, now an imprint of the Random House/Penguin group, and from 1992–2013 as the founder and publisher of Africa Geographic magazine. Today, Peter’s commitment to Africa, its wildlife and people, remains integral to his life, now finding expression in his association with the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation and his website Untold Africa.
In addition to furthering the aims of the Foundation in general, Peter will apply his considerable experience in print and digital publishing to the development and content of the Foundation’s Wildlife Review initiative. He is also an experienced public speaker. On most days, when not glued to his laptop, Peter can be found walking his dog, Luna, on Rondebosch Common against the backdrop of Table Mountain.
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal
Board of trustees
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal
Board of trustees
Beyond his work, Khaled is Chairman of the elected Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) Trustee Board, where he will work with stakeholders in business, government and the global environmental movement to help further advance Saudi Arabia’s green building initiative. In early 2018 Khaled was officially appointed to the role of President of the Saudi Fitness and Wellness Federation (SFWF), driving an initiative that unifies various sports and further builds upon the Kingdom’s dedication to a healthy and active citizenry.
Marietta Hopley
Board of trustees
Marietta Hopley
Board of trustees
Marietta’s humanitarian accomplishments are no less impressive. She has met and worked with various heads of state including Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, Yasser Arafat, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Her Majesty the Queen of England. In her work as an experienced war zone administrator she has visited war stricken areas rescuing animals and people in Syria, Iraq, Kabul, Afghanistan, Sudan and Congo.
Conservation also features prominently in Marietta’s commitment to civil society. She is a voting member of International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), dealing with and driving motions applicable to biodiversity, climate change and other global environmental matters. She currently serves on the board of a number of respected non-profit organisations including being the current past chair of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), director of the National Animal Welfare Task Team (NAWTT) and founder of the Great White Shark Protection Foundation.
Yet what motivates Marietta beyond all else is the love for her daughter Mia-Rae and the drive to leave a better world for her.