The Faces Behind the Mission
Our work is driven by passionate, dedicated people who believe in protecting wildlife through rescue, education, and advocacy. As a family run nonprofit, every member of our team plays an active role in providing input and guidance that helps shape our nonprofit and move our mission forward. This page introduces the people behind the scenes whose compassion and commitment help make our work possible every day.
Alyssa Giaquinto
Alyssa Giaquinto is the founder and director of our family run wildlife nonprofit and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Massachusetts. She holds two state licenses through MassWildlife and two federal licenses through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, allowing her to conduct both wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
Alyssa leads the organization’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect native wildlife through public education and advocacy throughout Massachusetts, and oversees the care of our ambassador barn owl, Bella. She develops and delivers free educational programs for schools, libraries, and community groups across the state. Her dedication and passion for wildlife conservation are the foundation of our organization’s work.
Michael Giaquinto
Mike is the co-founder and Alyssa’s husband. He is involved in nearly every aspect of the work, assisting with the daily care of Bella and supporting every public program alongside Alyssa. From building and maintaining animal enclosures to stepping in wherever help is needed, Mike plays a vital role in keeping the organization running smoothly.
In addition to his work with the nonprofit, Mike serves full time in law enforcement, a role that reflects his dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to service. His reliability, compassion, and unwavering support help make this family run organization possible, and we are incredibly grateful to have him as part of our nonprofit family.
Anne Myrseth
Anne is a valued member of our Board of Directors and a lifelong animal lover. Although she resides in Brooklyn, New York, she spends much of her free time in Vermont, where she enjoys hiking in the woods with her husband and their dog, Ripley. Anne has a deep love for the outdoors and finds joy in spending time in nature whenever possible.
She also enjoys traveling and exploring new places, especially when it involves experiencing different cultures and enjoying delicious food along the way. As a board member, Anne helps guide important decisions that support and strengthen our nonprofit’s mission. Her passion for animals, appreciation for the natural world, and thoughtful perspective make her a wonderful asset to our organization.
Lee Stetson
Lee is a member of our Board of Directors and brings a thoughtful, well rounded perspective to our organization. He is a full-time attorney based in Seattle, Washington, and is originally from Massachusetts. In his role, Lee helps guide important decisions and ensures the organization always operates in its best interest.
A lifelong animal lover, Lee shares his home with three cats and a dog. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys hiking with his wife and their dog, Ruby, exploring the coastline of Washington, traveling the world, and trying new foods wherever his travels take him. Lee’s passion for animals, love of adventure, and commitment to thoughtful leadership make him a valued part of our organization.
Scott Taylor
Scott is a valued member of our Board of Directors and plays an integral role in supporting our mission. He contributes not only through thoughtful decision making, but also through his work as a skilled home improvement contractor, helping to build and improve enclosures for our wildlife patients and our beloved animal ambassador.
Scott’s kind heart and love for animals shine through in everything he does, especially in his bond with his dog, Philomena, a registered therapy dog. Outside of his work with the organization, Scott is an excellent chef who enjoys fine cooking and sharing good food with others. His generosity, craftsmanship, and compassion make him an invaluable part of our board.