Our Board
Lisa Sorenson, Ph.D. – Executive Director and Past President
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Member since 1996, Project Coordinator, WIWD and Wetlands Conservation Project 1997 to 2016, former Vice President and President of the Board, Executive Director 2013 to present. Nationality: USA Residence: Natick, MA, USA Experience: Lisa has a B.Sc. is in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota. She has been working in the Caribbean for 30 years and has expertise in waterbird and wetland ecology and conservation, climate change, conservation education, and surveying and monitoring techniques. Lisa oversees and coordinates BirdsCaribbean’s various capacity building programs, such as the West Indian Whistling-Ducks and Wetlands Conservation Project, Caribbean Waterbird Census, BirdSleuth Caribbean, Caribbean Birding Trail Program, and bird festivals, and raises funds, develops materials, and organizes and facilitates training workshops. Lisa’s research interests include the breeding ecology and behavior of White-cheeked Pintails and West Indian Whistling-Ducks in the Bahamas and climate change impacts on wetlands and birds. Lisa’s first BirdsCaribbean meeting (then the Society for Caribbean Ornithology) was in 1996. She is passionate about her work and inspired by all the great work that our partners are doing to raise awareness and make a difference to help conserve the Caribbean’s amazing birds and biodiversity.
“Continuing as Executive Director, I want to grow and expand on all of our great programs in the region to conserve birds and nature. I believe that raising awareness and encouraging local citizens to know and appreciate birds, as well as get involved in science, monitoring, and conservation is vital to ensuring the long-term survival of the region’s incredible bird life. My priority is to continue building the capacity of our amazing local partners to carry out the fantastic work they do with their communities. We will build on our successes and strengths and grow the network of people that love birds and understand the value of local habitats for wildlife, sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem services, and ultimately, human health. I am honored to be part of an outstanding team that cares deeply about our mission and gives generously of their time and expertise. And I am thankful beyond words for our many partners, members, and supporters who believe in us and support our work in myriad ways.”
Email: lisa.sorenson@birdscaribbean.org
ADRIANNE Tossas, ph.d. – PRESIDENT
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean:
Member of BirdsCaribbean since 1999, when she attended the conference in the Dominican Republic. She was Director-at-large in three terms (2003–2004, 2005–2006, and 2019–2020, and President from 2021-2022, starting a second term in 2023. Co-founder and first coordinator of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (2002–2005), co-chair of the Mentorship program, and current chair of the Grant Awards Committee. Nationality: USA Residence: Puerto Rico Experience: Adrianne has a Ph.D. degree in ecology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. As part of her dissertation work, she studied the breeding biology, distribution, and metapopulation structure of the endemic Puerto Rican Vireo (Vireo latimeri). She also described the effects of the passage of Hurricane Georges in 1998 on the avian community in her study site. From 2002 to 2004 she implemented the Important Bird Areas program of BirdLife International in Puerto Rico. Since then she has taught biology at the university level, leading undergraduate students in avian ecology research and conservation work. Along with her students, she monitors landbird and waterbird populations in northwestern Puerto Rico. Adrianne is the author of the book Birds of Puerto Rico for Children, and regularly gives talks and contributes newspaper articles about conservation for the general public.
“I am very honored to be able to serve as President of BirdsCaribbean for a second term. My main goal is to keep helping the organization grow by promoting broader participation in current flagship programs and working groups, recruiting a diverse and inclusive membership, and strengthening partnerships with other organizations. I am committed to continuing moving BC forward as the leading ornithological organization in the region.”
