Louise Bhavnani
Director of Volunteer Services

Louise joined the Carolina Raptor Center team in August 2006. She graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. While in college she was involved in numerous volunteer groups and discovered how vital volunteers are in the non-profit world. Louise has always been extremely passionate about conservation and birds and knew she wanted to work for a conservation minded organization. ”I am very proud to now be working for an organization that rehabilitates raptors as well as commits itself to intensive environmental education through non-releasable raptors. I am also so excited to be working day to day with such wonderful self-less people, volunteers!” When I am not working, I am volunteering myself, spending time with my pets or out enjoying nature! Louise is also active on the executive board of Metrolina Area Volunteer Administrators group.

Susan Caplow
Wild Wings Educator

Susan joined the education staff at Carolina Raptor Center in November 2006 as a Wild Wings Educator. She has taught environmental education programs in North Carolina, Minnesota, and Costa Rica. She holds a BA in Public Policy Analysis/Biology from Pomona College (Claremont, CA), and an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from Central European University (Budapest, Hungary). She remembers field trips to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota from her formative years, and she believes strongly that the education programs at Carolina Raptor Center are absolutely critical in the fight to preserve and protect raptors all over the world.

Karen Carter
Visitor Services Assistant

Karen joined Carolina Raptor Center in summer 2004. Before joining as a staff member, Karen was a member & supporter. Karen has years of retail experience, both in sales and retail management. Karen loves the opportunity to interact with schoolchildren, and has previously worked as an art teacher. Karen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Radford University in Virginia.

Natalie Childers
Curriculum Specialist and Summer Camp Director

Natalie joined Carolina Raptor Center in May 2006 as a Summer Camp Intern and was hired as the Curriculum Specialist and Summer Camp Director in December 2007. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in December 2007 with a degree in Elementary Education. Natalie recalls visiting Carolina Raptor Center frequently while growing up in the Huntersville area and hoping to someday volunteer at the center. She has always enjoyed working with animals and is thrilled to be able to combine her love of teaching with her love of nature. It is her hope that educating the public about raptors will lead to the protection and conservation of these amazing birds.

Elaine Corvidae
Rehabilitation Coordinator

Elaine joined Carolina Raptor Center as a rehabilitation volunteer in 1996. After putting in over 900 hours of volunteer time, Elaine was hired on staff in 1999. Elaine received her Bachelor's of Science in Biology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte and completed her undergraduate honors research on the hunting ability of one-eyed eastern screech owls. She completed her Master's of Science at University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a study comparing the wing musculature of ospreys, red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks. Elaine believes the work done by volunteers and staff at Carolina Raptor Center proves that every individual can make a difference.

Nicki Dardinger
Director of Education

Nicki joined the team at Carolina Raptor Center in February 2006, as the Director of Education. She comes from Cornell University, where she served as the Director of Education for the Cornell Raptor Program while working on her Masters Degree in Natural Resources studying the ecology of rattlesnakes. Nicki spent several years as a Naturalist for both Ohio and New York State Parks, and is committed to environmental education. As a conservation biologist, Nicki believes that education is a critical component of effective wildlife and habitat conservation, and that by teaching the public about the importance of raptors and other wildlife, they will come to realize that their actions can and do have an impact on the natural world.

Kristin M. Dean
Rehabilitation Coordinator

Kristin joined the Carolina Raptor Center as an Assistant Rehabilitation Coordinator in June of 2006. Before joining as a staff member, she completed an internship in the rehabilitation department during the summer of 2002. Kristin graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and Minors in Geography and Sociology. She brings two years of experience as a veterinary technician from an animal hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. Her interests include camping, hiking, reading, and spending time with her dog "Lucy". Kristin is thrilled to be working with an organization that combines her love of animals and her passion for environmental issues.

Mathias Engelmann
Director of Rehabilitation

Mathias began working for Carolina Raptor Center when the Center was operating out of the basement of University of North Carolina at Charlotte over twenty years ago. He has been part of the tremendous growth and progress the Center has made, and has helped over 9000 patients during his tenure. Mathias has presented information about raptor rehabilitation at national symposia, as well as written articles for National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) publications. Mathias enjoys helping volunteers and interns learn hands-on the skills that are such a crucial part of wildlife rehabilitation. Mathias earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is a member of NWRA, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Raptor Research Foundation, and the Hawk Migration Association of North America.

Blanche Evans
Administrative Manager

Blanche joined Carolina Raptor Center in 1999 after discovering that two of her friends were also enthusiastic volunteers at Carolina Raptor Center. She learned there was a position available that matched her skills, and has been a part of Carolina Raptor Center ever since. Blanche is responsible for managing the membership program, Adopt-A-Bird, and donor relations. "I get great satisfaction seeing up close the impact Carolina Raptor Center has on our community. When first-time visitors come to the center and have such positive reactions to our work, or when members come back week after week, that is my reward."

Letha Fields
Visitor Services Assistant

Letha has worked part-time in Carolina Raptor Center's gift shop since 1998. Letha grew up in a farming community near Greensboro, North Carolina, and when she moved to Charlotte she was hoping to find a little "country" where she could spend time with wildlife. Letha enjoys talking with Carolina Raptor Center's visitors about all the work done at the center, and tries to inspire them to become members and volunteers!

