Staff
Kaity Ryan
Executive Director
401.846.2577 x 414 kryan@normanbirdsanctuary.org
A certified architectural historian with a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Kaity was appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island to the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission in 2018.
Before joining Norman Bird Sanctuary as Executive Director, Kaity served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Preservation Society of Newport County, where she oversaw the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts for eight years.
Kaity loves hiking the Red Fox Ridge in the fall and Shady Glade in the spring.
Joye Whitney
Director of Horticulture & Conservation
401.846.2577 x 418 jwhitney@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Joye has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of New Hampshire, a certificate in Horticulture Therapy from the New York Botanical Gardens, and is a certified Master Gardener through the University of Rhode Island.
On the NBS campus, Joye has a special appreciation for Mabel’s Garden.
John Gendron
Welcome Center Ambassador
401.846.2577 x 410 jgendron@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Prior to becoming an Ambassador in 2021, John was involved in kitchen design, construction, and customer service, including several years with Tesla. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island.
His favorite trail is the Red Fox Trail.
Kathleen Matthews
TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator
401.846.2577 kmatthews@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Prior to the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Kathleen was an NSF-funded research assistant at Hawaii Pacific University studying coral skeletons in relation to ocean acidification. As an undergrad she interned for Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, and was an undergrad researcher for the Center of Water Supply Studies. She also participated in two study abroad programs called S.E.A Semester (aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans) and Belize: Ridges to Reefs Program.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (Concentration in Marine and Coastal Resources) from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Kathleen’s favorite spot is the koi pond.
Vera Pisco
Office Manager
401.846.2577 x 401 vpisco@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Vera studied at Texas A&M university in Aggieland before moving to Rhode Island in 2017. During that time, Vera transitioned from restaurant management to non-profit accounting and worked in Finance and Accounting at Newport Mental Health. Before living in the United States, Vera lived in Russia and is fluent in both Russian and English.
Vera enjoys the more challenging trails such as Hanging Rock and Red Fox became she loves being active!
Sara Poirier
Science Coordinator
401.846.2577 x 425 spoirier@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Before moving to Aquidneck Island with her family, Sara worked at the Ontario Science Center as the staff astronomer. Her role included developing exhibits and programs and producing shows for the Center’s planetarium.
Sara’s favorite spot at the Sanctuary is the south lawn under a clear, night sky.
John Richmond
Properties Manager
401.846.2577 x 412 jrichmond@normanbirdsanctuary.org
John holds a B.A. interdisciplinary degree in Sustainable Cultures & Communities from Stonehill College. Prior to joining the Norman Bird Sanctuary team in 2024, John began his career in the nonprofit sector as a Co-founder of Harvest Market in Newport, a locally sourced cafe. He discovered his passion for nature conservation during the process of creating a sculpture park in Newport referred to as “Newport Secret Garden”, an undeveloped 17-acre parcel of land on which he builds sculptures out of leftover debris from his trailblazing.
His favorite place on campus is Hanging Rock.
Julie Safford
Lead Teacher Naturalist
401.846.2577 x 415 jsafford@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Julie earned a BS in Wildlife Biology and Environmental Management as well as a BA in English from the University of Rhode Island. Julie also spent a semester at the University of Bath, England, studying landscape and literature.
Julie’s past work experience is heavy in the hospitality industry, and includes iconic RI establishments in all aspects of service, including management. Julie’s most recent experience, as a teacher naturalist for the 2023 summer camp season at NBS, was a significant career pivot and one that she enjoyed thoroughly.
Julie’s favorite spot/trail on campus has to be the view from the studio lawn. One can see, as Mabel once must have from her farmhouse, the fields, the stone walls, the Atlantic Ocean, and Sachuest Point; the breeze there is magnificent as well.
Isabella Villanueva
TerraCorps Land Steward Coordinator
401.846.2577 ivillanueva@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Isabella has a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Isabella received the Dr. L. David Mech Fellowship through the International Wolf Center to work in New Mexico on the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. In this position she worked with the wild wolf population doing radio telemetry, tracking, trapping, camera trapping, and more to help remove the species from the Endangered Species List.
Before that, she was part of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program through the University of Washington. This program allowed her to expand her knowledge of biocultural conservation centered around equity and justice in an effort to respond to the needs of all members of a community, both humans and non-human. She was also the project lead for the Lincoln Flying Squirrel Squad in Lincoln, NE. In this project they educated the public on urban wildlife conservation and how the community could get involved.
Isabella’s favorite spot is Red Fox Trail.
Madison Williams
Marketing & Communications Manager
401.846.2577 x 425 mwilliams@normanbirdsanctuary.org
Graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in English Literature, Madison began writing and producing social media content for RisingT Media & Marketing prior to joining the Norman Bird Sanctuary in 2021.
Madison loves sitting on the Red Fox Ridge, overlooking the ocean, Hanging Rock, and the field of phragmites.
