Board & Staff

Laura Stastny is the Executive Director of Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. Born and raised in Omaha, NE, she has committed her life to wildlife conservation and education on the Great Plains. She is an IWRC Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator and has been a multi-species wildlife rehabilitator for 25 years. Laura has extensive experience in animal-related fields – She has worked in veterinary clinics; was the executive director of a humane society; has conducted cruelty investigations for domestic animal welfare; and has served on disaster relief and wide-scale rescue teams for animals of all kinds. She has spent part of her professional career in the financial services industry and all her adult life involved in the operations of non-profits.

Allison Carter fell in love with exotic animal medicine while working with raptors at Woodland Park Zoo during a high school internship. Since that time she has worked or volunteered at rehabilitation centers across the country to gain skills and experience with a wide variety of wild animal species. Allison graduated from veterinary school at Kansas State University, then completed a small animal rotating internship at Seattle Veterinary Specialists. She went on to do a specialty internship in wildlife rehabilitation medicine at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC). After completion of her internship Allison stayed at WRC, eventually being promoted to the role of Senior Veterinarian and Veterinary Intern Supervisor. Allison is passionate about providing high quality medical care for wildlife and improving the knowledge base within the field through education and research. She is excited about the opportunity to pursue these goals at NWR.

Lauren Salick holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Iowa State University and a Masters of Arts in Natural Science and Environmental Education from Hamline University. She has previously worked with the Wildlife Care Clinic at Iowa State, Girl Scouts of Iowa and Utah, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Her goal is to generate passion and respect for wild animals across all demographics by creating personal experiences and bonds between people and our natural world.

Devon lived most of her life in Arizona, before moving up to Omaha in January 2023 to join our team. She has an Associates Degree in Applied Science, and a Certified Veterinary Technician license. Her love for all things wildlife began in high school, when she shadowed a herpetologist and got to work directly with native wildlife. She previously worked as a Wildlife Veterinary Technician in Tucson, Arizona at the Tucson Wildlife Center. Her goal is to continue her experience specializing as a technician in wildlife medicine.

Laura grew up in Batavia, Illinois. She got her bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Augustana college. She has always had a passion for animals and wildlife and has found herself working at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium as animal care staff. She has a bearded dragon that she likes to take on walks. She loves being outdoors identifying plants and birds and taking in the beauty of nature!

AnnMaree first became acquainted with NWR during her time as a student in our High School Science Academy program in 2021. After graduating, she went on to pursue higher education at UNO, where she currently studies biology and environmental science. In 2023, she joined our team as an educator teaching children in afterschool programming about Nebraska wildlife and how to live in harmony with nature.

Cassie is an Omaha native who graduated with her Bachelors in Fisheries & Wildlife from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2021. She started as a volunteer in 2022, joined our college intern program, and worked her way up to joining our permanent animal care staff. Previously, Cassie worked in the social work field and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and canoeing.

Maya is originally from Virgina, but as an ex-military kid, she likes to say she’s from
everywhere. She has lived in many places, from Texas to Alaska, and her diverse experiences
have enhanced her love for all living things. Maya moved to Nebraska in the
spring of 2025 after graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Veterinary Nursing and
passing her VTNE to earn her Nebraska state veterinary technician license. Prior to working with
NWR, Maya enjoyed time working with native wildlife from Guatemala and developed a passion
for conservation and rehabilitation medicine. When she’s not working, Maya enjoys
weightlifting, reading, creative writing, music, and spending time outdoors. She also loves
talking about orcas to anyone who will listen!

Ayet is from Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. She started as a summer intern in 2017 and has been involved with NWR ever since! Ayet is excited to continue working with animals and educating others on native wildlife. You can usually find her hanging out with her dogs or doing whatever is necessary for animal rescues!

Sean Patterson found his love for wildlife rehabilitation in 2019 while volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center on the west coast. He has worked in multiple positions within the wildlife rehabilitation setting including General Animal Care Staff (husbandry), Intake Lead (initial medical examinations of over 200 species of wild animals), Projects & Facilities Manager, and Volunteer Coordinator. He is excited to work at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab as Volunteer Coordinator, and even more excited to call Nebraska his new home. In Sean's free time, you can find him out in nature camping, off-roading, and doing wildlife photography.

Michaela is originally from rural Clarks, NE but moved to Omaha after completing two levels of our college intern program. She is a Wayne State College graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. In 2021, she joined our team full-time and has worked her way from animal care specialist to our senior wildlife rehabilitator! She's excited to continue working with Nebraska wildlife and expanding her skills as a wildlife rehabilitator.

Anna grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and attended Kansas State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation, and Environmental Biology. After graduating in 2023, she was offered a fellowship at WildCare Oklahoma, Oklahoma's largest wildlife rehabilitation facility. This is where she realized her passion for working with wildlife and decided to continue her career in wildlife rehabilitation at NWR. Her favorite animals to work with are opossums and squirrels!