Our Team

Co-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, leading curriculum development teams and overseeing large-scale projects. Most recently, Leigh served as a Senior Instructional Designer with Management Concepts until February 2025.

Her passion for wildlife conservation has taken her across the world. In 2023, she traveled to Uganda to support training for investigators and prosecutors from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In 2024, she visited South Africa, deepening her connection to frontline conservation efforts. In 2025, she returned to Uganda, further strengthening partnerships with those protecting endangered species.

"Anyone who truly knows me knows that my love for animals has been lifelong. From the time I was a kid, I was drawn to wildlife—to their beauty and their vulnerability. That love never faded, and it’s why I co-founded Wildlife Defense—to take real action in protecting endangered species and the rangers risking their lives to protect them."

Through Wildlife Defense, Inc., Leigh is committed to providing critical support to conservation professionals on the ground, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to combat poaching and protect the world’s most threatened species. 

Co-Founder & Lead Instructor

Jesse Paluch brings 25 years of experience in wildlife and environmental law enforcement to Wildlife Defense, having conducted and supervised thousands of criminal investigations. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Long Island University, he serves as Investigative Captain for a state environmental police force in the northeastern United States, directing large-scale investigations into illegal wildlife trafficking and environmental crimes. During his career, Jesse has been recognized multiple times for his outstanding efforts to combat the transnational illegal wildlife trade. Most notably, 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, felony charges levied against 18 corporate entities and 25 individuals. Prosecution of these cases obtained a 100% success rate, with convictions ranging from misdemeanor to felony level illegal commercialization of protected wildlife. In addition to paying a fine, each defendant associated with Operation White Gold was sentenced to donate additional monies toward non-profit wildlife charitable organizations designated by the court. The donations, which amounted to just over $500,000 USD, were earmarked specifically to support endangered species conservation efforts. Following the conclusion of the operation, two tons of elephant ivory was publicly crushed in Manhattan’s Central Park to bring awareness to the plight of the African Elephant and to send a message that ivory is priceless while on a living elephant, and worthless when it is not.

To further support global efforts to save the last of Africa’s endangered species, Jesse has trained with anti-poaching unit rangers, wildlife investigators and prosecutors on the front lines. In 2018, he led a group of investigators, to deliver training in forensic evidence collection to wildlife rangers from Mozambique, e-Swatini and South Africa. In 2023, he traveled to Africa on two occasions to deliver training in advanced undercover operations and surveillance techniques to investigators and prosecutors from Zambia’s Department of National Parks & Uganda Wildlife Authority. And in 2024, he served as lead instructor in delivering wildlife crime scene investigation training to rangers from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and detectives from the South African Police Service. 

Jesse has delivered training to over 1,000 law enforcement professionals across the globe and 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. 

Director of Fundraising and Development

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.

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. 

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.

Instructor

Scott served as the Major in charge of the Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI) at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement. For 10 years, he oversaw statewide criminal investigations of 30-40 police investigators assigned to the Bureau in all nine regions of New York State. This investigative unit’s primary focus was to conduct long-term criminal investigations related to wildlife and environmental crime. 

Scott was instrumental in strengthening New York State’s felony-level criminal sanctions against the illegal trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn. In 2012, he testified before the State Assembly’s   

Environmental Committee hearings on the issue. Following the enactment of these tougher penalties, Major Florence directed the resources under his command to shut down the illegal ivory trade in New York State. The enforcement effort led to the seizure of millions of dollars' worth of illegal ivory and the prosecution of numerous violators under the new felony sanctions. In coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he organized two ivory crushes in 2015 and 2017 in New York City to raise awareness about the plight of wild elephants. In 2018, Major Florence traveled to South Africa to deliver a one-week course in wildlife crime scene forensics to rangers from South Africa, Mozambique, and eSwatini.

Major Florence holds a B.A. degree in Environmental Science, and he has attended numerous law enforcement trainings over his career. He is most proud of graduating from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Academy in 2009. 

Instructor & 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.

Instructor

Jasper Visser had an adventurous childhood growing up in Nairobi, Kenya. With a father working in wildlife protection for the Dutch embassy and a mother serving with the Flying Doctors in Kenya, his path seemed destined for conservation. Now 35 years old, with 16 years of experience across various sectors of the conservation industry, he is a qualified range officer, trails guide, and private pilot. He has now taken on the role of rhino monitor in the Mkuze concession of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Together with his wife, Jasper plays a crucial role in monitoring the rhino population of Mkuze and hopes to have the honor of contributing to this vital rhino protection mission for many years to come. His daily work involves locating both species of rhino using various methods:

• Vehicle patrols
• Camera traps targeting specific individuals
• On-foot patrols
• Aerial patrols using the 100 HP Foxbat aircraft, specially designed for low-and-slow flying operations
  

Jasper hopes to inspire conservationists around the world to take a more active role in protecting the incredible wilderness of Africa.

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.

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!