Hello! I’m Christopher Lile, but most folks call me Topher.

I help nonprofits achieve long-term sustainability through ethical fundraising and impactful communications. I graduated from the IU Lilly School of Philanthropy with a Masters in Philanthropic Studies in 2022 thanks to the McKinney Environmental Fellowship. I completed a Certificate in Fund Raising Management the same year, from the Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

My educational background is paired with 5 years of hands-on experience in wildlife conservation including:

• international primate behavioral research with the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership and Greater Mahale Ecosystem Research and Conservation
• wildlife caregiving and public education at Wolf Park
• blog writing with the Jane Goodall Institute,
• grassroots advocacy and fundraising for endangered species with Defenders of Wildlife

I currently work as the Operations & Communications Director for Project Coyote, a national carnivore conservation organization promoting compassionate coexistence and protecting the most persecuted predators in North America. In my spare time, I present wolf educational programs and events at Wolf Park.

My role with Project Coyote is remote, so I travel as much as I can along with offering pet and house sitting services locally and sometimes nationally.

Connect with me on LinkedIn or email topherlile @ gmail.com to chat nonprofits, carnivore conservation, or house sitting!