Our Team

Mary Ann, who grew up in south Texas cultivating a love for invertebrates, holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioenvironmental Sciences and Entomology from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in Education from Regis University. From 2010 to 2022, she directed the growth of Butterfly Pavilion’s science, research, and conservation efforts, focusing on sustainable invertebrate breeding, the Pollinator Awareness through Conservation and Education (PACE) initiative, and the Leading Environmental Action for Sustainability (LEAFS) program, which promotes sustainable business through butterfly farming and beekeeping. Her extensive achievements include consulting on three NASA space shuttle missions for International Space Station life science experiments, leading Butterfly Pavilion to become the world’s only standalone, AZA-accredited invertebrate zoo, and co-founding and chairing the Colorado Pollinator Network. Nationally and internationally recognized for spearheading the design of permanent butterfly exhibits, Mary Ann also serves as affiliate faculty and a graduate mentor in the Department of Biology at Colorado State University.

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Ashley White is Butterfly Pavilion’s Community Habitats Manager. She started as an intern in 2017 and has been a dedicated member of the team! Her education and background focuses on Horticulture and according to Ashley, “plant nerdom”. She’s passionate about connecting people to healthy outdoor spaces and nature. Ashley leads and supports with many Butterfly Pavilion projects, such as Urban Prairies Project, Healthy Habitats Gardening Program, Pollinator Corridors in Boulder, offsite pollinator gardens, growing out native plant materials with community members, and more!

Amy has been with Butterfly Pavilion since May of 2000! She currently leads Butterfly Pavilion’s local pollinator habitat initiatives, such as the Baseline Pollinator District and the Urban Prairies Project, which restores habitat in urban and suburban green spaces in Westminster and Broomfield. Amy has also installed pollinator habitat gardens throughout the community at locations such as Sprout City Farms, Clear Creek Valley Park and Good Samaritan Hospital. Her articles have been published in Colorado Gardener, Aquilegia and the journal for the Association for Zoological Horticulture. Through habitat gardening and education, Amy hopes to create a closer connection to nature and a greater understanding about the need for biodiversity locally and globally.

PhD Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno is the Director of Research and Conservation at Butterfly Pavilion, the only stand-alone invertebrate-focused zoo in the U.S. A stingless bee specialist, his PhD research advanced understanding of queen development, colony dynamics, and pollination, resulting in over five peer-reviewed publications that are shaping meliponiculture (stingless bee keeping) and pollinator conservation. He leads national and international projects, from native bee and firefly monitoring in Colorado to honeybee-based elephant deterrents in Tanzania, stingless bee management and conservation in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and butterfly conservation in Mongolia.
Passionate about science communication, Francisco has extensive experience designing environmental education programs that foster community engagement. He excels at building strong, cross-cultural collaborations with international teams—including Indigenous groups, researchers, and conservation partners—and has a strong track record of securing grants and funding. His ability to align diverse stakeholders around shared goals ensures that projects are impactful, inclusive, and sustainable.

Colorado native Cori Brant serves as Butterfly Pavilion’s Entomology Manager and has been in the animal care field for nearly a decade. Holding a degree in Biology from the University of Oregon, Cori has dedicated her career to the study and welfare of invertebrates.  With a specialty in animal behavior, Cori brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Butterfly Pavilion by enhancing choice and control among invertebrates through innovative methods such as target training and enabling them to actively participate in their medical care. Before joining Butterfly Pavilion, Cori has worked at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. Most notably, Cori has appeared on the science web show “Mission Unstoppable” where she delivered engaging pop-up virtual talks on various animals!

Matt Polner, joined Butterfly Pavilion in 2024 as the Aquatics Manager where he curates the aquarium collection and oversees all operations in the Water’s Edge gallery, including husbandry, staff management, and exhibit design. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida and brings over a decade of experience from various AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. His diverse career includes working as an educator at Busch Gardens Tampa, a biologist managing coral reefs and aquaculture at The Florida Aquarium, a senior keeper at the Oklahoma City Zoo, and a manager overseeing the aquarium gallery at the Akron Zoo. Beyond his extensive expertise in marine life support, animal welfare, and quarantine protocols, Matt is an avid fossil hunter and carnivorous plant enthusiast who also serves on the board of directors for The Space Museum and Grissom Center.

