Meet the Board

Since 1988, our team has won every major yak conservation victory in north america.

In 2023, our heritage yak were acknowledged as Critically Endangered.

World Heritage Yak Conservancy’s

WHYC Board of Directors

Nicole Geijer Porter, Phd.

WHYC Founding Member and Legacy Sponsor. WHYC Genome Committee Chair, only “Distinguished Service” Awardee (2019), AZA Conservation Partner, Livestock Conservancy Lifetime Member, and member of the University Wisconsin Madison/UIC Campaign-Urbana Yak Genotyping Team. She is an epidemiologist and animal behaviorist.

Email Nicole Visit LinkedIn Research Gate

Lawrence G Richards.

Living Diamonds Yak Ranch , Polson, MT

WHYC Founding Member, he' was also the founder of the first yak breed association in North America in 1988. As well as directing the WHYC Registration and Genome Committees, he’s remarkable for being the 1st yak breeder in the US. With 35 years experience, Living Diamonds Yak Ranch has, by far, bred the most pedigreed and award-winning yak in America and Canada. His experience, knowledge, and dedication are outstanding.

Email Larry View his herd

Mark Priest.

A Yak or 2 / Great Lakes Ranch , Mancelona, Michigan

WHYC Founding Member and Legacy Sponsor. WHYC Membership Committee Chair, and currently has the largest number of registered, critically endangered, and certified Heritage yak in the US, making him the premier breeder of this rare species in North America.

Email Mark Visit a Yak or 2/Great Lakes

Jana Francis.

Breagha Vista Ranch, Belding, Michigan, and Lafayette, Indiana

WHYC Board member and Registrar. She has hands on experience raising heritage yak, and is an experienced fundraiser, philanthropist, and an international traveler.

Email Jana at registrar@heritageyak.com

Micheal Kozlowski, Esq.

Esbrook Law , Chicago, Illinois

WHYC Founding Member and Legacy Sponsor, Attorney, and Yak Enthusiast

WHYC Heritage Yak Steering Committees

Registration.

Lawrence Richards, Reg Comm Chair.Living Diamonds Ranch , Polson, Montana — Lawrence G. Richards, Registration Chair.
Living Diamonds Ranch , Polson, Montana

Conservation.

Steve Hill, Conservation Committee Advisor.

Sunny Hill Ranch , Willow, Alaska

WHYC Founding member, Livestock Conservancy member; past IYAK BOD member, and Life Time member.

Brent Huffman, Conservation Advisor.

Toronto Zoo , Lead Zoo Keeper, AZA, Taxon Advisory Committee, UltimateUngulate.com, Founder

Ethics.

Genome & Health.

Nicole Geijer Porter, Phd., Genome Chair.Prairie Sky Ranch , Rolling Ground, WI — Nicole Geijer Porter, Phd, Genome Committee Chair.
DePaul University, *Psychology Department, Chicago, IL*

Lawrence G Richards, Genome Advisor.
Living Diamonds Yak Ranch *, Polson, MT*

Fiber and Textiles.

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Jandy Sprouse, Fiber Committee Chair

Great Lakes Ranch , Maple City, Michigan

WHYC Founding member, IYAK past-President, BOD member, Fiber Committee, and Life time member. Livestock Conservancy Shave Em to Save Em Initiative advocate.