The People Behind the Mission

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 2013, fate delivered a very special brown Lemur to the sanctuary steps. This Lemur, Tracy, became the nexus of a direction change for the Sanctuary.

To date, Nina and the Board of Directors have piloted the Sanctuary as it cares for over 50 Lemurs, nearly 30 monkeys, and several other species, including sloths, anteaters, toucans, and antelope, to name a few.

For 2026, Nina and the Board of Directors have focused the Sanctuary on species preservation for critically endangered Ruffed lemurs and critically endangered Cotton-top tamarins and public education to preserve species and ecosystems and on adding a multi-species wild cat exhibit.

Jason is a dedicated member of the Board of Directors at Chase Sanctuary, where he plays a role in shaping the organization’s future. With a degree in Management Information systems from UF, Jason runs our Tech Stack and keeps the sanctuary on the cutting edge of technology. By implementing solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve the sanctuary’s outreach. His forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in modernizing the sanctuary's processes, making it more accessible and impactful.

Jason also oversees the internship program, fostering the next generation of conservationists and advocates. He attracts passionate individuals who align with the sanctuary’s mission and values.

With a passion for animal welfare and a keen understanding of organizational growth, Jason is a driving force at Chase Sanctuary, dedicated to its mission and future success.

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.

Amber Lockard’s journey with Chase Sanctuary began as a volunteer in 2020, where her love for animals and passion for conservation quickly grew into a deeper commitment to the sanctuary and its mission.  In 2026, she joined the team full time as Penguin Curator, Director of Social Media & Outreach, and a member of the Board of Directors.

As Penguin Curator, Amber oversees the sanctuary’s African Penguin Program, caring for the colony while helping build conservation partnerships and raise awareness for the protection of this critically endangered species. She is especially passionate about creating meaningful connections between people and wildlife through education and personal experiences.

Amber also leads social media, outreach, events, and educational initiatives, combining her professional background in project management and communications with her lifelong love of animals. She is proud to be part of the Chase Sanctuary family and is dedicated to helping create a brighter future for the animals in their care and the species they work to protect.

Cali began her journey at Chase Sanctuary in November 2023 as an intern, shortly after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. With a strong foundation in animal science and an ever growing passion for wildlife care and conservation, she quickly stood out for her dedication, curiosity, and hands-on approach.

Now serving as Lead Keeper, Cali plays a vital role in the daily care, enrichment, and well-being of the sanctuary’s diverse animal residents. She is also deeply committed to public education, using every opportunity to share her knowledge and inspire others about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Driven by a lifelong passion for learning, Cali continues to grow as a caretaker and advocate, always seeking new ways to improve animal welfare and deepen her connection with the natural world.

Chris Landry brings more than ten years of hands-on experience working with exotic animals to his role as Husbandry Director of Operations at Chase Sanctuary. He specializes in hoofstock and primates, overseeing the daily care, husbandry, and welfare standards that keep the sanctuary’s residents healthy and thriving. Beyond the day-to-day work, Chris is passionate about connecting people to the animals in his care.

Deanna Morgan brings over a decade of hands-on animal welfare experience to Chase Sanctuary, spanning exotic species care, veterinary surgery, and animal control.

Career highlights include serving as an animal control officer and as a veterinary technician in high-volume spay/neuter surgery, assisting with procedures such as leg amputations and foreign body obstructions. As lead vet tech at a private exotic animal farm, Deanna cared for primates including chimpanzees, gibbons, and capuchins, along with black-and-white and red ruffed lemurs.

Deanna has also led a veterinary assistant course for a Christian school in North Florida, and owned and operated both a dog grooming/boarding facility and a horse training barn, running week-long summer horsemanship programs.

This blend of clinical, exotic species, and entrepreneurial experience makes Deanna a dedicated leader in animal care at Chase Sanctuary.