Shiran Hershcovich is an entomologist from Panama City, Panama. She joined Butterfly Pavilion in 2021, where she curates the conservatory’s living collections of butterflies. She’s passionate about understanding and conserving invertebrates and currently works on local and international research and conservation initiatives like field assessments on vulnerable butterfly populations in Mongolia and the construction of a sustainable butterfly farm in Indonesia. She currently serves on the board of directors for the International Association of Butterfly Exhibitors and Suppliers (IABES). She believes in the power of community to increase accessibility and action in conservation and leads community science projects like the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network (CBMN) and Butterfly Quest, a lepidopteran longevity study in the Wings of the Tropics conservatory open to all Butterfly Pavilion guests.

Sara Stevens is a marine biologist from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a marine biology option and a minor in chemistry. After obtaining her bachelor’s Sara started her career working in the private sector at a large-scale livestock retailer. This experience allowed her the opportunity to work with over 700 different species of aquatic organisms. In 2015, Sara transitioned into the zoo world and was hired as the aquarist at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO. In 2019 she was promoted to Aquatics Manager. Sara is the project lead on several research and conservation programs at Butterfly Pavilion. These projects include: rearing dragonflies in human care with a focus on the at risk Somatochlora hudsconica, overseeing the Colorado Dragonfly Monitoring Project (CDMP) a citizen science initiative to measure dragonfly populations within the Colorado Front Range, studying the impact of dune restoration on invertebrate populations in coastal Eureka, California, and collaborating with the AZA-Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project to care for imperiled coral from the Florida Reef Tract. In 2019, Sara joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Aquatic Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group as a steering committee member.

Brianna Firestone is the Vice President of Guests Experience at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO. She has been with the Butterfly Pavilion since Fall 2025.

With more than 20 years of experience across marketing, communications, and strategy, Brianna brings a data-driven, guest-centered approach to her work. Her expertise spans analytics, customer experience, and sales strategy, with a strong focus on aligning insights with organizational goals.

Brianna began her career in New York City in magazine publishing and public relations within the architecture and design industries. After relocating to Denver in 2007, she worked with the CU Cancer Center Fund and later held director-level roles at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. There, she led major marketing initiatives and founded the organization’s Insights & Strategy Department, strengthening the connection between audience data and decision-making.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Stephens College and is certified in life coaching, leadership, and Lean Six Sigma process improvement.

Ash Harden, who joined Butterfly Pavilion in 2025 as the Vice President of Development, leads fundraising strategies to fuel the organization’s growth and advance its conservation mission. She brings nearly 15 years of experience in philanthropy, with a proven track record of managing integrated campaigns, restricted and unrestricted giving, and transformational gifts across 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, PACs, and membership groups. Her extensive background includes serving in senior roles at American Farmland Trust, AIPAC, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, where she successfully launched new fundraising initiatives and mentored development teams. Ash holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from Emory University, and in her free time, she enjoys hiking, snowboarding, crafting, and exploring Colorado with her family.

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Shartrina White, who joined Butterfly Pavilion in January 2023, serves as the Vice President of Education in Westminster, CO, drawing on a distinguished 23-year career in the nonprofit sector. She leads a dynamic team of educators, interpreters, and volunteers to design and execute curriculum and outreach initiatives that align with the organization’s mission of conserving invertebrates and their habitats. Throughout her career, Shartrina has managed multifaceted operational responsibilities, including strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and team development, while also spearheading impactful advocacy and marketing communications campaigns. Her dedicated, strategic approach continues to elevate mission-driven programs, creating enriching educational experiences that champion the protection and reverence of all life forms.

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Rich oversees Butterfly Pavilion’s Horticultural, Curatorial, and Research and Conservation Departments, bringing a pragmatic, interdisciplinary approach to wildlife and habitat protection through global research, capacity development, and local community engagement. Highly regarded for magnifying the importance of invertebrates in global conservation efforts, he holds a Ph.D. and three master’s degrees from Yale University, an Honorary Doctorate from the National Education University of Mongolia, and spent 19 years leading the Conservation Biology program at the Denver Zoological Foundation. His extensive career spans projects across the globe with a focus on the North American Great Plains, Mongolia, Botswana, and Peru, earning him the prestigious Order of the Polar Star from the Mongolian government. Additionally, Rich is a Governor-appointed member of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, an associate editor for five scientific journals, a board member for several domestic and international nonprofits, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Affiliate Faculty at Colorado State University, and a Fellow with the University of Nebraska’s Center for Great Plains Studies.

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Erin MacGuire is the Chief Financial Officer at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO. She has been with the Butterfly Pavilion since 2025.

