Support Us

Meet Our Team

Tanya Smith

President/Founder/Officer

From: Cook County, IL

"Animal Lover, Water, Nature Enthusiast"

Amanda Rials

Board Member

From: Southeast AL

"Traveler, Motivator, Networker"

Jim Jackson

Board Member

"Resolute, Dedicated, Friendly"

Julie Howard, PhD

Board Member

"Compassionate, Determined, Blessed"

JR Shaw

Board Member

Randy Risor

Board Member

Tracy Garry

Board Member

Virginia Rankin

Board Member

From: New Orleans, LA

" Compassionate, Determined, Capable"

Tanya Smith

President/Founder/Officer

From: Cook County, IL

"Animal Lover, Water, Nature Enthusiast"

Scott Smith

Vice President, Officer

From: Muskegon, MI

"Lakes, Rivers, Mountains"

Amanda Smith

Treasurer, Officer

From: Sandwich, IL

"Loving, Caring, Trustworthy"

Emily McCormack

Animal Curator & Intern Coordinator

From: Oswego, NY

"Animal Mom, Fisherwoman, Water lover"

Dr. Kellyn Sweeley

Staff Veterinarian

From: North Attleboro, MA

"Compassionate, Happy, Cheese"

Laurie Vanderwal

Assistant Animal Curator & Gift Shop Manager

From: SW Ontario

"Positive, Hard Working, Empathetic"

Sandy Ames

Donor Relations Director

From: Door County, WI

"Animal Lover, Caring, Inquisitive"

Cheryl King

Marketing Director

From: Medina, NY

"Animal/Nature Lover"

Miranda Smith

Hospitality Coordinator

From: Hope, AR

"Passionate, Caring, Adventurous"

Shayleen Richert

Education Coordinator

From: Lowell, AR

"Dr. Pepper Lover, Naturalist, Adventurous"

Victor Smith

Maintenance Coordinator

From: Hot Springs, AR

"Hardworking, Adventurous, Enthusiastic"

David Enden

Communications Director

From: Long Island, NY

"Psychology, Cookies, Growth"

Beau LaJoie

Gift Shop Team Member

Brian Kluska

Content Producer

From: Andover, NJ

"Ambitious, Personable, Innovative"

Carly Hepburn

Animal Care Staff & Volunteer Coordinator

From: Southwick, MA

"Caring, Adventurous, Loyal"

Carly Thompson

Animal Care Staff

From: Victorville, CA

"Charismatic, Vivacious, Authentic"

Drew Donnelly

Content Creator

From: Tallahassee, FL

"Creative, Funny, Adventurous"

Erin Durphy

Wildlife Interpreter

From: St. Louis, MO

"Kind, Easygoing, Patient"

Hannah Litke

Donor Appreciation Assistant

From: Nevada, IA

"Cats, Mission-driven, Passionate"

Harland King

Maintenance

Jade Schleicher

Animal Care Staff

From: Portage, WI

"Creative, Cats, Caring"

Jason Lavarnway

Animal Care Staff

From: NY

"Kind, Easygoing, Pizza"

Karagan LaJoie

Wildlife Interpreter

From: Nashport, OH

"Innovative, Adventurous, Foodie"

Katelyn Sams

Gift Shop Assistant Manager

From: Greenwood, AR

"Hufflepuff, Outdoorsy, Animal Lover"

Katrina Baugh

Gift Shop/Lodging

"Kind, Local, Helpful"

Mary Schlieve

Animal Care Staff

From: East Troy, WI

"Cat Lover, Baker, Optimistic"

Morgan Williams

Content Manager

From: Kona, HI

"Empath, Poetic, Ocean"

Tim DeLaPorte

Maintenance Staff

From: Elkins, AR

"Humor, Hard Work, Wit"