
The Board of Directors of Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) announces that Erin Katzner will be stepping down from her role as President & CEO, with her last day being January 31, 2025. Since joining CRC in 2022, Erin has brought her deep passion for wildlife conservation and extensive leadership experience to advance our mission of connecting people with birds of prey and inspiring environmental stewardship. Her impact on the organization and the broader community has been profound, and we are deeply grateful for her contributions.
Reflecting on her time at Carolina Raptor Center, Erin shared:
“My time with Carolina Raptor Center has been incredibly rewarding, and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together to further the mission of this remarkable organization. The staff and volunteers at CRC are among the top experts in the field, and I am grateful for the time I’ve had working with them. I am thankful to the board for their support as I successfully battled a cancer diagnosis late last year and appreciate their understanding that I have decided to leave to focus on my health. I will always remain an advocate for the important work CRC does.”
As the organization enters a period of transition, the Board is pleased to announce that Charlotte-based firm Next Stage will provide interim leadership services. Next Stage’s CEO, Josh Jacobson, has a long history of service to Carolina Raptor Center and will lead this effort to ensure continuity of operations. This partnership will support our team as we identify the next leader to guide Carolina Raptor Center into its next chapter.
“We are confident that this interim partnership with Next Stage will position CRC for continued success during this transition period,” said Sherri Belfield, Board Chair. “On behalf of the Board, staff, and volunteers, we thank Erin for her incredible leadership and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
The Board remains deeply committed to the mission of Carolina Raptor Center and looks forward to sharing updates on the leadership transition and exciting plans for the future in the months ahead.
About Carolina Raptor Center: The Carolina Raptor Center is a nonprofit dedicated to igniting a passion for raptors and our shared natural world. Its Raptor Hospital treats 800 to 1,000 sick and injured raptors each year. On its zoological Raptor Trail, visitors can connect with bird species from across the globe, gaining an appreciation for the role raptors play in the environment. Since its founding in 1981, the Carolina Raptor Center has worked to foster communities where raptors and people thrive thanks to a unique blend of innovation, research, and education.
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