Joan Embery

Joan Embery has served as a champion of environmental, conservation, and preservation issues around the world, most notably as spokeswoman for the Zoological Society of San Diego. She has had the opportunity to express her passion for animals with a multitude of audiences from youth to veterinary students to corporate executives. Her work has included hundreds of television shows, such as "The Tonight Show," "CBS This Morning," PBS programs, "Hollywood Squares," "Mr. Rogers," "Entertainment Tonight," as well as her own syndicated series "Animal Express" and "Animals of Africa."

In addition to her many public appearances, Joan has led wildlife expeditions to such exotic locales as Africa, China, Nepal, India, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Thailand, and the Amazon. As a dedicated animal and environmental advocate, Joan spends her time working with wildlife organizations and educating the public. She serves on many boards focusing on conservation and wildlife issues and continues to make significant public appearances discussing these critical topics.

Joan has written four books, "My Wild World" and "Amazing Animal Facts" published by Delacorte, "On Horses" published by Morrow, and "The Good Dog Book" published by Avon Books. She has also completed a computer workbook "Dogs! with Joan Embery" for responsible dog ownership developed by Digital Vistas.

A San Diego native, Joan studied zoology and telecommunications and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. While Joan is most well known for her work with exotic animals, she is also an accomplished horsewoman, having won trophies in almost every discipline from dressage to cutting and driving to jumping. She lives on a 50-acre ranch in Lakeside, California with her husband Duane Pillsbury where she has raised and trained various breeds of horses, as well as managing a community equestrian facility.

In 2004, Joan created her own non-profit foundation, The Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation, with the mission of connecting people to wildlife and conservation issues and the role each individual plays in ensuring healthy environments. Joan enjoys speaking with audiences about wildlife and the environment, sharing her experiences and passion for animals with personal accounts and anecdotes. She maintains a collection of wildlife ambassadors that travel with her, representing the animal world and helping to educate her audiences.