meet our board
Joseph Zaccaro has been associated with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection since its formation. His involvement has included organization and financial advice and contributions to the center's construction and operations. Joe's background includes roles as an international executive in multiple corporations and over thirty years as a leadership and organization consultant to executives in the corporate sector. He founded his highly successful business, the Human Resource Consulting Group, in 1983.
"Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection is an example of a great concept being successfully carried out by people who have a calling to do so. Jenny and Jim Desmond are dedicated to eliminating the causes and ravages of wildlife poaching and trade throughout the world. I am dedicated to that success and to its growth into the future." |
Melanie K. Westergaard is the owner of Wild Earth LLC. and Director for Pulse Seismic Inc. Melanie is a passionate advocate of advancing science to improve the lives of all species. Melanie has over thirty five years of global technical and leadership experience in the energy sector. She received her Bachelors degree in Geophysical Engineering Colorado School of Mines and has served on multiple corporate, trade association and non-profit boards including roles for Advancing Science in America, Colorado School of Mines as a Board of Governors Executive and Alumni Board President and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists.
"Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection is truly inspirational as demonstration of what commitment, passion and hard work can create. I am proud to serve with the Desmonds who have made a vision a reality." |
Aimee Carpenter is the founder/owner of Indigo Mountain PR. As the owner of a successful brand building company and a coveted celebrity placement agent, Aimee works with top luxury brands to elevate their exposure on a global scale. By partnering with A-list talent and stylists, Aimee has achieved unparalleled growth for her clients on the red carpet and through prominent media placement. Aimee recently opened a production company, Marcy Place Productions, and is producing partners with world famous intuitive Tara Taylor.
Aimee became involved with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection in 2020 when she was introduced to the rescued and adopted Mary Beauty. She is dedicated to keeping the sanctuary and its amazing care givers funded and believes strongly in the preservation of the western chimpanzees. "Through hard work, fundraising, building awareness worldwide, we can continue the amazing work the Desmonds have been carrying out over the years." |
Jenny Desmond is founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection and runs the organization's Sanctuary and Conservation Center whose aim is to provide refuge for chimpanzees orphaned by the bushmeat and live pet trades and drive broad based conservation strategies locally, regionally and globally. Jenny has played leadership roles in the corporate and not for profit sector in multiple funding, marketing and strategic business development programs; established and improved numerous wildlife care and reintroduction protocols; collaborated on diverse wildlife crime fighting initiatives; and managed the rehabilitation of a diverse number of wildlife species, for human and animal protection, and conservation organizations throughout the world. Jenny is also a photographer and enjoys capturing the world around her through the lens.
|
Dr. Jim Desmond is a wildlife veterinarian and founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection and, with wife Jenny, runs the organization's Sanctuary and Conservation Center. Jim has worked as a consultant specializing in wildlife medicine and emerging zoonotic disease and works on a range of activities related to wildlife health and conservation including capacity building, training, community development, land tenure, rescue, and law enforcement as part of his comprehensive approach to conservation. He has frontline experience in development and implementation of biodiversity preservation initiatives and protected area management and operations. Dr. Desmond received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a Masters in Comparative Biomedical Sciences from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. |