Email: agtossas@gmail.com
Andrea Thomen, Ph.D. candidate – Vice-president
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Andrea presented her graduate work in the 2015 BirdsCaribbean’s conference in Jamaica. Since then, she has attended conferences in Cuba and Guadeloupe, describing these experiences as life-changing. Andrea worked as the in-country coordinator for the Caribbean Birding Trail initiative from 2015 through 2017, where she oversaw capacity-building activities regarding birding tourism and improved environmental interpretation at Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve. She has also planned over 50 education and outreach events for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and Migratory Bird Festival. Nationality: Dominican Republic Residence: Dominican Republic Experience: Andrea is a B.A. in Environmental Studies and International Studies from Manhattanville College in Purchase and an M.Sc. in Conservation Biology from SUNY ESF in Syracuse, New York. She is currently part of a long-distance, part-time Ph.D. program based at Manchester Metropolitan University in the U.K. regarding the conservation of the Hispaniolan Parrot and Parakeet. Since 2015, Andrea works as the Projects Manager for Grupo Jaragua, a nonprofit that seeks to promote biodiversity conservation on the island of Hispaniola. As a researcher, she is mainly interested in threatened bird ecology and understanding population responses to changing forest landscapes. Andrea actively participates in advocacy campaigns for Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and is a great believer in social media conservation messaging.
“As the Vice-President of BirdsCaribbean, I want to focus on inter-island knowledge-sharing and strengthening bonds between BC Members. I would like to do this by creating new networking, leadership, and capacity-building opportunities during the biennial conference experience.”
Email: Andrea.Thomen@BIrdsCaribbean.org
Natalya Lawrence – Secretary
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Natalya began to work with BirdsCaribbean in April, 2011 leading the local effort to create the Landbirds of Antigua and Barbuda Bird ID Card. It was a huge learning curve since at the time, she knew very little about birds, or local birding experts. Since then, she has received extensive training from BirdsCaribbean to identify and monitor Caribbean Endemic and Neotropical Migrant Birds. She has also attended and made presentations at every conference held from 2011 to 2019. Natalya for several years led local activities for region-wide efforts, including the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, World Migratory Bird Day and BirdSleuth Caribbean. Following the passage of the devastating super-storm Hurricane Irma, in 2017, Natalya coordinated and participated in emergency assessments for birds on Barbuda, particularly the Magnificent Frigatebirds and the country’s sole endemic, the Barbuda Warbler. The ecological assessments were done with the support of the Department of Environment, in collaboration with BirdsCaribbean, the Environmental Awareness Group, and Fauna & Flora International. Nationality: Antigua & Barbudan Residence: Antigua & Barbuda Experience: Natalya has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Tourism, and a Master’s degree in Project Management. She has ten years’ experience and training in offshore island restoration and invasive alien species detection and management. She has successfully managed projects to conserve resident and neotropical migrant avian species, and their habitat, to conserve critically endangered reptiles and their habitat and to connect residents to nature, through conservation education.
“One of my favourite themes for a past Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is Connecting People to Nature Through Birds. I hope to support the continued expansion and diversification of the BC membership, connecting people and grassroots organisations to connect to nature, through our beautiful endemic birds. I hope to encourage them to understand how nature and humans are interdependent, and to take small actions to effect positive change in our natural world.“
NIChOLAS SORENSON – Treasurer
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Monthly donor since November 2016 and now officially joined as a BC member; is the son of two ornithologists, has traveled to numerous Caribbean islands, and has spent a lifetime exploring nature. Nationality: USA Residence: Boston, Massachusetts Experience: Nicholas (Nick) has extensive experience in financial consulting, with project work including financial statement analysis, business valuation, capital budgeting, trend analysis & forecasting, and strategic planning. He has served on the Alumni Advisory Committee for the Boston University Student Managed Investment Fund, was a Business Associate at Wellington Management Company (2014-2016), an Analyst at the Michel-Shaked Group (2016-2018), and the Business Operations Manager at Lovepop (2018-2021). Nick is currently a founder and managing partner of Ventus Advisors (2015-present), and a Strategic Operations Finance Manager at Wayfair (2021-present). Nick greatly values environmental conservation efforts, scientific research, and global sustainability.
