Julie Murad established The Gabriel Foundation in 1995, in Aspen, CO, after the loss of Gabriel, her first Hyacinth macaw, to serve the welfare needs of parrots everywhere through education and outreach. The foundation provides companion parrots and related birds a safety net, adoption opportunities for new families, lifetime care and collaboration with veterinary, avicultural, behavioral, and mainstream animal welfare resources about the needs of parrots in homes and in shelter environments. Over the years she has presented worldwide to bird clubs, to veterinary and avicultural conferences, at veterinary schools, to mainstream animal welfare organizations and is avid about conservation. Currently providing for up to 250 parrots daily, The Gabriel Foundation provides unique insight into the resources, human, time and financial, required to sustain the collective needs for the health and welfare of its flock and the individual bird. Julie’s first bird, a budgie, entered her life by landing on her shoulder when she was 8 years old. In 1972, her fascination with parrots was sealed when her first large bird, a wild-caught Amazon, came into her life. Birds have been central to Julie’s life for over 50 years and there has not been a day since then that Julie has not shared her life and home with a bird. Her home is filled with a variety of parrot species, her 2 dogs, and several four-legged farm animals that live on the 36-acre property. When asked which species/bird is her favorite, her answer is, “The one I’m with right now.”
Organizational Development Specialist
Sharon has a broad-based career in healthcare with specialization in mental health and substance use disorders. She began her career as an occupational therapist (BS/MS) and went on to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in occupational therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Realizing that a doctoral degree was required to move forward in academia, she entered the Wright Institute in Berkely, California. This school offered three focal areas: Clinical, Educational, and Organizational. While in school she had the opportunity to accompany the Dean on several organizational consultations and switched focus. As an organizational psychologist, she has worked in business development, new hospital development, organizational design and development, and administration. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Highlands Behavioral Health System in Littleton, CO. She has shared her life with a Blue Headed Pionus (Sydney) and a Mexican Red-Headed
Callie Rennison is the proud mom of nine parrots – seven amazons and two Greys. In addition, she and her husband support many other birds at the Gabriel Foundation. When she is not dealing with birds, she serves in elected office as a Regent for the University of Colorado. She is also a professor emerita and former associate dean of faculty affairs at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. She also served as the director of the Office of Equity and Title IX Coordinator for the CU Denver and CU Anschutz Medical campuses. Rennison’s research focuses on the nature, extent and consequences of violent victimization with an emphasis on research methodology; quantitative analysis, measurement, and crime data. In 2016, Rennison was awarded the Bonnie S. Fisher Victimology Career Award from the Division of Victimology in the American Society of Criminology. She has also served on a National Academies committee examining domestic sex trafficking of minors in the United States, and she was a statistician at the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. She is the author of six books and dozens of academic journal articles.
Tyler found his passion and love for parrots after being acquainted with The Gabriel Foundation in 2023. Since then he has made it a life’s mission to offer the best care and 2nd (even third/fourth) homes for a flock of Amazons and a Vasa. He brings outside perspectives to TGF’s board stemming sustainability, international supply chains, purchasing, and organizational development. Tyler has served in roles from externships to senior leadership team positions and brings relevant knowledge and experience for continued organizational growth, sustainability, and legacy.
I am a retired attorney, and previously served on the Board of Directors of various non-profit entities. My husband and I have been owned by parrots for nearly 4 decades – at one time, we had about 45 birds (including an outdoor flight with about 25 spunky lovebirds). Our flock currently consists of a 20-year-old macaw (i.e., a 5-year-old who’ll never grow up), and 3 prickly but loving senior Amazons.
My fascination and love for birds began in childhood, caring for finches at home and learning early the joy and responsibility of nurturing animals. While in dental school, I bought a cockatiel to keep me company during a particularly homesick time—she became the best study companion I could have asked for. A visit to a pet store years after changed my life when I locked eyes with a baby African grey Karlo, who—24 years later—is still my baby.
Loving and caring for Karlo opened my eyes to the unique needs of companion birds and deepened my commitment to parrot welfare. I then adopted another African grey named Jasmine and now share my nest with both of them. Besides being a bird mom, I am a cosmetic dentist at Metro Smiles, my office, in the Denver Tech Center. I have a passion for ecotourism and my favorite place to visit is anywhere I can see parrots in the wild with conservation practices in mind.
In 2002, I was introduced to The Gabriel Foundation and fortunate to meet Julie, whose extraordinary knowledge and compassion inspired me to know more and do more for companion birds. Since then, the Foundation has held a permanent place in my heart. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in any capacity and am committed to ensuring that the legacy and mission of The Gabriel Foundation continue for generations to come especially providing a safe sanctuary for parrots in need and encouraging all to responsibly improve the lives of our feathered friends.
I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry, then realized my interests lay in providing care for parrots. I went back to school and became a registered veterinary technician. Prior to retirement, I assisted in providing medical treatment to a variety of animals, specializing in care for avian and exotic animals. My wife and I have shared our lives with parrots for over 37 years, with our focus in retirement on providing care for elderly and special needs Amazons.
I became fond of parrots in 1992 when I was visiting my friend, Julie Murad, when she lived in southern California. I was privileged to meet and spend time with Gabriel, Salsa, Mookie, Poncho and Babu, birds from Julie’s original flock. During that time, I discovered how vibrant a parrot’s personality can be. Presently I spend a significant amount of time visiting Julie’s birds and many of TGF’s flock. It’s been an eye-opening opportunity to learn more about the lives of birds and the workings of The Gabriel Foundation.
As the mother of two wonderful, grown sons, I have had experience sitting on the board of a non-profit school as well as being the president for the parent-teacher organization affiliated with it. I love bringing people together, encouraging new friendships, building excitement around various causes and cultivated new leadership skills which I continue to enjoy. My fave thing was running the school’s live and silent fundraising auctions which brought me much satisfaction. That school still thrives today.
Building relationships and personal growth are both so important to me. So is making a difference for the birds who count on us humans to thrive. I am eager and excited to be a part of Gabriel’s board of directors and to continue to make a difference in parrots and people’s lives.
Parrots have been a constant and defining presence throughout my life, shaping not only my passions, but also my sense of purpose and community. Growing up with budgies and then cockatiels, I became fascinated with avian intelligence, communication and their vibrant personalities.
Those early experiences taught me that parrots are far more than pets- they are perceptive, social beings capable of forming deep bonds. Over time my avian interests expanded into larger psittacines. These birds have been both humbling and endlessly rewarding with their trust and mutual respect. I certainly enjoy my “Cuddlemuffin” time with these lovable parrots who are my special friends.
My lifelong parrot journey has taken me to other countries to meet and greet people equally fascinated by them and also provided me the opportunities to observe birds in their wild habitats. Seeing wild parrots and cockatoos throughout Australia, including the Outback, has been a highlight of my international travel. Attending many avicultural conferences stateside and in different countries, including Loro Parque in Tenerife, Canary Islands, over 3+ decades have been filled with incredibly educational and enlightening experiences that brought me new friends, joy and knowledge and deepened my understanding and respect for parrots.
I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences, relationships, and perspective that parrots have brought into my life and I am truly glad to be on the Board of Directors of TGF.
I have been a jeweler for over three decades and was fortunate to travel around the world for my professional life. My business and website was called “My Feathered Gems” since I designed parrot brooches in 18kt gold and precious gems and diamonds. Seeing parrots in the wild and in parks, collections and aviaries around the world
Jihan Murad, Esq. – Advisor
