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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Birding Festival Expands Board

"We will continue to grow the board in the coming year, adding new skills and areas of expertise, new perspectives, and new community voices.”
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Elizabeth Bartle
Board Chair

BOSTON—The Boston Birding Festival’s Board of Directors announces the election of additional board members and officers.

“For the next couple of years, we will be working on building the organization and a vision and plan for the Festival,” said Elizabeth Bartle, Board Chair. “It’s no small task to build a successful and sustainable event from scratch. But our team brings with them a great deal of experience in exactly that area—from jazz festivals and live theater to conferences and association meetings, to corporate and shareholder meetings and trade shows—and even to large political events such as the Women’s March and even a Democratic National Convention. We will continue to grow the board in the coming year, adding new skills and areas of expertise, new perspectives, and new community voices.”

The new Board now includes: 

 

Board Officers

Elizabeth Bartle, Board Chair 
Elizabeth Bartle works in communications and strategy with a long history of involvement in journalism, education, foundations, government, and major events. She is a new and enthusiastic birder.

Kirsten Bjerklie, Treasurer
Kirsten has been an active birder for 15 years in the U.S. and in Europe. She is a behavioral expert and works at an independent investment research firm.

Ellen Curren, Vice Chair
Ellen is a new birder. After working in the entertainment business, Ellen is now a community volunteer and raises brand awareness for Troublemakers.org, a company promoting equity for women and girls. 

Donna DeAngelis, Clerk
Donna DeAngelis is an independent producer specializing in large scale experiential
events and media and a  passionate adventure traveler.

DIRECTORS

Mari Badger
Festival founder and director Mari Badger is an independent creative director and marketing and strategy consultant who has worked with nonprofits, startups, political organizations, and major events for 25+ years. She’s served on other nonprofit boards in the arts and education, and is an enthusiastic birder.

Emily Conklin 
Emily is a marine biologist and birder with a focus on science communication and sustainability. She currently works as the Program Manager with Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana and also serves as Vice Chair for the City of Newport Energy & Environment Commission.

Sonya Quinlan-Khan
Sonya Quinlan-Khan is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in healthcare management, public policy, and event operations. Her background includes managing public health initiatives, advocating for policy change, and organizing and executing large scale events.

Susan Shapiro
Long-time birder and bird enthusiast, Susan spent 30 years in finance and banking focused on corporate Internal Audit and Risk Management.

Calvin Yang
Calvin is a senior Research associate at a cancer pharma company who has been birding seriously and passionately for about 5 years. His other interests in nature include insects, herptiles, mammals, fungi and plants. 

The newly formed nonprofit Boston Birding Festival offers ongoing regular programming building toward a major event in 2025. Visit the website for more information. 

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PHOTO: Eagle feathers. GettY Images