Staff
Kathy Zagzebski, Executive Director
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x104 | (c) 910-541-1028
Kathy joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in February, 2021. For the previous sixteen years, she served as President and Executive Director of the National Marine Life Center, a marine animal hospital and science and education center in Bourne, Massachusetts. From 1998 to 2005, she led the Stranding Department at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, where she was responsible for rescue operations along a 600-mile stretch of the California coast. And from 1997 to 1998, she served as Program Manager for the Georgia Coastal Management Program and helped achieve a federally-approved coastal zone management program for the state. Kathy has volunteered for a variety of marine animal projects and organizations in Massachusetts, California, Georgia, Hawaii, and North Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude from Augustana College and received her master’s degree in coastal environmental management from Duke University. A member of the International Sea Turtle Society, Kathy has also served on a number of nonprofit boards, educational advisory committees, and other civic service in California and Massachusetts. Locally, she serves on the Surf City Shoreline and Resiliency Advisory Committee and is a liaison to the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x104 | (c) 910-541-1028
Kathy joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in February, 2021. For the previous sixteen years, she served as President and Executive Director of the National Marine Life Center, a marine animal hospital and science and education center in Bourne, Massachusetts. From 1998 to 2005, she led the Stranding Department at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, where she was responsible for rescue operations along a 600-mile stretch of the California coast. And from 1997 to 1998, she served as Program Manager for the Georgia Coastal Management Program and helped achieve a federally-approved coastal zone management program for the state. Kathy has volunteered for a variety of marine animal projects and organizations in Massachusetts, California, Georgia, Hawaii, and North Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude from Augustana College and received her master’s degree in coastal environmental management from Duke University. A member of the International Sea Turtle Society, Kathy has also served on a number of nonprofit boards, educational advisory committees, and other civic service in California and Massachusetts. Locally, she serves on the Surf City Shoreline and Resiliency Advisory Committee and is a liaison to the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission.
Terry Meyer, Deputy and Conservation Director
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x102 | (c) 910-470-2880 - Sea Turtle Hotline
Terry has been involved with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center since 1996. Over her history with the organization, she has served in every volunteer role from turtle care to life support systems to gift shop. She currently is the organization’s Deputy and Conservation Director, as well as its Treasurer. As such, she also serves as CFO and COO, managing KBSTRRC's finances and physical facilities. Terry may be best known for her work on the beach. She also leads and directs the Topsail Turtle Project. Experienced in bookkeeping, accounting, and HOA management, Terry is a past Treasurer for the International Sea Turtle Society and continues to assist them with bookkeeping and accounting.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x102 | (c) 910-470-2880 - Sea Turtle Hotline
Terry has been involved with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center since 1996. Over her history with the organization, she has served in every volunteer role from turtle care to life support systems to gift shop. She currently is the organization’s Deputy and Conservation Director, as well as its Treasurer. As such, she also serves as CFO and COO, managing KBSTRRC's finances and physical facilities. Terry may be best known for her work on the beach. She also leads and directs the Topsail Turtle Project. Experienced in bookkeeping, accounting, and HOA management, Terry is a past Treasurer for the International Sea Turtle Society and continues to assist them with bookkeeping and accounting.
Megan Bargerhuff, Rehabilitation Coordinator
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x107
Megan joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in February, 2024. She is originally from Ohio and received a BS Marine Biology degree from the University of Hawaii. Prior to joining the KBSTRRC team, she spent 3 years as a Rehabilitation Biologist with the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team, which rehabilitates sea turtles and seals. She also completed an AmeriCorps term at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which inspired her to continue working in the sea turtle rehabilitation field. Megan also has experience with rehabilitating marine mammals and birds from positions at the Alaska SeaLife Center, Seal Rescue Ireland, and Wildcare Foundation. Megan is thrilled to bring her rehabilitation skills and passion to the Rehabilitation Coordinator position in order to help the dedicated staff and volunteers continue to accomplish their important mission of sea turtle conservation.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x107
Megan joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in February, 2024. She is originally from Ohio and received a BS Marine Biology degree from the University of Hawaii. Prior to joining the KBSTRRC team, she spent 3 years as a Rehabilitation Biologist with the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team, which rehabilitates sea turtles and seals. She also completed an AmeriCorps term at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which inspired her to continue working in the sea turtle rehabilitation field. Megan also has experience with rehabilitating marine mammals and birds from positions at the Alaska SeaLife Center, Seal Rescue Ireland, and Wildcare Foundation. Megan is thrilled to bring her rehabilitation skills and passion to the Rehabilitation Coordinator position in order to help the dedicated staff and volunteers continue to accomplish their important mission of sea turtle conservation.
