Q: How did you get into non-profit work?
I started working right out of school and took classes for nine and a half years before earning my bachelor’s degree in business from Albright College. Most recently, I worked for six years for the Chamber [Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry]. I earned my MBA from Alvernia University in May, while working 60 hours a week, and I’m so glad I did because I wouldn’t have been prepared for my new role without that extra education.
Q: Had you been involved with animal organizations?
I rescued my first dog, Sammy, and discovered a brochure about puppy mills. That changed my life. I became actively involved in advocacy groups against mills, which led to my volunteering at the ARL. Eventually I served for four years on the ARL’s board and learned a lot about non-profit management. I had to resign from the board to complete grad school but continued to help as much as I could. And then, in February, I was named executive director.
Q: So Sammy was first but he’s not the only dog in your house.
Yes, I now have four rescued Shiba Inus, a breed from Japan. Sammy is about 10, and we have our old guy, Saki, who’s 16, as well as 10-year-old females Abbey and Holly. I still foster others as well – all breeds, mostly older dogs – until they find their forever homes. I am proud to have been on the board when the ARL started some of its fostering programs for special needs pets, because some need a little longer to get adopted. We don’t turn any animal away for any reason, so we work with people who foster, with sanctuaries, rescue groups – we will do everything in our power to find the right home for an animal.
Q: I bet there are some tough days at work.
There are. I’ve often cried with people. It can be sad if a pet is sick or injured or dies. But I try to think of the good stories and happy endings, when an old dog finds the perfect home or a sick cat is saved and then adopted. It helps to balance the nature of the work and reminds me – and all our many wonderful, valued, amazing volunteers – of why we do this.
Q: What was your very first pet?
It was probably a cat. I brought so many strays home as a little girl, too many to remember exactly which one. I still love cats, but in a house full of dogs, I can’t have one – but I can visit the gorgeous cat colony at the shelter and get my feline time.
Q: Speaking of time, what do you do in your down time – your favorite human-only activities?
[laughs] Bob and I love to cook and have many dear friends to do things with. We also really like flea markets. Oh, and watching football.
