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 CAS board in the late 90’s, and rejoined in 2014. Judy was elected President of the CAS board in 2019.

Laura has worked on prairie restoration projects through the McHenry County Conservation District and forest restoration through the Forest Preserves of Cook County. She has been a Chicago Bird Collision Monitor volunteer for three years and learned firsthand about the importance of protecting bird biodiversity through rescue and bird-friendly building ordinances.

After teaching English in Chicago Public Schools for 15 years, she now works as a writer and grants manager in the nonprofit world. This is her first year as treasurer of Chicago Audubon Society, and she is excited to work with a group of dedicated individuals.

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.

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.

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.

Lillian Holden has worked for Openlands (local-non-profit) for 5 years primarily coordinating and implementing Openlands Birds in My Neighborhood Program and serving as a public ambassador for Openlands African American Heritage Watertrail. In her new role, Water Trail Specialist, Lillian implements and coordinates Openlands water trails. From birding to paddling, her breadth of work involves building and inspire advocates for nature at multiple scales with a lens on history and heritage.

She an emerging leader in the fight toward the metamorphosis of mother earth and our cultural lens on the treatment of nature and takes pride in sharing fortifying experiences outdoors for all ages that serve dual purposes: educational and extensions of what the individual needs most. During her free time, she weaves in moments to crochet all whilst mentoring youth apart of The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum’s FEUGO (Fellows United for Environment, Growth, and Opportunity) program, Planning for Black Birders Week 2023, and while being an Aspen Ideas Fellow.

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.

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.

Dana Harbaugh is an attorney and avid environmentalist. She attended the University of Colorado Law School to specialize in environmental law and policy and continues to pursue her passion by volunteering with CAS. Dana has volunteered with CAS's Advocacy Task Force since 2022 and joined the board in 2023. Dana hopes to create better policies for birds, people, and the environment upon which we all depend.