MEET THE TEAM

Annie Bradfield joined Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in September 2020 as its Executive Director. Annie came to the Center with an extensive background in nonprofit development and management. She brings more than a decade of nonprofit experience with her, having worked for organizations that include Shenandoah University, American Bird Conservancy, and Project HOPE. Annie attended Shenandoah University, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and History. She has lived in the Northern Virginia area since the 1990s and currently resides in Winchester with her husband and four children.

Jess joined BRWC in January 2015, after completing a year-long internship as a Senior Apprentice at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary in Kendalia, Texas. Prior to that, she completed an internship at the Marine Mammal Rescue Center in California. Originally from Baltimore, Jessica is a 2013 graduate of Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA, with a B.A. in Biology. She is a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator through the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.

Sarah joined BRWC in February of 2022 after serving as a Bird and Mammal Keeper and Volunteer/Intern Coordinator for her department at the Virginia Living Museum, a non-releasable native wildlife facility in coastal Virginia. Prior to that, she completed a nine month wildlife rehabilitation apprenticeship with BRWC. Born and raised in Purcellville, VA, she graduated from Elon University in 2019 with a degree in Environmental and Ecological Sciences with minors in Biology and Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S).

Jennifer Riley, DVM, “Dr. Jen”, joined the Center in February 2016 with a strong background in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Jen began working with wildlife while studying Animal Science at Cornell University in New York State and focused heavily on wildlife medicine while attending veterinary school at Tufts University in Massachusetts. After receiving her veterinary degree, she treated orphaned and injured wildlife full-time in positions at The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic in Belize and then the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Sanibel, Florida. Just prior to joining the team at BRWC, Dr. Jen worked as a veterinarian at Lion Country Safari, a semi-free ranging, AZA-accredited zoological park in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Jen brings her years of unique surgical and medical experience with wildlife to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, currently serving as our Hospital Director.

Alix joined BRWC in June of 2023 and has hit the ground running! She obtained her LVT licensure in 2015 after working as a veterinary assistant for many years. While most of her career has been in small animal medicine, including specialties in ophthalmology and lead technician roles, she is a naturalist and conservationist at heart and is happy to finally have her career align with her deepest core values and passions! She volunteers with the Virginia Bluebird Society as a bluebird box monitor and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy helping to restore natural areas, and in her free time enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and making art. She lives in Sterling on her suburban permaculture micro-farm/native plant habitat with her husband, kids, dog, indoor cat, rabbit and chickens and shares the space the variety of wildlife that inhabit her garden.

Morgan joined Blue Ridge Wildlife Center as the Building & Grounds Manager in January 2023. Prior to joining BRWC he worked on a farm sanctuary for horses, and before that ran his own pet care business. He has always enjoyed working with his hands and is excited to join that with his passion for animals and interests in wildlife and the environment. He grew up in Los Angeles, CA and now lives in Winchester, VA with his wife and daughter.

Rising through the ranks of Front Office Associate at BRWC in early 2021 to our current Operations Director, Carly is the mastermind behind the smooth operation of Blue Ridge Wildlife Center. In her role, she oversees the administrative and operational tasks necessary to keep the Center running efficiently.

When she isn't keeping the center in tip-top shape, Carly enjoys hunting for four-leaf clovers, perfecting her google calendar, and making new memories with her two children.

Ashton joined BRWC in June 2023 as a Summer Education Associate, before becoming the center’s Education Coordinator. Ashton is a Northern Virginia native. While growing up in Loudoun County, he developed a love and appreciation for native wildlife. After attending Christopher Newport University, he decided to pursue his passion of wildlife education. In his free time, Ashton goes hiking, goes to concerts, and spends time with his dog.

Karlye grew up in Frederick County, MD then pursued her interest in life science by attending Towson University and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She, worked in health care for several years until 2023. Karlye has always loved exploring the outdoors, caring for animals and conserving our natural spaces, inspiring her to begin volunteering with the Education Department at BRWC in February of 2024. She immediately felt welcomed by the BRWC family, and was hired as a full-time employee the following month. Karlye is so excited to learn more about native wildlife, as well as how to provide assistance to our community in caring for animals in need.

Trish has 12 years experience in the development/fundraising field. Her experience includes a four-year term as director of development for the Piedmont Environmental Council and eight years as assistant director of development for Providence Hospital Foundation. Her fundraising skills include major gifts, private and federal grant writing and event management. She earned the designation of Certified Fundraising Executive in 2009 and served as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Mobile, Alabama Chapter for two years. Trish is passionate about the importance of conserving land for future generations and sees the value in educating youth on the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife. Trish holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Alabama with concentrations in English, Sociology, and Psychology. She is a life-long horsewoman, plays tennis and enjoys hiking and traveling with her family.

