Diversity is Our Strength
Rainbow Parrot Conservatory’s Board of Directors has extensive expertise in business, accounting, fabrication, nursing, parrot care, wealth management and more. We are uniquely qualified to run a first class organization the likes of which has not been seen before.
Our various experiences have taught us both what to avoid in running non-profit organizations as well as how to best capitalize on each opportunity.
Our various experiences have taught us both what to avoid in running non-profit organizations as well as how to best capitalize on each opportunity.
Nicholas Sebastian - President/Executive Director
Nick is originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania but has made his home in Santa Barbara, California for the past 40 years. He retired from the Santa Barbara School District after 30 years in the Information Technology department as programmer and manager of system operations encompassing all business systems including student records, financial systems, student health and special education applications. Nick holds an A.S. degree in Computer Science from Santa Barbara City College with additional course work completed at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Nick has served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Data Processing Management Association, California Educational Computer Consortium and most recently devoted 9 years as treasurer of the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary.
Nick's passion for the Santa Barbara community is demonstrated as a docent at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and the Old Mission Santa Barbara. He is also a volunteer at Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center (heartsriding.org) and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Emergency Department.
Nick is originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania but has made his home in Santa Barbara, California for the past 40 years. He retired from the Santa Barbara School District after 30 years in the Information Technology department as programmer and manager of system operations encompassing all business systems including student records, financial systems, student health and special education applications. Nick holds an A.S. degree in Computer Science from Santa Barbara City College with additional course work completed at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Nick has served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Data Processing Management Association, California Educational Computer Consortium and most recently devoted 9 years as treasurer of the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary.
Nick's passion for the Santa Barbara community is demonstrated as a docent at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and the Old Mission Santa Barbara. He is also a volunteer at Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center (heartsriding.org) and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Emergency Department.
Shawn Reese - Vice President
Shawn is originally from San Bernardino, California. Shawn was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of two, thereby sharing the everyday physical challenges that many people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis. Shawn has spent his life helping the physically and mentally disabled.
Shawn has rehabilitated many rescued and abused horses. Shawn worked with a variety of horse breeds from Clydesdale to Mustang. Shawn’s avian experience includes behavioral and training work with species including African Grey parrots, cockatoos, macaws and toucans.
Shawn Reese has extensive background and expertise in HVAC, fabrication, project cost estimation, building and logistics. Shawn has worked in the fabrication industry for over ten years. Shawn’s work has included a broad range of building and fabrication materials including structural and stainless steel, light gauge fabrication materials, sheet metal and wood.
Shawn is originally from San Bernardino, California. Shawn was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of two, thereby sharing the everyday physical challenges that many people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis. Shawn has spent his life helping the physically and mentally disabled.
Shawn has rehabilitated many rescued and abused horses. Shawn worked with a variety of horse breeds from Clydesdale to Mustang. Shawn’s avian experience includes behavioral and training work with species including African Grey parrots, cockatoos, macaws and toucans.
Shawn Reese has extensive background and expertise in HVAC, fabrication, project cost estimation, building and logistics. Shawn has worked in the fabrication industry for over ten years. Shawn’s work has included a broad range of building and fabrication materials including structural and stainless steel, light gauge fabrication materials, sheet metal and wood.
Steve Warner - Treasurer
Steve has an extensive background in accounting as a Hollywood motion picture and television production executive.
We are truly fortunate to have a treasurer such as Steve who has broad experience handling multi-million dollar budgets.
Steve is Past President of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Auxiliary, Santa Barbara, California
Steve has been volunteering at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for many years. During that time he implemented many innovations in the work Volunteers do in hospitals. Steve brings a wealth of information on diversity in our communities. Steve has recently been appointed as the Region Two Advisor for the California Hospital Association
Steve's professional management and administration positions include:
Corporate Controller Radnitz Mattel Productions
Budget & Estimating for Spelling Productions, Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, United Artist,
Warner Brothers, Casablanca Filmworks.
Chief Executive Officer of ALMI Financial Services Group/RKO Warner Theatres
Steve ran the production and distribution offices in Los Angeles & New York. Supervised the television division, foreign sales offices, and film
library. Steve implemented financial controls for all divisions of the company, reducing overhead and integrating departments to eliminate
duplication of many offices.
Walt Disney Pictures
As Director of Feature Production Finance, Steve managed all production accountants. Steve supervised feature development funds and the
Silver Screen Partnership.
Production Controller-Associate Producer position includes:
“Close Encounter of the Third Kind” - Feature
“Mannix” - TV series
“Strawberry Statement” - Feature
“Dirty Dingus Magee” - Feature
“Catch 22” - Feature
“Primus” - TV series
“Birch Interval” - Feature
“Where the Lilies Bloom” - Feature,
“Sounder” - Feature
“Deer Hunter” - Feature
“2010” - Feature
“Can’t Stop the Music” - Feature
“Hearts in Atlantis” - Feature
Steve has an extensive background in accounting as a Hollywood motion picture and television production executive.
