About Us - a small team with a big vision

Con Slobodchikoff, PhD

Founder and Chief Science Officer

Con Slobodchikoff is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Northern Arizona University and CEO of Animal Communications, Ltd. He is an expert at decoding animal language, using innovative experimental and analytical techniques. His work has shown that prairie dogs have a sophisticated animal language with all of the design features of human languages.

He has written or co-written some 100 scientific papers and popular articles on animal language, behavior, and evolution. He has also edited three books on these topics. He is the author of Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals (St. Martin’s Press), How to Talk to Your Dog (Lyons Press), and the lead author of Prairie Dogs: Communication and Community in an Animal Society (Harvard University Press).

His work has been featured in a variety of news media articles and interviews. A joint production by BBC and Animal Planet did a one-hour documentary of his work, shown by BBC TV in Europe and on Animal Planet as part of the Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom series.

He has a B.S. and a Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Find out more about Con at conslobodchikoff.com

Gordon Fuller

Chief Executive Officer

Gordon Fuller is a visionary leader dedicated to advancing animal language research through innovative technologies. Committed to animal welfare and the integration of technology for the benefit of both humanity and animals, Gordon guides Zoolingua’s mission with strategic foresight and operational expertise.

Under his leadership, Zoolingua bridges cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and spatial computing with practical applications in animal communication. Gordon focuses on fostering investor and donor relations to ensure sustainable funding for pioneering projects.

His holistic approach emphasizes immediate impact and long-term progress, positioning Zoolingua as a leader in the integration of technology and animal research.

Katherine S. O’Donnell

Chief Communications Officer

Katherine S. O’Donnell is the Founder of OP Creative Communications and brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and animal welfare. Passionate about fostering understanding between people and animals to reduce unnecessary euthanasia of dogs, cats, and other animals, Katherine has made significant contributions to the field.

Her expertise in strategic communication has driven impactful campaigns, fostering greater awareness and support for animal welfare initiatives. She has served on the City of San Francisco’s Pet Disaster Preparedness coalition, collaborating with multiple agencies to prepare people and animals for disasters. Katherine played a key role in crisis management during a Bay Area shelter fire, providing strategic messaging to donors, stakeholders, supporters, and the community, while handling public relations with the media, resulting in worldwide news coverage.

Her extensive background includes working with animal rescues, pet adoption agencies, and veterinary clinics, tirelessly promoting animal welfare on a global scale.

Kealoha Gardener

Executive Creative Director

Kealoha Gardener combines her artistic background with a deep love for nature and animal welfare. Her vision is to harness technology to better serve both humanity and animals.

In her role, Kealoha oversees art direction, content creation, and creative strategy. She excels in integrated marketing, photography, videography, and storytelling, crafting compelling visual languages and marketing campaigns. Her expertise extends to advertising, social media brand development, and brand identity campaigns, ensuring cohesive and impactful messaging across platforms.

Kealoha also pioneers metaverse world design, integrating cutting-edge technology into Zoolingua’s initiatives. She supports investor and donor relations, creating engaging promotional materials and hosting webinars to secure vital funding.

Kealoha’s holistic approach ensures immediate impact and long-term benefits. Her dedication to animal welfare and innovative storytelling drives Zoolingua’s advancements in animal language research, positioning the institute at the forefront of technological progress.

Jack O’Donnell

Youth Advisor

Jack O’Donnell assists in the integration of technology in fostering the human-animal bond. Emphasizing the impact of technology on future generations, Jack seeks to help younger generations in engaging meaningfully with animals and advocating for understanding communication between species. He works with focus groups on UX/UI and interactive gaming.