Heather Merewood
Community Outreach Coordinator

Heather joined Carolina Raptor Center in June 2004 as a Wild Wings Educator. In November 2006, she became the Community Outreach Coordinator and now coordinates the docent and exhibit volunteer programs. Before moving to North Carolina, Heather worked as a naturalist in northern Minnesota teaching students about raptors as well as many other animals and the natural world. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biological Aspects of Conservation from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and she received a Master's Certificate in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Heather believes that education is critical to preserving our environment, and is proud to be a part of Carolina Raptor Center's education team.

Tanya Morgan

Tanya joined the education department at Carolina Raptor Center as the Program Registrar in November of 2007. Her two daughters inspired her to pursue a job at Carolina Raptor Center because ‘birds are cool,’ and she was very excited to join the education team! Tanya loves talking to teachers and parents about the wonderful education programs offered by Carolina Raptor Center, and believes in CRC's mission of conservation and environmental education - helping others to recognize the value of wildlife and the environment.

Betty O'Leary
Rehabilitation Coordinator

Betty came to Carolina Raptor Center in 1985 after seeing a program while attending a National Wildlife Federation Summit in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She began working as a gift shop and rehabilitation volunteer, and also delivering programs. Betty was hired as staff in May 1987 and has filled many important roles since then. She is a full-time rehabilitation coordinator, with tremendous experience in the care of injured raptors, necropsies, banding, lab work, and mist netting/trapping. Betty has presented paper and poster sessions on raptor identification and research projects at national symposia for both the Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) and National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA), which were then published. Because humans are responsible for so many injured raptors, either unintentionally such as through car accidents, window collisions, or over development, or intentionally such as birds that have been shot, Betty believes it is our responsibility to help heal them so they can return to the wild and to educate others how to be good stewards of the environment.

Christy Pugh
Controller

Christy Pugh joined Carolina Raptor Center in November 2007 as Controller. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University. A native of Charlotte, Christy has moved back to her home state after seven years in New Hampshire. She chose to work at Carolina Raptor Center because she enjoys helping small organizations manage their finances in a way that supports their mission, protects the environment, and allows the organization to grow and succeed. Her goal is to connect sound money management with responsible purchasing, green investing, and waste reduction at Carolina Raptor Center. Her interests include organic farming, carpentry and music.

Carol Robinson
Visitor Services

Carol joined Carolina Raptor Center in 1996 after years in retail management. Carol is responsible for Eagles' Landing, our on-site gift shop, as well as our booths at major shows. She also tracks our admissions and memberships. Carol has a love of nature and wildlife, and is happy that her years of experience in retail allow her to make such an important contribution to Carolina Raptor Center's mission. Carol earned her Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Management from Southeast Missouri State University, and is a member of the Museum Store Association.

Alli Rogers
Resident Bird Curator

Alli joined Carolina Raptor Center as a volunteer in 2003. After putting in over 500 hours of volunteer time, Alli was hired on staff in January 2004. She acted as a Rehabilitation Coordinator in our hospital from 2004-2007 helping to take care of hundreds of injured raptors over the years. Now she is in charge of the health care, feeding, housing, and enrichment of all permanent resident birds at CRC. Alli hopes the work done at Carolina Raptor Center will help the public have a greater understanding and raise awareness about the importance of raptors to the environment.

Amber Rosintoski
Wild Wings Educator

Amber joined the education staff at Carolina Raptor Center in August 2007 as a Wild Wings Educator. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from The College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. She spent a few years working in different aspects of animal care but found Environmental Education to be her calling after working as an educator in South Carolina. Before moving to North Carolina, Amber gained a wide variety of experience working all over the United States including San Francisco, Charleston and Salt Lake City. During this time she worked with over 200 different species of birds, but found her true passion to be raptors. She is very excited to work in a place with such a strong mission and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Teresa Venable
Administrative Assistant

Teresa came to the Carolina Raptor Center in November of 2007 as an Administrative Assistant. Teresa processes Membership and Adopt-A-Bird packages for our donors, and loves helping them with their questions and concerns about our facility and resident birds. She has twin boys that love the outdoors and were excited that their family could be part of something that promotes taking care of our environment as well as educating our young people about the value of conservation.

Jim Warren
Chief Operating Officer

Jim joined the Carolina Raptor Center staff in January, 2006 as Chief Operating Officer. He brings 25 years of operational experience with organizations such as the YMCA, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and the Charlotte Outdoor Adventure Center. He is married, has one son and two dogs. His interests include mountain biking, hiking, reading and sports. He volunteers as a leader with Cub Scout Pack 112 and as a youth sports coach. Jim attended Belmont Abbey College and graduated from Appalachian State University.

Jaimie White
Wild Wings Educator

Jaimie joined Carolina Raptor Center in November of 2006 as a Wild Wings Educator. She graduated from Geneva College in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and went on to Clarion University of Pennsylvania to earn a Master's degree in Biology. In addition, Jaimie earned a Naturalist Certificate from Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Michigan, where she completed an internship in Environmental Education shortly before joining CRC staff. Jaimie enjoys all types of outdoor recreation, particularly hiking, bouldering and geocaching, and also likes watching football. She is very excited to have the opportunity, not only to share with the public her passion for environmental stewardship, but also to work with such a fascinating group of birds.