Our Team
Jennifer Cross
Executive Director
Jennifer Cross
Executive Director
Jennifer is a research scientist at heart, with a passion for wildlife and the environment. Armed with a background in Biology and Natural Resources Management, and 7 years of experience running a nature conservancy in Northern Ontario, she joined the Alaska Raptor Center as its Executive Director in 2017. With the Center’s mission always at the forefront, her focus has been empowering staff and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace culture in concert with big picture visioning and developing new strategies, programs, and partnerships.
Ange Grant
Operations Manager
Ange is responsible for summer tour planning, coordinating fundraising events
and managing our gift shop. Ange jumps in anywhere she sees a need! Ange has
been with the Alaska Raptor Center since 2004.
Jennifer Cedarleaf
Avian Director
Jen has worked at the Alaska Raptor Center in many different capacities since she first came to Sitka as an intern in 1995. In her current position as the Avian Director, Jen manages the Avian Care Team. The team’s daily responsibilities include the training and care of our avian ambassadors as well as caring for our rehabilitation patients. She is the main contact with our veterinarian, Dr. Vosburg and is responsible for all permit reporting. In her off time from the ARC, Jen enjoys bird watching, spending time with her dog and learning about the nature of southeast Alaska.
Richard Hart
Development Specialist
Richard has been involved with the Alaska Raptor Center since first moving to Sitka, Alaska in 2005. While splitting his years between studying anthropology and biology at Utah State University and working as a Wildlife Interpreter during his summers, Richard fell in love with the work being done here at the Alaska Raptor Center. Richard is now our Development Specialist.
Victoria Vosburg
DVM - Veterinarian
Dr. Vosburg supports the Center on a contract basis, diagnosing, treating and helping rehabilitate our wild patients. In addition, she performs regular exams and cares for our resident education birds. She was our staff veterinarian at the Center from the mid 1990’s through 1998, and returned to us on a contract basis in 2005. We are very fortunate to have someone with her level of experience with raptors, coupled with a thorough knowledge of our organization and a love for both.
Steve Gulledge
Facility Maintenance
Since my start at the Alaska Raptor Center in 2009 as “the maintenance guy”, the variety of projects and challenges have provided for never a dull moment! Working with our dedicated staff and volunteers is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Lolly Dahl
Customer Service
Lolly is our official ray of sunshine! She originally came to the Alaska Raptor Center in 2001 as the receptionist. In 2006 Lolly left us to return to work for the State of Alaska where she worked until her retirement in 2010. After retiring from that position, Lolly returned and will most likely be the person you talk to if you call, or the smiling face to greet you at our front counter.
Hannah Blanke
Avian Care Specialist
Hannah originates from Wisconsin, having grown up there and later attended UW-Madison to receive a degree in Wildlife Ecology. After graduating Hannah spent time working in Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Mexico. Though the places varied, each employment allowed Hannah to build their environmental education and animal care skills. As an Avian Care Specialist, Hannah is responsible for the health of our birds and will present the birds to the public. One of Hannah’s favorite parts of working with animals is making enrichment pieces to keep them mentally engaged and happy.
Sheila Swanberg
Avian Care Specialist
Sheila Swanberg is a longtime resident of Sitka, Alaska and an avian care specialist at the Alaska Raptor Center. She cares for the rehabilitation patients, cleans and maintains bird enclosures, and prepares diets for the birds. More importantly, she works alongside the ambassador birds to keep the public informed about the center’s activities.
Sophie Nilles
Avian Care Specialist
Sophie, one of our avian care specialists, is originally from Wisconsin and has a BS in wildlife conservation and environmental science. She started working in wildlife rehabilitation at the age of 18 with birds in Colorado and has loved it ever since. Her favorite part of the career is being able to educate people on just how amazing these birds are, and how they contribute to the natural world around us. Because of this, she says this is why it is so crucial to continue to protect them and the rest of the wildlife on this planet.
Derrick Love
Facility Maintenance
Derrick started with the Alaska Raptor Center as a volunteer in 2022. He was then hired for a seasonal position as a Wildlife Interpreter in 2023 and was then offered the Facilities Maintenance Assistant position at the end of the summer. He was born and raised in Oakland California. He is Oneida, one of six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Interests: Phylogenetics, Natural history, and Environmentalists. When not at work he enjoys: The outdoors, Archery, Computer Science