Mer joined the development team at PEER in 2023 as the Institutional Giving Manager. She brings a multi-disciplinary background in science, field research, and business development. Prior to this role, she worked as the Business Intelligence Manager in Corporate Relations at the American Gastroenterological Association. Before joining the nonprofit space, Mer held a series of ornithology field positions with the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Mer holds an MA degree in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a BA degree in biology from Bard College. A lifelong conservationist, she is deeply committed to preserving biodiversity and protecting the environment and public health. In her spare time, Mer is an avid birdwatcher and leads bird walks for several nonprofits in the DC area.