Important Updates from Wild Earth

Published October 9th, 2025
By Elana Kaufman, Administrative Manager

As we look ahead to this fiscal year, we find ourselves in a time of both challenge and transition. After deep reflection and with great care, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to restructure our beloved Wild Earth. This restructure, unfortunately, has resulted in staff reductions in response to our current budget constraints. These decisions have not been made lightly, and they have been guided at every step by our mission and values.

We also want to share that Omari Washington will no longer be with Wild Earth. Omari’s contributions have left a lasting imprint, and we are deeply grateful for his time, energy, and spirit within our community. Several other valued team members have also been laid off in this difficult process. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not share details, but we hold each of them with love and gratitude. Their absence is deeply felt and will continue to be.

In this moment of change, our focus remains on care for our staff, for our broader community, and for the youth and families we serve. During this transition, Wild Earth’s leadership will be guided by Esperanza Gonzalez, Alisha Mai McNamara, and Kate Pinyavan, who bring a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to our mission. They will serve as interim Co-Executive Directors and will work hand in hand with our Board of Directors, whose collective expertise in education, youth development, strategic planning, staff development, community engagement and fundraising will help provide steadiness as we move forward.

We know that transitions like these can bring a wealth of emotions. Our main priorities are: 1. To support staff as they navigate these losses while continuing to provide the safe, supportive, and transformative programming that Wild Earth is known for; and 2. to be strong representatives of the community within the organization and offer lasting support.

We ask for your grace and compassion for our current and former staff, and we thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Please know that our programming continues without interruption. Together, we remain unwavering in our commitment to the youth and families we serve.

With love,

On behalf of the Board of Directors