Meet our Staff
Black-chinned Hummingbird - Hilary Joy Morejon
There are many hands that work to make the International Hummingbird Society a success. We each come with different backgrounds but share the same love of these special and amazing birds. Colibri is an international word for hummingbird. Since we are an international organization we find it fitting to call ourselves, "Team Colibri"!
Alice Madar
Executive Director
Alice Madar took on the role of Executive Director in September 2023. Prior to that, her work history included writing and editing for corporations and consumer magazines and a 20-year tenure as Administrative Director of Sedona Charter School, a non-profit Montessori charter school. Having demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation, hummingbirds, and the Sedona Hummingbird Festival as well as a talent for leading a non-profit, Alice was a natural to head up the International Hummingbird Society after founder Ross Hawkins passed and his wife Beth Kingsley Hawkins retired.
Alice says, "Every day I look forward to working with all of the International Hummingbird Society's staff, members, supporters, and sponsors to help protect and expand our knowledge of these tiny, otherworldly beings. In all of our activities I want to make sure to preserve the joy that everyone experiences at the Sedona Hummingbird Festival — and each time they see a hummingbird. Join us!"
Barrie Todd
Operations Assistant
With a Master's degree in Avian Science from the University of California at Davis and a Registered Veterinary Technician certificate, Barrie has a deep background in avian research and care. Her work experience includes fieldwork and research projects with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the National Science Foundation, and research, rescue, and rehabilitation through UC Davis and the International Bird Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. She has worked with a range of birds including raptors, penguins, and petrels. Having joined our staff in 2023, Barrie enjoys helping humans learn how to protect and support the tiniest of birds — hummingbirds.
Barrie has become a key person in the office, handling membership and the many calls that come in with hummingbird questions and Society-related questions. She is also a key member of the leadership team for the Sedona Hummingbird Festival, helping to make it a successful, world-class event every year.
Hilary Joy Morejon
Banding Project Leader
Hilary is a hummingbird enthusiast who has a strong passion for these phenomenal birds. She started out by handfeeding and reading everything she could about hummingbirds. After she attended her first Sedona Hummingbird Festival in 2019 she was truly hooked. She and her husband Whitney Morejon moved to Sedona in 2021 and Hilary began working for the International Hummingbird Society in administration, social media, marketing, and festival management.
After two years and two festivals Hilary realized a long-held dream of learning to band hummingbirds through an in-depth training offered by Hummingbird Monitoring Network (HMN). As a permitted bander under HMN, she leads our hummingbird banding and monitoring project at Page Springs Fish Hatchery in Cornville, near Sedona. Through this project we will gain a deeper understanding of hummingbird populations and migration in this area and contribute to a broader understanding of hummingbird populations in the U.S.
Hilary continues to help the Society in social media, photography, festival operations, public speaking, and a myriad of other venues as needs arise, and we are deeply grateful for everything she contributes. You can see her photography on Instagram at: hummingbirdsofjoy
Lexi Helm
Volunteer Coordinator and Admin Assistant
A long-time resident of the Verde Valley, Lexi plays a vital role in fostering strong volunteer engagement and ensuring smooth administrative operations for the International Hummingbird Society.
Lexi retired from Yavapai College in April 2022 after serving more than 20 years in campus administrative leadership positions. Prior to her career in higher education, Lexi held administrative roles in the hospitality and banking industries, including positions with Enchantment Resort and Wells Fargo Bank (formerly First Interstate Bank). One of her very first jobs involved organizing a large and successful community event in Pasadena, California.
With her extensive background in organizational support and coordination, her local contacts, and her terrific sense of humor, Lexi is a key player in the success of IHS and the Sedona Hummingbird Festival.