Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
Meet Our Operations Team
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A little more about our crew...
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Jackie Prime, PhD
Founder, Executive Director & Chief Scientist
You've seen her name pop up around here a few times, for sure. She's the visionary behind our mission and the organizer who keeps things on track. With a PhD in biological anthropology, specializing in primate behaviour, primate cognition, and evolutionary adaptation, Dr. Jackie is ambitious, hard-working, and driven. She's also humble and passionate about lifting people up, helping others thrive, and creating a more a compassionate world for all people, plants, and animals.
In 2009, she began to dream that one day, when she finished school, she would find a way to teach people around the world how interconnected our world is and how every person matters because our choices impact the world.
When that day arrived, following the advice of a friend, she wrote a brief manifesto. It read:
"You are a part of this world – take it in, breathe it, appreciate it, respect it; you are not alone or alien – you matter, life matters...we are all connected. Join us."
And she started to build her team.
Megan Rowcliffe, MFC
Rainforest Restoration Program Director
A trained forest ecologist with expertise in forest conservation, Megan graduated with a Master's of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto. She has conducted several research projects, some of which include monitoring native vascular plants, accumulating over 8 years of experience working with nonprofits, municipalities, universities, and governmental organizations in projects involving reforestation, ecology, and forest conservation.
Megan's passion for forestry has led her to study various landscapes from southern Ontario to the Peruvian Amazon and on to Ghana, before shifting her focus towards south east Asia with Prime Earth. Having worked with various types of animals from fruit flies and butterflies to salamanders, anacondas, and jungle cats, Megan continues to use her forestry knowledge to now help protect and conserve small apes with our Gibbon Guardian Rainforest Restoration tree planting projects.
Megan is also extremely passionate about connecting forest conservation with the well-being of communities. Recognizing that caring for forests goes hand in hand with improving people's lives, Megan's dedication to helping others and empowering women is strongly reflected in our reforestation initiatives here at Prime Earth.
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Victoria McLellan
PowerSeekers Program Manager
Victoria graduated from McMaster University with a BA in Anthropology and Linguistics. She is passionate about environmental conservation and was drawn to Prime Earth because of our unique conservation approach of instilling empathy and empowerment in youth.
Victoria first joined Prime Earth in the summer of 2022 as an Education Program Officer, and immediately resonated with our new PowerSeekers youth empowerment program. She recognized its potential to act as a launching point for youth to reach their fullest potential as environmentalists and to help youth understand their connection to nature and the people around them.
Victoria is now the Program Manager of our PowerSeekers program and is thrilled to continue its development and uplift a new generation of compassionate youth.
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Brontë Slote
Advocacy & Outreach Program Manager
Currently pursuing an honours honours degree in Sociology and Critical Animal Studies at Brock University, Brontë's studies revolve around the intersection of humans and animals in society and how we can understand these relationships in social, commercial, and personal contexts.
She has volunteered with a number of organizations focusing on the human-animal bond and animal rights activism, and finds value in community engagement and strives to make environmental and animal issues accessible to all.
Brontë deeply resonated with Prime Earth’s message that “we are all connected.” It spoke to her experiences and passion for addressing the interrelated nature of human, non-human animal and environmental exploitation. She was inspired to get involved and is excited to join together through advocacy programming to create a more compassionate world for all.
Tracy Wyman, MA
Research & Sanctuary Partnerships Program Director
Tracy is a dedicated primatologist with a passion for understanding and protecting our primate cousins. With over 25 years of experience studying various primate species and contributing to their welfare and conservation, she brings a wealth of expertise to Prime Earth.
A former site manager for a small USA-based non-profit sanctuary, Tracy successfully oversaw the translocation of over 400 snow monkeys (Macaca fuscata), ensuring every individual’s safety and well-being. And, helped to successfully merge the non-profit with a large animal welfare organization to ensure the long-term welfare of all the animals residing at the sanctuary.
With a BSc in Psychology, an MA in Anthropology, and extensive experience as a primatology technician, Tracy has utilized a multitude of advanced research methods and is well-equipped to tackle complex scientific inquiries. She has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students on their own journeys in primatology, and her role as an educator has allowed her the privilege of teaching over 15 international primate field schools, sharing her knowledge and wisdom with aspiring primatologists from around the world.