“As Treasurer, my focus will be to help BirdsCaribbean align its operations with its strategic and business development plans, which together will chart out a clear path for the organization to grow and manage its primary sources of funds (e.g., CBT/tourism, monthly donors, HNW/corporate sponsors, grants, etc.). I’ve worked with a number of startups as an advisor to help them develop customized financial/data-driven solutions, create external presentations, raise funding from investors, and optimize all aspects of the business. I’m excited about the possibilities for BirdsCaribbean because of my familiarity with its valuable work.”
Email: njsoren@bu.edu
ANDREW DOBSON, M.B.A. – PAST President
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Member since 2001, President of the Board 2005–2008 and 2017–2020, and led BirdsCaribbean tours to Cuba in 2019 and 2020. Nationality: British Residence: Cambridge, UK Experience: Andrew was educated in the UK and has a B.A. in Economics (University of East Anglia), Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (Bristol University) and M.B.A. (Educational Management) University of Leicester. Andrew taught in Bermuda for over 28 years. He served on the executive of the Bermuda Audubon Society 1990–2018 including many terms as President. He produced the Society’s newsletter during that period and developed their website. He organized birdwatching courses, field trips, an annual bird camp, and coordinated the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and International Migratory Bird Day events in Bermuda. Since 1995 he has been a regional editor for the journal North American Birds. He attended his first BirdsCaribbean conference in Cuba in 2001 and has since served twice as the Society’s President. In 2002, his ‘Birdwatching Guide to Bermuda’ was published. He has co-authored articles on Bermuda’s IBAs and Bermuda’s birds. A keen photographer, his bird photos have appeared in many publications. He is a Life Fellow of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and a BirdLife International Rare Bird Club member. In 2018 he received an honour from Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to the protection of Bermuda’s natural environment and his work with the Audubon Society. Andrew recently retired from teaching and moved back to the UK with his family where he remains active in birding and conservation action.
“I am honored to be part of an amazingly dedicated team committed to supporting such important bird conservation work in the Caribbean region. The Society reaches thousands of people in the region with its educational programs. I am proud of the response that BirdsCaribbean has given to island communities in the aftermath of recent disastrous hurricanes, especially the resources supplied quickly to feed starving bird populations. In an unprecedented period of climate change, I look forward to being part of a team working with local communities to create a better environment for both people and birds.”
Email: andrew.dobson@birdscaribbean.org
Joseph Wunderle, Ph.D. – Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) Editor-in-Chief
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Founding member of BirdsCaribbean in 1988, former Vice-President and President on the Board, and has contributed to the society’s first constitution & bylaws. Was co-organizer for the society’s conferences in Puerto Rico, Aruba, and Guadeloupe, and the Chair and organizer of the Founders Awards for best student presentations at four conferences. Has assisted with fund-raising and grant proposal writing to support workshops and regional conferences, participated as a presenter or a chair/organizer for workshops/special sessions at all conferences, and has served as a reviewer on the editorial board of Journal of Caribbean Ornithology since its beginning in 1988. Nationality: USA Residence: Puerto Rico and Georgia, USA Experience: Joseph (Joe) did his dissertation research on the genetics, behavior, and ecology of the Bananaquit on the island of Grenada, W.I., where he lived for six years and taught in the Canadian Junior College for Marine Biology in the nearby Grenadines. Prior to moving to Puerto Rico, he taught and conducted research with the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica as well as at North Carolina State University. He was a professor in the Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Puerto Rico in Cayey for eight years before joining the U.S. Forest Service’s International Institute of Tropical Forestry in 1988, from which he recently retired after 30 years as a Wildlife Team Leader & Research Wildlife Biologist. He still maintains his ties with the University of Puerto Rico as an adjunct professor where he advises and teaches graduate students in ecology and ornithology. An underlying theme of his research is disturbance ecology, an understanding of which has facilitated his efforts to identify conservation prescriptions for bird populations threatened by disturbance from hurricanes, droughts, agriculture, and selective logging. He has authored or co-authored over 100 publications mostly based on his research on avian ecology and conservation biology, which he conducted throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas as well as in Central America and Brazil. In an effort to build local research and conservation capacity in the Caribbean and elsewhere, he has involved students and recent graduates from the region in his field research.
