Meet the Team!

Chuck Tourtillott

Executive Director

Chuck joined the Chintimini Wildlife Center in October 2023 as the Interim Executive Director and accepted the full-time position in February 2024. Helping animals has always been a passion for Chuck, and 2024 marks his 20^th year as a nonprofit ED. Prior to joining CWC, Chuck provided leadership for animal welfare organizations. Now being a part of the CWC team, Chuck has realized a life-long goal to work with an organization that furthers the connection between people and environmental conservation.
“We have a great team of staff and volunteers who make a wonderful difference for animals in need, and engage our community with fun and fascinating education programs. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to collaborate with them as we continue the important work of the Chintimini Wildlife Center.”

Alyssa Nelson

Community Programs Coordinator

Alyssa joined CWC as a Raptor Education Program Intern in 2022. She completed both our Level 1 and Level 2 internships. Afterward, she volunteered with us before officially joining the Chintimini staff in 2023. Alyssa holds a B.S. in Animal Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Fisheries & Wildlife from Oregon State University. She brings a wealth of experience, including wildlife rehabilitation in Washington, wildlife research and conservation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and volunteer management at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Alyssa is passionate about inspiring stewardship and fostering a connection between the community, wildlife, and the natural world we strive to protect.

Heather Gibons

Development Coordinator

Heather has always had a passion for Pacific Northwest wildlife, after growing up in Seattle and spending her formative years amongst the amazing biodiversity of this region. Her education focused on marine sciences, and she went on to complete a Master’s thesis on unique populations of Hawaiian rough-toothed dolphins. Following a move to Corvallis, she felt drawn to nonprofit work and spent four years working a local domestic violence/sexual assault agency. Now her nonprofit and wildlife passions connect at Chintimini! Outside of work she can be seen running around after her toddler Thea, walking on the beach with her whole family, including partner Paul and two dogs, Autumn and Raven, and her favorite self care is reading way too late at night.

Dr. Claire Peterson

Medical Director and Wildlife Veterinarian

Dr. Peterson has extensive knowledge of domestic, exotic, and wildlife veterinary medicine. Her passion in life has always been birds, specifically wild birds like raptors. She has been involved with Chintimini Wildlife Center since 2009 when she started her veterinary school career, and has continued to refine her expertise in both domestic and exotic animal medicine. She currently provides diagnostic, surgical, and emergency care to our wildlife patients and collaborates with local veterinarians on the medical and preventative care of our non-releasable avian ambassadors. Dr. Peterson is also a falconer and an avid wildlife photographer.

Madison Bennett

Rehabilitation Program Manager

Madison’s wildlife rehabilitation journey began in 2017 as an intern at Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center in Grants Pass, Oregon. Her passion for wildlife and conservation grew, leading her to obtain a B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences from Oregon State University. In 2018, she started as a volunteer at CWC and later served as a Wildlife Care intern for several terms before joining the CWC rehab team in 2023. Outside of work, Madison enjoys trips to the coast, reading, and expanding her collection of house plants.

Kathleen Dodge

Education Program
Co-Director

Kathleen was introduced to Chintimini in 2012 when her dog found an injured bird in her backyard. Always fascinated with wildlife, Kathleen fell in love with the non-releasable educational bird of prey ambassadors living at the wildlife center and became a volunteer. Kathleen has been Director of the Raptor Education Program since 2017. Trained as a Certified Interpretive Guide, she enjoys guiding people as they explore the Center. She is particularly passionate about vultures! She enjoys birding and spending time with her husband and three indoor cats in her spare time.

Bree Hinricher

Education Program
Co-Director

Bree first came to the Chintimini Wildlife Center in 2016 as a volunteer trainer with the Raptor Education Program, but she has been in the animal training and wildlife education field professionally since 2013. She has worked in education departments at zoos and outreach facilities across the United States as has degrees in Exotic Animal Training and Animal Science. Bree has a special place in her heart for owls, especially Barn Owls. She is excited to work with all of the raptor ambassadors at Chintimini and help educate the public on the importance of caring for our animal neighbors.

Alicia Sims

Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

Bio coming soon!

Zo Chapman

Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

Bio coming soon!