Board of Directors

Founder/President

Nicole Marie Pettinelli is a Charleston-based naturalist, educator, and conservation advocate dedicated to connecting people with the natural world. As the founder of the Charleston Bird Club, she has cultivated one of the Lowcountry’s most vibrant outdoor communities - Bringing thousands of members together through guided bird walks, educational initiatives, and community-driven efforts such as environmental cleanups and citizen-science events.

Vice President

As an environmental advocate, I have spent my career pursuing science that advances our knowledge of, and policies that protect, our natural world. I grew up exploring the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean in southeast Virginia and developed an early appreciation for coastal ecosystems. My love of the environment led me to obtain a bachelor's degree in biology from Christopher Newport University, a master's degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a doctoral degree in marine and atmospheric sciences from Stony Brook University.

I currently work as a senior officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts' US Conservation Project and support efforts to improve the adaptation and resilience of coastal ecosystems and human communities in the Southeast United States. In this role, I lead Pew's work on the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative to protect, restore, and conserve the one million acres of marsh currently stretching from North Carolina to east central Florida. I also work to protect biodiversity and increase climate resilience across habitats in the region. Before joining Pew, I worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on a variety of habitat, protected resource, and climate issues.

In my spare time, I am also an avid lover of the outdoors - birding, hiking, kayaking, traveling, and playing tennis whenever I have a chance.

Treasurer

Richard Hayes grew up in Rockville Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC. He attended the United States Air Force Academy and had a 30-year career in the United States Air Force; his last assignment was at Space Command in Colorado Springs. He and his family moved to North Charleston in 2001 and retired for the second time in 2019. Richard's love of Birding started in 1963, when he earned the coveted Bird Study merit badge in the Boy Scouts. After moving to the Charleston area in 2001, he revived his interests in birding, and started annual trips with fellow birders to the lower 48 states, including south Texas, Tucson area, California, Colorado, and Minnesota in February (Sax-Zim Bog).

Richard joined the Carolina Bird Club in 2012, and is currently on its Board of Directors representing South Carolina.

Secretary

Spark Bird: Great Blue Heron
Jamie has lived in the Lowcountry and Charleston area for nearly 30 years. She grew up as a ‘horse kid’ and has enjoyed the outdoors and adventure from a young age. She’s an avid birdwatcher, traveler, camper, hiker and kayaker often traveling with her teardrop camper to new and different birding locations. Jamie is a graduate of The College of Charleston with a degree in Non-Profit Arts Management and Trident Technical College with Degrees in Culinary and Hospitality. She has worked in Charleston’s vibrant F&B scene for over 25 years is currently the Director of Front of House Operations at Home Team BBQ after being with the company for over 12 years. She is thrilled to be a part of The Charleston Bird Club and help educate younger generations and protect our amazing natural resources for the future.

Bio coming soon