Teamwork
Makes the Dream Work!
Meet Our Operations Team
.png)
.png)
.png)
A little more about our crew...
.png)
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.
Tracy Wyman, MA
Research 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 Program Director (which includes overseeing our Sanctuary Partnerships) and working within an organization that aligns perfectly with her personal mission and values.
.png)
Victoria McLellan
PowerSeekers Program Manager
Victoria graduated from McMaster University with a BA degree 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.
Brontë Slote
Advocacy Program Manager
Currently pursuing an 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.
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.
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."
Syd Treasure
Advocacy Officer
A third 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.
Marlo Campbell
Education Program Officer
Marlo recently graduated from a BScH at Queen’s University in Biology and Environmental Studies and will be pursuing a MSc in Sustainability Management at the University of Toronto in the fall of 2023. 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.
Abby Wilson
Communications Officer - Blog Writer
Abby is a student at Northern Arizona University in the United States who's goal is to impact the planet and the life on it in whatever positive way possible. Majoring in anthropology, Abby took NAU’s one and only primatology class, and I fell in love with the field! From there Abby sought out ways to get involved with the field in anyway she could, and eventually got involved with Prime Earth! Abby writes our 'What We Know' blog posts for Prime Earth and is loving it!
Luke Oliver
Communications Officer - Website
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.
.png)
Erin Haugh
Communications Officer - Social Media
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 favorite quotes is by Wendell Berry who said “The Earth is what we all have in common".