Catherine Mendez
Executive Director
Catherine brings a diverse background with extensive experience in non-profit management, conservation, and wildlife rehabilitation. As the former Executive Director of Chintimini Wildlife Center, The American Bear Association, and Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, she successfully expanded and led various operations, outreach, fundraising, and conservation efforts. Her approach to promoting a deeper understanding of wildlife and advocating for peaceful coexistence is firmly rooted in community engagement and the transformative power of education. With a career in high-volume wildlife rehabilitation hospitals along the West Coast, Catherine’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to wildlife and impactful leadership.
Kit Ellsworth
Wildlife Education & Ambassador Curator
Kit grew up in western Washington State and received a Bachelor’s in Biology from Cornell University. During her time at Cornell, she was in the Cornell Raptor Program, where she worked with avian ambassadors including hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, vultures, and one mischievous American Crow. In 2023, she became a Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA) through the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE). She loves training animals because it gives us a way to communicate and build trust with animals, and education allows her to share her passion for wildlife with others. Kit joined Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in 2024, and moved cross country with her pet rabbit (Caspian), White-eyed Conure (Midori), and Serama (Amandine).
Shawn Clayton
Lead Wildlife Care Technician
Shawn received her Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology at Oregon State University. During that period, she volunteered at Chintimini Wildlife Rescue, an experience that left a lasting impression she often reminisced about. Post-graduation, Shawn worked as a vet tech in veterinary hospitals while continuously enriching her expertise through diverse roles in animal care organizations. Among her most cherished memories is her internship with four African Elephants at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. Shawn always dreamt about living in Lake Tahoe and working with wildlife. She began working at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care as a seasonal Wildlife Care Technician in 2023 while also teaching at the Children’s Ski School at Heavenly Ski Resort. She is very proud to have become the Lead Wildlife Care Technician in 2024.
Aaron Anderson
Business Manager
Aaron joined the LTWC team in 2022 to help with the accounting and administrative side of operations. With a background in web design and experience running small businesses, Aaron is also a lifelong animal welfare advocate who has volunteered and worked for animal rescue groups and humane societies. Aaron and his family have called South Lake Tahoe home since 2011.
Michael Scaramella
Facilities Coordinator
Michael Scaramella (Mike) has lived in and around the Lake Tahoe basin for over 30 years. As a former facility engineer, Mike has performed numerous jobs, including plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, and HVAC. Mike enjoys the challenge of maintaining an efficient and effective operation while reducing downtime and extending the life of the facility equipment. Mike is excited to be part of the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care facility and foster its growth.
Board of Directors
Coralin Glerum
President
Coralin has been an LTWC volunteer and board member since 2015. She is a retired college professor of exercise science and has experience in presentations, project planning, communications, budgets and research. She received her BA from the College of William & Mary and her MA at UC Berkeley.
Mark Sasway
Vice President
Mark joined the LTWC Board in 2023. As a commercial illustrator, along with wife Diane, a graphic designer, they bring 30 years of experience in advertising and marketing. Both worked with LTWC to establish the new facility’s brand identity. Beyond designing and fabricating signage and print collateral, Mark brings construction experience and advises on capital improvements and repairs. When not working on their third remodel in North Lake Tahoe, Mark, Diane, and their dog Cleo enjoy overlanding, backpacking, and the wild outdoors and wildlife.
Stephanie Lenstrom, CPA
Treasurer
Stephanie has been involved with LTWC since 2009 and joined the Board as Treasurer in 2016. She has been a practicing CPA for over 32 years, the last 21 years here in South Lake Tahoe. In addition to assisting individuals and local businesses with tax planning and compliance, she has assisted numerous nonprofits with compliance and planning issues at both the federal and state level.
Tara Christian
Secretary
Tara is a South Lake Tahoe attorney focusing on estate planning, administration and real estate matters. Tara serves on the Board of other local nonprofits, which are primarily dedicated to issues affecting women, children and the educational community. She loves backpacking, kayaking, nature walks and lounging in a hammock with a good book. Tara received her BA from Arizona State University and her J.D. from McGeorge School of Law.
Kevin Willitts, DVM
Volunteer Veterinarian
Dr. Willitts, a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine 1981, has been a practicing small animal veterinarian for over 40 years.
Dr. Willitts has been a volunteer veterinarian with LTWC since 1984, and an LTWC board member since 1990, previously serving as LTWC Board Vice President and President.
Cathy Ebert
Board Member
Cathy joined the LTWC Board January 2022. A graduate of the University of Nevada Reno, Cathy brings extensive experience after over 40 years in Financial Services and Real Estate. Cathy’s curiosity and keen observation of animals and the outdoors was sparked as a young child playing then working on her family’s ranch in Lamoille Canyon in eastern Nevada. When Cathy’s not volunteering, she can be found outdoors; in a kayak, on skis, snowshoes, or in hiking boots – always with a pair of binoculars around her neck trekking the trails of the Sierra.
Brenden Phillips
Board Member
Bio coming soon.
Sue Jameson
Board Member
Bio coming soon.
Founding Board Members
Cheryl Millham
Board Member Emeritus
Cheryl was a cofounder of LTWC, and was key to its success. She served as LTWC’s original president, and was promoted to executive director in 1983. Cheryl helped care for and treat thousands of wild birds and animals, hosted two international wildlife rehab conferences in Lake Tahoe, delivered numerous papers at wildlife rehab conferences around the country, and trained hundreds of wildlife rehabbers.
Tom Millham
Board Member Emeritus
Tom was a cofounder of LTWC, wearing many hats including planning and organizing LTWC fundraising efforts, managing facility operations, organizing volunteers, and providing community outreach. Tom oversaw LTWC’s growth and led the team tasked with finding LTWC’s new home.
Robert Dietz
Board Member Emeritus
Bob was a cofounder of LTWC and a major financial supporter of the organization. Bob passed away in 2020.
Bob and Sue Rutherdale
Board Members Emeritii
Volunteers
Our work is not possible without our volunteers!
Volunteers are crucial to LTWC’s work, and the value of their time and dedication is immeasurable. They help feed and care for the animals staying with us, assist with animal transport and releases, pitch in with fundraisers and events, donate special skills and services and keep our facility running.