From research programs involving lemurs to howlers, macaques, and bonobos, Tracy's diverse background has allowed her to gain invaluable insights into primate behaviour, ecology, and conservation, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of Prime Earth as our Research & Sanctuary Partnerships Program Director and working within an organization that aligns perfectly with her personal mission and values.
Kale Black
Community Engagement Specialist
Kale Black is an award-winning environmentalist and community organizer as well as a meditation facilitator and holistic wellness consultant. He began his career in the nonprofit industry as an environmental program coordinator with a local environmental organization at the age of 18, and has been working directly with youth ever since - coordinating a provincially recognized local youth network in Burlington, Ontario, and speaking to audiences across the province on how to take action to be the change you want to see in the world.
Incorporating his passion for the field of holistic health with his dedication to environmental conservation, Kale believes strongly in a new way of looking at environmentalism that includes the health of human beings (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual) as an essential part of the well being of our planet.
With a special talent for connecting with people, he's passionate about sharing his wisdom and the motivational lessons he has learned along his journey with others to create a more compassionate world through our new PowerSeekers program.
Julian Hurtado Rodriguez
PowerSeekers Program Officer - Education & Outreach
Fascinated with wildlife conservation and reducing human impact on the environment, Julian recently graduated from McMaster University with an HBSc in Biology research specialization.
Driven by the desire to help both people and the environment by improving peoples' awareness about their actions and their impact on nature, he is enthusiastic about joining Prime Earth as an Educator Program Officer for the Powerseekers program and the opportunity to share his passion with others.
Ian Worrall Azuela
PowerSeekers Program Officer - Communications
Steve Irwin's famous quote: "We don't own the planet earth. We belong to it, and we must share it with our wildlife" has left a lasting impact on Ian.
Trained in Finance and Business Administration in Mexico City and the UK, Ian's strong desire to use his skills and knowledge to contribute to the well-being of our planet led him to Prime Earth. Self-educated in environmental stewardship, our mission and values deeply resonated with Ian and his commitment to empower individuals to make a positive impact worldwide.
Marlo Campbell
PowerSeekers Program Officer - Education & Outreach
Marlo recently graduated with a BSc in Biology and Environmental Studies from Queen’s University and is now pursuing an MSc in Sustainability Management at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about the conservation of biodiversity and protecting the environment.
Marlo joined the PowerSeekers team as an Education Program Officer because she was drawn to Prime Earth’s approach to empower young people to engage in conservation and environmental protection through education. She is excited to contribute to the development of an educational program that will help others take positive action in their communities.
Nikki McCabe
Conservation Officer
Nikki is a Conservation Biologist with a passion for the preservation of our natural areas and wildlife. She felt called to Prime Earth for our work that connects full circle with the environment, animals, and communities.
Prior to joining our team, Nikki worked as a tree planter in Western Canada where her interest in conserving forest was sparked. She believes that all trees in the ground deserve the chance to thrive. And as the Lorax once said, "I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues."
Syd Treasure
Advocacy Officer
A fourth year Environmental Science student specializing in Ecology and Conservation at the University of British Columbia, Syd values conservation efforts that protect wildlife and support local communities' livelihood and development.
Aligned with our mission to create a more compassionate world, Syd helps out with our awareness and education campaigns on the Prime Earth Advocacy Team.
Mikayla Ballieram
Website & Communications Officer
Kayla discovered Prime Earth at her university's job fair, where she was moved by our mission to protect gibbons and their home, and joined our team to help design and maintain the Prime Earth website.
Kayla brings a strong passion for conservation to our team: "I have always had a love for nature and protecting the environment. I want to create a healthier, better and more clean world for further generations to grow up in."
Luke Oliver
Website & Communications Officer
Luke has had a keen interest in primates from a young age and was raised in a family where everyone was always taught to respect nature to the best of their ability
Luke discovered Prime Earth online and related to our motivations as it was the first time Luke learned how non-human primates can be exploited online for views, and, like us, Luke believes we can put in more effort to help bring a stop to it.
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Erin Haugh
Conservation Officer
Erin is currently a student at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. She is studying Environmental Studies and Spanish.
Erin is passionate about protecting the environment, conscious living, and learning about the benefits of spending time outdoors. She was drawn to Prime Earth because of our mission to encourage people to foster a connection to the environment. Erin is grateful to be a part of our Prime Earth team as we seek to create a more compassionate world where people have an appreciation for nature.
One of her favourite quotes is by Wendell Berry who said “The Earth is what we all have in common".