Elke has been a member of the SNVB for over 10 years, and a Board member since 1998. She is a self-employed contract biologist living and working on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In 1996, she received her M.Sc. from UBC. Her thesis research investigated effects of forest fragmentation on Wood frogs in north-central Alberta. Since that time, her main area of research has continued to focus on impacts of forest harvesting on amphibian populations, especially habitat management of small wetland habitats. She has written numerous reports for government, species recovery teams, and non-profit organizations.

Recently, Elke has been expanding into education through her work with a local Young Naturalists' Club, including developing a leader's manual and program guide for children aged 10+. She has extensive experience as a Board member, including organizing the 2001 and 2007 annual meetings in Victoria and numerous wetland and amphibian workshops and meeting sessions.