Our Staff

The Animal Embassy staff is a small tight knit group of caring, compassionate professionals. We have a strong commitment to education, the community, wildlife and the environment .

	Chris Evers, Director & Founder Chris Evers, the Director and Founder of Animal Embassy, is a naturalist specializing in wildlife conservation and environmental education. In 2002, Chris founded Animal Embassy, dedicated to exotic animal rescue/adoption and environmental education. Chris brings over twenty years of experience teaching children, working with nature centers and nonprofit environmental organizations, and developing educational programming. Chris has rescued or adopted more than 500 exotic animals over the years and currently maintains over 100 non-releasable animals in educational exhibits. He has traveled extensively in the United States, Africa, India, and Central America to photograph and study some of the most critically endangered animals. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. He has experience working with raptors, big cats, bears, wolves, crocodilians and venomous snakes.
	Robin Minerd, Animal Care & Education Specialist Robin assists with daily management of our public exhibit and discovery studios, teaches Animal Embassy programs and coordinates the care of our collection of rescued and adopted animals. Robin has studied Environmental Science and has experience working as a naturalist, and environmental educator. While living in Colorado, Robin worked with the rescue of wolves and wolf-dog crosses being kept as pets. Prior to being hired with Animal Embassy, Robin served as the Assistant Director of the Weinberg Nature Center. Her dedication to animal welfare and proper husbandry is exemplary and she is an invaluable member of the Animal Embassy team.
	Tracey Tortorello, Animal Care & Education Specialist Tracey assists with the care of a diverse group of animals, conducting educational tours in our public exhibit and assisting with our outreach programming. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Sacred Heart University. While in school, Tracey took part in field work involving the capture and identification of insects and marine organisms, as well as acquired a wealth of laboratory skills. Tracey came to Animal Embassy with several years of experience working with children, both as a preschool teachers’ assistant as well as in her role as a nanny. Her background and enthusiasm for working with children of all ages is an asset to our educational programming. Tracey’s devotion to our Animal Ambassadors, as well as to our mission, strengthens the Animal Embassy team.
	Brandon Cioce, Animal Care & Education Specialist Brandon assists with outreach programming as well as with caring for our diverse group of animals. He is working towards his bachelor’s degree in Biology, with a concentration in evolutionary and behavioral biology at Purchase College. Brandon has held an internship position at the Pace Environmental Center, working with birds of prey. He has also volunteered as an animal caretaker at the Greenburgh Nature Center and as a Big Buddy Mentor. Additionally, Brandon’s experience with children includes several years as a summer camp counselor. From a very young age, Brandon has been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world. His avid pursuit of knowledge is part of why he is a valuable member of our team, encouraging children, and adults, to share in his passion.
	Keith Turcios, Education Specialist Keith assists with our outreach programming, as well as the care of our diverse group of animals. Keith has a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Sciences from the University of Connecticut. He is working towards his master's degree in secondary education. Keith has devoted himself to working with animals for a number of years and has gained invaluable experience during an internship with The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT, working in both the Rainforest and Predator divisions as well as in the veterinary clinic. He has also volunteered for Earthplace in Westport, CT before joining Animal Embassy and continues to do so in his free time. Keith’s enthusiasm for educating children - and people of all ages - about wildlife, the environment, and diversity, is a true asset to Animal Embassy.
	Jillian Dutson, Animal Care Specialist Jillian plays a valuable role in caring for our diverse animals and does an exemplary job of greeting and sharing information with our visitors. Jillian has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She has a full time job as a veterinary technician at an integrative practice in New York State. The practice combines holistic and Western medicine and specializes in alternative cancer treatment for animals. From a young age, Jillian worked with animals. She attended an agricultural high school in Woodbury, CT, specializing in Veterinary Science and Equine (horse) Management. During her college studies, Jillian interned and volunteered with the Wolf Conservation Center for six years. She went on to work at the University of New England’s Marine Rehabilitation Center, dedicated to the rehabilitation and rescue of seals, porpoises and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles.
	Jennifer Balbes, Administrative Manager Jennifer handles many aspects of the office management including program scheduling, animal adoption requests and development. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs/Intercultural Understanding and a master’s degree in Tourism Administration. After moving from a career in the travel industry to non-profit administration, Jennifer came to know Animal Embassy through her work with a local nature center. We welcome her interest and enthusiasm with regards to the promotion of environmental education and understanding of diversity through wildlife.
	Genevieve Lawson, Billing Manager Genny is our billing manager and bookkeeper. She handles invoicing and many other accounting responsibilities. In addition to her business management background, Genny has an affinity for animals of all kinds. Outside of her valuable contribution to Animal Embassy, she is also the registrar for the Wolf Conservation Center, in South Salem, NY.
	Miguel Barreto, Consultant Miguel designed and created the Animal Embassy website. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the Pontifical University Javeriana in Colombia, a certificate in social and environmental conflict management from the University of Peace (UN) in Costa Rica, and a master’s degree in Internet Business Systems from Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY. Miguel has over fifteen years of experience working with environmental and multicultural related non-profit organizations, both in the U.S. and abroad. He works full time for Creative Connections of Norwalk, and is dedicated to the environment and fostering appreciation for cultural diversity through education.