"My professional association with Astrid began in 1996, when she assumed primary duties for captive breeding in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s black-footed ferret recovery program. The Service had assembled a team to tackle what had become a highly complex and politically charged recovery effort for this species, which was then regarded as the most endangered mammal in North America. Largely through Astrid’s early work in developing advanced breeding and preconditioning techniques for both rearing and reintroducing ferrets to the wild, the program quickly evolved into a dynamic and highly successful recovery effort across many western states, Canada and Mexico. I have maintained a long, close association with Astrid and have followed her tireless efforts to conserve imperiled wildlife species around the globe, and work with governments and local communities to sustain habitats for both wildlife and people. Beyond her extraordinary professional capabilities, Astrid's warm and disarming demeanor translates into a remarkable ability to connect with people of diverse, often divergent, backgrounds and help forge resolution of difficult problems. Simply put, Astrid is one of the most capable, honest, energetic, and inspirational people I have ever known."