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Meet the board members

Meet the global leaders of the foundation

The USA Board

The USA Board of Directors for the 501(c)(3)

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.

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Shannon Elizabeth

Founder

Shannon was born in Texas where she grew up before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California to establish her successful acting career...
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Shannon Elizabeth

Founder

Shannon was born in Texas where she grew up before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California to establish her successful acting career. She has starred in over 50 films and television shows, including the global hits American Pie, Scary Movie and the newly rebooted Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.

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.

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Stephen Ham

Board member

Stephen has spent his life dedicated to the field of global conservation and most recently joined the Wildlife Conservation Society in 2016. Whether trekking mountain gorillas...
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Stephen Ham

Board member

Stephen has spent his life dedicated to the field of global conservation and most recently joined the Wildlife Conservation Society in 2016. Whether trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda or whale watching in Antarctica, Stephen is a passionate advocate for wildlife and the wild places they inhabit, particularly for Africa.

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.

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Allyson Spellman

Board member

Multi-talented Allyson Spellman is a US TV personality, empowerment speaker, spokeswoman, Ms. New England States and is currently a show host at JTV Jewelry ...
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Allyson Spellman

Board member

Multi-talented Allyson Spellman is a US TV personality, empowerment speaker, spokeswoman, Ms. New England States and is currently a show host at JTV Jewelry Television. As a lifestyle reporter she has appeared on more than 40 network TV stations nationwide.

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.

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Jeffrey Tutor

Board member

With over 23 years of investment experience, Jeff Tutor and his team of associates joined the Tutor Group in 2016 and serve as the primary consultant of many significant...
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Jeffrey Tutor

Board member

With over 23 years of investment experience, Jeff Tutor and his team of associates joined the Tutor Group in 2016 and serve as the primary consultant of many significant relationships across the country. The Tutor Group maintains a focus on wealth preservation and appreciation through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and customized investment solutions to allow entities and individuals mobilize their resources and maximize their impact.

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.

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Joseph Reitman

Board member

American actor, director, producer, and writer, Joe Reitman’s long list of achievements in television include roles in Happy!, Ray Donovan, Law & Order: SVU, Married with Children ...
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Joseph Reitman

Board member

American actor, director, producer, and writer, Joe Reitman’s long list of achievements in television include roles in Happy!, Ray Donovan, Law & Order: SVU, Married with Children and NCIS: LA, as well as directing The Craig Ferguson Show. His notable film credits include Money Monster, The Perfect Storm, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Clueless.

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

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Shannon Elizabeth

Founder

Shannon was born in Texas where she grew up before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California to establish her successful acting career. She has starred in over 50 films and ...
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Shannon Elizabeth

Founder

Shannon was born in Texas where she grew up before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California to establish her successful acting career. She has starred in over 50 films and television shows, including the global hits American Pie, Scary Movie and the newly rebooted Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.

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.

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Peter Borchert

Honorary Chairman

Peter is an independent commentator, publisher, conservationist and lifetime protagonist for the value of Africa’s wild places and cultural heritage. He won high regard for his ..
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Peter Borchert

Honorary Chairman

Peter is an independent commentator, publisher, conservationist and lifetime protagonist for the value of Africa’s wild places and cultural heritage. He won high regard for his vision, probing editorials and as a commentator on and about Africa.

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
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal

Board of trustees

Prince Khaled is the founding chairman of KBW Investments and is the founder and CEO of KBW Ventures. As a figure of business, technology enthusiast and investor, he is a firm ..
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal

Board of trustees

Prince Khaled is the founding chairman of KBW Investments and is the founder and CEO of KBW Ventures. As a figure of business, technology enthusiast and investor, he is a firm proponent of clean energy, healthy living, the humane treatment of animals and a motivated voice for Middle East entrepreneurs. Khaled, a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family, was born in California and spent his youth in Riyadh under the mentorship of his father, philanthropist HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal AlSaud, the chairman and founder of Kingdom Holding Company. Today, with holdings on five continents with interests in the real estate and property markets as well as development and venture capital, Khaled stands at the gateway between the Middle East’s evolving economies and the Western world.

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
Marietta Hopley

Board of trustees

Marietta Hopley is a true ambassador for the African Continent. She is a respected entrepreneur, with a portfolio that includes the co-ownership of three South African ...
Marietta Hopley
Marietta Hopley

Board of trustees

Marietta Hopley is a true ambassador for the African Continent. She is a respected entrepreneur, with a portfolio that includes the co-ownership of three South African based businesses. She is also a global board director of one of the largest and most successful Switzerland based investment finance groups.

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.