Menlo Circus Club 190 Park Lane, Atherton, California
Venue host: Lyn Jason Cobb, President, Menlo Polo Club
bayarea.tusk.us.org
Supporting Tusk’s programs, our Tusk in Silicon Valley event promises compelling content, meaningful inspiration, and great fun along with food and drink at one of Silicon Valley’s most historical venues.
Your event sponsorship will include a package to bring a number of your guests to enjoy the Menlo Circus Club, celebrating over 100 years as a family club and the scene of outstanding horse shows, polo matches, swimming events, tennis tournaments and gala parties. Gather with fellow friends of Tusk and learn about our African project partners leading innovation and delivering scalable solutions in conservation.
Event proceeds will directly support Tusk’s four solutions to the pressing need to preserve Africa’s precious biodiversity:
Protecting endangered species
We are providing greater protection for over 40 highly threatened species. As well as safeguarding African elephant, rhino and lion, Tusk’s projects are playing a critical role in the survival of painted dogs, gorillas, chimpanzees, zebras, turtles, vultures and much more.
Preserving areas of natural habitats
Over 50 million hectares of land are currently safeguarded by Tusk project partners, providing vital habitat for Africa’s threatened species.
Promoting human-wildlife co-existence
Our partners respond to incidents of human-wildlife conflict and work with communities to find a way to make sure that both people and wildlife can thrive within the same landscape.
Providing environmental education
Tusk believes that if conservation is to succeed then children must learn to appreciate wildlife and its importance at an early age. Our pioneering Pan African Conservation Education (PACE) program has so far reached over 1 million school children across the continent, helping to change attitudes and behaviors towards the environment and wildlife. PACE materials are attractive and exceptionally rich. Content is arranged in seven chapters:
Living with Wildlife, Water, Soil, Forests, Energy, Living by the Ocean and Urban Living
Charlie Mayhew OBE
Charlie Mayhew OBE is Founder and President of Tusk Trust. After leading a 7-month overland expedition from London to Cape Town in 1985, Charlie started working for a boutique financial services firm before going on to establish his own financial business, which he later sold to the St James’s Place Group. In 1990 he co-founded the UK based charity, Tusk Trust, and, as part of the stimulus for doing so, he co-produced the feature film ‘Lost in Africa’– a drama that sought to highlight the ivory trade.
Under Charlie’s stewardship, Tusk has since grown into becoming a highly reputable charity raising over $150m for a wide range of wildlife conservation, community development and environmental education programs across Africa. HRH The Prince of Wales has been the charity’s Royal Patron since 2005 and Charlie has accompanied the Prince on a number of overseas trips to promote Tusk’s work. In 2023, Charlie was recognised for his work and honoured with an OBE by HM The King. In January this year, Charlie took on his new executive role as Founder and President.
Joe and Farrah Calder
Joe Calder OStJ holds a MBA from the University of Cambridge and is a seasoned business technology leader and thought leader experienced in technology ideation and business technology leadership. In addition to Patrons’ Circle of Tusk, Joe is a Patron of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Royal Shakespeare Company, Historic Royal Palaces, and The Royal Institution; member of British American Business Council, British Benevolent Society, and The Royal Society of Saint George; as well as Life Fellow of British Computer Society and Royal Geographical Society. As an Officer of the Order of St John, Joe continues to serve with the charity’s mission to lead globally in first aid and medical responses to community healthcare needs. Joe previously served as a Commissioned Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army.
Farrah Calder is a start-up technology pioneer who joined BetterHelp, ThirdLove, and Fitbit when they were startups, assisting their achievements in brand recognition, monthly active users, and platform awareness. Her journey still continues with BetterHelp. Together, Joe and Farrah Calder founded the Silicon Valley Technology Foundation. The Calders spend time primarily in the US and UK with their two sons, Joey and Aston.
Pete Coppolillo
Jay Crafter
Pete Coppolillo has been the Executive Director of Working Dogs for Conservation for the last 12 years, a role he came to as a conservationist rather than a dog trainer or handler. He holds a PhD from UC Davis and has been involved in conservation efforts in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America. His work appears in numerous scientific publications, and he is co-author of the book Conservation: Linking Ecology, Economics and Culture (2005 Princeton Univ. Press).
Jay Crafter is a Zimbabwe native and a veteran canine trainer from the British and US Militaries, where he completed over 20 military canine certifications. His deployments included Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. After completing his service, Jay refocused his career on Africa, where he has trained over 45 K9/Handler teams for wildlife law enforcement. Jay’s unique history allows him to draw from anti-poaching, military and civilian law-enforcement, and even counter-terrorist doctrines, to stop wildlife crime. Jay is WD4C’s first Director of Law Enforcement, and he lives with his family in North Carolina.
Live Auction
Team Outing
Experience a fantastic afternoon for a group of friends, family or work colleagues to try your hand at polo at the Menlo Polo Club.
• Great for company outings, communities, organizations and a group of family or friends who want to add a polo experience to their bucket list
• 6-8 participants, all ages welcome
• Spectators are welcome, 1 per guest
• Meet on a Friday in season 26 April - 11 July, 2025 at 2pm for horses and gear before 90-minute polo 101 instruction, followed by a scrimmage
• Après polo - enjoy field-side seats for a Menlo Polo Club match at 4pm following your team’s experience, plus complimentary happy hour while you mix with polo pros and polo club members following the match
• Package includes: all gear, tack, mallets, horse rentals
• No riding experience required
Prize very generously donated by Menlo Polo Club
IMAGINE. INSPIRE. GROW.
Technology solutions can help conserve wildlife and natural places for future generations to know and experience
Please help encourage technology solutions for conservation!
