Who We Are
Kim Banach
Executive Director
Kim started with the Center as a volunteer in 2009 with her son Jared, as a baby bird feeder and continued as an Animal Care volunteer. Kim was elected to the board of directors in 2013 as Secretary. Between November 2015 and August 2019 she was the Board President and acting Executive Director. Since September 2019 Kim has served in the role as Executive Director. Kim has 24 years of fundraising experience with non-profits in Waukesha County.
Lisa Rowe
Director of Operations & Wildlife Rehabilitator
Lisa started with the Center as a volunteer in 1994 and became a staff member shortly after that. She holds her Advanced Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitation License and specializes in the rehabilitation and care of rodents, with her particular favorite being woodchucks.
Elisa Fosco
Animal Care Director
Elisa has a B.S in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois and has been a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator since 1987. She is a licensed Veterinarian Techician and holds a Wildlife Society Certification as a Professional Wildlife Biologist. Elisa has been the Director of Animal Care for the Ohio Wildlife Center, Walden’s Puddle, Wildlife Center of Greater Nashville, TN, Wildcare:Terwiliger Nature Education Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in San Rafael, CA, Rehabilitation Manager for the Toronto Wildlife Center and Field Biologist and Head Vet Tech for the Peregrine Fund Condor Project in Vermillion Cliffs, AZ. Lisa has also been an International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) Skills Seminar Instructor for 14 years and has a passion for learning & teaching. Elisa enjoys camping, hiking, yoga, music and spending time with her dogs.
Debbie Verhalen
Marketing and Administrative Manager
Deb joined the WINC team in November 2018 as Marketing & Administrative Assistant. She has 25 plus years of marketing experience to share with us. Her nonprofit involvement has included working with The Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, Wreaths Across America for our Veteran’s and Girl Scouts of SE Wisconsin. Deb enjoys nature walks, nature photography and bird watching. She loves seeing the bird and squirrel activity right outside her office window.
If you have questions about membership or fundraising events, email Email Debbie
Erin Toohey
Education Coordinator
Erin joined the WINC team as a part-time Wildlife Educator in January 2020 and was promoted to a full-time Education Coordinator in September 2020. She graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Biology and Animal Ecology, then began working as an avian technician at the Raptor Education Group. She worked in the rehabilitation department, but soon discovered her passion was in education. She has since worked as a seasonal naturalist, an AmeriCorps environmental educator, and a tour guide before joining the WINC team.
Helen Holtz
Education Assistant and Scheduler
Helen Holtz grew up just a few miles away as the crow flies from the Wildlife In Need Center on her family’s farm in Mukwonago. For the past 10 years she has worked across the country for environmental nonprofits and several State and National Parks. Helen and her dog, Dobby, recently just finished hiking in every continental state together and are happy to finally have a permanent spot right here in Wisconsin with her husband Ryan.
Judy Dollhopf
Marketing and Administrative Assistant
I started at WINC as an animal care volunteer in February 2020; however, a month later the pandemic hit and limited volunteers. In August 2020 I was lucky enough to find this amazing opportunity to help the Marketing Team as an assistant. I have a passion for helping animals and feel blessed I am able to contribute to this amazing team. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and currently live in Pewaukee with my husband. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, major in Finance from UW-Milwaukee and worked in the financial institution industry for over 20 years. I have volunteered for Dog Rescues in the past and have three beautiful rescue mutts that I adore. I am also a full time Realtor, I love to run and truly enjoy the great outdoors!
Cherish Streit
Animal Care Rehabilitator
I graduated from Iowa State University in spring 2021 with a B.S in Animal Ecology and Environmental Studies. I grew up on a farm in Minnesota and have been interested in working with animals since I was young. Wildlife rehabilitation has been an interest of mine for a while. I started working in the wildlife rehabilitation field in 2017.
Logan Schafer
Animal Care Rehabilitator
I graduated from UW Stevens Point in 2019 with a biology degree hoping to pursue a career in wildlife rehabilitation. I have had many jobs along the way, including being an intern at your facility, but am glad to have finally found a animal care position with you. I like to relax in the summertime outdoors, especially to go on runs with my dog. And I enjoy fitness and working out in general, as well as reading when I have the time.
Board of Directors
Thomas Demers, President
Mike Guzniczak, Vice President
Tom Roberts, MD retired, Secretary
Lou Banach, Treasurer
Holly Schlenvogt, Past President, Executive Committee
Lynn Wilde
Bridgett Brown
Gottlieb John Marmet, JD
Heather Merewood
John Rupke, JD
Advisory Board
Dean Pipito
[click here to contact someone on the Board of Directors]
Licensing
The Wildlife In Need Center is licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.