Emily Hsieh, DVM got her start in veterinary medicine while working on her undergraduate degrees in Animal Science and Graphic Design at the University of California, Davis. Between the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital, local wildlife centers, and the Oakland Zoo, she was fortunate to have worked hands-on with a little of everything from laboratory mice to elephants. Hooked on species diversity, as a veterinary student at Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California, Dr. Hsieh’s studies included externships at Wildlife Safari in Oregon, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and the Belize Wildlife and Referral Center. After graduating in 2018 and finding emergency stabilization to be a major part of wildlife care, she pursued a rotating internship heavily focused on exotic and small animal emergency medicine at Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in San Diego, CA. She continued to hone these skills while servicing a number of different clinics as a relief veterinarian in Orange County – however, Dr. Hsieh is excited for the transition to wildlife full-time and joining the BRWC team in January 2022!

My name is Audrie Wieber, and I am a 2023 graduate of Shenandoah University with a degree in Environmental Studies. While I was studying there, I completed a project in collaboration with the BRWC that displayed different ways of protecting birds from window/building collisions. I also had the opportunity to do an internship here in the summer of 2022. During both of these experiences I have had previously with the BRWC, I got to know not only the ambassadors, but the employees as well. I am so excited to be a full-time member of the team, and see what more adventure there is to be had here.

CJ joined Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in 2023 after 13 years in the animal care field. Getting his start at a small Nature Center in western Maryland, he then became a volunteer at the National Aquarium in Baltimore where he assisted in the husbandry of the Amazon Rainforest exhibit birds, sloths, and monkeys. At that point he had made some amazing connections and began working at the World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri where he was a Naturalist and the Nature Center Manager. overseeing and participating in daily husbandry and training for 60+ species of birds. As time went on, he realized that he needed to be closer to family and moved back to the east coast and brought his passion of working with animals and providing wildlife education to BRWC!

Alysa is a recent graduate of Shenandoah University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Biology and Music. She joined the BRWC team in September 2022 after working at the Center as a Summer Education Associate. She loves spending time outdoors and with animals, and is excited to work with wildlife and help conserve natural habitats as well as teach people to coexist with wildlife.

Russ grew up in Northwest Arlington and met his wife Lori (a former BRWC Board Member) while at medical school and residency at the University of Virginia. Russ and Lori have lived in the valley since 1990 where they raised their two daughters and in 1997, they moved to Clarke County. It is ever more clear to him that the soil, the flora, and the fauna have all evolved together and must be preserved together. Given this belief, they placed their 100 acre farm in easement, are improving the quality and sustainability of their cattle farming practices, and are re-naturalizing riparian buffers on their property. Russ has served on boards in the local area, including the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the Preservation of History Winchester, and has supported the Center’s work in several ways, including housing summer interns for several years.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!

Heather has been a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer with BRWC since 2017 and is also the permit holder for an educational ambassador Turkey Vulture, Vega. Heather is currently a Training and Professional Development Specialist for We Are Sharing Hope SC (the organ procurement organization for South Carolina) and prior to that worked for the Washington Regional Transplant Community for 18 years. Heather also worked for the US Environmental Protection Agency after graduating from Oberlin College. Heather lives in Haymarket VA (Prince William County) with her husband and a menagerie of animals (ducks, chickens, cats, hermit crab, tarantula, bees, and of course, a vulture). Originally from Ohio, she has lived in the DC and VA area for the past 20 yrs. Heather has been passionate about environmental and conservation issues throughout her life, having worked on projects in Costa Rica during college years, and most recently spending 2 months in South Africa volunteering with VulPro – supporting rescue, rehabilitation and captive breeding of endangered Cape Vultures. Heather is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Learning Design and Technology, and when not working, volunteering, or studying, enjoys backpacking along the Appalachian Trail.

Dr. Degrassi is the Assistant Dean of Academic Innovation of the College of Arts and Sciences and an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology at Shenandoah University. She earned her PhD from the University of Vermont where she studied the effects of invasive species on wildlife. She has worked in marine, intertidal, desert, and forest habitats. She teaches courses focusing on ecological processes, environmental sustainability, and wildlife conservation. Allyson works to help foster the creation and development of new, exciting, and applicable academic programs and pathways for Shenandoah University learners and looks for ways for ALL learners to gain hands-on experience in these fields. She enjoys spending time in nature with her pack!

Emily Ristau joined Blue Ridge Wildlife Center's Board of Directors in June 2023. As a licensed attorney in California since 1983, Emily brings her wealth of legal expertise to the board. Having relocated to The Plains, VA, from California in 1998, Emily's commitment to conservation extends to her own farm, protected by a Virginia Outdoors Foundation scenic easement. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding and renovating houses, currently tackling her fourth major restoration project. Emily's active involvement in organizations such as The Orange County Hounds, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and her accolades in the Greater Piedmont Realtors underscore her dedication to our mission and her significant contributions to our board.