Florida  Keys Wild Bird Center

Jordan Budnik

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jordan and her jealous bird-wife Nikki moved to the Florida Keys after accepting a job with FKWBC in May 2017. She comes from a mixed background with organizations including Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE). She now works as FKWBC’s Executive Director, handling fundraising, coordinating community outreach programs, and speaking with donors about ways they can help “Keep Them Flying”.

JORDAN BUDNIK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Gregory Russ

WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR

Greg grew up in Oak Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago. While studying pre-veterinary medicine at University of Minnesota Twin Cities, he discovered that he loved working with birds. After graduating, Greg volunteered and interned at a variety of rehabilitation centers in Minnesota and Vermont and worked at the Raptor Education Group Inc. in Wisconsin as an Avian Technician and volunteer coordinator.  He joined FKWBC as the Wildlife Rehabilitator at the end of October 2020.  In his spare time, he loves bird watching, photography, and hiking.

GREGORY RUSS
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR

Kenneth Lorber

FACILITIES STAFF

"I love nature and all it brings

life's great color and shape

the music of being alive

this is what we cherish

I help with daily care of birds here to give hope

and end pain"

​

Ken was previously a beloved long-time volunteer. He is now an integral part of our facilities staff. Without him, the Bird Center would not be here today.

KEN LORBER
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE STAFF

Sarah Slayton

AVIAN CARE INTERN

Sarah is originally from Los Angeles and has wanted to pursue a career working with animals for as long as she can remember. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, where her coursework focused on animal behavior and wildlife conservation. In addition to her studies, she gained firsthand experience in behavioral research and animal care through internships at the St. Louis Zoo and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Sarah is thrilled to be continuing to build on her previous work studying birds by gaining hands-on experience in avian rehabilitation at the FKWBC!

SARAH SLAYTON
AVIAN CARE INTERN

Carlie Anderson

AVIAN CARE INTERN

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Carlie earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at Austin where she explored broad-ranging interests in the natural sciences. As an undergraduate, she engaged in various fields of research including vegetation and fire ecology, biogeography, & entomology, & attended an immersive 6-week field training program in central Botswana. She will be pursuing a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology at FSU in Fall 2021. In the meantime, she is grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experiences with the uniquely diverse avifauna of the Keys & is excited to be a part of the FKWBC team.

Carlie Anderson

AVIAN CARE INTERN

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Carlie earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at Austin where she explored broad-ranging interests in the natural sciences. As an undergraduate, she engaged in various fields of research including vegetation and fire ecology, biogeography, & entomology, & attended an immersive 6-week field training program in central Botswana. She will be pursuing a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology at FSU in Fall 2021. In the meantime, she is grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experiences with the uniquely diverse avifauna of the Keys & is excited to be a part of the FKWBC team.

CARLIE ANDERSON
AVIAN CARE INTERN

JORDAN BUDNIK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bayleigh MacHaffie

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Originally hailing from Dalton, Massachusetts, Bayleigh joined Team Wild Bird in November 2019 after spending some time in North Carolina. Previously she was a Wildlife Rehabilitator at the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue & volunteered with the Carolina Raptor Center. Bayleigh is an IWRC Certified W.R. & has earned her B.S. in Psychology & Wildlife Biology (with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation) from Lees-McRae College. Aside from her obsession with Pelicans, Bayleigh adores & spoils her Cat (Charlie) & Leopard Gecko (Archie).  

BAYLEIGH MACHAFFIE
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Emma McCarthy

AVIAN CARE TECHNICIAN

Emma grew up in Wisconsin & has always enjoyed spending time outside in nature. She pursued her love of science by completing a degree in Biology at DePaul University in Chicago. During her time in school, she completed internships at the Shedd Aquarium & Lincoln Park Zoo, where she first gained experience working with wildlife. Emma is excited to continue learning about new species & the rehabilitation process at FKWBC! 

EMMA MCCARTHY
AVIAN CARE TECHNICIAN

Deja Canter

WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR

Deja attended Lees-McRae College in Western North Carolina where she received her B.S. in wildlife biology with a concentration in wildlife rehabilitation. Before joining the FKWBC team in March 2021, she spent time working at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Banner Elk, NC and completed a fellowship program at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Sanibel, FL. Deja enjoys birdwatching and her favorite bird is the American Crow.

DEJA CANTER
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR

Connor O'Hea

AVIAN CARE INTERN

"Growing up being involved with the Boy Scouts of America developed my love of nature and animals. After obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout, I wanted to expand my knowledge further where I attended the University of Delaware and received a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Currently, I am applying my knowledge and developing my skills as an intern here at the FKWBC!"

CONNOR O'HEA
AVIAN CARE INTERN

Connor O'Hea

AVIAN CARE INTERN

Jenna grew up in North Carolina and has loved animals ever since she was a child. She is currently attending North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. Before interning at the FKWBC, Jenna had gained experience working with songbirds, domestic fowl, small mammals, and waterfowl at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue and Skywatch Bird Rescue, both in North Carolina.

JENNA DONKLE
AVIAN CARE INTERN