President, Co-Founder

Matthew helped found Wild Lens in 2011 with the goal of bringing biologists and filmmakers together to produce films that would have an impact on critically important wildlife conservation issues. Matthew began full-scale production on his first feature length film, Scavenger Hunt, immediately after the inception of Wild Lens. Since then Matthew co-directed and produced the Emmy-nominated Wild Lens film Bluebird Man, and has produced numerous short films for the Eyes on Conservation series.

Scientific Director and Co-founder

Neil helped found Wild Lens while working on a Master’s degree in Raptor Biology from Boise State University. Coming from a strictly science and research background, Neil cut his teeth with Wild Lens producing several short films for the Eyes on Conservation series. In early 2013 Neil began work on his directorial debut film, Bluebird Man, a half hour documentary about the role of citizen science in the recovery of the bluebird.

Avian Ecologist, Board Secretary

Erin’s passion for research and avian conservation led her to join Wild Lens in the fall of 2012 after completing a Master’s Degree at Boise State University. Erin serves as the Secretary on the Wild Lens board of directors, where her background in both research science and art allows her to provide important feedback on the direction of the organization. Erin produced our EOC film Wood Thrush: King of Coffee about songbird conservation in the coffee plantations of Honduras.

Educator

Candy Podolsky is a lifelong educator and an expert in early childhood development. She worked as a preschool teacher, and served as the director of the Temple Beth Elohim Nursery School for 10 years. After retiring from her role as a preschool director, she moved to central Maine where she teaches ski lessons and has become an avid hiker. Candy believes strongly in the importance of educating young children about conservation issues and our current environmental crisis. She is working on a wildlife-focused children's book, and plans to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2020!

Seabird Biologist, Media Director

A highly accomplished visual designer with over two decades of excellence in photography, graphic design, multimedia applications, and video editing. Joey also has over ten years of field ornithology experience working with a diverse array of endangered and threatened species including endangered forest birds and seabirds of the Hawaiian Islands. Joey has co-directed and edited several short films such as Aikhag – A Personal Journey, A New Message for Smokey, and Souls of the Vermilion Sea: Searching for the Vaquita.