Barbara is Rescue Navigator at FOUR PAWS - the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears and big cats – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. At FOUR PAWS, Barbara is responsible for the development and implementation of rescue strategies and operational plans to ensure efficient and high-quality executions of missions. Barbara's passion for nature and animals led her to study biology and volunteer for animals during her studies. After obtaining her master's degree in marine biology, she began working for FOUR PAWS in 2009. 

Elisa Berti has worked as a volunteer for the wildlife rescue center “Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica Monte Adone” since 1989 when her parents founded the volunteering association. The rescue center is committed to recovering and rescuing wounded autochthonous wild animals and provides lifelong sanctuary for confiscated exotic animals. Elisa’s work has been concentrated mainly in rehabilitation and release of wild animals and management and organisation of volunteers. Her particular field of interest is rehabilitation and release of wolves, and is participating actively in post-release monitoring projects of released animals. She contributes to the writing of guidelines, protocols and recommendations on wildlife management and rehabilitation and was invited as a lecturer in many specialist events and training courses for public officers, veterinary technicians and rescue center operators. In past years she gradually overtook several management roles in the association and in 2019 was appointed as the Director of Monte Adone Rescue Center.  Monte Adone Rescue Center is a Partner and founder of EARS.

Nick Clark has worked as Wild Animals Programme Leader at Eurogroup for Animals for over four years. Prior to this, he has a range of experience from advocating for sustainable business and the social economy in Brussels, through to being the Head Teacher of a secondary school in Spain, with over 10 years working in education. His background in Zoology and Human Ecology has led to a passion for connecting a diverse range of stakeholders to help reach the best and fairest solutions to difficult issues, ensuring that animals are also well represented in discussions.

Rachel Hevesi is the Director of Wild Futures, a UK based primate welfare and conservation charity that runs The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall. Rachel has almost 30 years experience working with primates in the UK and South America and is a specialist in captive care and rehabilitation with a particular interest in woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha) and capuchins (Sapujus and Cebus sp.). She has worked with various NGO’s and government agencies in the UK and abroad, including rescue and rehabilitation projects in habitat countries, as well as writing protocols and advising on enforcement of legislation. Rachel has written two books for children, and contributed to and had her work featured in several specialist publications and on television. Rachel also works as a consultant, speaking and writing about monkeys and their welfare, conservation, behaviour and associated issues. Wild Futures is a Partner of EARS.

Dave oversees all of the work EARS does - in close collaboration with the Board and all of the EARS Partners. This includes representing EARS at European-level meetings and conferences, building relationships with external stakeholders and working with Partners to help to develop their capacity. Dave graduated from Bristol University with a degree in Zoology and went onto pursue his career in wild animal welfare - eventually working at the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) where he became Head of Wildlife. Dave developed his skills working on campaigns and projects including bear farming, zoo animal welfare and human wildlife conflict. He has also managed the grant-funding of many projects including anti-poaching initiatives in Africa, primate rescue sanctuaries in Africa and Asia, wildlife rehabilitation and release projects and captive marine mammal campaigns.