Our Staff

Amanda Plank, a nonprofit leader with a background in animal welfare, joined Black Pine Animal Sanctuary as the organization’s executive director in January 2025.

A graduate of West Noble High School and Purdue University, Amanda previously served as the executive director of Syracuse-Wawasee Trails. Prior to that, she served as the director of development and community engagement at Foothills Animal Shelter near Denver.

She has extensive experience from her more than 15 years of working at nonprofit organizations and helping them reach their development and fundraising goals. She also has played a key role in their strategic planning and growth.

Black Pine’s Board of Directors is thrilled to have Amanda lead the organization into an exciting new chapter, said Board President Barry Rochford. “Amanda is a proven nonprofit leader,” he said. “Her experience will help us advance our mission so that we provide a refuge for captive-raised exotic animals for the rest of their lives. She is a great addition to our incredibly talented and compassionate staff that works tirelessly each day to ensure our animals are happy and well cared for.”

Amanda said, “The high-quality animal care provided by the team at Black Pine is unmatched. From tigers to tortoises, our future is bright thanks to this community of animal lovers.”

In her personal time she spends time with her husband and two kiddos, and of course their two dogs and two cats. She enjoys living on Webster Lake and taking the boat out any chance she gets.

You can contact Amanda at amanda@blackpine.org or 574-528-0100.

Born and raised in Noble County, Melissa has an extensive background in animal welfare.  Her career began in 2010 as a volunteer at HOPE for Animals in Fort Wayne, IN.  IN 2013, she was hired at HOPE for Animals and started the Community Cat Program once ordinances were amended to allow for TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) within city limits.  In 2015, Melissa implemented Fort Wayne’s (and the state’s) first pet retention social service program, assisting struggling pet owners facing the possibility of potentially surrendering their pets to the overpopulated shelter system.  She has graduated with multiple Maddie’s Fund Apprenticeships, helped national organizations with large-scale cruelty cases, and has a passion for humane education.

She lives with three cats, Binx, Warren, and Shirley, and affectionately calls herself a “cat lady” who adores pitbulls and dachshunds.

Melissa is excited to raise funds for and awareness about Black Pine and the issues surrounding the exotic pet trade.

In her free time, she tends to her extensive plant collection, spends quality time with the people (and animals) she loves, cooks, and binges-watches her favorite shows.

You can contact Melissa at melissa@blackpine.org or 260.318.1546.

Jordan’s admiration and passion for animals started as far back as she can remember. Her love for animals knew no bounds, wanting to rescue any and all animals in need. Much to her parents’ dismay, she even went as far as coaxing a pot belly pig off the side of a busy state road and taking it home in the backseat of her car as a teenager. To no one’s surprise, she chose a career that allowed her to strengthen her role as an advocate for better animal welfare. With a degree in veterinary technology, Jordan has been working at a veterinary emergency hospital as a nurse in the ER and ICU since 2014. In that same year, she began her journey at Black Pine Animal Sanctuary as a volunteer. From 2016 – 2021, Jordan was one of the full-time Lead Keepers at BPAS, dedicating her time and skillsets to improving the veterinary program, enrichment, and overall husbandry of the BPAS residents.

Since 2021, Jordan has worked as a Zookeeper at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo as an African Primate and Carnivore keeper, an Administrative Assistant at the Northeastern Center, and the Advancement Specialist at ACRES Land Trust. She also returned to college and will be graduating this year with an associate degree in business administration. Throughout her ever-changing life, one thing remained consistent…BPAS. Jordan remained a volunteer with the goal of eventually returning as a staff member. She is thankful for all of the experiences she has had and people she has met over the last four years, as they have taught her so many lessons about non-profit administration, animal welfare, and leadership skills.

With immeasurable excitement, Jordan has accepted the role as the first-ever BPAS Animal Curator. Her goals are to lead the animal care team with kindness and positivity, improve the residents’ lives with continual changes to the vet program and enrichment, and educate the public on the realities of the exotic pet trade. Here’s to a brighter future for captive exotic animals!

“I like to envision the whole world as a jigsaw puzzle… If you look at the whole picture, it is overwhelming and terrifying, but if you work on your little part of the jigsaw and know that people all over the world are working on their little bits, that’s what will give you hope.”

― Jane Goodall

You can contact Jordan at jordan@blackpine.org or 260.908.5067.

Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Michigan State University and LVT for over 20 years, working most of that time in the zoo/sanctuary world.

Laura wears many hats here at Black Pine. She strategically and compassionately manages the health care program and each individual animals’ needs, providing excellent veterinary care to each resident.

Luara also runs a personal nonprofit organization called International Veterinary Care, Inc.

She enjoys international travel and learning new and exciting animal conservation work.

Kaitlyn graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology/concentration in zoology.

With internships at both ARF Animal Shelter and Black Pine, Kaitlyn joined the BPAS team officially in the summer of 2021. She grew especially fond of the dietary needs of each resident, becoming the Commissary Manager in June 2022.

Kaitlyn ensures each resident receives excellent meals, even aiding in food-related enrichment each and every day.

Lydia graduated from Wittenberg University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

With previous experience with large carnivores, including big cats and tigers, BPAS was thrilled to add her to their team.

Lydia interned for three months at The Wild Animal Sanctuary-Texas in Boyd, TX, and for six months at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, AR

Through experience, she has fallen in love with the animals and the mission to rescue and provide peaceful, happy lives for exotic animals in need.

Lydia oversees our keeper team.

