Kim Lutey

Volunteer Program Specialist Kim Lutey has always found working with volunteers to be incredibly inspiring. With a diverse background in managing youth volunteer programs in the zoo and wildlife sector, Lutey brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to her role. 

Growing up as the child of U.S. Air Force servicemembers, Lutey moved often (by the time she was in 9th grade, she was in her ninth school) and visited many zoos and aquariums across the country. She graduated with the Class of 2010 at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs and decided to obtain a degree in zoological sciences at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Her first working experience in zoos came during spring and summer breaks from college, when she worked in the education department at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

When Lutey began to apply to zoos for work after college, she discovered Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma and soon fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, moving to the area to work at the zoo in 2015. At Point Defiance, Lutey built her career around conservation engagement and education, working with the public rather than working with animals. She also assisted in managing the youth volunteer program, recruiting and interviewing volunteers, as well as engaging volunteers in ecosystem restoration and developing new volunteer program initiatives.

Year after year, youth volunteers came back to the program and some would transition into internships and eventually paid positions at the zoo, Lutey added.

“I learned so much in that role, including how to manage complicated schedules,” she said. “I already had a passion for working with volunteers, but I learned how big of an impact I could have.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lutey left her work at the zoo, deciding to focus on going back to school for her master’s degree. She also worked as a bartender. After finishing her master’s, from Miami University in Ohio, Lutey decided to expand her job search beyond zoos.

“While the goal was to go back to zoos, the world of zoos and aquariums is very small,” she said. “When I saw the application for Mason Health, I was surprised — I didn’t know hospitals had volunteers. Then I learned about Mason Health’s passion for environmental sustainability. For me, that was non-negotiable. I wanted to work for an organization that cared about those issues. When I saw that, I became really excited.”