By Kathy Wagner
In our continuing celebration of women making history, we feature an interview with Tara Stoinski, PhD, President & CEO/Chief Scientific Officer, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Note that this interview was condensed and edited for clarity.
What excites you now about your work?
We just opened the Ellen Campus (https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/), realizing a 20-year dream of creating a permanent, purpose built home. And I’m very excited about how it will accelerate and expand our mission of helping people, saving gorillas. Already in our first month, we’ve hosted field trips for more than 900 primary and secondary students and have interns and students working in our labs. We put out a call for our first training session for young Rwandan conservationists and had 319 applicants for 20 spots, which shows the real need for these types of learning opportunities. When I think about our field in general, I’m inspired about how we’re coming together, collaborating to create change. The 2022 UN Report and other news sometimes feels overwhelming, but our work with mountain gorillas is an example of how community conservation can work—it’s a fragile success but a success nonetheless.
What are some of the pivotal moments that brought you to this point as a leader?
I’ve always loved animals and studied to be a vet, but a trip to Africa altered my focus. I saw the value of zoos in conservation, inspired by Dr. Terry Maple, a mentor and friend starting with my grad school days, and shifted gears to start work at Zoo Atlanta, and later with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (DFGF). I didn’t aspire to leadership when I started my work with DFGF twenty years ago, but the Fund’s board members from the zoo and aquarium community encouraged me and were so supportive.
What advice did you receive?
The best advice probably came from my late husband: ‘Every problem is an opportunity.’ He helped me realize that disappointments can be turned into opportunities. Another bit of advice I value is attributed to Harry Truman, ‘It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.’ This helps me focus on outcomes—something I’d like to pass along to new leaders.
Was there a time when your gender was a barrier to your success/advancement? Or maybe gave you an edge?
I’m lucky there were a lot of women scientists in primatology, so I didn’t experience barriers there. I have observed gender differences in work-life balance—women have always been expected to take on a lot, especially during the pandemic—and their careers have suffered.
How do you find a source of renewal and replenishment?
I’m a lifelong learner, enjoy podcasts, and love my work. I recharge by spending time in nature, and I love being back in Africa with my team and talking science with them. And I enjoy spending maximum time with my daughters now that they’re older and will soon be heading off with their own lives.
How would you tell others to save the world?
It starts with taking personal responsibility, making individual commitments—our choices add up. Never underestimate the power of our collective voices and collective action. Vote and be thoughtful, prioritize the environment, be active in conservation. We need to work together as one world, as a global society, to make change happen.
Final thoughts?
Find your passion and follow it and you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m lucky—I feel like my work trying to save a species makes the world a better place.
