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Meet our new center Manager Michelle Claud-Clemente!

First, I’d like to say thank you for such a warm welcome!  It is wonderful to work with such a passionate and talented group of people!

I have had so much fun during my first 3 months as Animal Services Manager.  I love getting to you all, and seeing first-hand how much you care about our community, and our animal partners.  I am so excited about the awesome projects we will get to work on together.  Some of the work is not glamorous, but it is very important.  In the next couple years I plan on developing new education and outreach programs, refining some of our operations as well as developing formal emergency plans.  I hope to engage you all in the process, and please always feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

A little bit about me…  (I have always been told not to say this, but now that I’m getting up in years, I feel comfortable with the statement)…  I Love Animals!!  

For over 25 years I have worked to promote better lives for animals.  I have a B.S. in biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and started my career as a zoo keeper.  I worked my way up to zoo curator, and after 15 years working in a zoo, I went back to school for a Master’s in Public Policy.  I went to work for the City of Newport Beach as Natural Resources Supervisor, because after working in zoos, I felt we really needed to work to be sure animals had some quality natural places to live free.  The 10 years in Newport really hit home that we need to inform, engage and educate the public if we want to make an impact for animals.  Which led me to my past position of Community Programs Director for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy where I led a volunteer force of over 1800 volunteers.

So, with this background, the Animal Services Manager position is a great fit for me.  I have an extensive animal husbandry background, I have worked in policy, and regulations, and I have some volunteer management experience.  I am so happy to be here, and to be back working close to animals!  They really make my heart light, and fill me with joy!  But, so do all the people working together to make a difference.  I am so lucky!

I grew up moving a lot living on state parks—my dad was a ranger.  I live with my husband Jason, and youngest son Nathan (16) who is a junior in high school.  My oldest son Evan (18) is a freshman at the School of the Art Institute Chicago.  I have a 14 year old black rescue cat Lilly, an 11 year old 150 pound Newfoundland-Ophi, and 3 year old husky/German Shepard mix-Astro.

Thank you!!!
-Michelle Claud-Clemente
 

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MV Life

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