Board of Directors

Amy Kerwin: President M.B.A.
Experienced in:
  • Animal welfare legislation
  • Positive reinforcement training
  • Primate research
  • Nonprofit management and leadership


With a history as a primate researcher from 1999-2004, Amy Kerwin has a unique view on what captive monkeys need. Her experiences in the field allowed her to recognize first-hand the need for a primate retirement facility. Her background includes scientific training, experience with rhesus monkeys in a laboratory setting, a Bachelor of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and a Masters degree in Business Administration. She noticed that monkeys were not being retired to sanctuaries in her workplace and so she formed Primates Incorporated to address primate retirement funding issues. Her leadership skills emphasize flatly-run organization principles and so she developed a volunteer program that focuses on collaborative problem-solving. She believes that researching and discussing issues regarding primates in captivity and disseminating information to the public, government, sanctuaries, and scientific community will help everyone work together to maximize the retirement of monkeys into a naturalistic setting.

 

GayeLyn LaFleur: Vice President B.S. in Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Experienced in:

  • Primate research
  • Primate handling
  • Microbiology
  • Statistical design

GayeLyn was a primate researcher for four years. She is supportive of improving the welfare of primates in research and recognizes the need to increase retirement of monkeys from research laboratories. She is skilled in statistical design, data-analysis and educating students. GayeLyn will use her former experiences to rehabilitate monkeys and enhance their psychological well-being.

 

Kristin Greene: Treasurer M.B.A.
Experienced in:
  • Nonprofit accounting
  • Management

Kristin Greene met Amy Kerwin during their M.B.A. program in August, 2003. Kerwin recognized Greene’s talents in accounting and asked her to be the Treasurer for Primates Incorporated. Greene recognized the importance of the retirement of monkeys and agreed to be on the Board of Directors. Greene is well-qualified for the Treasurer position as she is an accountant with three years of experience in nonprofit accounting. She assists in developing budgets and reviewing financial documents for Primates Incorporated.

 

Jeff Hoyt: Secretary B.S. in Public Policy & Administration
Experienced in:
  • Non-profit management and leadership
  • Fund raising

Jeff comes to Primates Incorporated with a passion for all things primate! He has active memberships in several animal welfare organizations and is currently the Executive Director of Hands of Faith, Inc.; a homeless shelter in Beloit, WI. Jeff has previous experience as Secretary of the Board for the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Rock County. Jeff looks forward to providing dedicated service to the cause of Primates Incorporated as he believes that primate retirement is a concept that a caring, progressive society should embrace to the fullest extent possible.

 

Frequency of Board Meetings

The Board of Directors meets annually to vote and to discuss the plans for the upcoming year. We have developed a monthly online newsletter program which is a collaborative newsletter that consists of updates, article summaries, and comments from our volunteer base and board members.