JOHN CAVELLI

John F. Calvelli is the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a global conservation organization headquartered at the Bronx Zoo dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places. John serves on the Executive Management team that manages the overall organization and is leading their effort to build a conservation movement that will inspire and engage the public in support of its mission. 

Prior to joining WCS, John served as the Washington Chief of Staff and Counsel to Congressman Eliot Engel, having oversight responsibility for Congressional, administrative office functions and overseeing, directing, and supervising all legislative initiatives. The Republic of Italy bestowed the honorific title of Knighthood in the Order of Merit for his work promoting stronger US-Italy relations.

John graduated from Fordham University and earned a law degree from Fordham Law School. He was a founder and is currently the Chair of the International Conservation Partnership and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Government Affairs Committee. He also serves on the board of the Public Affairs Council, New York City and Company, the National Italian American Foundation, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, the Steering Committee of the Association for a Better New York and is the immediate Past Chair of the New York City Cultural Institutions Group. His most gratifying experience though was serving on the board of The Picture House during the “early” years, helping to purchase the property and restore the iconic movie theater. He served many roles at TPH, including Chair of the Board, and now is happily on call to be of assistance to this amazing institution.



John is married to Maria DiMeo Calvelli and their son John Domenico, a recent graduate of Brown University.