Leadership

Land Conservation Director
713-932-1639 ext. 115

Pete Deichmann is the Land Conservation Director at Houston Audubon. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of Houston Audubon’s 17 nature sanctuaries in Greater Houston and the Upper Texas Coast. Part-time biologist, boat captain, electrician, carpenter, plumber, mechanic, bird guide, outreach specialist, and all-around problem solver are just of few of the hats he wears down on the coast. Each day brings new and exciting challenges. Pete received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Missouri- St. Louis. Since then he’s worked on several projects including wind energy-driven bird mortality and Greater Sage-Grouse response to mining in Wyoming, to Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Coastal Waterbird Program, and even on an organic farm. Pete joined the Houston Audubon team in September 2013.

Sanctuary Manager
713-932-1639 ext. 118

Wyatt Egelhoff is a Sanctuary Manager at Houston Audubon. He works primarily in the High Island and Bolivar Peninsula Sanctuaries focusing on habitat restoration, species monitoring, and visitor services. This allows him to keep a close eye on the birdlife in one of the most species-rich areas of the United States, while also addressing the myriad day-to-day challenges the coastal sanctuaries provide. Wyatt grew up birding throughout the Desert Southwest and received his B.Sc. in Wildlife Ecology from New Mexico State University in 2019. Prior to Houston Audubon, Wyatt found work studying birds in the Southern Great Plains (NM, TX, & OK) and the Arctic (Alaska & Chukotka). He has also been known to twitch a bird or two.

Conservation Specialist
713-932-1639 ext 117

Schyler Brown is a Conservation Specialist at Houston Audubon. In this role, he focuses on community science and monitoring initiatives. Schyler recently completed his MS degree, where he studied landscape ecology and remote sensing methods. He spent a lot of time in his undergraduate birding, bird-banding, and contributing to ornithological research -- including 3 years of catching kestrels and collecting data with Kelsey Biles. He also worked at the Fort Worth Nature Center, where he spent time leading nature education programming. His experience with data analysis, birding, and bird-banding helps Houston Audubon grow its science initiatives.

Nature Programs Manager
713-932-1639 ext 102

Amber Leung built a deep appreciation for the natural world through camping and hiking around Central and West Texas with her family while growing up in Austin. A Coastal Ornithology course introduced her to the world of birding while she was earning a BS in Marine Sciences at A&M in Galveston. She later became a Texas Master Naturalist in 2015 and even served two terms as the president of the Coastal Prairie Chapter. She has spent time as an educator and naturalist at Kleb Woods Nature Preserve, and Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition. Her passion lies in extolling the virtues of ALL parts of a healthy ecosystem, especially the underappreciated ones. In her own time, she has a penchant for rescuing wayward venomous snakes from neighbors’ homes and giving advice on wildlife and native plants.

Environmental Educator & Naturalist (part-time)
713-932-1639 ext 105

Vicki Stittleburg grew up in rural PA and has always had an affinity for nature and animals. After receiving her BS in Biology from Westminster College, she moved to Texas to be a zookeeper at the Houston Zoo where she worked with a variety of creatures including Meerkats, Asian small-clawed otters, and Pgymy Marmosets. Vicki loved interacting with zoo visitors and teaching about the animals in her care so she decided to shift her focus to education. She accepted a position at Houston Audubon where she worked full time in the Education Department for 9 years. Vicki developed a curriculum for early learners and discovered her passion for teaching preschool children about native wildlife. She left her job to be a stay at home mom when her son Barrett was born in 2016. She loved taking her son on outdoor adventures and now that he’s enrolled in Kindergarten, Vicki has returned to the Education Team and is excited to launch a preschool program called Fledgling Friends. She is honored to office in Edith Moore’s log home and is eager to start sharing her passion about native wildlife with children in her classes and visitors to the sanctuary.

Development Manager, Individual Giving
713-932-1639 ext. 116

Jesi Malowitz, a Houston resident since 2004 with roots in Ohio, perfectly blends her passions for birds and giving back at Houston Audubon. Jesi wears many hats: managing memberships, planning fundraising events, nurturing donor connections, and keeping Houston Audubon supporters informed and involved. She ensures they get the most out of the organization's incredible programs. When away from work, her two daughters, Ellie and Benny, keep her on her toes!

Development Manager, Corporate and Foundation Relations
713-932-1639 ext. 103

John brings a strong background and expertise in nonprofit fundraising having served various organizations for over 20 years. He started his career in radio but developed a passion for nonprofit work during his tenure with the Boy Scouts of America. He became familiar with Houston Audubon many years ago through his family's frequent visits to Edith L. Moore.

Communications & Marketing Director
713-932-1639 ext. 106

Zineera Seth Chong is the Communications and Marketing Director at Houston Audubon. Passionate about bird conservation and fostering inclusivity, Zineera oversees the organization's internal and external communications, including digital platforms, advertising, media, and strategic partnerships. As co-chair of the Houston Audubon DEIB committee, she strives to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for all who engage with the organization. Beyond her professional endeavors, Zineera enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, cuisines and landscapes. She loves playing with her German Shepherd and sassy senior tabby cat, adding to her plant collection, trying new restaurants, crafting, and playing board games.

Controller
713-932-1639 ext. 110

Barbara Thompson hails from western Pennsylvania but has lived in Houston her entire adult life. She holds a BBA degree in Accounting from the University of Houston and is a licensed Texas Certified Public Accountant. Barbara began her career with the “Big Eight” firm Arthur Young where she gained audit and tax experience, then worked as the administrator of a 70-person law firm. When her daughters were young she volunteered extensively in the local community where she had an introduction to non-profit accounting and administration. She also served as a Girl Scout leader and camp mom, where she discovered her love of the outdoors. All those interests came together when she joined Houston Audubon in 2007 as Controller, overseeing all accounting, financial and tax reporting, payroll and benefits administration for the organization.
A self-professed novice birder, Barbara fondly remembers her beginner birding class with Glenn Olsen where she was thrilled to see Cedar Waxwings and Eastern Bluebirds flocking in the trees at Bear Creek Park. She also enjoys reading (especially biographies), playing pickleball, travelling, and spending leisure time with her husband and two adult daughters.

Office Manager
713-932-1639 ext. 100

Macheli Flores comes from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where her family first instilled in her a love for the environment, especially animals and flowers. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, she worked in education and administrative positions in the Austin area before moving to Houston two years ago with her now-fiancé. She learned about the National Audubon Society growing up, reading their many books on birds, rocks, and flora and fauna. Upon researching nature and hiking trails in Harris County, she was excited to learn Houston Audubon’s headquarters was located near her, leading her to follow the organization online. Macheli is excited to be working with a close-knit community of avian and wildlife enthusiasts, aspiring to continue building further community within the organization.