About Us

Asaba Mukobi grew up in the Kasese District of Uganda, with first-hand knowledge of the need for wildlife conservation in his native land. But local residents lacked the information necessary to fully understand this critical issue. In his twenties, Asaba gained early career experience working with chimpanzees and other native Ugandan species for the Jane Goodall Institute Insinga Island project. After moving to the United States in 1997, he joined the Columbus Zoo as an animal keeper. Asaba maintained a strong connection with Kasese residents and family members. In 2002, he and his wife, Kimberly, came up with the idea for the Kasese Wildlife Conservation Awareness Organization. With an initial grant from the Columbus Zoo and subsequent grants from the Oregon Zoo, he made several trips to Uganda with suitcases full of colorful and informational wildlife trading cards designed by employees at the Columbus Zoo. Asaba visited schools throughout the District, presented wildlife education programs, and handed out free trading cards to thousands of students. The cards became cherished possessions and led Asaba to establish nonprofit status for the Kasese Wildlife Conservation Awareness Organization (KWCAO) in 2009. As Executive Director, Asaba works closely with the KWCAO Board and the 13-member team of Field Coordinators in Uganda.

Alice Stuckey currently works as an Administrative Specialist with Oregon Zoo’s Facilities Management Division and has a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation. She has served on KWCAO’s board since 2003. Alice has visited KWCAO operations in Africa and considers the trip as one of her most cherished experiences: “Working with KWCAO gives me the opportunity to combine my years of non-profit management with my love of East Africa. I believe education is the bedrock of any society and I am thrilled to have a way to influence conservation education in a country as beautiful as Uganda.”

Michael Illig has been in the professional animal field for over 35 years and has worked at three different zoos. As a keeper, he worked with a wide variety of animals with a special focus on native to Africa and North America. In his current role of Animal Curator at the Oregon Zoo, Michael’s responsibilities include oversight of the bird collection, and endangered species breeding programs for the California Condor, several species of native butterflies, and the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit. Michael has been an active national and chapter member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and has received national recognition for his excellence in animal care and leadership of the Portland AAZK chapter’s Bowling for Rhinos fundraising efforts. Michael has proudly served on the KWCAO board of directors since 2003.

Rick Horton grew up in suburban Connecticut surrounded by creatures of all shapes and styles. His extensive non-profit sector experience includes work as an animal keeper, wildlife rehabilitator, and education program coordinator – in addition to spending the past 25-years as a fundraising professional in Portland, Oregon. As Grants Manager for the Oregon Zoo Foundation, Rick led efforts to secure more than $8 million in support of education, conservation, and exhibition programs. An active member of the Grant Professionals Association, he teaches grantsmanship classes and workshops in the Portland area and serves as a federal grant reviewer. He also works part-time as a Development Manager for Adaptive Sports Northwest. Rick’s passion for wildlife conservation through education and his fundraising experience, led him to join the KWCAO board in 2004.

Kimberly Mukobi is an instructor in the University Studies Department at Portland State University. She teaches the Grantwriting for Animals Senior Capstone courses, in which students combine service and learning to write proposals for community partners working in the animal welfare and wildlife conservation sectors. Kimberly has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Experimental Psychology, focusing on animal cognition and ethology. Her work with chimpanzees includes a variety of captive and wild settings and encompasses everything from sign language and nonverbal communication to mathematical and other cognitive tasks with chimps who worked on some of the first touch screen computers. In the late ‘90s, she volunteered for the Jane Goodall Institute and Uganda National Parks with the Isigna Island Project, one of the very first island sanctuaries to help young chimpanzee survivors of the international poaching trade. While there, she was inspired by the people of Uganda and realized that saving chimpanzees and their habitats depends on the understanding and support of local communities. This became her inspiration to help found KWCAO in 2002.

Judy Post has held a lifelong love and respect for animals. Since 1986, she has volunteered at the Oregon Zoo, engaging guests in conservation conversations and encouraging action for the planet. Judy first learned of KWCAO during a zoo volunteer meeting where Board President Asaba Mukobi shared insights into Kasese’s wildlife culture and challenges. Inspired, she became a dedicated supporter and later joined the USA Board of Directors. Judy brings expertise in planning, change management, customer service, and communications, which she uses to strengthen KWCAO’s mission through education, tree sapling distribution, fuel-efficient stove programs, and initiatives that transform poachers into wildlife advocates.