“I plan to continue to help strengthen BirdsCaribbean’s programs in education, outreach, advocacy, and transfer of scientific information related to avian conservation and ornithology in an effort to build local capacity to conduct research and foster conservation for Caribbean birds. Specifically, as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, I wish to build on the efforts of Jim Wiley and subsequent editors and their staff to increase the visibility and utility of the journal; to encourage and foster publication by Caribbean nationals; and to ensure the sustainability of JCO as an open access journal. JCO has an important role to play by facilitating communication among ornithologists, naturalists, and conservationists working in the region and by serving as a repository for studies of Caribbean endemic bird species and other species of conservation concern.”
Email: jmwunderle@gmail.com
Maikel Cañizares Morera, M.Sc. – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Member of BirdsCaribbean since 2011, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee for the 21st BirdsCaribbean International Conference and the Caribbean Birding Trail Workshop held in Topes de Collantes, Cuba. 2017. Has also attended and been active at the 2001, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2019 conferences. Nationality: Cuban Residence: Havana, Cuba Experience: Maikel works at the Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática in Havana. He is a conservationist, researcher, and educator. He holds a master’s degree in both Systematic and Applied Zoology (Universidad de la Habana, 2003), and Managing and Leading Conservation Projects (Cambridge University, 2016). Maikel has considerable experience in Psittacids management, Caribbean bird ecology and conservation, and working with people from rural communities. He was President of the Cuban Zoology Society since 2014 until 2019 and was President of the Cuban Chapter of the Mesoamerican Society for Biology and Conservation since 2010 until 2017.
“As a Director-At-Large, I want to support cultural integration and scientific exchange among bird lovers from our Caribbean nations.”
Email: maikcaniz@gmail.com
JACQUELINE ANDRE – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Member of BirdsCaribbean since 2013. Participated in three BC International Conferences, including Grenada, Jamaica, and Guadeloupe. She has organized many Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival events in Dominica. Nationality: Dominican Residence: Dominica Experience: Jacqueline (Jackie) is a Forest Officer with the Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division in Dominica and is currently the head of the National Parks Unit. She has an undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Recreation Management from Virginia Tech. Jackie has been involved with bird education for several years as the Environmental Education Officer of the Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division. She attended her first BirdsCaribbean conference in Grenada in 2013 and has attended several conferences since then.
“As a Director-At-Large, I want to help foster more education programs that would in turn create much-needed awareness and bring a deeper appreciation for nature in the Caribbean.”
Email: jamina64@gmail.com
TERRY L. ROOT, PH.D. – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Past participant in two of BirdsCaribbean’s Cuba tours, and a monthly donor to BC. Nationality: USA Residence: Sarasota, Florida Experience: Terry was a Professor at the University of Michigan for 14 years and then Stanford University for 15 years. She was a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change 4th Assessment Report that in 2007 was co-awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Vice President Al Gore. Terry was also a lead author for the 3rd Assessment Report (2001) and a review editor for the 5th Assessment Report (2014). She has served on the Board of Directors of three different conservation NGOs (Point Blue 2002–2012, National Audubon 2010–2019, and Defenders of Wildlife 2010–2014 & 2020–Present) and has been the Science Advisor to the Board of Directors of the American Wind and Wildlife Institute (AWWI, 2012–2015 & 2019–Present). Additionally, Terry is currently a Science Adviser to National Audubon, Defenders of Wildlife, AWWI, and Climate Communication.
“I have worked my entire career on how climate disruption has influenced the biology of wild plants and animals, and how that influence has grave potential of facilitating the extinction of a quarter to half of the species on the planet. I believe my skills and expertise can help BirdsCaribbean attain their mission of raising awareness, promoting sound science and empowering local partners to build a region in the Caribbean where people appreciate, conserve and benefit from thriving bird populations and ecosystems.”
