William W. Ambrose
William (Bill) is a business information entrepreneur and industry expert in the telecommunications, renewable energy and water industries. He is principal of Stone Silo LLC, a consultancy that mentors information start-ups in industries driven by sustainability, technology, and the growth of emerging economies. He founded two leading industry research firms – Emerging Energy Research, specializing in renewable energy, and Pyramid Research, specializing in telecoms in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He is co-founder of Bluefield Research, an advisory firm in the global water sector, and advisor to Xalam Analytics, an advisory firm tracking digital infrastructure and cloud services in Africa. Mr. Ambrose is actively engaged in the non-profit sector at the board level, with a focus on protecting biodiversity, empowering women, creating sustainable livelihoods, and building resilience among those most vulnerable to climate change. His board service includes board chair of BOMA, working to end extreme poverty and build resiliency in the drylands of Africa; director of Saha Global, working with women entrepreneurs to provide clean water in Northern Ghana; director of Natura International, seeking to protect biodiversity in Latin America; and director of the New England Center for Investigative Reporting (now merged with WGBH). Mr. Ambrose received an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business in New York with a concentration in international business, strategy, and industry analysis. He holds a BA in economics and intercultural studies (Africa specialization) from Trinity College, Hartford CT.
Krista Mitchell Cornell
Krista Mitchell Cornell is a puzzle master who transforms opportunity into reality. She’s a trusted advisor who connects humans, analyzes organizational systems, and converts challenges into solutions for meaningful progress. With more than two decades of expertise, Krista has worked with large national not-for-profits, start-ups, and community-focused initiatives raising over $100 million. She’s demonstrated strengths in board development, analyzing organizational goals, and devising action plans to surpass expectations.
Beyond her focus of utilizing philanthropy as a tool to catalyze progress, Krista enjoys adventuring with her favorite humans (and furry friends too). She has a deep respect for our wild spaces. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to building a better world drives her ability to navigate systems and capitalize on opportunities to build stronger partnerships and more efficient systems. She founded and serves as managing partner for FSO Partners, a boutique firm focused on philanthropic advising for high net wealth individuals, family offices, and non-profit organizations.
Portrait of Melanie Jacques
Melanie Seely
Melanie has been working with WildLandscapes International since its inception serving as Secretary and Treasurer as well as supporting fundraising efforts. She graduated from Emory University with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration. Prior to working with WildLandscapes, Melanie served on several boards working to raise money and awareness. She is passionate about preserving landscapes to protect all wildlife and has enjoyed several International trips to India, Africa and numerous places in the US where WildLandscapes has made an impact. Melanie resides in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Christopher Seely
Christopher is a retired pilot, having flown for Trans World Airlines, AirTran Airways, and American Airlines. After his first wife (and mother of his two sons) died of ovarian cancer, he became President of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to promoting awareness of ovarian cancer and support of women and their families stricken with the disease.
He has sat on various for-profit and non-profit boards and still holds a seat on the HuberFoundation board. He is passionate about the environment, loves the outdoors, boating, skiing as well as spending time with his sons, their wives, his grandson, and of course, his wife, Melanie!
Portrait of Stuart Watson
Stuart Watson
Stuart is the founder and CEO of zFlo, Inc., a medical device and software distribution company with offices in Westbrook, ME. Mr. Watson is the former Chairman of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. He is an overseer of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a member of the Harvard School of Public Health’s Nutrition Round Table and Dean’s Leadership Council. He is a former Trustee of the Hotchkiss School, a trustee of Maine Health, and a board member of the Maine Medical Center. Stuart is a Director of the Thomas J. Watson Foundation and a board member of Hawkin Dynamics, Inc. He has served as a board member of WildLandscapes International since the founding of the organization. He has been married to Karen for 40 years (poor Karen) and they have five children and five grandchildren.