BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of individuals who share a strong commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of birds of prey. Drawing from a wide range of professional backgrounds, the board provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction to support the long-term success of Winged Freedom.
Kim Ammann, DVM
Dr. Kim Ammann is the founder and full-time veterinarian of our organization, bringing more than 25 years of experience in avian medicine to the care of injured and orphaned raptors. She provides day-to-day medical oversight for the hospital, addressing both routine and complex medical needs while guiding each patient through recovery and rehabilitation.
In addition to her veterinary role, Dr. Ammann oversees the operational management of the nonprofit and works closely with hospital volunteers to ensure the highest standards of care are maintained. Her greatest fulfillment comes from seeing raptors arrive with life-threatening injuries and ultimately return to the wild—healthy, strong, and ready to soar again.
Founder, President & Veterinarian
Brian Gaskill, DO
Dr. Gaskill is a family medicine physician based in Spooner, Wisconsin, and serves as Vice President of the Board for Winged Freedom. He provides guidance and insight to the organization and brings a strong interest in raptor health and conservation. Dr. Gaskill also assists our veterinarian with medical evaluations, offering additional support to the care of birds in our rehabilitation program.
Vice President
TreasurerEllie Tanner
As the Treasurer, Ellie brings experience in small business accounting and financial oversight to Winged Freedom’s Board of Directors. In addition to her board responsibilities, she volunteers in the field and in the hospital weekly, supporting daily care and rehabilitation efforts. Her combined financial expertise and hands-on involvement help ensure responsible stewardship of the organization’s resources while staying closely connected to the mission.
SecretaryNancy Olson
Nancy brings a long history of community involvement and service to her role as Secretary. She has been a member of the Spooner Rodeo Committee for 37 years and received the Committee’s Person of the Year award in 2025. She has also served on the WITC EMS Advisory Board. For the past decade, Nancy has volunteered annually at the Oberg Mountain aid station, helping serve up to a thousand ultramarathon runners during Rocksteady Running’s spring and fall races on the Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen, Minnesota.
Nancy, along with her husband Steve, are dedicated volunteers at Winged Freedom since 2024. Together, they support both hospital operations and field rescue efforts, assisting with the rescue and transport of injured birds.
Promotional Manager
Bob Mooney
Bob is the high school special education teacher at Northwood School in Minong and has also had careers as a science teacher, CNC machine field service engineer and submarine nuclear reactor operator. He serves on the board as promotional manager, spreading the word about the good things Winged Freedom is doing. Bob donates fish to feed the raptors under Winged Freedom’s care, and also volunteers as a rescuer/transporter -catching sick or injured raptors and/or delivering them to the hospital. More than once, he has been summoned off of the lake in order to rescue birds.