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.
Jason Wanaselja, Clinic Supervisor
Jason started with Volunteers in spring of 2004 as a Clinic Assistant, after graduating from Messiah College in PA with a BS in Environmental Science. He was recently promoted to Clinic Supervisor. Jason’s interest in school was Ornithology, and he worked as a plover steward at Jones Beach before coming to Volunteers.
Jason’s interest at our hospital is with our birds, and he is extremely adept at holding and examining even the tiniest bird. In his free time, Jason is involved with his church’s youth group, but he also spends a lot of time birding.
Rosemarie Curcio
Rosemarie started with Volunteers as a volunteer in 1991. In 2001 she came on as a staff member one day a week, as she is also a teacher in New York City. Rosemarie’s house is a very busy one with her four cats, especially because she does a small amount of rehab out of her home as she holds her own Federal License.
Rosemarie has a very special interest in bats, and has volunteered with Bat World Sanctuary in Austin, TX. Thanks to Rosemarie, there is now a chapter of Bat World Big Apple in New York as well!
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.
Caitlin Mills
Caitlin had volunteered with us for a few years before joining us as staff in September 2007, after she graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in Environmental Science. Caitlin also works for an environmental consulting & contracting company. She spent a summmer in Arizona working on field research projects with professors and graduate students at the Southwestern Research Station. Caitlin went to Costa Rica in the summer of 2008 to take a course in Tropical Biology and Conservation.
Kristin Talbot
Kristin started volunteering with us this summer as an Animal Care Volunteer. When summer ended and it was time to head back to school, she was hired as part-time clinic assistant. When asked what brought her to Volunteers for Wildlife and how her interest in wildlife began, her reply was: “I always felt it was my responsibility to give a voice to the voiceless and stand up for all life.” Kristin is currently a senior in high school, hoping to continue her education in pursuit of BS in Conservation Biology. In her spare time, she participates in dramatic productions and choral groups at her school. She is also a self-taught pianist and guitarist. She shares her home with her parents, and Golden Retriever, Murphy.
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….