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Staff and Collaborators

	James Gilardi Ph.D. Executive Director James Gilardi is the Executive Director of the World Parrot Trust. He is a conservation biologist specializing in behavioural and physiological ecology with a special focus on tropical forest birds and marine vertebrates. He has studied wild parrots and other birds for more than 25 years, authoring a number of papers on ecology and parrots in the wild bird trade. Read more »
	Steve Milpacher Operations Director Steve’s passion for conservation began early in life and has continued for more than 40 years. He has cared for numerous species of parrots and has travelled to study wild parrots in Central America and the Caribbean. After completing two years of undergrad studies in the biological sciences, Steve received a Certificate in Endangered Species Management from the Durrell Preservation Trust (UK). Read more »
	Rowan Martin Ph.D. Africa Regional Director, Bird Trade Director Rowan is an ecologist and ornithologist with a strong interest in evidence-based conservation of threatened species and ecosystems. He joined WPT in 2013 to head up WPT’s Africa Program, where he co-ordinates a variety of field projects, education initiatives and efforts to address threats posed by the wild bird trade. Read more »
	Luis Ortiz-Catedral, Ph.D. Oceania Regional Director Luis is a conservation biologist and wildlife manager specialising in recovering populations of threatened island vertebrates. He has studied wild parrots in New Zealand and Australia for 17 years. Read more »
	André Saidenberg DVM, Ph.D. Brazil Manager André is a Brazilian veterinarian with a special interest in medicine for birds and other wild animals. He completed his Master's degree in Veterinary Epidemiology in Microbiology in captive and free-living psittacines in 2008, his Ph.D. working with confiscated birds undergoing the release process back into the wild in 2013 and currently doing postdoctoral surveys of the health of free-ranging Lear's Macaws. Read more »
	Angela D'Alessio, RVT Indonesia Coordinator Angela has been active in Indonesian nature conservation since 2011. As a registered veterinary technician, she has extensive practical experience in the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, including Indonesian parrots. Read more »
	Steven Janssen, DVM Wild Parrot Rescue Coordinator Steven offers expert guidance, project development, and quality control for parrots confiscated from trade in Africa. He works with a range of partners and collaborators in the public, private, and NGO sectors across various areas. Read more »
	Tiwonge I Mzumara-Gawa, Ph.D. Malawi Coordinator Tiwonge is an ornithologist, ecologist and conservation biologist by training; and an activist by passion. She is a Lecturer in the Biological Sciences Department, at the Malawi University of Science and Technology, and holds a Ph.D. in Ecological Sciences from the University of KwaZulu Natal and an MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Read more »
	Sascha Dueker, M.Sc. Lovebird Coordinator Sascha is setting research priorities and coordinating conservation projects for African Lovebirds, Agapornis spp. Identifying research gaps in wild lovebirds has helped him to better understand the threats and knowledge gaps of all nine of these charismatic species. Read more »
	Ifeanyi Ezenwa, M.Sc. Nigeria Coordinator Ifeanyi is a Nigerian-based community conservationist and a lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). He is passionate about wildlife conservation and has represented WPT in Nigeria since 2017. Read more »
	Jack Haines, M.Sc. Neotropics Regional Manager Jack has worked with many different endangered species across the globe. His varied background in facilities management, combined with his field and research experience are put to practical use as he helps develop parrot conservation programs across the neotropics. Read more »
	Karen Whitley Finance Officer Karen Whitley served as UK Administrator for the World Parrot Trust from 1998 until changing roles to Finance Officer in 2024. She has an educational background of Business Management. She has a deep, enduring passion for animals and their welfare. Read more »
	Charlotte Foxhall, M.Sc. Indonesia Director, Kiwa Centre Director Charlotte Foxhall achieved an Honours degree in Environmental Science from Oxford Brookes University and a Master's degree in Conservation Ecology. Conservation has been a huge part of her life ever since she can remember. Read more »
	Lauren Schmaltz, M.Sc. USA Administrator Lauren Schmaltz completed a dual Bachelor's degree in Biology and Spanish and a Master of Environmental Studies, spending several years living overseas in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Costa Rica, and Bonaire. Read more »
	Deedee Mader Membership and Annual Gifts Manager, USA Deedee has spent most of her career working as an advocate of some type for disadvantaged populations needing assistance with stability. She began this path after earning a BA in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin; Whitewater and then going on to Graduate coursework at the University of Wisconsin; Milwaukee. Read more »
	Michelle Kooistra Canadian Administrator, Publications Coordinator Michelle Kooistra has been a bird lover for most of her life, so falling in step with the work of the World Parrot Trust was a natural fit. Michelle's journey through the bird world has included sharing her home with numerous cockatiels, budgies, and the occasional dove. Read more »
	Cristiana Senni Bird Trade Specialist Cristiana Senni was born and grew up in Rome, Italy where she graduated from Art school. She then spent 8 years in New York, after which she moved back to reside in Italy. Cristiana always loved animals and started keeping parrots many years ago. She now shares her life with four male Amazons and a female Grey parrot. Read more »
	Desi Milpacher Publications Editor Desi Milpacher grew up loving animals -- her parents instilled in her a love of wild animals and plants, and she grew up a dedicated conservationist and naturalist. Once in university, she studied biology and other sciences, eventually graduating with a diploma in Animal Health Technology (AHT) from Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada. Read more »
	Richard Kooistra Technical Assistance Provider Richard has a background in Information Technology (IT) with an emphasis on web development. He discovered his love of parrots when he and his wife began sharing their lives with a pair of cockatiels a number of years ago. Read more »
	Melodie Krieger Communications Manager As a writer with a background in marketing communications, Melodie enjoys the opportunity to put her creative and organizational skills to use working on WPT’s various campaigns, videos, and other content and communications. Read more »
	Megan Hill Digital Outreach Coordinator Megan's enthusiasm for parrots and previous design experience led her to combine her passions and begin advocating for wildlife. She is responsible for managing WPT's social media presence in multiple communities by directly engaging with supporters, and publishing exciting new information about parrot care and welfare. Read more »
	Rachel Pinnick Philanthropy Manager Rachel is a dedicated advocate for wildlife conservation with over 20 years of experience in leading fundraising teams, campaign development, events management, and humanitarian work. She has been instrumental in supporting causes that protect both the environment and the welfare of people and animals. Read more »
	Kirstin Furman New Media Specialist Kirstin enjoys the opportunity to flex her design and writing skills by creating social media posts and content that draws attention to WPT's conservation efforts to help save parrots. Read more »
	Holly Jones Kiwa Centre Parrot Keeper and Engagement Specialist Holly graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BSc in Biology, with a special interest in Animal Diversity and Biodiversity of Birds modules. She began her career as a Bird Keeper in 2016, working with numerous species of birds, some of which were confiscated from illegal trade and some ex-companion parrots.
	Clara Corbett Kiwa Centre Parrot Keeper and Engagement Specialist Clara has been working with and protecting wildlife since a young age, graduating with her MSc from Cardiff University. She has worked in Southern Africa and the UK on conservation projects and with captive species, and has developed a specialised skill set in captive welfare standards and wildlife conservation focusing on birds and mammals.
	Iwan Matthews Kiwa Centre Parrot Keeper and Engagement Specialist Growing up in the English countryside, Iwan developed a strong connection with nature and wildlife at an early age. After gaining his degree in zoological conservation, Iwan worked as an animal keeper and public speaker as well as travelling Australia while volunteering as a native wildlife rescuer.