We are truly fortunate to have a treasurer such as Steve who has broad experience handling multi-million dollar budgets.
Steve is Past President of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Auxiliary, Santa Barbara, California
Steve has been volunteering at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for many years. During that time he implemented many innovations in the work Volunteers do in hospitals. Steve brings a wealth of information on diversity in our communities. Steve has recently been appointed as the Region Two Advisor for the California Hospital Association
Steve's professional management and administration positions include:
Corporate Controller Radnitz Mattel Productions
Budget & Estimating for Spelling Productions, Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, United Artist,
Warner Brothers, Casablanca Filmworks.
Chief Executive Officer of ALMI Financial Services Group/RKO Warner Theatres
Steve ran the production and distribution offices in Los Angeles & New York. Supervised the television division, foreign sales offices, and film
library. Steve implemented financial controls for all divisions of the company, reducing overhead and integrating departments to eliminate
duplication of many offices.
Walt Disney Pictures
As Director of Feature Production Finance, Steve managed all production accountants. Steve supervised feature development funds and the
Silver Screen Partnership.
Production Controller-Associate Producer position includes:
“Close Encounter of the Third Kind” - Feature
“Mannix” - TV series
“Strawberry Statement” - Feature
“Dirty Dingus Magee” - Feature
“Catch 22” - Feature
“Primus” - TV series
“Birch Interval” - Feature
“Where the Lilies Bloom” - Feature,
“Sounder” - Feature
“Deer Hunter” - Feature
“2010” - Feature
“Can’t Stop the Music” - Feature
“Hearts in Atlantis” - Feature
Deborah Pentland, MSN - Secretary/Clinical Director
Our Clinical Director, Deborah Pentland, has the education, knowledge and extensive experience to meet the challenges and achieve the goals, mission and vision of the Rainbow Parrot Conservatory. We are extremely fortunate to have Deborah.
EDUCATION Work Experience
Deborah has been the primary educator and trainer to teachers, health assistants and school staff regarding necessary nursing interventions; disease management and precautions; as well as utilization of community resources for the children enrolled in the Santa Barbara City School District. Deborah has taught physiology, anatomy and sex education curriculum to children and teachers for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Deborah has also been a mentor to nursing professionals entering school nursing.
PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION Experience
PROGRAM DIRECTOR Experience
CLINICAL Experience
Coordinator of Community on Wheels (C.O.W.)
Initiated a community effort to develop a medical van to serve the needs of the medically%
Our Clinical Director, Deborah Pentland, has the education, knowledge and extensive experience to meet the challenges and achieve the goals, mission and vision of the Rainbow Parrot Conservatory. We are extremely fortunate to have Deborah.
EDUCATION Work Experience
Deborah has been the primary educator and trainer to teachers, health assistants and school staff regarding necessary nursing interventions; disease management and precautions; as well as utilization of community resources for the children enrolled in the Santa Barbara City School District. Deborah has taught physiology, anatomy and sex education curriculum to children and teachers for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Deborah has also been a mentor to nursing professionals entering school nursing.
PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION Experience
- Administrator for County Psychiatric Hospital responsible for all aspects of multidisciplinary team administrative supervision, budget, facilities, and clinical treatment programming.
- Reorganized hospital structure to a primary nursing model and applied it to medical, social work and clerical staff as well.
- Established innovative work schedule reducing sick time and overtime usage while decreasing staff ratio.
- Participated in the structural design of a new 5 million dollar hospital.
- Implementation of a computerized nursing assessment and treatment planning tool based on assessment of functional impairments.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR Experience
- Initiated and coordinated the Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Program (MESH) for Santa Barbara School District.
- Authored and received grant funding from federal and state agencies.
- Developed a program design to introduce Mental Health Prevention curriculum and presentations sensitive to age appropriate cognitive
- capacities for Kindergarten through grade 12.
- Coordinated community professional participation to establish programming by age level.
- Consulted with community businesses, boards, agencies, colleges and universities.
- Established mental health learning objectives for elementary grade levels designed for integration into the school curriculum.
CLINICAL Experience
- Direct Nursing Care
- Private practice providing mental health assessment, individual and group therapy to children, adolescents, families, and adults.
- Psychiatric crisis intervention and evaluation for both voluntary and involuntary hospitalization.
- Custody evaluation services and follow-up for Family Court.
- School Nursing services to the medically fragile student and special education students (IEP, 504).
- Direct nursing care in psychiatric crisis intervention, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care.
- Direct nursing services in the hospital setting in step down unit for cardiac care, GI and pre and post op surgeries.
- Direct nursing care in Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Care Unit.
Coordinator of Community on Wheels (C.O.W.)
