Debbie Ethell has followed a group of more than 400 elephants since she was eight years old. As a conservation research scientist she realizes how important it is to share what she’s learned with others.

In 2015 she founded The KOTA Foundation for Elephants as a way to teach people in the United States all of the extraordinary things she learned about elephants as a way to support positive outcomes for their survival.

In 2019 Debbie published her best-selling memoir “The Will of Heaven: An Inspiring True Story About Elephants, Alcoholism, and Hope” which captured her serendipitous journey (and hard fought battle) overcoming addiction intertwined with the stories of her beloved elephants which gave her the strength and courage to never give up. Due to The Will of Heaven’s enormous success one book has now been turned into a series of three. The second in the series is scheduled for release in 2023.