Mindy Stinner

Mindy Stinner co-founded the Conservators Center in 1999 with Douglas Evans, and now serves as its Executive Director. After graduating from UNC-CH, she worked as an English teacher and began volunteering at a facility with a focus on carnivore species. Mindy and Douglas chose to found the Conservators Center with a mission to help the public learn about carnivore species in the most effective way, by ensuring a personal experience and connection to the animals through individualized experiences in a way that differentiates the Center from other facilities. During the Center’s early years, Mindy was the animal keeper, office manager, networker, construction worker and guiding force.

Today, other than standard executive duties, Mindy’s role includes assessing and addressing proposed legislation and changes in regulatory policy that may impact the Center, and ensuring the Center’s compliance. She represents the Center at zoological industry conferences and emergency management planning and training sessions, and gives presentations to other organizations on topics including husbandry best practices, managing the media, and legislative/regulatory oversight in the zoological industry. Outside the Center, Mindy serves as the VP of the Feline Conservation Federation, and the primary instructor and revisionist for the FCF Wild Felid Husbandry Course. She received a lifetime achievement award from the FCF in 2010. She also maintains professional memberships in several trade organizations.

Check out Midwest Food Recovery Summit Keynote Announcement to see why we're so excited to have Mindy as a keynote!