Leadership Council

WENDY BENCHLEY

Wendy Benchley is an ocean conservationist, marine policy advocate, and renowned global voice for protecting sharks and safeguarding our seas. She is the 2014 recipient of the International SeaKeepers Award, which is given annually to an individual or an organization that has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to ocean conservation. Based in Washington, D.C., Wendy is actively engaged in the marine policy community and supports many of the world’s leading ocean and environmental philanthropies. She was president of the board of Shark Savers and was instrumental in helping to merge the organization into WildAid. She is also an advisory board member of Ocean Champions, a non-profit political organization that supports pro-ocean congressional candidates and lobbies members of Congress on behalf of the oceans. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Wendy worked on many environmental issues as a trustee of Environmental Defense Fund. She is currently a trustee on the EDF’s advisory board. Wendy started her environmental and political career in the ‘70’s in her home state of New Jersey as a co-founder and trustee of the New Jersey Environmental Federation. She was elected to the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and was elected as a Princeton Borough councilwoman for three terms. Among many legislative accomplishments, she worked on smart growth and sustainability issues, playing a leadership role in bringing to fruition a prize-winning downtown development and expanding affordable housing. Wendy was married to Peter Benchley, the author of Jaws and a well-known voice for ocean conservation through his numerous books, articles and documentaries about the wonders of ocean life and its many threats.

STEVE MORGAN

Steve Morgan is a principal at AllianceBernstein. Steve works extensively with entrepreneurs and founders of early stage companies in advance of an exit. He has a particular focus on advanced wealth transfer and tax strategies. Steve has been a wildlife supporter for many years and joined the WildAid Board because it provides an extraordinary opportunity to impact the survival of many of our most iconic species. He holds a BA, cum laude, in Finance from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

MARY O'MALLEY

After earning an undergraduate degree in business administration and a graduate degree in international business studies, Mary O’Malley’s professional experience included market analysis, systems design, project management, large enterprise sales, and international sales management with responsibility for building and managing worldwide distribution networks. Since retiring from business in 2005, she dove with and photographed manta rays and over 30 different species of sharks throughout the world. Mary volunteers her time to shark and manta ray conservation, including acting as co-project lead for the Manta Ray of Hope project that addresses the urgent threat to manta and mobula rays. In this capacity, she co-wrote the WildAid/Shark Savers report, “The Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays,” was lead author of “The Direct Economic Impact of Manta Ray Watching Tourism,” which was published in the peer-reviewed PlosONE scientific journal. She also contributed to the drafting of the proposal to include both manta ray species on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as documents supporting legal protection for manta rays in their range countries. O’Malley has also worked on numerous shark conservation initiatives, including the Raja Ampat Shark and Ray Sanctuary, the I’m FINished with FINS campaign, protection for lemon, hammerhead and tiger sharks in Florida, and US state shark fin bans. She continues to actively support WildAid’s shark and manta ray programs. Mary previously served on the board of directors of Shark Savers, is an associate director of The Manta Trust, and serves on the steering committee for The Blue Book Building and Construction Network.

ELLIE PHIPPS PRICE

Ellie is an active supporter of many environmental, wildlife and animal welfare causes, but elephants have always had her heart. While working and traveling in Africa for a malaria prevention project, she became aware of the tragedy unfolding for elephants. She is dedicated to making a difference for wildlife by joining WildAid. An avid equestrian, Ellie lives in Sonoma and is the owner of Durell Vineyard and founder of Dunstan Wines. She attended the University of California at Berkeley.