Financials & Board

Nina Plail BA, MBA

Nina is a semi-retired executive consultant in the property casualty industry.

Nina founded Chase Sanctuary in 2008 as a dog, cat and bird rescue. In 2014 fate delivered a very special brown Lemur to the sanctuary steps. This Lemur, Tracy, became the nexus of a direction change for the sanctuary. Today, Nina and the board have piloted the Sanctuary as it cares for over 30 Lemurs, nearly 20 monkeys and several other species including sloths, toucans, antelope…to name a few. For 2022 Nina and the board have focused the sanctuary on species preservation for critically endangered Ruffed Lemurs, Critically endangered Cotton Top Tamarins and on public education aimed to preserve species and ecosystems.

Monica Ross BS, MS

Monica is a biologist and an animal behavior expert who has studied and engaged with animal behavior on a wide variety of animals. In her current position with Sea to Shore Alliances she studies and analyzes manatee behavior and participates in capture, release and rehabilitation efforts. Monica also worked at Disney as an animal trainer/keeper.

Here at the sanctuary Monica is an experienced voice of reason and a resource for optimal husbandry and operational processes.

Dr. Missy Williams, PHD

Missy is a scientist with a passion for animal welfare and conservation. She received her Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University in Integrative Biology. She founded the Dania Beach Vervet Project while completing her dissertation when she realized that the monkeys were lacking welfare and conservation efforts. She believes that animals are individuals that express emotional and cognitive complexities, and are not dispensable objects. Missy prioritizes animal welfare in decision making as she considers it a moral duty to foster co-existence between humans and nature.

Jason Plail

Jason is an active Board member at Chase Sanctuary, helping shape its future. With a degree in Management Information Systems from UF, he manages the Tech Stack and implements solutions to enhance efficiency and outreach. His innovative strategies modernize processes, increasing accessibility and impact.

Additionally, Jason oversees the internship program, attracting passionate individuals aligned with the sanctuary's mission. His commitment to animal welfare and organizational growth makes him a key asset to Chase Sanctuary's success.

David Burritt

David serves as our Operations Manager, having started his volunteer journey at Chase over a year ago while he enjoys his retirement after an impressive 46 years in retail management.

His exceptional organizational abilities, process management expertise, and strong personnel skills greatly enhance our standard operating procedures at Chase. Additionally, he is instrumental in developing efficient and streamlined processes that align with our Operations requirements for the USDA and ultimately benefit animal welfare.

Kelly Eastwood

Kelly is a retired flight attendant and a lifelong animal advocate. Kelly represents the sanctuary in The Villages and has donated funds for some of The Sanctuary’s bigger projects.

Kelly often fosters young monkeys and lemurs when they first arrive at the sanctuary and has become very proficient at helping us integrate new arrivals into existing troops/colonies.

Amber Lockard

Amber Lockard brings years of experience in project management, coordination, and procedure development to the team at Chase Sanctuary. She began volunteering with the sanctuary more than five years ago and quickly became an integral part of daily operations. Over time, Amber has taken on many roles, including volunteer coordinator, social media manager, event planner, and the creator of educational and marketing materials. Her passion for wildlife and strong organizational skills help support the sanctuary’s mission while engaging the community and enhancing the visitor experience.