Staff Spotlight: Directors of Annual Giving

At the NWTF, our directors of annual giving play a key role in cultivating relationships with members and donors, ensuring the long-term support needed to drive conservation initiatives and R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) efforts. Through their work, they connect people’s passions to purpose — fueling the mission that shapes the future of wild turkeys and hunting traditions nationwide. Here are three passionate individuals from the team that are bridging passion and purpose to drive the mission forward. 

Ryder Leary, Director of Annual Giving - Southeast 

Raised in the outdoors, Leary’s earliest memories were shaped by hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with family.  

“Those experiences taught me respect for wildlife and a deep appreciation for the land,” he said. “The outdoors has always been more than a hobby; it’s a grounding place that reminds me of what we work to protect through conservation.” 

Ryder’s path toward conservation began, like many in the NWTF family, with time spent outdoors. His passion for wild places started early but grew as he came to understand the deep connection between people and the land. 

“My passion for the outdoors started young, but it truly deepened as I began to understand how conservation impacts everything we love about nature. Seeing firsthand the balance between people and habitat, and the responsibility we have to protect it, made me want to dedicate my career to ensuring that others have the same opportunities to experience it.” 

That understanding now drives his approach to giving. As the NWTF director of annual giving for the Southeast, Leary works to connect donors, members and partners with the tangible impact of their contributions. Leary’s role is about more than numbers and fundraising goals — it’s about relationships and creating a lasting change. 

“My role is about connecting passion to purpose — helping people see how their gifts directly support our mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage,” he said. “Every contribution, whether large or small, plays a role in ensuring our habitat and traditions endure for generations.” 

In his work, Ryder has discovered that giving takes many forms. Financial support provides resources for habitat projects and educational programs, but he believes giving time — through mentoring, volunteering or advocacy — is equally vital. 

“Every act of giving shapes the future,” Leary added. “Together, these forms of giving ensure that the values of conservation and our hunting traditions endure well beyond our lifetime.” 

While his role often focuses on connecting donors to impact, what Leary enjoys most are the relationships that come from working with NWTF members. Through these relationships, Leary is continually inspired by the people who give so freely to the mission. 

“NWTF members are some of the most passionate, grounded and generous people you’ll ever meet,” he said. “They care deeply about the mission, and their commitment is contagious. I love hearing their stories — why they give, how they hunt, how their families have been connected to the outdoors for generations. Those personal connections are what make this work so meaningful.” 

That sense of community and shared purpose keeps Ryder motivated through the challenges of his work — especially when it comes to communicating that conservation is about more than just wildlife. 

“One of the biggest challenges has been helping people understand that conservation isn’t just about wildlife; it’s about people, communities and connection. Bridging that gap requires communication, patience and persistence. Over time, I’ve learned that telling the story in a relatable way, through shared experiences in the field can inspire understanding and action far more effectively than facts alone.” 

Looking ahead, Ryder envisions a conservation community where giving is embraced as a form of stewardship. 

“My goal is to continue building a culture of philanthropy within the conservation world; one where giving is seen as an act of stewardship. I want to help grow the NWTF’s impact and ensure that the next generation of conservation leaders is equipped and inspired to carry the mission forward.” 

For those aspiring to follow a similar path, Ryder’s advice is simple: start where you are, stay curious and never lose sight of your “why.” 

“Follow your passion and be willing to start wherever you’re needed,” he said. “Spend time outdoors, volunteer, learn from those who’ve walked the trail before you and never lose sight of why you started — the desire to protect and conserve the places and traditions that shape who we are.” 

Brian Gray, Director of Annual Giving – Midwest/South 

For Gray, he has never known a life that wasn’t rooted deeply in the outdoors. 

“I have been hunting and fishing since I was old enough to walk,” he said. “My older brother taught me everything I know about turkey, deer, elk and small game hunting.” 

Those early lessons turned into decades of memory-making in the field. Gray has harvested an incredible range of game from deer, turkey, wild hogs and ducks to caribou, black and grizzly bears and moose. But there are two pursuits that sit at the heart of who he is. 

“Bowhunting whitetail deer is my passion, other than turkey hunting,” Gray said. “If I'm not working, you can probably find me in the woods.” 

With the outdoors so strongly woven into his identity, Gray always knew he wanted his career to reflect that passion. However, his journey to conservation wasn’t always a straight line. Gray started his career with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation — an experience that made it clear he belonged in the world of conservation and mission-driven work. 

