Our Team
Leigh Paluch
Founder & President
Leigh Paluch has over 20 years of experience designing and developing training for federal, state, and county-level government employees. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany, Leigh’s first experiences in the workforce included Case Manager roles providing direct services to populations in need. She then switched course to utilize her minor in English. Her career in instructional design began with the New York State university system where she served as a Senior Education Specialist and Training Program Coordinator, which involved supervision of a curriculum development team and intensive project management. In her current role as a Senior Instructional Designer, Leigh is part of a team that develops and maintains an extensive catalog of courses for federal government employees.
Leigh was recently able to fulfill her dream of seeing Africa! In 2023, she visited Uganda in support of a training for investigators and prosecutors from Uganda Wildlife Authority. This profound experience in combination with her close ties to individuals performing invaluable conservation work, inspired her to create Wildlife Defense, Inc.
Lindsay O'Neil
Director
Bio coming soon
Kelsey Paluch
Director
Bio coming soon
Mary Ting
Advisory Council
Bio coming soon
Opolot Simon Peter
Advisory Council
Simon hails from eastern Uganda where he grew up in a small village surrounded in biodiversity. This ignited in him a deep passion for wildlife conservation since a young age. As a boy, he provided a sanctuary for birds by planting a garden of eucalyptus trees, which fostered just the right environment for nesting. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from Uganda Christian University, he embarked on a journey to combine his technological skills with his passion for wildlife conservation.
In 2016, Simon eagerly volunteered at Mount Elgon National Park where he actively contributed to the Monitoring and Research Department, engaging in community conservation initiatives. In 2018, he joined the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as a law enforcement game ranger where he played a pivotal role in protecting and preserving the natural habitats and wild species of Uganda. In 2020, he underwent specialized training in investigations, honing his skills in digital analysis.
Today, Simon proudly serves as a wildlife investigator, utilizing his expertise to combat wildlife crimes and ensure the sustainable management of Uganda's natural resources. With his continued insight and perspective, Wildlife Defense is proud to have Simon on the advisory council.
Meaghan Pinkowski
Advisory Council
Meaghan is a dedicated small business owner, currently running a skincare company based in Kinderhook, NY. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in development, Meaghan has cultivated a deep passion for supporting impactful causes. Her career shift from nonprofit work to entrepreneurship reflects her commitment to both personal growth and community service.
Meaghan’s drive to help others continues to be a core part of her identity, extending beyond her business to her advocacy for wildlife conservation, particularly focused on protecting elephants. Her dedication to environmental conservation and animal welfare underscores her broader mission to make a positive difference in the world.
Jesse Paluch
Lead Instructor
Jesse Paluch has 24 years of experience in environmental law enforcement and has conducted thousands of criminal investigations. Having obtained a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Long Island University, he serves as Investigative Captain for a state environmental police force in the United States, directing investigations into wildlife trafficking and environmental crimes. Jesse was recognized for spearheading “Operation White Gold”, a covert operation into the illegal trade in elephant ivory and elephant products in NYC. The multi-year operation resulted in the execution of 15 search warrants, 12 million USD in seized elephant products, and felony charges levied against 18 corporate entities and 25 individuals.
Jesse has delivered training to over one thousand law enforcement professionals across the globe. He is regarded as his division’s expert on and currently serves as lead instructor in endangered species investigations; search warrant process; courtroom demeanor and testimony at trial; and case file management. In addition, he is currently an adjunct instructor at the State University of New York at Cobleskill teaching Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation: Methods, Processes, and Techniques.
To support global efforts to save the last of Africa’s endangered species, Jesse has traveled to Africa five times to train with anti-poaching unit rangers and wildlife investigators on the front lines.
Christopher Didion
Instructor
Chris has over 35 years of experience in natural resource law enforcement and currently serves as a Supervising Investigator for a state environmental conservation law enforcement agency in the northeastern United States. Chris has been a certified police instructor of over 30 years and has taught courses such as public speaking, wildlife forensics, physical evidence documentation and collection, crime scene management, cell phone search warrants, and hunter-related shooting incident investigations to hundreds of police recruits and veteran officers. During his time as an investigator, Chris gained extensive experience in undercover operations. He has conducted multiple long-term undercover operations involving the illegal taking of wildlife and the illegal commercialization/trade of protected and endangered species. As a supervisor, Chris has overseen multiple undercover investigations involving the illegal sale of ivory products, which resulted in removing the ivory products from the black-market trade. His extensive knowledge and experience in crime scene documentation and evidence collection has led to many successful prosecutions over a long and distinguished career.
Joshua Sulkey
Instructor
Joshua has over 16 years of experience in fish, wildlife, and natural resources law enforcement. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the State University of New York at Oneonta. Josh began his work with endangered species shortly after graduating college by helping to monitor spawning and habitat ranges for several species native to the United States. Currently, Josh serves as an investigator for a state environmental police force in the northeastern United States. His roles include both overt and covert investigations involving the illegal taking, selling, or trafficking of fish and wildlife. Josh is also a graduate of the United States Wildlife Investigation Covert Academy, where he gained specialized skills in target surveillance techniques and advanced undercover operations. In his role as a certified police instructor, Josh instructs courses in patrol tactics for recruits attending the police academy. He also serves as a mentor and field training officer for newly graduated police officers. Josh is experienced in report writing, search warrant execution, crime scene documentation, and collection of evidence. Josh has received multiple awards for excellence in the performance of his duties as a wildlife investigator and has become a valuable asset to the Wildlife Defense team of instructors.
Carrie Paluch
Wildlife Ambassador
In 2019, Carrie embarked on a transformative journey to South Africa, where the mesmerizing landscapes and encounters with majestic wildlife ignited a profound appreciation for conservation. Witnessing the vulnerability of these incredible creatures sparked a deep sense of responsibility, inspiring a newfound commitment to preserving the beauty and diversity of our planet’s wildlife and wild places.
Currently practicing as an Occupational Therapist in physical rehabilitation, Carrie brings a unique perspective to Wildlife Defense. With a background in fostering holistic well-being, she is dedicated to leveraging her skills to support initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and wildlife preservation. Her commitment to enhancing quality of life aligns seamlessly with the organization’s mission, and she eagerly contributes her expertise in strategic planning and community engagement to ensure a flourishing ecosystem for generations to come.
Lori Moore
Wildlife Ambassador
During her visit to South Africa in 2019, Lori experienced first-hand the beauty of Africa’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife, and she’s been inspired ever since! Witnessing the tireless efforts of conservationists and local communities to protect Africa’s magnificent, endangered species was a pivotal moment that fueled her decision to take action. As a Wildlife Ambassador, Lori raises awareness and rallies support for wildlife protection and habitat preservation. Lori brings decades of experience in education and event coordination to Wildlife Defense, and we are grateful to have her on board!