Erin MacGuire has 10 years of financial executive leadership experience and over 25 years as a CPA. She has previously held positions as CFO at Big Green, a non-profit organization connecting kids to real food through a nationwide network of Learning Gardens and food literacy programs and at the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver. She has also held positions at for profit companies, including as an auditor, consultant and VP of Finance. She relocated to Colorado from New England and enjoys discovering all the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer with her husband and four children.

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Mark Corbett has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba and is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Corbett was employed with the Great-West family of companies from 1986 until his retirement in 2017. He was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Great-West Financial (US Segment) in 2008 and Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Great-West Lifeco Inc., in 2012. He was responsible for overseeing strategy and performance for the Company’s global, general, and separate account investments totaling over $500 billion. Asset classes included bonds, stocks, mortgages, real estate, alternatives, etc.

Ryan is a seasoned nonprofit executive with nearly two decades of experience driving revenue growth, building collaborative teams, and advancing organizational impact through visionary, mission-driven leadership. Most recently serving as Interim President and CEO and previously Chief Development Officer at the Morris Animal Foundation, he successfully increased revenue by 70% and led strategic operations for animal health research. His diverse professional background also includes corporate marketing at The Coca-Cola Company and a senior role at Rocky Mountain Public Media, where he directed a successful $34 million capital campaign to build a new media center in downtown Denver, expertise that directly aligns with Butterfly Pavilion’s expansion vision. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism, Ryan serves on Colorado State University’s Community Impact Committee for the Veterinary Health System and spends his free time hiking, fly fishing, and enjoying Colorado with his wife, their two children, and their pets.

Dave has a strong history of leadership in for-profit companies. As a true entrepreneur, where his legacy has been in the software industry, he founded two very successful software companies: Four Winds Interactive, which has ranked in the ‘Top 50’ list of Forbes most promising companies two years in a row, and Antalys, Inc. Previous to his two companies, he was President of Columbine Systems, Inc. He is a Principal in Indigena, LLC and Laramie Ridge, LLC, which are real estate investment companies investing in land, residential, and commercial properties. He now applies his business acumen to his lifelong passion for wildlife protection and conservation. Over the years, Dave’s love of nature and the outdoors has led to numerous land acquisitions and subsequent conservation easement agreements, which ensures the continued welfare of the land and its key habitats. Now with Wildlife Protection Solutions, he is able to bring his enterprising nature, high-tech background, and love of animals together in service to wildlife conservation. 

Stacey Roiger is a finance and accounting professional with over a decade of experience spanning nonprofit, investment, and regulatory sectors. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Finance & Accounting with the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation where she is responsible for the oversight and management of all day to day accounting and finance operations in addition to financial reporting. Prior to working at Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, Stacey served as the Director of Finance & Administration at Morris Animal Foundation where she led a multi-functional team responsible for all aspects of financial planning, analysis, compliance, administration, and operational investment portfolio management. She oversaw the organization’s $100 million investment portfolio and played a key strategic role in budget design, cash flow forecasting, and board reporting. Stacey holds a Master’s of Accountancy from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Northwood University. She is a licensed CPA with expertise in nonprofit accounting, investment reporting, and process improvements. Outside of work, Stacey enjoys life in the mountains with her husband Andrew, their daughter Hazel, and their golden retriever, Minnie. Stacey has recently taken up golf and tries to get out on the course as much as possible. 

I am currently on the Science and Conservation Committee at Butterfly Pavilion, joined in 2023. I’m a veterinarian and currently work as a Product Manager at Antech Diagnostics. I also stay connected to clinical practice by doing relief work at various veterinary hospitals. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and live here with my husband Paul, our two-year-old daughter Alex, and our three furry companions—two cats and a dog. When I’m not working, my family and I love spending time outdoors. We’re always up for hiking, biking, camping, snowboarding, or really anything that gets us outside and exploring nature. Linda brings expertise in science, conservation, and veterinary science. 

An award-winning community and economic development professional with over 26 years of experience, Ms. Kimball has driven projects resulting in nearly 35,000 jobs and $3 billion in capital investment throughout her career. Since December 2021, she has served as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Westminster, CO, overseeing economic development, planning, building, property standards, real estate development, and sustainability. Her extensive leadership background includes serving nine years as the Economic Development Director for Hillsborough County, Florida, where she managed a staff of 28 and $285 million in diverse projects as well as holding senior positions with the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Infinity Global Solutions, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the Tampa Bay Partnership, the City of St. Petersburg, and the Downtown Denver Partnership. A Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Ms. Kimball holds both an MBA from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with highest honors.

