Our Team
Rachel Smith
Director of Conservation
In my 15 years of working in wildlife conservation, it's become clear to me that a people-centered approach is the key to conservation success. At its core, I believe that conservation is about hope, optimism, and empowerment. It is this ethos, and the desire to get people to that place of agency, that inspired me to co-found Human Nature Group. My interdisciplinary background, involving work on multiple species in multiple ecosystems, and across a diversity of stakeholders, prepares me well to help organizations to improve outcomes for wildlife through meaningful integration of human dimensions and social science. I am a doctoral candidate in the Interdisciplinary Ecology program at the University of Florida, employing a coupled human-and-wildlife systems approach to study sea turtle interactions in Florida's trap fisheries. Prior to that, I received my M.S. in Biology from the University of North Florida and my B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. In my free time, I love to immerse myself in the outdoors by hiking, birding, and taking my dog on adventures, and naively cheer on the Phoenix Suns each year until they perpetually lose in the playoffs.
Kelley Anderson, PhD
Director of Social Science
I’ve always seen myself as a protector of vulnerable things, which has been a driving force pushing me to pursue a career protecting nature. I strive to work towards a world in balance where the needs of society and our environment are not only met, but continually improved. Throughout my 10 years working in the environmental field, the soul of my career has always been, and continues to be, helping people. I use evidence-based practices and applied research to guide mission-driven organizations through strategic planning and goal setting, program design and development, monitoring and evaluation, adaptive management, and capacity building to keep us all moving forward towards a better future. In addition to co-founding Human Nature Group, I am a Senior Research Associate at Virginia Tech conducting research on best practices in environmental education and interpretation. I received my Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, my M.S. from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and my B.S. from Virginia Tech in Forest Resources Management. I am a sports enthusiast and am happiest when watching, playing, or discussing all things sports. I spend my free time exploring outside, loving on my cats, and listening to Taylor Swift.
