Sunshine is an ecology enthusiast and educator, ever in wonder with evolution. Sunshine makes art from interactions with kindred, human and otherwise. Birding and salameandering have been two of Sunshine’s life-long pursuits, coming from a family of ecologists, conservationists and trail seekers, and many years living within a variety of biomes and cultures. Most recently, Sunshine has become passionate about re-drawing maps and thinking about how our structures affect how we view the world.

The past couple years, Sunshine has volunteered with CAS bilingüal bird walks and organized a bird tour to Guatemala for Chicago area birders in 2019. Sunshine brings years of life-stories and acres of contemplation to Chicago Audubon. Sunshine hopes to collaborate with the many bright minds in this group to encourage growth and learning, through bird walks, artistic ventures, and other outreach. Sunshine seeks to inspire a welcoming space for everyone… to put down our binoculars, just for a minute, and appreciate the landscape.

Jackie Smith, a retired Registered Nurse, was appointed to the Chicago Audubon Society Board in 2022. A recent "graduate" of Chicago Audubon Society Welcome to Birding program, she volunteers as Steward for Washington Park.

Spencer joined the Chicago Bird Alliance Board in 2025, serving as Treasurer. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast and lifelong birder. Prior to joining the Board, Spencer volunteered extensively with various organizations focused on environmental conservation and animal welfare. Upon relocating to Chicago, he joined the Chicago Bird Alliance Board as a way to continue contributing to these causes.

Alan Anderson has been an active member of the Chicago Audubon Society for more than forty years, first joining the board in 1978. In that time he has led numerous bird walks and field trips, and he has contributed to many research studies, contributing to the protection and enhancement of bird habitat, and bird and wildlife education.

Roberta Asher is an avid birdwatcher and has travelled around the world in pursuit of her passion.

She is a board member of several organizations that promote conservation including the International Crane Foundation and the Chicago Audubon Society and is a member of the Chicago Mayor’s Nature and Wildlife Committee. She visits elementary classrooms to talk to students and promote awareness of neighborhood birds as a volunteer for Openlands’ “Birds In My Neighborhood” program. She is also a bird monitor for Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve.

Jessica has been a bird collision monitor since 2005 and works as a veterinary assistant at an exotics-only clinic.

She has been on the CAS board since 2011 and served as treasurer from 2013-2019. She is the proud mother of a D. diadema named Tilda.

Judy has been active in bird conservation, community science and habitat restoration projects in the Chicago area since the late 90’s. Judy helped to found the Bird Conservation Network and the BCN Survey, and served as Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon Chicago Region. She helped to initiate a number of local bird habitat projects, for example, Bartel and Orland Grassland, LaBagh Woods migratory bird habitat, and Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary and Harbert Park in Evanston. She first joined the CBA board in the late 90’s, and rejoined in 2014. Judy was elected President of the CBA board in 2019.

Andy Burnham came into birding during the pandemic wanting to feed birds on his balcony, and then falling in love with Monty and Rose and what Chicagoans were doing to protect them. He started doing bird walks through the Park District and grew a greater appreciation. However, he started to notice dead birds near buildings and learned of the dangers our city poses. That led to him wanting to help make Chicago safer for all wildlife.

Woody Goss started working with the Chicago Audubon Society by co-leading bird walks, and he currently produces a video series that highlights local knowledge of bird species and locations throughout the year. As a board member he hopes to work to create more opportunities for people to go birdwatching and enjoy nature.

Bobbie Irvin comes from a working-class family in Kansas City. He is a lawyer with experience as a criminal prosecutor and at a non-profit immigration clinic. Before that, Bobbie was a community organizer during college and growing up he was in boy scouts and a member of the Kansas City Police Department Adventure Club created by his father which taught inner-city children how to camp, fish, shoot a bow, etc. Bobbie moved to Chicago 12 years ago for law school. Currently, he works as an attorney. Besides birdwatching, he enjoys playing basketball, reading, writing, and traveling whenever he can. His goal is to open people's eyes to the incredible wildlife that surrounds them in this city.

Born and raised in Chicago, Tarik spent his childhood exploring local forest preserves and park districts to connect with nature. After graduating college, he worked in political organizing, environmental restoration, and most recently joined The Nature Conservancy's Illinois chapter as an environmental policy advocate. In 2024, Tarik embarked on a Cook County Birding 'Big Year,' breaking the record with 294 species. Tarik enjoys birding along the lakefront, chasing rare sightings across Cook County, advocating for habitat protection and expansion, and connecting people to nature.

Winnie started as a communications volunteer for the Chicago Bird Alliance at the end of 2023. The communications team has been an absolute blast to work with and is composed of talented writers who have made her work stronger. She is now the webmaster as well and is thrilled to join the board and become more involved!