IWF OFFICE STAFF

Executive Director
Barbara Simpson
Barbara Simpson joined the Indiana Wildlife Federation as its executive director in January 2011. Prior to IWF, Barbara worked in a variety of scientific and management positions at Eli Lilly and Company and Elanco Animal Health for 31 years.

After retirement from Lilly she co-founded the Indiana Casting for Recovery Program, part of a national nonprofit wellness and education program for breast cancer survivors. She was also an advocate for the restoration and purchase of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area.

Barbara serves on the board of directors of Friends of Goose Pond and is a member of the Advisory Committee for IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science.

She holds master’s degrees in Chemistry from Purdue University and Geology from Indiana University.

A lifelong Hoosier, she grew up in Greene County, still spends time there on the Goose Pond and with family and friends. Her interests include fly fishing, tennis, sporting clays, and enjoying her family, especially her two grandchildren.

Wildlife and Habitat Project Director
Travis Stoelting
Since obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science at Purdue University, Travis has concentrated his efforts toward research and applied natural resource management throughout southern Indiana. Before his work at IWF, Travis was involved with breeding bird surveys, small mammal trapping, waterfowl counts, marking and radio-telemetry of copperbelly watersnakes, various roadside surveys, timber stand improvements, mapping of rare and invasive plants, and several forms of vegetation sampling. Mr. Stoelting is currently involved with over 30 habitat management projects across the state and continues to contribute to avian and mammalian research in southern Indiana.

Office Manager and Membership Director
Debbie Twardy
Debbie Twardy is a transplanted Hoosier, moving to Indiana from Texas in 1988.  She has raised 4 children and is currently enjoying 4 grandchildren.  After leaving the busy corporate world as administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Sales for Lone Star Cement Company, she looked for something to fulfill her passion for nature and the outdoors. IWF was the perfect fit. Since joining IWF in 2003, she has served as the office manager and support for the staff.

Communications Director
Kyle Burns
Kyle graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. in English Literature and Biology minor. Always environmentally-minded, Kyle applies his background in writing and analysis to manage and shape IWF's communication outlets, including indianawildlife.org, IWF's Facebook and Twitter presences, and Hoosier Conservation magazine.

Water Resources Project Manager
Marija Watson
Marija graduated Marian University in 2009 with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. Her concentration was Environmental Studies, with minors in Chemistry and Global Studies. At Marian, she was a Restoration Ecologist Intern in the Ecolab, a preserved wetland on campus. When not in the Ecolab, Marija worked in the laboratory on an independent research project testing water quality, specifically nutrient levels in the White River. Since joining IWF in September of 2009, she has coordinated the Phosphorus-free Lawn Fertilizer Education Campaign by creating new resources, coordinating volunteers, and participating in outreach events. Marija is involved in developing new legislation and dedicated to continuing her work in conservation.

Development Director
Gary Doxtater
Dox has over 40 years in the management of Indiana's natural resources, mostly in fish and wildlife related fields. He has held the following positions in DNR: field fisheries biologist, Supervisor Central Office, Supervisor of the Lake and River Enhancement program, DNR Deputy Director over 7 Divisions, and Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Outside of DNR he was founder of Aquatic Control Lake Management Co. and Manager of Environmental Studies for Amax Coal Company.

He has been involved with IWF from the early days of ICCI and now, after retirement, has been a fulltime volenteer as Director of Development for IWF.