Who We Are
It is our mission to inspire a lifelong love of learning, respect for other cultures, and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life.
It’s easy to discount the impact that the events of our formative years have on the future but each small ripple has the potential to create a massive wave.
The Primate Studies mission is born from the small ripples from a group of middle school students who (along with their three mentors) had a vision to research, educate and give back. In fifth and sixth grade, these students took a school project learning about non-human primates and launched it into a local and international 7 year campaign to educate others about primates, fundraise to support a 21 day research trip to Tanzania, and support programs and initiatives that aided in the conservation of natural environments home to non-human primates.
Twenty-five years later, it’s hard to deny the waves that have developed both personally and professionally in their lives and the lives of others from those initial ripples. As adults they have reconnected to bring their passion to a new generation of students helping them to nurture and develop their own passion projects born from researching non-human primates.
Our Leaders
Committed to Empowering Youth
Monté Foster
President / Executive Officer
Laura Dains
Operating Officer
Toby Schiffer
Creative Officer
Catherine Cottrell
Educational Advisor
Our Board of Directors
Where the Passion Begins
Carla Pamela Blauvelt
Director of Global Programs for Village Reach
Carla works globally with donors, governments, and social impact organizations.
From Peace Corp volunteer and health intern for NIH, Carla has been responsible for administering health programs in the South Sudan, Peru, and Kenya. She is currently based in Malawi.
Heather Calihan
Director of Admission and Counseling Services at Costal Carolina Community College
Heather has extensive direct experience with students in her roles as academic counselor and counseling coordinator. She is a strong proponent of encouraging others to become and remain mentally healthy.
Barbara Toney Daniels
Retired Educator from Prince Edward County Virginia
Barbara served as a reading specialist, instructor of the gifted, gifted specialist , and the Prince Edward County Public School Gifted Coordinator. She is a Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Farmville, Virginia. Barbara is active in Women’s Ministry. She volunteers with Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.
James Starbird
Practice Leader for Implementation Partners
James leads the consulting firm’s Technology Strategy and Digital Transformation Practice. He works with public and private sectors in technology, financial and healthcare services.
He specializes in developing holistic solutions by combining business operations and technology.
Louise Waller
Vice President for Administration and Finance at Longwood University
Louise is the chief finance and business officer, overseeing Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Facilities, and Material Management. She teaches classes on finance and global sustainability. She is a facilitator for Stephen Covey’s Seminars, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.