Debbie McGuire’s life’s work began in a moment of crisis….. standing on the oil-soaked shores of Huntington Beach in 1990, as over 400,000 gallons of crude oil poisoned the ocean and thousands of helpless animals struggled to survive. Where many saw devastation, Debbie saw responsibility. Side by side with volunteers, she combed blackened beaches, gently lifting broken, oil-covered birds from the sand, fighting to give them a second chance. That day didn’t just change the course of her life—it defined it. From that moment forward, Debbie committed herself entirely to the protection, rehabilitation, and survival of wildlife, becoming a relentless force on the frontlines of human-wildlife conflict.

For more than three decades, Debbie has been a pillar of wildlife rescue and education in Southern California. As a founding force behind one of the nation’s leading wildlife rehabilitation centers, and now as Chief Development Officer of the Human Wildlife Coexistence Initiative, she has dedicated her life not only to saving animals—but to teaching humanity how to coexist with them. Highly trained in emergency response, oil spill rescue, and wildlife care, Debbie has stepped into some of the most dangerous and urgent situations imaginable, often entering the “hot zones” where few are willing to go. Yet beyond the certifications and expertise lies something far more powerful—an unshakable compassion and a belief that every life matters. Through tireless work, community building, and education, Debbie has inspired thousands to care, to act, and to see wildlife not as separate from us, but as lives intertwined with our own.

At the Human Wildlife Coexistence Initiative, we are profoundly grateful to have Debbie as a partner in this mission. Her decades of frontline experience, her integrity, and her unwavering dedication to wildlife embody everything we stand for. She is not only a leader—she is a builder, a protector, and a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. With Debbie helping guide our path forward, we are stronger, more capable, and more determined than ever to create a future where people and wildlife don’t just survive—but coexist and thrive together.