"The cause should lead the organization, not the organization leading the cause." 
~ Jeffrey Wilcox, The Non-Profit Leader of the New Decade

​BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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 Nathan Atkins, President
  • Working Circle partner since 2020
  • ​Served as Working Circle Board Treasurer from 2022-2024
  • Served as Working Circle Colorado Field Coordinator 2023
  • Communications expert and professional writer
  • Experienced in leading and conducting fieldwork to reduce wolf-livestock
          conflict including:
           ~ Wildlife tracking
           ~ Monitoring cattle, ungulates, and predators
           ~ Strategic trail camera deployment and data collection
           ~ Wolf-livestock conflict risk analysis
           ~ Community engagement and education
  • ​​Avid outdoorsman and wildlife conservationist
  • Passionate supporter of Working Circle's vision to support ranchers and bring people of diverse values and perspectives together in understanding and respect
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Patrick Valentino, Vice President, Co-Founder
Attorney at Law, Northwestern School of Law
  • Working Circle's Co-founder and partner since 2014
  • Founder, Mexican Wolf Fund; a partnership between agencies, NGO's, and Livestock producers
  • Board of Directors, HomeRise, supportive housing developer for the formerly homeless
  • Former Executive Director and Board Member, California Wolf Center
  • Founder, California Wolf Recovery program, California Wolf Center
  • Member of the California Wolf Management Stakeholder Working Group​
Over 35 years experience in wolf conservation bringing innovative and visionary ideas to fruition.  Patrick's leadership and years of forwarding a better way for wolves, livestock, and people laid the foundation for the Working Circle model to be born.   
Dr. Diana Tomback, Treasurer, Science Advisor
B.A. and M.A. at University of California Los Angeles and Ph.D. at the University of California Santa Barbara.
  • Professor of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado, Denver
  • Recipient of the U.S. Forest Service Centennial Conservation Award, 1991 
  • Co-founder, Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation
  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Author of more than 150 publications
Diana 's impressive science background includes her renowned work around the whitebark pine. In 1986, she was invited to join a federal inter-agency research team to study the decline of whitebark pine. And as a result of her pioneering studies, she was elected a Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1994.

Diana was awarded a Charles Bullard Harvard Forest fellowship for a 9 month residency at Harvard University in 2014. Her publications are a primary information source for the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service status review of whitebark pine under the ESA.  A long-time Yellowstone National Park researcher, Diana more recently advocates for science-based wolf conservation in Colorado. 
Dr. Norm Switzer, DVM, Secretary

Dr. Norm Switzer, born in Pasadena, California, grew up with a passion for nature and the great outdoors. After attending Pasadena City College, U.C. Irvine, and UC Davis, earning a BS in Biology and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, he moved to Poway, CA. Dr. Switzer started his career working at Midland Animal Clinic where he established himself as an excellent veterinarian and surgeon. He has lived and worked in Poway for 38 years and is currently the managing veterinarian at Midland Animal Clinic. Norm has served on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for the University of San Diego for more than 35 years.

Norm continues to serve as the veterinarian for California Wolf Center in Julian, California since the early 1990’s, and led the organization as Executive Director for many years.  Norm believed in Working Circle’s vision on day one and his continued support of our efforts have helped Working Circle become what it is today. 

Norm has been married to his wife, Patrice, for 44 years, and has three terrific children. His interests outside of veterinary work include hiking, backpacking, body surfing, walking his dog, reading a good book, and enjoying time with his family and friends. He backpacked the entire Pacific Crest Trail in 1977 prior to starting work as a veterinary assistant and pursuing studies and a career in veterinary medicine.