Board of Directors
Amy Kerwin
President; B.S. Medical Microbiology and Immunology, M.B.A.
Experienced in: Animal welfare legislation, positive reinforcement training, primate research issues, and nonprofit management
Amy Kerwin is very dedicated to getting the primate sanctuary built as she worked in a primate laboratory for five years and grew close to 97 rhesus monkeys. Her background includes sanctuary networking, experience with caring for rhesus monkeys, grant writing, scientific training and writing, and a Masters degree in Business Administration. 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 non-human primates in captivity and disseminating information to the public, government, sanctuaries, and scientific community will help everyone work together to maximize the retirement of nonhuman primates into naturalistic settings.
Jeff Hoyt
Vice President; B.S. in Public Policy & Administration
Experienced in: Fundraising, non-profit management, and leadership
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.
Tabitha Zehms
Secretary; BS in Spanish, MA in Microbiology
Experienced in: Animal rescue, pharmaceutical drug development, Spanish language, and microbiology
Tabitha Zehms grew up in a house full of rescued pets and wildlife, and the experience has led her to become an active voice in the promotion of their welfare. Tabitha has spent many volunteer hours with the humane societies of Oshkosh and Dane County and a Green Bay area lost pet search group. She regularly writes her government representatives to remind them of the needs of wild and domestic animals alike, and has helped fundraise for local animal shelters. Her professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry provides her with an understanding of the current drug application system, the clinical animal trials it requires, and the inherent need for--and lack of--adequate care for these animals after their service in medical research.
Kristin Greene
Treasurer; M.B.A.
Experienced in: Nonprofit accounting and management
Greene is an accountant with six years of experience in nonprofit accounting. She assists in developing budgets and reviewing financial documents for Primates Incorporated. Her financial and budget skills will help Primates Incorporated reach its goals at a faster pace.
John Trybus
Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications
John advises a number of nonprofits, foundations and responsible businesses as a member of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide’s social innovation practice. He also serves as a research fellow at the Center for Social Impact Communication where he is the creator of the award-winning Social Strategist Project, an original multimedia series of 60 interviews with some of the most innovative thinkers and doers who frequently work in non-traditional ways to invoke social impact. Previously, John served as an aide to chimpanzee expert and UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall at the Jane Goodall Institute where he was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of her perpetual 300-day-per-year global speaking tour. During his tenure, John traveled with the environmental rock star to 40 U.S. states on a world tour that reached more than 130,000 people in person annually. He was named to PRNews’ 15-to-Watch list in 2010 and has also been honored with awards from PRSA, IABC and the Arthur W. Page Society. John received his master’s degree from Georgetown University in public relations and corporate communications where he serves as an alumni instructor. You can find him on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter @johndtrybus or send him an email. |