Amber is happily married with three young adult children, a dog, a cat, and two cockatiels. Professionally, Amber works as a middle school teacher at Westminster Public Schools. They previously worked as a legislative aide in the Colorado State Senate, where they gained invaluable experience in policy development. They will bring their passion for advocacy, affordability, and sustainability to Westminster City Council for the benefit of our community. Amber received their Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology from Regis University.  Amber’s commitment to serving others extends beyond their profession, having volunteered with organizations such as The Denver Rescue Mission, Project Angel Heart, and Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, as a member of the Jefferson County IDEA Task Force, Amber has actively contributed to initiatives promoting inclusion and equality.

Bryan Head brings over 15 years of experience across the financial services, technology, education, and public policy sectors, specializing in engaging diverse interest groups. In 2013, he co-founded the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, helping it grow into one of Colorado’s largest chambers, and he continues to serve as a strategic advisor after two terms as Chairman of the Board. Head has a strong background in community leadership, having spent over a decade on the Board of Directors for Woodrow Wilson Academy, alongside leadership roles with the Leadership Program of the Rockies, the Jefferson County Outdoor Lab Foundation, the Arvada Rotary Club and Foundation, and various political campaigns. Most recently, he focused on community engagement for The Uplands Collective, a nonprofit centering on a major north Denver Metro housing development. Head studied English and Political Science at Abilene Christian University and currently resides in Westminster with his three children and their dog, spending his spare time outdoors, reading, traveling, and attending concerts.

Jamie Chavez, the current President and CEO of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, is an experienced nonprofit and business leader dedicated to community development, economic growth, and collaborative impact. Under her leadership, the Chamber has significantly expanded its membership and regional advocacy initiatives. Her diverse professional background spans small business ownership as the former owner of Toast Coffee & Wine Bar in Windsor, Colorado, along with roles in state government, higher education, and nonprofit administration. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming, alongside dual Master’s degrees in Business Administration and in Community and Economic Development. A Westminster resident and mother of two, Jamie brings extensive governance experience from multiple nonprofit boards and is deeply passionate about environmental education and the Butterfly Pavilion’s mission to inspire conservation through invertebrate education.

Phil is a transformational finance executive with over two decades of experience in relationship banking, government, and nonprofit sectors, specializing in treasury management, complex credit structures, and tax-exempt financing. Having intentionally steered his career toward social impact, he credits his community-focused approach to growing up at Sanborn Western Camps, a family legacy he helped transition into one of the country’s largest nonprofit summer camps. An alumnus of Colorado State University with a background in agricultural studies, Phil possesses a deep intuition for environmental education and currently serves on the Finance and New Building Committees of the Butterfly Pavilion Board. He brings a strong track record of driving multimillion-dollar growth, leading diversity initiatives, and building impactful corporate and banking partnerships, which he uses alongside his deep knowledge of the Denver nonprofit ecosystem to meaningfully support the Pavilion’s mission of invertebrate conservation and long-term expansion.

After a successful 20-year career in marketing and innovation at Coors, MillerCoors and Molson Coors, Amy now dedicates her time to supporting people and causes that help humans thrive. She is passionate about transforming education. Amy leads the Communications and Engagement Team for an aspiring K-5 charter school in Broomfield that will support all learners to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. She is also a member of the board of trustees of Friends School in Boulder. Amy is a certified Conscious Parenting Coach who helps parents recognize and heal their patterns so that they can parent from a place of love, connection, and presence. Amy and her husband, Jon, are active in political fundraising for local, state, and national candidates, hosting small and large donor events at their home in Broomfield.

Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Amy has spent more than half her life in Colorado and now considers it home. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Denver. Amy is fluent in Spanish, having spent 2 years living in Madrid, Spain. Amy is a mom and stepmom to four kids who inspire her to be a catalyst for positive change so that future generations can thrive.

Chris is a partner in the Real Estate Group of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. He has extensive experience representing clients in all areas of real estate transactions throughout the U.S., including leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, and land use matters. Chris’s expertise also involves representing both borrowers and lenders in real estate financing, including alternative financing structures, such as sale-leaseback transactions. Chris’s extensive involvement in matters within the hospitality industry makes him uniquely qualified to handle hospitality-related transactions. He represents clients in the acquisition, financing, development, and disposition of hotel and resort properties, as well as in the negotiation of management agreements. He also represents developers in residential and commercial projects throughout Colorado.  

Chris is a contributing author to the Colorado Real Estate Practice, one of CBA-CLE’s most respected and widely used publications. He is also an instructor for the related 13-week CLE course. Additionally, Chris serves as the firm’s pro bono coordinator.