Founders
Board of Directors
Directors Emeritus
Dan Guravich
In 1992, wildlife photographer Dan Guravich, a Canadian native internationally known for his work with polar bears, recruited a loose-knit group of polar bear enthusiasts into a conservation organization first named Polar Bears Alive. Dan served as PBI's first president and remained chairman of the board until his death in 1997.
Marcia Guravich-Hoadley
Dan’s wife, Marcia Guravich-Hoadley, was a founding director and the first secretary of PBI. Marcia died in 2005, but the work that Dan started and she supported go on today, in part, because of their generous bequest and the invaluable resources of the Guravich Library of historic photographs and papers.
Dani Reiss, Chair, PBI USA
Canadian native, Dani Reiss, joined the boards of PBI Canada and PBI USA in 2007 and was elected chairman of the board of PBI USA in 2008. He is the third generation owner and operator of his family’s company, Canada Goose, manufacturer of the world's best and warmest parkas and extreme outerwear. Dani has a passionate commitment to polar bears, the Far North, and the preservation of all wild creatures and places. He lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.
Bob Williams, Chair, PBI Canada
Bob joined PBI's board of directors in 2004 and was elected chairman of the board of PBI Canada in 2008. A Canadian native, he is a highly successful residential and commercial property developer based in Winnipeg, as well as a champion for anything to do with Winnipeg and Manitoba, including its Assiniboine Zoo. Naturally, he lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the birthplace of the genuine Winnie-the-Pooh.
Robert W. Buchanan, President & CEO, PBI USA & Canada
In the mid-1980s, Robert made his first trip to the Far North and saw his first polar bear in the wild. He has returned every year since. Retired from a marketing role with a leading global beverage company, Robert joined PBI's board of directors in 2000 and became president and CEO of both PBI USA and Canada. Robert's vision is to help the world understand the importance of the arctic ecosystems and to inspire individuals to take urgent action toward conserving the planet. His home is in Alaska.
Richard P. Beck, CFO
Dick joined our board of directors in early 1999 and has served at two different times as CFO. A retired financial officer, Dick is serves on the boards of two publicly-held U.S. technology companies. He made his first trip to Churchill in 1998 and returns as often as possible. He also traveled with PBI to Svalbard. He lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Carolyn Buchanan, Secretary, PBI USA & Canada
Carolyn became a board member in 2006 and was elected secretary in 2010. A skilled communicator with renowned organizing and people skills, she devotes countless hours and limitless talent to PBI initiatives, including our annual Polar Bear Leadership Camps; fundraising; events and workshops. And she takes care of Robert Buchanan, too. Her home is in Alaska.
Leeann Myers, Director of Corporate Relations
Leeann joined PBI's board of directors in 2006 after serving as an Advisory Council member for two years. A marketing writer and editor for an international software company, Leeann is skilled at presenting complex information to a lay audience. And she is the PBI liaison to our corporate sponsors. Leeann also contributes articles to our quarterly newsletter. She lives in Arcata, California.
Valerie Beck
Val joined PBI's board in 2007 after years’ of volunteer work. She is a professional copywriter and graphic designer who helps PBI with its marketing communications. A serious amateur photographer, she became impassioned about polar bear conservation after seeing them in the wild in Churchill, Manitoba. She lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Frederica Gamble
One of the original board directors, Freddy served as PBI's vice president through 2005. She is a retired human resources consultant who worked with corporations in the publishing industry. A veteran of early bear-watching trips to Cape Churchill, she has a keen interest in nature and wildlife, and has traveled to the Arctic more than a dozen times. She lives in New York City.
Directors Emeritus
With great respect and gratitude, we recognize past board members whose contributions were immeasurable.
Hon. James L. Buckley
Also an original board director of PBI, Jim Buckley served until 2009. Jim is a former U.S. senator and retired U.S. circuit court judge. His fascination with the Far North, including its wildlife and peoples, dates to the 1960s. Jim has traveled extensively throughout the Arctic and has visited Antarctica as well.
Don Dean
Don was a director from 2003 until 2008. He owns and operates a building supply business in Houston, but his unrelenting passion is for wildlife and nature photography. He traveled with PBI on its trip to Svalbard in 2001 and has visited Churchill several times.
Downs Matthews
Downs is a founding director of PBI and the award-winning author of five books, including two on polar bears. He served on our board until 2003. Downs has traveled world-wide to write about and photograph his subjects. In 1992, he and PBI founder Dan Guravich were the first western journalists to visit and document polar bears on Russia's Wrangel Island following the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is proud to be a third-generation Houstonian.
Tom Ocasek
Tom joined PBI's board in 1998, became vice president in 2006, and served until 2009. Tom is a retired business executive who built and operated businesses ranging from fashion merchandising and retailing to real estate development and tourism. He is a committed conservationist who uses his polar bear slide shows to educate youth wherever he travels.
Patricia L. Wessinger
Pat is a founding director and served until 2006. An avid birder and nature enthusiast, she is also a founding member of Portland's Oregon Zoo and served as state co-chairman of the Oregon chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Pat’s interest in polar bears began after traveling to Cape Churchill with the late Dan Guravich on a photography tour.
Robert J. Wilson
Bob is a founding director and served until 2010. He has served as president, CFO, and chairman at different times. He is a retired attorney with extensive experience with issues surrounding marine mammal and is active in marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Bob is also an avid photographer specializing in marine mammals, including polar bears.
