Tropical Audubon Society Staff
Paola Ferreira, Executive Director
Paola Ferreira is an environmental policy and strategy expert with 18 years of international experience in biodiversity conservation, climate change and energy. She is passionate about wildlife conservation and has extensive expertise in environmental non-profit management. As a Biologist and Civil Engineer with degrees from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and an MSc from MIT, she has worked extensively in advising, leading and implementing transformative environmental policy initiatives with positive outcomes.
Her recent work includes co-development of a Florida Energy Regulatory Assessment and leading the Climate and Conservation team at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Emirates Wildlife Society in the United Arab Emirates, where she steered strategic initiatives in climate change and energy, marine and terrestrial conservation and illegal wildlife trade. Projects she led included the formulation of a proposed National Adaptation Plan, the development of a network of protected marine areas and the development of a mandatory energy efficiency lighting standard.
Early in her career, Ferreira served as Senior Director of Policy and Legislation at the Alexander von Humboldt Research Institute for Biological Resources in Colombia, and led the formulation of the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. In an earlier role as Sub-Director of Forest Planning at the Colombian Ministry of the Environment, she led the design and development of the country’s Forest Policy.
Engaged by Tropical Audubon Society as Executive Director on October 1, 2019, Ferreira will focus her considerable environmental expertise on expanding and amplifying the conservation group’s role and reach across South Florida.
She enjoys traveling, longs walks on the beach and baking with her children, and resides in Coral Gables, Florida, with her husband, daughter and two indoor cats.
Amy Creekmur, Events Director and Volunteer Coordinator
Events Director Amy Creekmur joined Tropical Audubon Society in 2013 and immediately helped secure and implement the Toyota TogetherGreen Innovation Grant 2013-2014 awarded to TAS for its significant South Florida conservation work.
Day-to-day, Amy orchestrates the special events staged by TAS, including the annual Native Plant Sale, Conservation Concert series, SoMi Art Walk exhibit openings, Eco-Restoration Days, WingDing, Movie Nite and Walk in the Woods, as well as overseeing onsite private special events such as weddings, memorials and anniversary parties. She also coordinates volunteer needs for on- and off-premise events and especially enjoys nurturing the organization's diverse pool of volunteers.
Prior to joining TAS, Amy was program coordinator for TREEmendous Miami, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to building community pride via planting, protecting and preserving trees in Miami-Dade County. During her tenure there, she developed a lasting relationship with TAS and an abiding appreciation for its conservation Mission.
In addition to her TAS role, Amy is a part-time educator for Friends of the Everglades, conducting environmental education sessions at K-12 schools. She holds an AA in Fashion Merchandising & Design from International Fine Arts College, now Miami International University of Art & Design, where she is also an adjunct professor.
Alison Enchelmaier, Education Director
Alison Enchelmaier joined Tropical Audubon Society in 2017 as a Conservation Intern, after earning her Master’s of Science (M.Sc.) in Marine Affairs & Policy from UM’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. In January of 2018 she joined the TAS team as Education Director.
Alison takes a hands-on approach to educating and connecting students of all ages to birds and the environment. She developed curriculum and programming for the Audubon Ambassador Program, the Birding 101 Program for Miami-Dade County Schools, and the annual TAS Bird Day. Her work has informed and educated hundreds of Floridians — from Pre-K students to state legislators. Whether in the classroom or in the field, Alison uses any opportunity to create engagement about environmental issues, and how people can enact positive environmental change in their communities.
In addition to her work at TAS, Alison is a founding member of the Phoebes, an all-female South Florida birding group. Outside of the classroom, Alison is an eager birder, amateur photographer, artist and writer.
Ana Lima, Communications Director
Ana Lima formally landed in the Tropical Audubon Society nest in 2018, joining the staff as Communications Director. The Coconut Grove resident, birder and mother of two brings more than 20 years of communications field experience to the TAS table, along with a passion for environmental conservation.
Ana takes great joy in elevating the TAS profile across social and traditional media platforms. Her day-to-day duties include communications strategy, social media content, digital marketing, graphic design, event marketing, brand partnerships and creative content. Prior to accepting a staff role, the New Jersey native volunteered for 8 years in various capacities, including as an editor of the since sidelined print newsletter, as electronic content editor and as a Doc Thomas House docent.
Her extensive media background includes 12 years as a reporter at The Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s largest newspaper, and stints as a freelance journalist and public relations consultant. Ana's byline has appeared in the New York Post, Miami Herald, Ocean Drive Magazine and University of Miami Magazine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Ramapo College and a master’s degree in Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Maryland.
Ana is a founding member of the Phoebes, an all-female South Florida birding group. In her spare time, she enjoys birding, kayaking and exploring Florida’s natural treasures with her family.