Guy interned at Black Pine in 2020. With previous work in park maintenance and wildlife rehabilitation in his home state of Minnesota, Guy’s unique background ensures that the facilities department remains successful.

He lived in Costa Rica as a research assistant/motorcycle mechanic, and joined Black Pine as the Maintenance Manager in September 2023.

We like to say, “You have a problem? We have a GUY for that!”

Beca grew up right here in Albion and attended Central Noble Schools. Her certificates are in Veterinarian Assistant and Euthanasia. She also attended Penn Foster for small business management.

She worked for ten years in human health care as a CNA before changing over to animal care, interning at Black Pine in 2014. She joined the staff officially October 2023 as a keeper. Before moving into management, she spent nine years in an animal shelter as a receptionist, kennel attendant, and medical assistant.

Outside of work, she enjoys time with my family and my beloved animals. Beca loves being outdoors in nature; it’s so peaceful and relaxing! She also gardens, cans, and makes natural products in her free time.

You can contact Beca at beca@blackpine.org.

Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana University

Started as an intern at Black Pine in 2021

Trey spent one year volunteering at Soaring Hawk Raptor Rehab as a bird handler and avian care provider, doing bird rescues and in the ICU.

He enjoys building with LEGO, playing video games, and reading.

Kim graduated from Purdue University West Lafayette in 2014 with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Spanish.

My previous experience includes being a primate and birdkeeper at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, an education assistant at Columbian Park Zoo, a veterinary assistant at St. Joe Center Veterinary Hospital, and a rehab assistant at Canine Rehab at NIVES.

Kim interned at Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in 2014 and completely fell in love with the mission (and the animals, of course!)

Honored to be hired as a Keeper of Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in June 2019

She spends her free time with her husband, family, friends, and three wonderful domestic cats. She loves tap dancing, traveling, and visiting accredited sanctuaries and zoos.

Jess received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a minor in music, from Indiana State University in December of 2023.

Jess is honored to have joined the BPAS team in April 2024 as Guest Services Coordinator. Her past experience includes Smith Walbridge Leadership Clinics, WTHI TV-10 News, and interning and serving as a tour guide at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center (EFRC) in Center Point, Indiana.

Jess enjoys spending time with her rescued cats, caring for her tropical plants, hiking, and playing the saxophone outside of work.

Gillian graduated from Grace College in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and minor in Art and Design. She joined the BPAS team in March of 2024.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, going to local coffee shops, and attending to her house plants. She also loves visiting with family and friends.

“I am so grateful to have landed a job here at BPAS. Literally a dream job of mine, to be working with exotic animals. I enjoy providing care to our primate residents, especially Lisa, Leo and Mia. If I had to pick a favorite chore, OBVIOUSLY it would be working in Reptile House. So thrilled to gain knowledge over all our cold-blooded critters like the tortoises, bearded dragon and Kamar our Burmese python!”

YiWynn holds a B.A. in Biology, Environmental Studies, and Race and Ethnic Studies from St. Olaf College and an M.Sc. in Biology from Purdue University. She has worked mostly in the realms of marine conservation and research, specifically on tropical coral reefs, cold-water corals, mussels, intertidal biodiversity, and sea turtles. YiWynn has worked on international projects across Malaysia, Japan, the Netherlands, the U.S., and Costa Rica.

YiWynn is passionate about combining her interests in nature, adventure, languages, and culture within the realms of wildlife and conservation. She is excited to join Black Pine Animal Sanctuary and experience a different side of wildlife, while gaining animal husbandry experience. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, scuba diving, playing water polo, and exploring the outdoors.

Originally from Missouri, Brittany graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia aka Mizzou in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a minor in Captive Wild Animal Management.

She interned at Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary in Nevada in 2020 where she got experience working with carnivores.

After Brittany’s internship was over, she got hired on as an animal caretaker at Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary and worked full time there untill the summer of 2023.

She began working at Black Pine in April 2024

I graduated from Indiana University in 2024 with a bachelors of science degree in animal behavior. I have pervious experience working with horses and was involved in student research at IU. In my free time I enjoy reading, crocheting, and hanging out with friends and my bearded dragon, Takuma. I am excited to be at Black Pine and gain a lot of great experience with such amazing animals!

Kevin has over a decade of experience in reptiles, amphibians, and fish. With certifications in animal behavior, animal nutrition, professional animal welfare, birds, primates, both exotic and domestic felines, rhinoceroses, giraffes, hand rearing avian neonates, and automotive mechanics and electrical systems, Kevin lends a seasoned hand as a keeper here at Black Pine. He spent eight years with the Fort Wayne Zoo, wearing several different hats.

He also represents us for the AAZK as part of the Little Turtle Chapter. Here at Black Pine, he favors working with the birds and training them, along with working with the reptiles and Mowgli, the lemur. Fun hobbies outside work include paleontology, Godzilla, automotives, and modular building.

Sarah joins the BPAS team in April 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for animal welfare. Originally from Indianapolis, Sarah graduated from Ball State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Her dedication to service extended to her time serving our country in the Indiana Army National Guard as a 68w medic from 2010 to 2015. Sarah’s animal care career began in 2012 to 2025 at Fort Wayne Zoo, where she gained valuable experience working with a diverse range of species, including giraffe, aquatic animals, and domestic farm animals. Having previously volunteered at BPAS in 2013, Sarah is thrilled to return and contribute her experience, skills, and passion to the sanctuary. Outside of her commitment to animal care, Sarah enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her family.