Melanie Parker

Mission Programs Officer

Melanie Parker, the PRC’s Mission Programs Officer (which includes duties within our Volunteer Program, Primate Pal Program, Social Media Outreach, Website management, Event Coordination and Admininstative Assistance), grew up caring for horses, cows, and goats on a farm in Lewisport, KY. She has been a member of the PRC staff since June 2006, and worked as a primate caregiver for the first thirteen years before shifting her focus to the organization’s many mission-driven programs. Melanie graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, and she previously worked in the Education Department at the Louisville Zoo. As a caregiver, Melanie loved working outside in the fresh air and providing care to the primates year-round. These days, she is happy to help the sanctuary in any way she can, but especially enjoys teaching new volunteers about the primates who live at the sanctuary, capturing beautiful photographs of the primate residents to share with Primate Pal sponsors or our social media followers, and planning and preparing the sanctuary for our Annual Member Event.