The ABMA has annual elections for various board positions. Our nomination process starts in the fall (~September) and voting occurs in the spring (~March). If you have any questions about our election process, please contact the Nominations and Elections co-chairs Elly Neumann and Julie Grove.
ABMA Board of Director Nominees for the 2026 - 2029 term
The following nominees are willing to serve the ABMA for the next three years. In order to know your nominees better, we encourage you to read more about them. Please be aware that words of the nominees are their own, and not the ABMA’s. Voting members (Professional, Active, Emeritus, and Lifetime Professional members) will receive an email in February with information on how to vote for the ABMA Board of Directors. This year will have a slate to approve four (4) board positions.
Once votes are tallied, the results of the election will be announced at this year's annual conference in Cincinnati. Per the ABMA bylaws, Members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be elected via slate with a simple majority of the votes cast, and/or by direct election by the highest number of votes cast. Furthermore, failure to respond to any notice provided herein will be treated as an affirmative vote for all purposes in any voting matter and will be duly recorded as an affirmative vote by the Secretary of the Corporation and kept in the applicable minutes.
Cathy Mingee, North Carolina Zoo
Bio:
I’m the classic story of going to SeaWorld as a kid and falling in love. To accomplish my animal behavior & training goals, I went to Coastal Carolina University and then University of Toledo where I completed my PhD in experimental psychology focused on animal learning. Additionally, I have completed the applied behavior analysis verified course sequence for Board Certified Behavior Analysts as well as Susan Friedman’s Living & Learning with Animals course. My educational background gives me a strong understanding of the science of behavior and behavior modification techniques. I have worked in the zoological field for over 15 years, most notably I worked at both Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Tampa Bay, where I trained domestic hoofstock, elephants, tigers and orangutans. In 2021 I transitioned to the North Carolina Zoo where I am the Associate Curator of Behavioral Management overseeing the training, enrichment and welfare programs across the zoo. In addition to my paid positions, I serve as a volunteer for two animal behavior focused professional organizations. I have served on the AZA Behavior Scientific Advisory Group (BSAG) since 2022, serving as the secretary since 2024. I have also served on the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) program council since 2020 as the conference proceedings committee chair.
Your message to the ABMA members (why you want to be elected to the Board):
My current positions within the AZA BSAG and ABMA program council show my dedication to providing support and resources to promote progressive behavioral management and contribute to the welfare and wellbeing of animals. I am interested in the secretary position within the Animal Behavior Management Alliance because it seems like a logical next step to continue to support ABMA leadership and general members. ABMA is unique in their audience and membership which is wide ranging and inclusive to students, domestic animal trainers, zoo & aquarium keepers and behavioral managers. This diversity can help with ‘bottom up’ change by building strong animal trainers while also supporting ‘top down’ change by preparing members to progress to behavioral managers and/or supporting existing behavioral managers in their current roles. Because I currently serve on BSAG I am more aware of their current goals and projects which have significant overlap with the goals of ABMA. One of my personal goals is to aide both groups in finding ways to complement each other, as well as other professional groups such as AAZK, IMATA and IAATE, in building resources and community for animal trainers regardless of where they’re at in their journey.
Gabrielle Harris, South African Association for Marine Biological Research
Bio:
Have worked with marine mammals for over 30 years. Also assisted in many other animal sectors including terrestrial and domestic animals to introduce ethical behaviour management concepts. Author of "Touching Animal Souls" and "Animal Grace".
Your message to the ABMA members (why you want to be elected to the Board):
Dream to connect South Africans to ABMA. Would love a conference to occur in our region. We could benefit greatly from ABMA and have loads to offer and share.
Jake Belair, National Aviary
Bio:
Jake’s passion for connecting people to wildlife started when he was a teen volunteer at the Akron Zoo. Jake continued this passion working in various training/behavior management roles at the Columbus Zoo, Conservation Ambassadors, and the Nashville Zoo. He currently works as a Senior Education Trainer for the National Aviary.
Your message to the ABMA members (why you want to be elected to the Board):
I am excited to have the opportunity to serve on the ABMA Board again!
Kelly Salamone, San Diego Zoo and Behavior with Purpose
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Bio:
Kelly Salamone is a seasoned conservation and wildlife care professional with more than two decades of experience advancing animal welfare, behavior management, and public engagement. She currently serves as Co-Founder of Behavior With Purpose, a consulting organization dedicated to improving animal welfare and research outcomes through evidence-based training, enrichment design, and positive reinforcement practices. Kelly also contributes her leadership and organizational expertise as Office Manager for Wildlife Care at the San Diego Zoo, where she oversees daily operations, supports conservation initiatives, and guides teams in delivering exceptional animal care and educational experiences.
In addition to her professional work, Kelly holds leadership roles in several national organizations. She is the Vice President of National Team Operations for USA Dodgeball, where she manages athlete development, logistics, and high-performance programs for international competition. Within the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, she serves as Chair of both the Professional Development and Research & Evaluation Committees, fostering growth, collaboration, and innovation across the animal care community.
Kelly earned a Master of Arts in Geography and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Recreation & Tourism Management from San Diego State University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to ethical animal stewardship, scientific collaboration, and the integration of behavioral science into conservation and care practices.
Your message to the ABMA members (why you want to be elected to the Board):
As a long-time member and current committee chair within the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, I am deeply committed to advancing our shared mission of improving animal care, welfare, and professional development across the global animal behavior community. My goals for the coming term focus on three key areas: expanding our catalog of virtual learning opportunities, strengthening our global presence, and increasing our support for conservation and welfare initiatives through enhanced grant contributions.
By broadening our virtual course offerings, we can make high-quality education more accessible to members worldwide—empowering professionals at all career stages to build their skills and share their expertise. Strengthening ABMA’s international connections will not only diversify our perspectives but also amplify our collective impact on animal welfare practices globally. Finally, by growing our conservation and welfare grant program, we can further invest in innovative projects that embody the spirit of collaboration, research, and compassion that defines our organization.
Together, I believe we can continue to position ABMA as a leader in advancing animal behavior science and professional excellence—locally, nationally, and globally.
