Anja Heister

Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member

Born and raised in Germany, Anja holds an M.S. in Biology from the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Montana, Missoula, Montana. Before she moved to Missoula 25 years ago, Anja spent several years backpacking across Europe and through Africa, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Anja is a co-founder of Footloose Montana and created our trap-release workshops. She brings experience as a former campaign director and as a board member of a nonprofit organization working against animal cruelty before becoming an independent researcher and writer for social change for animals as well as a life coach. Anja is the author of Beyond the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation: From Lethal to Compassionate Conservation. Anja strongly believes that trapping must end and that cultivating empathy and compassion for animals will get us there. If she is not roaming through forests with her dogs, Anja enjoys running, reading, and cooking vegan-friendly meals for herself, her husband and friends.