“This certainly isn’t a job for the faint of heart. The dedication needed to care for (sometimes) over 300 animals at a time, doesn’t end at 4pm and often occurs even on our days off. Round the clock care is required for many animals, which demands us to bring them (infant wildlife) into our homes at night, to be fed anywhere from every 2-4 hours. It’s our love for them and the desire to promote public awareness of our furry, feathered and scaly friends that keeps our team going everyday.”-Staff of BTN
Debbie Helsel
Executive Director
Debbie, born in Pennsylvania, grew up playing in the woods across the street from her home. She always knew she wanted to work with wildlife, but wasn’t sure how to make it happen. In early 1990, she took a job working for Orange County Animal Services. During her orientation at the shelter, she was told that she might have the opportunity to work directly with Carmen Shaw (Founder of Back to Nature). She knew of Carmen’s name and her work with the wildlife. Debbie spent the next nine years volunteering most evenings after work and almost every weekend at Back to Nature. It was then in 1999, that a rare opportunity presented itself for Debbie to become a paid staff member at BTN. She left her position with the county and followed her heart to the refuge. “I have practically grown up with the animals at the refuge and they are my family, as well as the volunteers, Carmen and her family. Carmen took me under her wing all those years ago and has entrusted me with her life’s work. What a privilege and a blessing it has been! I am looking very forward to the next chapter in our book for the refuge, and it is going to be an even more amazing journey than it has already been!”
Kelly Verduin
Assistant Director
Kelly is a UCF graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She began as a volunteer at Back to Nature back in October 2002. Always having a love for animals and a desire to work in the wildlife field, Kelly found Back to Nature to be a great place to gain experience. By putting her degree to some use, she began researching ways to expand the wildlife enrichment program for the permanent residents of the refuge. In January 2006, Kelly gladly accepted an open position at the refuge, (formerly known as Assistant Curator). “Once I got to know these animals and understand their cause, I felt as if I would be turning my back on them (if I took a position elsewhere). Now, I get to be with them and help every day. I’m happy to call this place my home and my career.”
Christian Sellas
Animal Care Supervisor
Christian is an aspiring wildlife rehabber and member of the BTN team since early 2021. His passion for wildlife started while he lived in Colombia for 7 years. “I have worked primarily with various bird species in Florida and have a deep passion for conservation and wildlife medicine. My favorite patients at BTN are baby opossums or any rare bird.” Christian loves working with fractures and any wounds that an animal might have and eventually release them back to the wild. He says that it’s amazing to witness the progression of and development of our injured patients, and it’s all thanks to the collaboration of the BTN team and donors. Christian is currently majoring in pre-vet and zoology at UCF.
Hannah
Animal Care Technician
Frida
Animal Care Technician
Executive Board
Lori Cunniff, CEP, CHHM, COSS
President
Lori Cunniff became involved with Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in 2004 while working as the Environmental Manager for Orange County. She assisted with the relocation of BTN to the current property in Lake Nona. Lori has served in various positions on the Board for over a decade. Lori retired from Orange County (Florida) where she served as the Deputy Director for the Community, Environmental Development Services Department and the Manager of the Environmental Protection Division for 18 years. Prior, Lori worked as the Environmental Manager at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York (Dept of Energy Facility), was the Environmental Director for Escambia County in Pensacola, Florida and has served in various positions with the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management in Miami, Florida. She has been in the environmental field for over 30 years. She is certified as a CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), CEP (Certified Environmental Professional), and COSS (Certified Occupational Safety Specialist). Her B.S. is in Biology from the State University at New York, College at Cortland, and her M.S. in Environmental Management is from the University of Maryland.
Kyle Whit
Vice President
Kimbra Fritz
Treasurer
Susan Plummer
Secretary
Susan Plummer was born in Massachusetts and raised in Orlando, Florida. She currently resides in Oviedo. A lifelong animal lover, Susan has been involved in nonprofit work since 2006 and has been a devoted supporter of Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge since first visiting in 2014. Captivated by the organization’s dedication to Florida’s native wildlife and its mission to educate the public on conservation and preservation, she began volunteering that same year.
Over time, Susan became deeply involved with the organization, serving on the Revenues Committee, the Advisory Board, and currently as Secretary on the Board of Directors. She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge from her extensive background in nonprofit service, business, and healthcare.
Susan holds degrees in Business and Human Resource Management. She has worked in the medical field for over 25 years and is the owner of a successful medical consulting company. Recognized as a subject matter expert in her specialty, she continues to work full-time in the healthcare industry while dedicating her free time to Back to Nature and spending quality time with her family.
Radonda Dobbins
Board Member
Radonda Dobbins has been a lifelong animal welfare advocate. Her love for animals brought her to the Board of Back to Nature in 2017, though she had been involved since 2013 on the Revenue Committee. Her experience in non-profit operations and business development has been an asset. She has sat on various non-profit boards and committees for over two and a half decades. Her love for animals, respect for nature, and extensive non-profit experience have proven essential to her role on the Board.
Radonda is a business development consultant, productivity coach, and radio/TV show producer for “Voices of Courage.” With a degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology, she’s also a founding partner at Political Strategist Network LLC, specializing in social media and SEO for candidates. Formerly a Program Director at Wyche and Associates, she collaborated on projects with the City of Orlando and GOAA. Radonda’s background includes roles as a social worker, Children’s Program Coordinator, and Child Welfare Specialist for Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, advocating for legislative changes. She designed an enduring anti-violence curriculum for local schools and attended the State of The World Forum in 2000 to address education reform.
Debbie Kleinberg
Board Member
Debbie has been a proud board member of Back to Nature since 2008 and has been the President of the board since 2011. Debbie’s involvement with BTN began when she was assigned as its relationship manager while she was employed by the refuge’s bank. As an animal lover, Debbie fell in love with the cause and knew she could do more to help, so she joined the board. Debbie has since moved on with her career but has stayed involved with BTN. Debbie has been in banking for 22 years and is now a credit officer for a different bank. She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and discovering new hobbies. She is married to her best friend, Frankie, and shares their home with their 4-legged children, Meeks and Redd. Debbie is excited about the future of BTN and can’t wait to see it grow and flourish in its new home! Fun fact: Debbie loves opossums and can identify most of Florida’s native snakes by sight!
Susan Makowski
Board Member
Susan has over 25 years in both the nonprofit and public sector. She currently serves as the Vice President of Resource Development for the Heart of Florida United Way. Prior to joining Heart of Florida United Way, she served as the Grants Director for United Against Poverty Orlando and also served on their advisory board before joining as staff. Prior to United Against Poverty, Susan served for seven years as the Chief Aide to Orange County Commissioner, Jennifer Thompson. Susan is extremely active in her local community, having served as an Adjunct Professor for the Valencia College Lake Nona campus, the board of East Orlando Chamber of Commerce, her community HOA board and currently serving on the board of both the Lake Nona YMCA and Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge.