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.

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 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 Media and Program Manager.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Savanna, one of our avian care specialists, discovered her love of raptors flying falconry hawks throughout high school. She went on to complete a B.S in Pre-Veterinary Medicine with a minor in Wildlife Rehabilitation and has worked around birds ever since. Outside of work, you can find her hiking or working on one of her many craft projects.

River, one of our avian care specialists, is originally from Dunedin, Florida and joined our team in April of 2024. They have a B.S. in Wildlife Biology with a specialization in Wildlife Rehabilitation from Lees-McRae College which sparked their love of raptors. They care for our rehabilitation patients, clean/maintain bird enclosures, and work with our ambassador birds to aid in their training.

Alieña is originally from Wisconsin and moved to Sitka in 2025 to be a Wildlife Interpreter for the summer. Now, as an avian handler in training, she looks forward to taking care of patients, educating visitors about the importance of birds worldwide, and spending time with our residents. Besides working, she enjoys birdwatching, listening to music, and hiking in the rainforest.

Meg joined the Alaska Raptor Center as an Avian Care Specialist in 2017. She comes to us with a degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management from Moorpark College. Spending the past few years as a member of the bird staff, she has moved on to become the Outreach Coordinator for the center working to help obtain staff for the busy summer season.