Our Mission is Clear
The Wild Fungal Trust exists to protect the diversity of fungi and flora by safeguarding vulnerable species in preservation vaults and supporting healthy global ecosystems for the benefit of future generations.
We envision a world where fungi, flora, and fauna thrive in harmony, with safeguarded biodiversity forming the foundation of resilient ecosystems for generations to come.
Core Values
Stewardship
We are guardians of biodiversity, committed to protecting funga, flora, & fauna through science-based preservation and sustainable practices.
Community
We recognize the vital relationships between species, ecosystems, and humanity, shaping our approach to conservation as a systems challenge.
Integrity
Our work is grounded in transparency, rigorous research, and ethical responsibility to the natural world and future generations.
Innovation
We embrace cutting-edge methods in conservation, preservation technology, and ecological restoration to meet the urgency of environmental loss head-on.
Meet our Team
Each member of our team brings a unique blend of scientific insight, strategic vision, and deep-rooted commitment to safeguarding the wild and unseen ecosystems that sustain life. Read more about our team below.
Mike Kocher
Founder, CEO
Mike envisioned and launched our conservation vault, pioneering new approaches to safeguard fungal and wild specimens at a global scale.
CJ Climp
Chief Operating Officer
CJ leads strategic operations, driving global initiatives in fungal and wild specimen conservation with sharp tactical insight.
Jessica Bergen
Chief Mobilization Officer
Jessica drives fundraising and grassroots outreach, mobilizing community support to protect fungal and wild ecosystems.
Yuwei “Sushi” Li
Director of Growth Ventures
Sushi leads our mission-aligned product initiatives, advancing our fungal-based solutions that generate revenue to fund our conservation work.
Ashley O’Leary
Director of Strategic Funding
Ashley drives strategic funding, blending scientific insight, donor engagement, and national outreach to sustain our preservation mission.
Carl Dudley
Senior Security Advisor
Carl advises on security, applying expertise in finance, blockchain, and cybersecurity to safeguard our digital and financial infrastructure.
Sydney Gibson
Lead Soil Microbiologist
Sydney advances our mission through research on spent mushroom substrate, showing its power to improve soil health and drive sustainable product innovation.
Gabriela Holmes
Chief Marketing Officer
Gabby drives WFT’s digital strategy and creative direction, building campaigns that expand our reach and mobilize global support.