Humans and Nature Staff
The Center for Humans and Nature staff is multidisciplinary, spanning the disciplines of philosophy, biology, ecology, environmental ethics, and political science. Experienced and productive as researchers, writers, and educators, they bring a high degree of dedication, knowledge and flexibility to their work. Our staff works out of offices in New York City, Chicago, Baraboo, Wisconsin, and Columbia, South Carolina. The staff are responsible for both the administration and planning of the Center, as well as providing the intellectual leadership for its areas of interest. In addition, we work closely with select Consultants, Advisors, and a larger group of Collaborating Scholars.
Staff members are listed below. Click on a name to view a brief biography, curriculum vitae, and contact information.
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Strachan Donnelley (1942-2008)
Strachan Donnelley, Ph.D. (1942-2008) was the founder and President of the Center for Humans and Nature. Before establishing the Center for Humans and Nature in 2003, he was a past President of The Hastings Center (a bioethics institute), and Director of its Humans and Nature Program. During his time at The Hastings Center, Donnelley directed a number of animal and environmental research projects, including the Ethics of Animal Research, Animal Biotechnology, and Nature, Polis, Ethics: Chicago Regional Planning.
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Brooke Hecht
Brooke Hecht, Ph.D. is Acting President with the Center for Humans and Nature. Brooke earned her B.A. in biology at Dartmouth College, her Master of Science degree at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and her Ph.D. in ecosystem ecology at Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Before joining the Center, she was an Exchange Scholar at Harvard University.
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Paul Heltne
Paul Heltne, PhD is Director at the Center for Humans and Nature, based in the Chicago office. He comes to CHN from the Chicago Academy of Sciences, where he is President Emeritus and served as Director and later President for two decades. He is a leader in the field of promoting scientific education and scientific literacy.
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Bruce Jennings
Bruce Jennings is Director at the Center for Humans and Nature, based in the New York office. He comes to CHN from The Hastings Center, where he worked for twenty-five years, serving as Executive Vice President from 1991-1999. A political scientist by training, he was written widely on public policy and bioethics issues. He teaches at the Yale School of Public Health.
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Bruce Coull
Bruce Coull, Ph.D. is Director at the Center for Humans and Nature, based in the Columbia, SC office. He is Dean Emeritus of the School of the Environment at the University of South Carolina. He is the author of over 100 scientific papers and editor of four books on marine ecology.
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Bill Bailey
Program Manager for the Center for Humans and Nature’s Lowcountry Initiative at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Bill’s rearing in the mountains of Western Appalachia brought him into close contact with the rugged beauty of the natural world. He holds a Ph.D. in English and is an ordained Episcopal Priest.
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Brandon Whitney
Brandon C. Whitney, MESc., is Program Coordinator at the Center for Humans and Nature, based in the New York City office. He has an interdisciplinary background in environmental science, community development and civic engagement. A political ecologist by training, Brandon’s experience spans academia, non-profits, and community organizations in the US and abroad, including West Africa and Latin America.
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Curt Meine
Curt Meine, Ph.D. is Director at the Center for Humans and Nature, based in the Baraboo, WI office. He is a writer and conservation biologist. He is author of Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work (1988), Correction Lines (2004), and numerous other works. He has served on the board of governors of the Society of Conservation Biology and sits on the editorial boards of the journals Conservation Biology and Environmental Ethics.
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Anja Claus
Anja Claus is Project Coordinator for the Center for Humans and Nature at the Chicago office. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts degree in Geography and Environmental Studies while working at the Center. Anja’s interests are focused on preserving the rich, biologically diverse heritage of the Northeastern Illinois landscape through the implementation of progressive urban planning methods that give Nature a voice in the decision making processes.
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Kathryn Kintzele
Kathryn Kintzele, J.D. is a Post-Doctorate in Environment, Ethics and Law with the Center for Humans and Nature. She began with CHN in May 2005 as a Research Assistant to Dr. J. Ronald Engel. Under Dr. Engel, she explored local, national and international developments in environmental law, as well as foundational and progressive constitutional issues.