Board of Directors

Leslie Rugg

LESLIE RUGG has balanced a number of careers. As a publisher, she owned, wrote for, and was editor-in-chief of a collie breed magazine and a rare breed dog magazine. As a freelance writer, her articles have been published in major mass market and breed world animal magazines and on websites. She also co-authored five novels, published by Pocket Books. As a promoter and manager, she worked closely with Bob Weatherwax and his two last “Lassies.” As an educator, she has taught and tutored students from pre-school through graduate school, in subjects geared to enrichment and learning challenged. She has served on the Boards of many animal and school organizations. In her life to date, her animal kingdom has included two turtles, three parakeets, three cats, one Dutch hare, one hooded rat, one Cocker spaniel, three Poodles, one German Shepherd, one Golden retriever, and fourteen collies.  

Erica Brege

Erica Brege is a proactive volunteer from her youngest participation at church events in her native Michigan to adult experiences with Alzheimer's Association, Relay for Life, and humane societies. Always a passionate animal lover and advocate, she dreamed of founding a dog rescue. Then she discovered captive pet parrots as a volunteer at an avian sanctuary in California. She was hooked by these hookbill species, learning as much as she could, and is now determined to put her love of parrots and her professional talents to work for The Plumery. With a BA in communication and graphic design, she established a career path in business management and human resources, working in senior and hospice care and then the printing industry. She loves to teach and mentor, using those skills in parenting her son along with her husband and their dog. 

Mandy Stangeland

The Plumery is excited to introduce our new Facility Manager, parrot trainer, and behavior expert; Mandy Stangeland.

Mandy comes to us with over 20 years of bird and animal industry experience. She is a graduate of Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management program and has worked in zoos, wildlife rehab centers, managed both private and public animal collections, and has experience in falconry and free flight training.

When she’s not making diets or cleaning cages, Mandy enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and three kids, and playing with her personal flock.

Megan Bay

Megan Bay is an experienced caregiver and impassioned advocate for parrots. Her many years of hands-on interaction, coupled with in-depth research, has led her to a holistic, empathic approach to improving avian welfare. She has experience leading wildlife enrichment programs for children and is passionate about sharing knowledge with others on proper bird care. Megan is a trained fine artist, a NCAA scholarship athlete, and a proud owner of four beautiful cockatiels.

Ellen Zissler

ELLEN ZISSLER was a business owner for 24 years in Minneapolis, MN. In 2003, she moved to Santa Barbara where she serves on two boards: American Scandinavian Foundation of SB and DAWG (of which she is a founder). Her husband is a retired Genetics and Microbiology professor from the University of Minnesota. They share life with a 33 year old Yellow-naped Amazon named Yo Yo. Ellen is interested in starting a long-term rescue for parrots, since so few facilities are available nationally or locally to care for long-lived birds.

Lynne Page 

LYNNE PAGE is a retired attorney who most recently worked for Disability Rights California. She also has some experience in local government. For over 40 years she has shared her home with birds, from finches to araçaris to large macaws. Fascinated by parrots, she has written for publications including Bird Talk and The Companion Parrot Quarterly. She has witnessed the unending need for sanctuaries for companion parrots and is thrilled to contribute to the incubation of The Plumery.    

Sally Lane DVM

SALLY LANE  has made a career of integrating holistic veterinary medicine into the care of companion, exotic, farm, and wild animals. Her credentials include a veterinary diploma from University of Guelph/Ontario Veterinary College in Canada, two graduate diplomas in Chinese and Western veterinary herbal medicine from the College of  Integrative Veterinary Therapies in Australia, a fellowship in pain management, as well as certifications in acupuncture, rehabilitation therapy, herbal medicine, and food therapy. She has served as a Board Director or Advisor at exotic and wild animal sanctuaries and parks, where she treated a wide variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. She has an equally distinguished career with companion animals and has also worked with many humane societies, parrot and rabbit rescue groups, along with wildlife centers and raptor rehabilitation facilities.

Geneva Page Esq

GENEVA PAGE is a partner at the law office of Evans & Page and an adjunct professor of Animal Law at Santa Clara University. She will be teaching an upcoming Animal Law course at Vermont Law School, her alma mater. She has worked at the Animal Protection Institute (API), now united with Born Free USA, in Sacramento as Government Affairs Coordinator. She also served as a Commissioner on San Francisco's Animal Control & Welfare Commission. Growing up, Geneva adored her parakeet and Jenday conure, which began her lifelong love and respect for parrots. She is excited to support The Plumery in its mission to provide a safe haven to parrots in need.

Nick Sebastian

NICK SEBASTIAN is a multifaceted professional with expertise in financial management, information technology, and real estate. His deep commitment to community is evident through his extensive volunteer work across Santa Barbara, CA, and his heartfelt involvement in founding and participating in nonprofits that connect special needs groups with horses, parrots, and nature. Nick's financial acumen complements his diverse skill set, enabling him to manage and support these initiatives effectively. He is equally dedicated to his mini-horses, Pixie and Spice, who play a key role in his equine therapy programs, and his Hyacinth macaw, Junior, who delights everyone he meets with his vibrant personality.