Email: troot@stanford.edu
David Ewert, Ph.D. – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Dave has attended four BirdsCaribbean conferences: two in The Bahamas; Guadeloupe; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has assisted with the development of the James Kushlan Endowed Fund. Nationality: USA Residence: East Lansing, Michigan, USA Experience: Dave’s dissertation was on the song of Eastern Towhee. He was on the faculty of Central Michigan University for 3 years. He then spent 35 years with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in science roles in Iowa, Michigan, the Great Lakes region, and The Bahamas. Following his tenure with TNC he joined American Bird Conservancy where he has continued to focus on Kirtland’s Warblers, especially on the Bahamian wintering grounds. With Robert Askins (retired from Connecticut College), he has worked on overwintering migrants in the Virgin Islands National Park including the response of migrants and resident species to hurricanes.
“I plan to (1) focus on the application of science to conservation programs while building conservation capacity in the Caribbean region and (2) encourage the establishment and maintenance of protected areas and programs that sustain both migratory and resident species, especially endemic species.”
Greg Butcher, Ph.D. – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: I started attending BirdsCaribbean conferences in 2013 in Grenada and haven’t missed since. I started bringing my wife Linda Fuller with me in 2015 in Jamaica, and she hasn’t missed since. I am pleased that U.S. Forest Service International Programs has been able to support BC consistently over the years, and I’m glad I was able to be part of that.
Nationality: USA Residence: Reston, Virginia, USA (near Washington DC) Experience: Greg was the Migratory Species Coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service International Programs (retired in December 2022). As part of his role, he worked on a diversity of projects throughout the Western Hemisphere, including grassland and forest bird, shorebird, and waterbird research and conservation. In his ornithological career he collaborated with the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Birders World magazine, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and was part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and Partners in Flight. Greg is a recognized public speaker and interpreter for bird conservation and ecology worldwide. He welcomes the opportunity to contribute his vast knowledge of avian ecology to promote the conservation of resident and migratory bird species of the Caribbean region.
“BirdsCaribbean is my favorite bird conservation group by far. We are working so hard to diversify conservation in the United States, but diversity is a natural in BC: not just race or gender, but nationality, language, interests, approaches, personality. My goal is to help empower Caribbean residents to achieve their personal and conservation goals.”
NIREN SIROHI, M.B.A., Ph.D. – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Previous or current links with BirdsCaribbean: Joined Board in July 2023. Nationality: USA Residence: Lexington, MA Experience: Niren grew up in India and did his undergrad in Mechanical Engineering. After that, he did an MBA in Marketing and worked in marketing and sales at Wipro, one of the largest computer firms in India. At that point he came to the US for higher education and did his PhD in Business Management at Cornell. In 1999 he moved to Boston and since then has worked for several consulting firms like Oliver Wyman and the Boston Consulting Group, helping his clients in both the for profit and not-for-profit sectors optimize and scale their operations and make better use of data and analytics to drive both strategic and tactical decision making. Currently, he heads up the operational analytics function at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, an internationally recognized academic cancer center. A few years ago, Niren started to follow the red-tailed hawks at Cornell, interact with the birding community and birders on the ground in the area, and got introduced to the big beautiful world of birds. From there he became interested in the conservation and protection of birds and grassroots approaches to conservation, and started to explore ways in which he could apply his skills towards the larger cause of protecting birds and their habitats, which is what drew him to BirdsCaribbean.
“I am humbled to be part of this dedicated organization, and am looking forward to contribute to the wonderful work BirdsCaribbean is doing in fostering grassroots conservation in the Caribbean region. I look forward to supporting the organization in this time of growth, and to enabling them to scale the amazing work they are doing to empower local island communities to protect our environment for birds and people, and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.”
Email: sirohiniren@gmail.com