SABRINA BOYD, POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING (PRT) COORDINATOR
Sabrina completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts - Boston. While working on her degree she completed an internship at the Center for Great Apes in Florida and spent time working on a habituation project with baboons, vervet monkeys and a pilot study project with bushbabies in South Africa.
Since graduating in 2017 she has been a chimpanzee caregiver and trainer at Chimp Haven in Louisiana where she worked with over 300 chimpanzees. While at Chimp Haven, she also worked as a Pharmacy Technician and the Medical Positive Reinforcement Coordinator for the veterinary department.
Ellen Brady-McGaughey, Enrichment Coordinator
Ellen found her passion for chimpanzees and their care while completing an internship at Chimp Haven in Louisiana during her junior year of college. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, she went back to Chimp Haven where she worked for the next 6 years. During her time at Chimp Haven, she became a leader on the caregiver team and was involved in planning and executing day to day tasks to care for more than 100 chimpanzees, as well as big picture needs and plans. She became very involved with positive reinforcement training with the chimpanzees and is particularly passionate about medical training which allows the chimps to participate in their own healthcare. She and her chimp trainees were able to accomplish many milestones together including obtaining awake ECG readings using a Kardia Mobile device, obtaining awake blood glucose readings, participating in laser therapy, allowing for nail trims, allowing for temperature readings, allowing for otoscope use, allowing for wound cleaning, and more. Ellen‘s favorite parts about working with chimpanzees are building strong, trusting relationships with them, and being able to spend quality time with her chimp friends. She also enjoys the creative problem-solving aspects of working with chimpanzees and finding ways to adapt to their changing needs.
KRISSY BRASFIELD, VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Bio and proper photo coming someday! In the meantime, read about Krissy here.
KELSI BREEN, OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Kelsi has been working with chimpanzees since 2010. Starting as a chimpanzee caregiver intern at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University, she graduated in 2014 with a BS double-major in Psychology and Primate Behavior & Ecology, with a minor in Anthropology. After graduation, Kelsi volunteered for Americorp for a year before moving to Canada to begin working at the Fauna Foundation in Quebec. Kelsi spent two years at the Fauna Foundation working with 14 chimpanzees, 4 monkeys, and numerous farm animals before moving back to Washington. She is now good friends with the chimpanzees and cattle at CSNW and is a valuable part of the caregiving team.
DUSTY CAVALIERE, CAREGIVER
Dusty's passion for animals began when she was a child caring for her dog, Peanuts, and her guinea pig, Squeaky. She dreamed of being a vet however her career took her down a path in the technology industry. To stay close to animals she volunteered with the Snoqualmie Valley Pet Food Bank, Conservation Northwest's citizen wildlife monitoring program, and Seattle Humane. She never imagined she’d care for chimpanzees but in 2016 she moved to Cle Elum and began volunteering at the sanctuary. She fell in love with the chimpanzees, the cattle, and the beautiful property and in 2024 joined the staff as a part-time caregiver. Her favorite thing about being a caregiver is building friendships with the chimps.
KATELYN DAUGHERTY, OFFICE MANAGER
Katelyn began as a volunteer in 2010 and immediately showed her dedication by her frequent commutes from Seattle. Katelyn has a BA focusing in Anthropology and Art History and has a diverse range of experience with non-profit and government agencies. After 11 years as a counselor and law enforcement program specialist in criminal justice, Katelyn moved to Ellensburg to pursue her dream of working in the field of Primatology. She completed an apprenticeship with the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University in 2012 before transitioning to a staff position at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in 2013. As Office Manager, Katelyn is in charge of administrative tasks that keep the sanctuary running, including many aspects of donor management. Katelyn finds providing direct care for the chimpanzees and connecting with supporters to be the most rewarding aspects of her job.
CHAD DE BREE, RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Chad has been an intern and volunteer at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest since 2017. He has a lifelong passion for wildlife. After spending 10 years as a photojournalist for the United States Marine Corps, he returned to school to pursue his research passions. He received bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Anthropology from Arizona State University. He worked in the Gombe Chimpanzee Lab while at ASU, where he helped analyze photographs of wild chimpanzees from Gombe National Park in Tanzania using photogrammetry techniques. Upon graduating, he was accepted into the Primate Behavior Masters Program at Central Washington University. He currently studies chimpanzee gestural communication.
DIANA GOODRICH, CO-DIRECTOR
Diana Goodrich has worked for nonprofit organizations since 1996 and has MS degrees in psychology and animals & public policy. Her initial career in the nonprofit world included a diverse range of experiences, including working with children with special needs, managing volunteers, and coordinating outreach efforts for a nonprofit film production company. She also spent three years as a caregiver and executive assistant for the Fauna Foundation, a sanctuary in Canada for chimpanzees and other animals. Diana began working for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest as the Director of Outreach before the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees arrived. In her positions she has produced increasingly successful fundraising events, overseen a growing social media presence, and brought national and local media attention to the sanctuary. In her role as Co-Director, she oversees fundraising and marketing and communications. Diana loves directly caring for the chimpanzees and connecting with individual supporters!
J.B. MULCAHY, CO-DIRECTOR
J.B. Mulcahy began working with chimpanzees in 1998. His initial fascination with ape language studies led him to the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University, where he would later earn his MS in Primate Behavior. Upon learning about the plight of chimpanzees in laboratories, J.B.’s focus quickly turned from research to advocacy. He went on to work for the Fauna Foundation, the first sanctuary to rescue HIV-infected chimpanzees. In addition to his experience with chimpanzees, J.B. has worked in the fields of construction and farm animal welfare. In his initial role as Director of Operations, J.B. was responsible for overseeing the care of the chimpanzees at CSNW and also designed and built many improvements to the facility, including Young’s Hill, the chimps’ 2-acre habitat. In his current role as Co-Director, he also oversees finances and human resources. J.B. serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Primate Behavior & Ecology Program at Central Washington University and as a member of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance steering committee.
ANNA WALLACE, VOLUNTEER MANAGER
Anna Wallace has been working with chimpanzees since 2007. She was a chimpanzee caregiver intern for four years at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute on the campus of Central Washington University. She graduated in 2011 with two Bachelors degrees, one in Psychology and one in Primate Behavior and Ecology, with a minor in Political Science. Shortly after graduating, she completed an internship with the Oregon Zoo Primate Department and was then hired on at the Fauna Foundation in Quebec. She spent three years at the Canadian sanctuary as chimpanzee, monkey, and farm animal caregiver. At Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest Anna coordinates the volunteer and intern programs.
ERIN ZAMZOW, DVM, VETERINARIAN
Dr. Erin went to Central Washington University as an undergrad, never knowing that the famous chimpanzee Washoe and her family were on campus at that time. She graduated from Washington State University Veterinary School in 1990 after working to create an alternative surgery track that didn’t require the killing of healthy animals.
“I never imagined I would work with chimpanzees! I’m in love with them all now, they are all so unique and the social dynamics much more complex than I ever imagined. The work can be challenging since I am not able to do the type of hands on examinations or diagnostic work that is possible with my usual patients.” Erin has been a staff member on a part-time and as-needed basis since 2017 and networks with other chimpanzee veterinarians (and now cattle vets!) as well as human medical and dental professionals to help provide the best care possible for the residents at CSNW.
Erin enjoys the outdoor beauty of the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons whenever possible and shares her home with 3 rescued pot bellied pigs, 2 kitties, 2 horses and a tiny dog.
