Wildpath Overview
Wildpath is a conservation production company that utilizes film and photography to identify and protect wildlife corridors. By telling the stories of wide-ranging wildlife, and the habitats they connect, Wildpath inspires the public policies and movements needed to restore balance to our planet. Wildpath is currently leading storytelling and policy campaigns to protect wildlife corridors in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and is working to scale this model to the rest of the country and globally through their Connected Planet project, which launched in collaboration with the National Geographic Society in 2025.
Wildpath was co-founded by Carlton Ward Jr., a conservation photographer and National Geographic Explorer who created the bipartisan movement to name and protect the 18-million-acre Florida Wildlife Corridor, and Suzie Ward, an attorney and strategist. Alongside his fine art photography and photojournalism, Carlton has decades of experience launching and funding nonprofit organizations, and he and his team aim to build a sustainable business infrastructure that can support multiple storytelling and policy campaigns at the same time.
Wildpath’s revenue streams include: (1) mission-restricted funds raised through collaboration with the National Geographic Society, which holds charitable status on behalf of donors; and (2) earned revenue through contracts with government and institutional clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Department of Agriculture. Future income plans include Wildpath as a public-facing retail brand connected to the movements of wildlife and protection of wildlife corridors.
The Wildpath Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in early 2026 and will grow as a vehicle for Wildpath’s mission.
Position Summary & Context for Recruitment
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a function currently held by Carlton Ward, Jr., will work closely with the organization’s founders in managing the business. The CEO will be the operational backbone of Wildpath and a strategic partner to the founders as well as a hands-on leader for a small, dynamic staff and network of contractors. This individual will supervise all aspects of the business, establishing strategic and annual operating plans, metrics, and budgets across all areas of work.
The CEO will ensure that business operations match the nimbleness and professional excellence of Wildpath’s artistic and conservation work. The CEO will lead the organizational integration of Wildpath and its affiliated entities (Lasting Hope LLC, which holds all activities related to the Sylvia Earle feature-length documentary; Wildpath Foundation; Florida Wild LLC; and Carlton Ward Photography LLC), with authority to assess and optimize structure and functional alignment in consultation with the founders. They will ensure staff and initiatives operate as a coherent, strategically aligned whole while maintaining appropriate legal and operational boundaries across entities to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
The CEO will provide leadership and strategic engagement with the founders for Wildpath’s Connected Planet project, which has been created in collaboration with the National Geographic Society to scale Wildpath’s model of accelerating the identification and protection of wildlife corridors through storytelling via a global network of National Geographic Explorers. The CEO will ensure effective management of this critical collaboration with National Geographic and joint fundraising. Some Connected Planet functions are expected to grow within National Geographic (e.g., hiring of a Connected Planet project director envisioned to be employed by National Geographic). The scope of National Geographic’s functions should grow as Connected Planet scales. The CEO will support the founders in developing and sustaining various additional partnerships related to Connected Planet and, over time, grow into personally managing key partner relationships. The CEO will participate in a range of regular meetings with the full range of partner organizations.
A strategic priority for incoming leadership is growing Wildpath’s earned revenue and scalable commercial ventures, including potential new business lines, as well as contributed revenue, while preserving the integrity of mission-restricted funds.
This is a senior, in-person role based in the Tampa Bay area (Wildpath will selectively consider a hybrid work model as needed for strong candidates), with periodic business travel – well-suited for a leader who thrives on building systems, developing teams, and bringing structure to creative, mission-driven organizations. To lead Wildpath, the candidate should have proven leadership in for-profit business management and development, and familiarity with nonprofit organizations.
Candidate Profile
Wildpath will consider a broad range of backgrounds. The ideal candidate will align with the following:
- Deep connection to Wildpath’s mission and meaningful familiarity with modern conservation initiatives.
- An experienced and entrepreneurial leader who thrives in small, fast-moving organizations and knows how to bring clarity and structure without stifling creativity.
- 10+ years of experience leading teams, ideally in creative, media, or mission-driven environments, with proven leadership in for-profit business management and development. Experience with nonprofit organizations, philanthropic funding, or hybrid models is a strong plus.
- Proven ability to plan, prioritize, and execute across multiple projects.
- Strong strategic thinking paired with hands-on operational leadership; demonstrated track record of enhancing systems, processes, and overall operational performance.
- Able to operate in dynamic or evolving environments, make decisions amid ambiguity, and build organizational systems while simultaneously executing against goals.
- Solid business and financial acumen.
- Executive presence with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Wildpath is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment. The organization welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and join its conservation and storytelling mission.
Wildpath has retained DSG | Koya to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leaders of the search team.
https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23112
Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder – DSG Fundraising & Advancement
[email protected] | 212.542.2587
Paul Towne
Managing Director, Nonprofit and Social Impact Practice
[email protected] | 404.291.3997