Images

A LIFE FOREVER SHAPED BY A LION ENCOUNTER

When Elizabeth Sullivan first saw a mountain lion, she was barely twenty. Hiking the ridgeline above Marin County with her now husband and their dog, she watched in awe as a tawny lion appeared ahead of them—graceful, silent, and powerful. “It was gliding down the hill,” she recalls, “those big, beautiful feet working so effortlessly.” That fleeting moment became a turning point in her life, sparking a passion that would guide her for decades.

FROM ADVOCATE TO BOARD LEADER

Elizabeth joined the Mountain Lion Foundation’s board in 1997 after helping gather signatures for the original Proposition 117 campaign that banned mountain lion hunting in California. A lifelong nature lover—she grew up rescuing pollywogs from creeks and still draws portraits of trees—Elizabeth brought both a lawyer’s precision and an advocate’s heart to MLF. Trained at UC Hastings, she spent years in environmental and toxic litigation before redirecting her skills toward estate planning and philanthropy, helping MLF establish its planned giving program and strengthen its long-term sustainability.

SHIFTING PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF MOUNTAIN LIONS

Over the years, Elizabeth has seen public attitudes toward lions evolve—from fear and misunderstanding to respect and coexistence. “In the early days, every sighting made the news,” she says. “We worked hard to change that narrative—to help people understand that mountain lions belong here. They are not our enemies; they are our neighbors.”

A LEGACY OF COEXISTENCE AND CONNECTEDNESS

From supporting predator-proof pen programs to championing coexistence education, Elizabeth’s influence runs deep in MLF’s legacy. Her vision is clear: to help people reconnect with the wildness that still runs through America’s wild landscapes.

MOUNTAIN LIONS STILL NEED US

“We need mountain lions,” she says. “They keep ecosystems in balance—and they remind us of who we are and what we stand to lose if we forget that connection.”

By Ellen C. O’Connell, Executive Director, and Byron Weckworth, Chief Conservation & Advocacy Officer, Mountain Lion Foundation

HONORING OUR LEGACY

For nearly four decades, the Mountain Lion Foundation has stood as a leading voice for mountain lions. From securing landmark victories like California’s Proposition 117 to advancing science-based coexistence programs and protecting vital wildlife corridors, MLF’s legacy is one of courage, advocacy, and impact. Today, as we step into new leadership roles, we do so with deep respect for this history and a renewed sense of purpose for what comes next.

MOUNTAIN LIONS MATTER MORE THAN EVER

Mountain lions are more than a symbol of the wild. They are essential to the health of the landscapes we all depend on. These quiet, elusive predators shape ecosystems from the top down, keeping deer and elk populations balanced, allowing forests and riparian vegetation to recover, and supporting the biodiversity that sustains entire watersheds. Yet the challenges facing mountain lions are growing. From habitat loss and fragmentation to increased human-wildlife conflict, mountain lions are at a crossroads—and so are we.

A NEW CHAPTER ROOTED IN SCIENCE AND ADVOCACY

The work ahead of us is both urgent and inspiring. As the Mountain Lion Foundation enters its next chapter, we are committed to strengthening the bridge between science and advocacy, grounding every campaign in research, collaboration, and compassion. Protecting mountain lions is not just about saving a species—it’s about safeguarding the integrity of the ecosystems that give us clean air, flowing water, and the wild places that inspire us.

BUILDING A FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE AND LIONS THRIVE TOGETHER

Our vision is one where people and mountain lions thrive together. Going forward, we must deepen our partnerships with communities, scientists, and policymakers to create solutions that work for everyone. That means expanding our understanding of how lions move through fragmented landscapes, advancing coexistence tools that reduce conflict, and turning new science into smarter management. And it means telling the stories that remind us of our connection to nature — stories that link people, whether they live in mountain towns or urban neighborhoods, to the wildscapes that sustain us all.

LEADERSHIP FOR A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

We bring to this mission complementary perspectives: Ellen’s decades of leadership across conservation, humanitarian, and policy arenas, and Byron’s background leading conservation programs that unite science, partnerships, and action on behalf of wildlife. Together, we aim to channel new energy into an organization whose roots run deep, building on the foundation of those who came before us while preparing for a rapidly changing future.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION, AND COEXISTENCE

We also recognize that we cannot do this work alone. The strength of the Mountain Lion Foundation has always come from its community—our incredible supporters, our tireless volunteers, our board, our partners, and every individual who believes that coexistence is possible. In the months ahead, we’ll be reaching out to listen, learn, and co-create a strategy that honors MLF’s proud legacy while charting a bold, forward-looking course.

LOOKING AHEAD WITH PURPOSE AND POSSIBILITY

Our message is simple: the story of the mountain lion is the story of us all. As we honor our past and look to the horizon, we invite you to join us in ensuring that mountain lions—and the wild landscapes they represent—endures for generations to come.