“I ventured off into development work in higher education for several years,” Gray said. “But I knew I wasn't doing what I loved. Once I had the chance to join NWTF, I jumped at the opportunity, and I'm back where I belong.” 

As the director of annual giving for the Midwest Brian covers Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, building relationships with members and major donors who care about the mission as much as he does. What motivates him is simple: the people he meets and the shared passion they carry.  

“Hunters are the greatest conservationists,” Gray said. “Being able to connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for hunting and conservation drives me. With only 6% of the population being hunters, we are the minority, and it is up to us to conserve the wildlife that we love and pursue.” 

For Gray, giving — whether it’s financial or in-kind — is what keeps conservation moving forward. It’s the men and women behind those gifts who empower the NWTF to restore habitat, strengthen turkey populations and keep the legacy of hunting alive. 

“Both cash and in-kind giving are essential for conservation and preserving our hunting heritage,” he said. “It takes a lot of financial resources to ensure that we have healthy habitats for wild things across the landscape. Without the financial backing of our donors, much needed habitat work would not be possible. It is the backbone of what we do.” 

Looking ahead, Gray sees his future at the NWTF as a lifelong commitment. During this time, he aspires to raise as much money as he can for the mission to ensure his kids and grandkids can enjoy the outdoors as he did.   

“I plan to retire from NWTF, and I want to be able to look back and know that I made an impact on reversing the wild turkey decline, so my kids, and one day grandkids, can enjoy the outdoors like I've been able to.” 

For those dreaming of a career in conservation or the outdoor industry, Gray’s guidance is straightforward and honest. 

“You must have a strong passion for hunting and the outdoors to be successful in this field,” he said. “Without that, this is just a job. This is not just a job to me — it is my life.” 

Jonathan Ahern, Director of Annual Giving – South Coast 

For Jonathan Ahern, the outdoors has never been just a hobby — it’s where he grew up, found purpose and built the foundation for the career he loves. 

“I got my start hunting and fishing growing up at a Christian children’s home in Columbus, Mississippi called Palmer Home,” Ahern said. “My mother was raised there as an orphan, and when I was ten, my parents moved back to be house parents.” 

On that property, a working farm with two ponds and a wide back pasture, Ahern found his place. 

“I would come home every day after school and head straight to the pond to fish,” he said. “During dove season, I’d hunt the back pasture. That’s where my passion for the outdoors began.” 

Those early days shaped everything that came after. Today, as the NWTF’s director of annual giving for the South Coast, Ahern channels that lifelong passion into a career centered on building relationships and rallying support for the mission. 

“The work I do is focused on building relationships with volunteers and donors,” he explained. “I help them step into our mission through philanthropic giving — whether that’s pledging through our major donor levels or supporting us with a major gift. This support moves our conservation mission forward and supports growing our hunting heritage efforts.” 

After 25 years as a professional fundraiser, the motivation behind his work has never changed. 

“I love what I do,” he said. “The relationships that I have made doing this work keep me motivated to keep raising money for the NWTF. Passion for conservation and working to keep this beautiful land in good shape for my children and grandchildren is what is important.” 

And the people behind that support — NWTF members, volunteers and donors — are what makes the work fulfilling. 

“What I enjoy most about working with the NWTF family is the passion for conservation and hunting,” Ahern said. “It is one of my passions, and I enjoy hearing their stories and seeing the lands they own and care for.” 

Though he has spent his entire career in fundraising, stepping into conservation felt like a natural progression. Now in a role that blends his profession with his passions, Ahern sees a long future ahead with the NWTF. 

“Working with the NWTF and raising money in conservation has been one of my favorite positions,” he said. “I’d like to finish out my career here and continue making an impact on the land.” 

For anyone considering a similar path in the outdoor industry, his advice is simple and encouraging. 

“I’ve raised money in higher education, nonprofits, ministry and healthcare,” he said. “The outdoor field has been one of the most enjoyable industries I’ve worked in. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors.” 

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, these stories are a reminder of how powerful giving can be. Every dollar donated, every hour volunteered, and every story shared creates ripples that extend far beyond ourselves, sustaining the mission of the NWTF and the natural resources we hold dear. Through their work, the directors of annual giving continue to connect others to that truth, ensuring that the call of the wild turkey and the traditions that define us echo for generations to come.