Morgan is from Wendell, North Carolina and earned bachelor’s degrees in Wildlife Biology with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation and Psychology from Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. She gained extensive rehabilitation experience at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina and later at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Florida. Through her work in wildlife rehabilitation, Morgan developed a strong passion for wildlife, especially birds. She enjoys sharing the importance of conservation and helping others connect with protecting wildlife. Morgan has helped lead bird walks for several organizations, assisted with bird banding, and participated in bird population surveys. She is excited to bring her knowledge and passion to LTWC as the Wildlife Care Manager.
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.
Morgan Hester
Wildlife Care Manager
Shawn Clayton
Lead Wildlife Care Technician
Shawn earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Oregon State University, where volunteering at Chintimini Wildlife Rescue left a lasting impression she still treasures. After graduation, she worked as a veterinary technician and explored diverse animal care roles, including an unforgettable internship with four African elephants at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. Always dreaming of living in Lake Tahoe and working with wildlife, Shawn joined Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in 2023 as a seasonal Wildlife Care Technician 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.
Caleb Cripe
Community Programs Coordinator
Caleb has proudly joined the LTWC team as the Community Programs Coordinator. With a background in education, volunteer management, and nonprofit experience, Caleb brings a passion to build the LTWC community and foster educational opportunities for continuous learning and growth. He is also currently pursuing a Naturalist certification from LTCC, which he hopes to utilize at LTWC. Caleb is also passionate about anything that can take him outdoors. You can often find him climbing, hiking, mountain biking, or swimming.
Emily Speyer
Facilities Coordinator
Emily has joined the team as Facilities coordinator. She has worked in the construction industry since 2018, both residential and commercial. Before she spent 6 years working as facilities maintenance at a college in Buffalo, New York, where she is from (Go Bills!) Having volunteered at Messinger Woods Wildlife Care Center in Holland, New York. Emily has a large passion for animals and the outdoors. Working at LTWC was the perfect fit. When not at work, Emily is out exploring the beautiful scenery of Lake Tahoe with her two dogs, Billy and Melly.
Tyler Brasington
Wildlife Conservation Coordinator
Tyler joins LTWC with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and a master’s in natural resources from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. He brings extensive experience in large carnivore research and management, particularly black and grizzly bears. Tyler previously served as Lead Park Ranger for the bear management program at Grand Teton National Park and worked as a grizzly bear conflict specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Program. He is passionate about practical, science based conservation that integrates research, management, and community partnerships to help people and wildlife coexist while reducing human wildlife conflict.
Board of Directors
Stephanie Lenstrom, CPA
President and 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.
Brenden Phillips
Vice President
Bio coming soon.
Sue Jameson
Secretary
Sue has been an active wildlife volunteer at LTWC since 2018, and a Board Member since 2024. She has a passion for volunteerism, working with abused children, animal rescue organizations, as well as The American Cancer Society. Sue has volunteered in many other school and community groups, and believes it’s important to be active in her local community.
Sue lives with her husband, a 95 pound Husky and an 11 year old rescue cat. She visits her 3 grown children in different parts of the country frequently.
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.
Coralin Glerum
Board Member
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.
Tara Christian
Board Member
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.
Mark Sasway
Board Member
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.
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.
