The hands, hearts, and expertise behind two hundred birds.
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.”
Kimberly first joined TGF as an intern in 2018 and became a full-time staff member in June 2019, spending the next seven years working hands-on with our flock and serving as our Media Coordinator.
After returning home to the rural mountains of SW Montana, Kimberly now works remotely, supporting TGF’s social media, communications, and website content — with occasional creative supervision from her two blue and gold macaws, Bella and Scooby!
Anna joined the TGF team in 2021 as an intern while completing her PSM degree focused in zoo, aquarium, and animal shelter management at CSU. Following her internship and graduation, she enjoyed her time at the aviary as a coordinator of grants, events, and education until she, her husband, and flock of two parrots and two kitties moved back home to North Carolina in 2025. They recently welcomed an addition to their flock – their baby boy, Monty! Anna continues to support TGF by coordinating grants, tours, The Front Perch newsletter, and other miscellaneous administrative work!
Mia came to TGF in late 2022, she has always known she wanted to work with animals thanks to watching Steve Irwin on repeat since she was a child. Mia got a cockatiel named Fallow and discovered how much she liked birds in particular and decided to apply to TGF where she soon adopted a second cockatiel named Charlie. She has a small zoo full of scales, fins and now feathers. When she’s not working she enjoys drawing, horror movies, videogames and loving on her animals.
Mariah joined the TGF team in 2023 and has been loving every minute of it! She’s enjoyed connecting with both new feathered friends and like-minded people who share her passion. At home, Mariah has her own little flock, including a budgie, a cockatiel, and a few doves, all of whom enjoy plenty of snuggle time. In addition to her work at TGF, Mariah has 10+ years of working with birds of prey.
His favorite thing is to bring the birds to the outdoor flights and watch them enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Alonso does not have any of his own birds at home, but with persuasion from his co-workers, you never know what will happen in the future.
Dozens of volunteers make everything here possible. See how you could join them.
Openings and internships appear on our opportunities pages.
