Spokesperson Bios

Will Travers, Chief Executive
Adam M. Roberts, Executive Vice President
Tim Ajax, Primate Sanctuary Director
Monica Engebretson, Senior Program Associate
Barry Kent MacKay, Canadian Representative

Will Travers is the chief executive officer of Born Free USA and The Born Free Foundation. He has dedicated most of his life to wildlife issues, ever since he lived with his family in Kenya as a child, while his parents, actors Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna OBE, made the movie "Born Free" (1966).

In 1984 his parents gave up their acting careers to devote their lives to rescuing animals. And Will co-founded — with them — the charitable organization that has become known as The Born Free Foundation in the United Kingdom. orn Free's projects and campaigns now span five continents and are supported worldwide. In 2002, Will brought the message of "compassionate conservation" to the United States and launched Born Free USA.

Will is an internationally renowned wildlife expert called on by worldwide media, dignitary groups, global coalitions and more to offer his unique insights into the many threats faced by wild animals and their natural world. He brings his comprehensive experience to bear in searching for and applying effective solutions. He has taken part in countless television and radio shows, debates and interviews and is regarded as a key "go-to" by correspondents and journalists on a wide range of issues.

Since 1996, Will has been president of the Species Survival Network international coalition of organizations committed to the promotion, enhancement and strict enforcement of the United Nations' Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Through scientific and legal research, education and advocacy, the SSN works to prevent over-exploitation of animals and plants due to international trade. Will has also helped Born Free develop a unique community conservation initiative called Global Friends which seeks to deliver benefits to communities in developing countries that live alongside wild animal populations and share their habitat and eco-system resources.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, a founding member of the Captive Wild Animals Protection Coalition, and a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Species Survival Commission Reintroduction Specialist Group.

He has personally rescued dolphins, tigers, lions and elephants, has traveled to more than 50 countries working on wildlife conservation, and is always willing to share his experiences and deep knowledge with the world, in order to further Born Free USA's vision for "a better, kinder, more compassionate future."

E-mail Will Will on TV/Radio Will in Print

Adam M. Roberts is executive vice president of Born Free USA and is based in Washington, DC. He co-founded the organization in 2002 to bring the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation's message of compassionate conservation to the U.S. public.

Adam is a leading expert on wildlife conservation and has been interviewed by hundreds of media outlets around the world, as well as serving on influential panels from Washington, D.C., to China and conducting lectures and other speaking engagements. He has significant expertise in international wildlife trade and captive wild animals and serves on the board of directors of the Species Survival Network, where he chairs the SSN Press Committee, Financial Committee, Bear Working Group and Animals in Captivity Working Group. Adam helped found the Global Federation of Animals Sanctuaries in 2007 and serves as President of the Board. GFAS accredits animal sanctuaries against a robust set of operational and species specific criteria. Adam is also a member of the board of Humane USA, and in 2003 he founded The $10 Club, a charity to fund poverty alleviation projects in developing countries. He runs the organization singlehandedly, and as a volunteer. To date, the organization has supported work in more than 50 countries. Most recently, Adam joined the board of directors of Rockin' the Rage, an organization dedicated to creating a societal paradigm shift away from rage and toward civility. He often is interviewed on Big Blend's "The Nature Connection" radio program.

Adam is a New York native, graduated from Vassar College and lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Stephanie, daughters Bella and Mia, two dogs, five cats and two gerbils.

E-mail Adam Adam on TV/Radio Adam in Print

Tim Ajax is the director of the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Dilley, TX, which provides lifelong care for hundreds of monkeys in as natural an environment as possible. Tim has more than 20 years of experience working hands-on with numerous species of wildlife including old and new world primates, and brings extensive immobilization, enrichment, animal care and enclosure design experience to the sanctuary. Prior to joining the Born Free USA team, Tim held multiple positions at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Inc., including assistant director and director of veterinary services, where he managed the daily operations of more than 300 sanctuary residents and more than 5,000 wild patients yearly. Tim is a strong advocate of providing a high quality of life for captive animals with a focus on space, companionship and enrichment.

E-mail Tim Tim on TV/Radio Tim in Print

Monica Engebretson is senior program associate for Born Free USA and is based in the head office in Sacramento, CA. For more than 15 years, Monica has worked to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation, including field work, undercover investigations, lobbying and media and public education campaigns. She has lead campaigns in several issues, including wildlife conflicts, trapping, captive wildlife, pet shops and animals used in agriculture and fur production.

Monica has authored multiple articles and publications on animal protection issues, including "Cruelty Uncaged — Fur Farming in North America"; "Victims of Vanity — U.S. Trapping Investigation and Report"; and Born Free USA's "Co-Existing with Wildlife" brochures. She also wrote the North American chapter in "Long Distance Transport and Welfare of Farm Animals," is a joint author of "Captive Exotic Bird Care: A Guide for Shelters," and is author of a children's book, "Lucky."

Monica is a California native and graduate of Humboldt State University, where she majored in wildlife with an emphasis on environmental ethics.

E-mail Monica Monica on TV/Radio Monica in Print

Barry Kent MacKay is Born Free USA's Canadian representative, and has been associated with our organization for nearly three decades. Barry wrote a weekly nature column for The Toronto Star for 25 years, and has authored numerous articles, essays, reviews, and three books, all dealing with nature or wildlife, especially birds. Barry is a founding director of Zoocheck-Canada, Animal Alliance of Canada and Species Survival Network, and helped start a federal political party in Canada dedicated to protecting animals and the environment. He has won several awards for his work as a writer and conservationist and his wildlife studies have taken him to Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America, and throughout much of North America.

Barry was named the year's artist for 2013 by Environment for the Americas' International Migratory Bird Day, and the 2013 artist of the year by Bird Studies Canada.

E-mail Barry Barry on TV/Radio Barry in Print