Jillian Liner
she/her/hers
Interim Executive Director and Director of Conservation
802-434-3068 ext: 24 | Jillian.Liner@audubon.org
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Joining Audubon Vermont in 2022, Jillian is a newer member of the Vermont team, but she is no stranger to Audubon or Vermont. She spent the last twenty years at Audubon NY—first as the Important Bird Area Coordinator, then Director of Bird Conservation, and most recently Director of Conservation. In those roles she co-authored Important Bird Areas of New York: Habitats Worth Protecting, a reference for groups looking to protect bird habitat, and launched new conservation initiatives focused on the most at-risk birds.

Prior to joining Audubon, Jillian was involved in a variety of research projects in Florida, Minnesota, Montana, and Vermont, many studying raptors. She also worked on landscape inventories and conservation plans to prioritize limited resources on the most vulnerable habitats. Jillian earned her B.A. in biology from Skidmore College and M.S. in Ecological Planning from UVM’s School of Natural Resources. She also participated in the School for Field Studies’ Wildlife Management program in Kenya.

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Cali grew up in Minnesota and spent her childhood paddling and hiking in the Boundary Waters and the UP. She has always been an avid explorer, fascinated by every part of the natural world. In college, this curiosity along with her passion for outdoor recreation evolved into a keen interest in conservation work. After graduating from Brown University last spring, she worked as a Summit Steward for the Adirondack Mountain Club, educating hikers about the rare and fragile alpine communities of the High Peaks Wilderness. Cali spends most of her free time running and hiking around the Greens, but when she’s not outside, she loves to knit, bake, read, and do the NYT crossword. She is thrilled to be serving with Audubon Vermont as their Conservation Specialist AmeriCorps Member, and excited to experience the beauty of Vermont in all of its seasons.

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Amy Simmons
she/her/hers
646-290-0821| Amy.Simmons@audubon.org
Director Individual Giving

Originally from Kentucky, Amy supports Audubon Vermont remotely from New York City, where she’s lived for most of her adult life. She’s passionate about birds and the environment.  As a child, she and her family watched birds and spent a lot of time enjoying nature.  In the years since, she’s noticed the reduction in the number and diversity of birds and insects and wondered how she could help -- given that her college degree is in history.  After years of working in the corporate world, in 2019 she gave herself permission to “pivot” and do work that was truly meaningful for her, and that brought her to Audubon where she was able to put her business skills to work raising funds to help birds and the places they need.  Amy lives with her partner, Audrey, in Manhattan and spends as much of her free time as possible birding – often in Central Park. She’s thrilled that her work often brings her to Vermont and loves nothing more than squeezing in a bit of local birding while here.

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Audubon Interns 

Emma McKillip
she/her/hers
Youth Conservation Leadership Intern
emma.mckillip@audubon.org
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Zoe Decker
she/her/hers
Education Intern
zoe.decker@audubon.org
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Originally from Virginia, Zoe moved to Vermont in 2021 to begin her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science at the University of Vermont. In 2024, she graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Agriculture and the Environment and a minor in geospatial technologies. Zoe is currently in the second semester of her Master’s of Natural Resources program through Virginia Tech, where she hopes to apply this educational background to a future in environmental education programming.

Outside of school, Zoe enjoys riding her bike (a Cannondale from Facebook Marketplace), reading (favorite book: Little Women), hiking (favorite hike: Camel’s Hump), and running (favorite spot: specifically the Intervale after it has snowed). 

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Sarah Maroney
she/her/hers
Education Intern
sarah.maroney@audubon.org
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Sarah grew up on the Connecticut shoreline where her love of the natural world was cultivated through summers playing on the beach and on the rocky coast of Maine where she later lived with her grandmother. She recently graduated at the end of 2024 from the University of Vermont with a BA in Environmental Studies and Global History, and is looking forward to beginning a career meshing her passion for community work, conservation, and education. She has spent a lot of time since moving up to Vermont camping in the Green Mountains and has fallen in love with the landscape here, where her passion for conservation education really took off through working on a farm, hiking, fishing, and playing in the woods, including during a three month conservation backpacking trip through the Andes. Her favorite indoor activities include reading, knitting, a lot of yoga, and experimenting in the kitchen.

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Carolena Bellini
she/her/hers
Environmental Policy Intern
carolena.bellini@audubon.org
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Originally from the outskirts of Philadelphia, Carolena began her studies at the University of Vermont in 2021 as a double major in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Throughout her career at UVM, Carolena has gained experience in environmental policy research and analysis, mainly working in the Vermont Statehouse with legislators. Outside of policy work, Carolena was an Organic Farm Production Intern for Common Roots and completed a travel study in the Amazonian Basin of Ecuador researching indigenous communities, biodiversity, and the impact of the oil industry. Her time in Ecuador inspired her current undergraduate thesis on international development and its social and environmental implications. When she is not working, you can find Carolena reading, drawing, and staying active as an avid hiker and member of the UVM Track and Field team. Carolena is looking forward to further developing her passion for conservation at the policy level.

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Devin G. Brennan
he/his/him
Environmental Policy Intern
devin.brennan@audubon.org
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Devin advocates for animals—human and nonhuman—and the environment.  Devin’s education and background motivate his advocacy.  Devin received his Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University in 2019, where he majored in Philosophy, double minored in Political Science and Ethics, Values, and Society, and received a Certificate in Critical Reasoning.  Devin expects to graduate from Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) this May, where he will receive a J.D. with a Concentration in Animal Law and Master of Animal Protection Policy.  Devin grew up and watched birds near the East Fork of the White River in Martin County, Indiana and next to Lake Huron in Port Huron, Michigan.  Now, he lives and birds near the White River in Royalton, Vermont.  Devin is attending VLGS to learn how to protect natural environments—especially riparian areas—and their beneficiaries through business, law, and policy.  Devin enjoys birding, reading, writing, walking, and vegan cooking.  Devin anticipates applying his knowledge and skillset to advocate for Vermont’s avifauna and environment.