Our Board
Our Board combines decades of commercial and financial experience with deep conservation and environmental expertise ….
Fred Brodsky
Founder & Chairman
As a child, Fred Brodsky discovered Dr. Dolittle, and that sparked a lifelong fascination with animals and the natural world. That childhood fascination grew into a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation.
After retiring from a successful career in finance and investment, Fred was able to pursue another passion — helping protect the wildlife that had inspired him since childhood. Together, Fred and his wife, Darla, continue to explore some of the world’s most remarkable wild places. From watching polar bears in Churchill to sharing quiet moments with gray whales and their calves in Baja California to listening to wolves in Yellowstone, these experiences reinforced Fred’s belief that safeguarding the natural world depends on the dedication of scientists, educators, conservationists, and nonprofit organizations working to protect wildlife and the habitats on which it depends. Through the Foundation, he is dedicated to helping these organizations expand their impact and protect wildlife for future generations. As Chairman, he remains committed to thoughtful philanthropy, partnering with organizations whose work creates lasting and measurable benefits for wildlife and the natural world.
Darla Brodsky
Founder
Darla earned her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Austin. After exploring a variety of professional roles in real estate, sales, and administration, she became a docent at the Dallas Zoo, where she found joy in sharing her passion for animals—helping visitors connect with wildlife while appreciating the importance of conservation.
Her passion for animals and the natural world deepened during travels to Africa, where she experienced firsthand the remarkable diversity of wildlife and the delicate balance of their ecosystems. That journey sparked a lifelong curiosity and commitment to learning more about animals and the environments they call home.
Darla’s travels with Fred have taken them from Canada in search of polar bears, to Baja California to encounter gray whales, to Antarctica to meet penguins, and into the Arctic to see elusive narwhals. They have also explored the wildlife of Wyoming and Yellowstone, with each experience deepening their appreciation for nature’s wonders.
David Rosenberg
Board Member & General Counsel
David M. Rosenberg is an attorney and partner at Holland & Knight in Dallas. His practice focuses on tax, estate planning, individual wealth management, and nonprofit matters. He advises clients on charitable and planned giving, the formation and management of nonprofits, and securing and maintaining tax-exempt status.
David’s community leadership includes serving as Honorary Life Trustee of The Child Care Group, a Board Member of The Catholic Foundation, Chairman of the Holland & Knight Foundation, and a member of the Audit Committee for Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. He also serves on advisory boards for The Crystal Charity Ball and the Junior League of Dallas.
Ben Farren
Board Member
Ben Farren is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SPOKE, a UK-based apparel brand. He began his career in management consulting before launching his first business, a fintech startup in West Africa.
Ben’s connection to Africa began in the late 1990s, when he lived in Malawi for six months. There, he developed a lasting appreciation for the region’s landscapes, wildlife, and natural heritage.
He holds an MA from the University of Cambridge.
David Jacobs
Board Member
David M. Jacobs is Founder and Chief Financial Officer of E2M Partners and a member of its Investment Committee. Before founding E2M, he co-founded Eiger, a real estate fund sponsor and manager, and served as Chief Financial Officer of Rosewood Property Company.
A Certified Public Accountant, David earned a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University. He is Past President and a current Board Member of the Real Estate Financial Executives Association, a member of the Dallas Real Estate Council, and currently serves as Treasurer of The Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas. He also served for several years on the board of The Senior Source.
David and his wife, Cher, have traveled extensively in Africa. Their visits to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, in particular, deepened their interest in animals, conservation, and the habitats wildlife depends upon.
Paul Dyer
Board Member
Paul Dyer devoted three decades to Dallas Park and Recreation, serving as Director from 1992 to 2012. During his tenure, he helped guide one of the nation’s largest municipal park systems, encompassing more than 29,000 acres and 375 parks, including Fair Park, the Dallas Arboretum, and the Dallas Zoo.
Paul led the department’s 2002 Renaissance Plan and helped advance long-range planning for downtown parks, Fair Park, and the Dallas Zoo. His leadership reflects a lasting commitment to public spaces, conservation, and the role parks and zoos play in enriching community life.
Ben Jones
Board Member
Ben Jones brings more than 25 years of experience in wildlife conservation, including work with zoos and national wildlife organizations. He currently serves as Vice President of Conservation and Education at the Houston Zoo.
In addition to the Brodsky Family Foundation, Ben serves on the boards of Gorilla Doctors, Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders, Save Giraffes Now, and Texas Parks & Wildlife’s State Parks Advisory Committee.
Passionate about the human dimensions of conservation, Ben believes that protecting wildlife can inspire lifelong learning, strengthen communities, and enrich lives.
R. Harrison Edell
Board Member
R. Harrison Edell is Chief Executive Officer of PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society), a Seattle-area nonprofit serving cats, dogs, and wild animals through rescue, rehabilitation, and community engagement.
He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and education. Previously, Harrison served as Chief Mission Officer and Executive Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation at the Dallas Zoo, and has held leadership roles with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Francisco Zoo, and Sacramento Zoo.
Harrison lives in the Seattle area with his two senior rescue dogs and is committed to advancing a future in which animals, people, and the planet can thrive.