About: Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DEBRA CURTIN
Debra Curtin founded New England Primate Conservancy in 2002, guided by a growing recognition that misunderstanding plays a central role in the challenges facing primates, both in captivity and in the wild.
After a 30-year career spanning business management, organizational development, adult education, training, sales, and marketing across multiple industries, Debra brought her professional experience into the nonprofit sector. Her work has long focused on human-centered systems—how people learn, how understanding is shaped, and how meaningful change becomes possible.
Debra’s leadership is informed by the belief that lasting conservation depends on how humans understand the living world.
As President, Debra provides strategic leadership and long-term vision for New England Primate Conservancy, working closely with staff, collaborators, and partners to support the organization’s mission and programs.
Debra earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, Phi Beta Kappa, in Ancient Greek from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York—an academic background that continues to inform her interest in inquiry, ethics, and humanity’s place within the living world.
LAURA LEE BAHER
Laura Bahr, M.A., Ed.D. Candidate, is an author, filmmaker and educator. She has been working with the New England Primate Conservancy since March 2020 as a Writer and Educational Content Creator.
As an educator, she has over a decade of experience in the work of developing student-driven projects and outside-the-box programs, including facilitating the Young Expert program at Bridges Academy. She has worked with K-12 students, teaching everything from mathematics to vocal performance.
Her educational background includes B.A, Theatre Arts, Brandeis University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Gertrude Caronvsky Award for excellence in Theatre Arts, Justice Brandeis Scholar Award for excellence in writing and academics. M.A., California State University Northridge, with distinction, Robert H. Schiffman Memorial Award for highest quality of scholastic, personal and community achievement. Current Ed.D. Candidate, Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity.
As a creative professional, she has spent her life working in the expressive arts in different media. As an author, filmmaker and performer she has won multiple awards, including Best Feature, Boned, Toronto Independent Film Fest (Writer/Director), 2015, the Wonderland Book Award for Best Novel (Haunt, 2011) and Best Collection (Angel Meat, 2017). The translations of her work by Orciny Press in Spain have won acclaim Long-Form Religious Porn/Porno Religioso Improvisado (Winner of William Baskerville Award for Best Translated Novel 2019) by Libros Prohibidos. She was the 2018 Spring Writer-In-Residence at The Kerouac House. She has served in the past on the Board of Directors for the independent movie company Movie Farm and the Eclectic Company Theater.
She is passionate about kindness and respect for all inhabitants of planet Earth. None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something.
CAROLINA CELIS-CURTIN
Carolina Celis-Curtin brings creativity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to animal welfare to her role on the Board of Directors of New England Primate Conservancy.
Trained as a professional chef, Carolina has built an accomplished culinary career spanning Boston and Maui, with experience in some of the region’s most respected kitchens. Her work has been featured on the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen and Chopped, and she has been recognized for both her technical skill and creative vision. She holds two culinary degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi’s Maui Culinary College and brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service, food services, and retail environments.
Carolina’s background gives her a strong eye for design, storytelling, and presentation—skills she brings to NEPC’s marketing, educational materials, and visual communications. She has contributed ideas and feedback to NEPC’s programs since the organization’s early years and offers a valuable perspective grounded in creativity, lived experience, and compassion.
A lifelong animal advocate, Carolina has rescued and fostered animals from homelessness and abuse throughout her adult life. Her personal commitment to animal well-being, combined with her professional experience and thoughtful insight, makes her a meaningful contributor to NEPC’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
IN MEMORIAM
NEAL
CAMPBELL
CAROL
CASHELL-GIGNOUX
MARINO
MARTINEZ
