Our Staff
Eileen Hagerman, Executive Director
Eileen came to Volunteers for Wildlife in 1996 as a volunteer. Volunteering at the center inspired her to go back to school to become a veterinary technician. In 2003, she graduated from LaGuardia Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician. In May of 2003, Eileen came on part-time as Clinic Supervisor at Volunteers. That soon turned into full-time Clinic Supervisor, and in 2005 Eileen became the Executive Director.
Eileen lives at home with her husband Tom, her three cats, turtle, bunny, gerbil, and fish. She is especially fond of the opossums that come into our hospital.
Lauren Schulz, Education Coordinator
Lauren started with Volunteers for Wildlife in 2004 as an animal care volunteer; the following summer she interned with us while studying zoology at Connecticut College. In the summer 2006, Lauren broadened her experience with us by coming onboard part-time in our education department, assisting with programs and working summer camp. When the opportunity presented itself to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education at St. Lawrence University while working as coach of St. Lawrence’s crew team, Lauren took the opportunity and graduated in 2008. We were fortunate enough to be able to offer her the position of Education Coordinator this summer.
Aside from Volunteers for Wildlife, Lauren’s interests include rowing, ballet, piano, and spending time outdoors. She shares her home with 2 rabbits, two cats, a dog and a red-eared slider.
Sue Corradino, Clinic Supervisor
Sue Corradino is our full-time Clinic Supervisor, bringing experience from several veterinary offices as well as intern experience at Riverhead Foundation to our wildlife hospital. Sue graduated from Stony Brook University in spring of 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Vertebrate Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. An avid birder, Sue’s main interest lies with the birds that we admit at our hospital.
In her spare time, Sue enjoys mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, and traveling whenever possible, stating that most of her off time is spent enjoying nature in some way.
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy started with us as Clinic Assistant during the summer of 2009 after having prior wildlife experience with Tri-State Bird Rescue. Susan graduated from college in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, her former diverse studies include field research on Dominican spider diversity from January 2006 to May 2008.
In her spare time, Susan enjoys birding, hiking, baking and spider-hunting. At our center, Susan is well-rounded with all of our patients, but has a soft spot for our mammal patients.
Patricia Kreinbihl
Pat started with Volunteers for Wildlife in Spring of 2000 as a summer volunteer. In Spring of 2005, she continued as a year-round volunteer, and in Summer of 2009 came on board as staff in the capacity of Clinic Assistant. Pat’s energy has been a tremendous help, as she sits on our Walk for Wildlife committee and has raised money annually for Volunteers for Wildlife from employee-matched grants through her other job.
In her spare time, Pat enjoys baking and has quite a few volunteer jobs, including the Bronx Zoo and North Shore Animal League.
Michelle Pesce
Michelle started volunteering with us in 2001, became a licensed rehabilitator in 2002, and in 2004 came on as staff during the summer. After completing her B.S. in Biology at Stony Brook University, she began veterinary school at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She has resumed working at Volunteers for Wildlife for the summer following her first year of vet school.
Michelle has been an EMT and member of her hometown's fire department and was involved with feral cat rescue at Stony Brook. In April 2006, Michelle went to New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses for those who had lost their homes due to Hurricane Katrina. She shares her home in Ithaca with three human housemates, two dogs, four cats, three guinea pigs, two rabbits, a corn snake, and two zebra finches.
During the school year, Michelle continues to maintain our website and creates other publications for Volunteers.
Laura McKellar, Clinic Supervisor "Emeritus"
Laura started with Volunteers in 2002 as a volunteer and in 2005 moved up to Clinic Supervisor. Laura is presently on what we would like to think of as a “sabbatical” as her family grew this year when she had another baby.
We’re not letting go of her yet, and hope to see her back when her boys go to school.
Laura is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with an interest in birds, and is involved doing rescue and transport of injured wildlife to our facility, as well as releasing our patients when they get well. To be continued….