Initiated a community effort to develop a medical van to serve the needs of the medically%
Dr. Christine Sellers, DVM - Board Member
Dr. Sellers, a Santa Barbara native, completed her undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Nutrition and then her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at U.C. Davis in 1991. As there was no emphasis on avian medicine at U.C. Davis in 1991, Dr. Sellers designed her own Pet Bird Medical track where she spent her senior year traveling throughout California interning with avian specialists and poultry facilities. Dr. Sellers has been actively involved in avian medicine since 1983. She began her feline focus when she began working at The Cat and Bird Clinic (formerly known The Cat Clinic) in 1985. Dr. Sellers has been the owner and primary veterinarian of The Cat and Bird Clinic since 1992.
Associate Memberships:
Dr. Sellers belongs to many organizations to keep abreast of the most current medical breakthroughs. Memberships include AAFT, AAV, AVMA, & CVMA.
Dr. Sellers also serves on the board of directors for the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.
Dr. Sellers, a Santa Barbara native, completed her undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Nutrition and then her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at U.C. Davis in 1991. As there was no emphasis on avian medicine at U.C. Davis in 1991, Dr. Sellers designed her own Pet Bird Medical track where she spent her senior year traveling throughout California interning with avian specialists and poultry facilities. Dr. Sellers has been actively involved in avian medicine since 1983. She began her feline focus when she began working at The Cat and Bird Clinic (formerly known The Cat Clinic) in 1985. Dr. Sellers has been the owner and primary veterinarian of The Cat and Bird Clinic since 1992.
Associate Memberships:
Dr. Sellers belongs to many organizations to keep abreast of the most current medical breakthroughs. Memberships include AAFT, AAV, AVMA, & CVMA.
Dr. Sellers also serves on the board of directors for the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.
Phoebe Greene Linden - Board Member
Phoebe Linden has over 30 years of experience living with, observing and advocating for captive parrots. She and Harry Linden devote their lives to the parrots in their care at the Santa Barbara Bird Farm, and advocate for parrots around the world, captive and wild.
Phoebe ascribes to the science of behavior known as applied behavioral analysis (ABA), and uses a positive reinforcement-only approach to behavior modification. In her work, the science of behavior is put through the lens of captive parrot lives in order to recognize, assess and fulfill the needs of parrots who live with humans, especially when those parrots go through the life-changes that seem to be inevitable for many long-lived captives.
Phoebe has worked with hundreds of parrots and humans, but each program she’s been part of is a study of one, co-developed, grounded in the science of behavior, and individualized so that parrots can live good lives in environments where humans control the resources. Additionally, Phoebe is active in the conservation of wild parrots wherever they are found. Now she advocates and develops programs for the parrots who reside with The Rainbow Parrot Conservatory.
For Phoebe, hands-on camaraderie and daily care for parrots are daily priorities.
Phoebe’s writing credits include avian medical textbook chapters which she co-authored with preeminent veterinarians and scholars, as well as numerous articles that define standards for behaviorally healthy and appropriately active captive parrots. Additionally, Phoebe serves the World Parrot Trust in their “Ask the Expert” section of the web site www.parrots.org where her Q And A remains widely accessed. She and Harry and their flock are featured in the 2015 PBS/Nature Discovery documentary “Parrot Confidential” and in the World Parrot Trust’s educational video, “PollyVision.”
Phoebe Linden has over 30 years of experience living with, observing and advocating for captive parrots. She and Harry Linden devote their lives to the parrots in their care at the Santa Barbara Bird Farm, and advocate for parrots around the world, captive and wild.
Phoebe ascribes to the science of behavior known as applied behavioral analysis (ABA), and uses a positive reinforcement-only approach to behavior modification. In her work, the science of behavior is put through the lens of captive parrot lives in order to recognize, assess and fulfill the needs of parrots who live with humans, especially when those parrots go through the life-changes that seem to be inevitable for many long-lived captives.
Phoebe has worked with hundreds of parrots and humans, but each program she’s been part of is a study of one, co-developed, grounded in the science of behavior, and individualized so that parrots can live good lives in environments where humans control the resources. Additionally, Phoebe is active in the conservation of wild parrots wherever they are found. Now she advocates and develops programs for the parrots who reside with The Rainbow Parrot Conservatory.
For Phoebe, hands-on camaraderie and daily care for parrots are daily priorities.
Phoebe’s writing credits include avian medical textbook chapters which she co-authored with preeminent veterinarians and scholars, as well as numerous articles that define standards for behaviorally healthy and appropriately active captive parrots. Additionally, Phoebe serves the World Parrot Trust in their “Ask the Expert” section of the web site www.parrots.org where her Q And A remains widely accessed. She and Harry and their flock are featured in the 2015 PBS/Nature Discovery documentary “Parrot Confidential” and in the World Parrot Trust’s educational video, “PollyVision.”