Kimberly Escalante, Education Coordinator
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x106
Kimberly comes from Connecticut and joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in July of 2023. She received her bachelor's degree in Marine Science from the University of Maine and got her master’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in general science and biology from the University of Bridgeport. For the last eight years, she has been a middle school science teacher where she was able to teach about her passions of the ocean and our environment through hands-on activities and field trips to the coast. Kimberly is excited to bring together her experiences in both marine science and teaching to help protect sea turtles.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x106
Kimberly comes from Connecticut and joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in July of 2023. She received her bachelor's degree in Marine Science from the University of Maine and got her master’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in general science and biology from the University of Bridgeport. For the last eight years, she has been a middle school science teacher where she was able to teach about her passions of the ocean and our environment through hands-on activities and field trips to the coast. Kimberly is excited to bring together her experiences in both marine science and teaching to help protect sea turtles.
Tina Sharpe, Life Support Systems Coordinator
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x105
Tina Sharpe is a native North Carolinian who received her Bachelor’s degree from UNC-Greensboro in 1993. She has volunteered at KBSTRRC since 2015. In 2018 she began managing the organization’s life support systems first as a volunteer and then, in 2022, as staff. In 2023, Tina earned certifications as a Level 1 Life Support Operator and as a Level 1 Water Quality Technician through the Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x105
Tina Sharpe is a native North Carolinian who received her Bachelor’s degree from UNC-Greensboro in 1993. She has volunteered at KBSTRRC since 2015. In 2018 she began managing the organization’s life support systems first as a volunteer and then, in 2022, as staff. In 2023, Tina earned certifications as a Level 1 Life Support Operator and as a Level 1 Water Quality Technician through the Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators.
Tracy Shaw, Administrative and Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x101
Tracy joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in January of 2023. She first visited the center in 2016 with her two daughters and fell in love with the organization. Originally from New Jersey, Tracy has called North Carolina home for 32 years, relocating from Greensboro, North Carolina to North Topsail Beach. A former educator and school administrator, Tracy has had extensive experience in volunteer coordinating, websites, social media and engaging community members. Tracy is excited to be able to use these skills to help KBSTRRC continue their work and live out her dream of saving Sea Turtles.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x101
Tracy joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in January of 2023. She first visited the center in 2016 with her two daughters and fell in love with the organization. Originally from New Jersey, Tracy has called North Carolina home for 32 years, relocating from Greensboro, North Carolina to North Topsail Beach. A former educator and school administrator, Tracy has had extensive experience in volunteer coordinating, websites, social media and engaging community members. Tracy is excited to be able to use these skills to help KBSTRRC continue their work and live out her dream of saving Sea Turtles.
Luckaia Strand, Gift Shop Manager
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x103
Luckaia joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in August of 2023. Luckaia is a former Junior Intern at the KBSSTRRC/ It was here that she fell in love with sea turtle rehabilitation. In 2019, Luckaia moved to Laie, Hawaii where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and minors in English and Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. While living in Hawaii, Luckaia worked as a marine biology research assistant. She volunteered for the nonprofit organization Mālama i nā honu, where she helped protect Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles through education and research for NOAA. Luckaia spent 4 years gaining experience in retail while working at the Polynesian Cultural Center and Cotopaxi. Luckaia is thrilled to be back at the KBSSTRRC and to use her knowledge of both marine science and retail to help protect and conserve sea turtles.
[email protected]
(w) 910-329-0222 x103
Luckaia joined the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in August of 2023. Luckaia is a former Junior Intern at the KBSSTRRC/ It was here that she fell in love with sea turtle rehabilitation. In 2019, Luckaia moved to Laie, Hawaii where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and minors in English and Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. While living in Hawaii, Luckaia worked as a marine biology research assistant. She volunteered for the nonprofit organization Mālama i nā honu, where she helped protect Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles through education and research for NOAA. Luckaia spent 4 years gaining experience in retail while working at the Polynesian Cultural Center and Cotopaxi. Luckaia is thrilled to be back at the KBSSTRRC and to use her knowledge of both marine science and retail to help protect and conserve sea turtles.
