Our Staff

Senior Leadership

Without dedicated staff our lifesaving work simply wouldn’t be possible. Meet our compassionate and talented talented leadership team who are hard at work each and every day making Animal Friends’ mission a reality.

Kathleen Beaver, President & CEO of Animal Friends

Kathleen Beaver

President & CEO
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Cindy Cole

Senior Director of Communications
Ann (Ensminger) O’Brien, MS, CAWA

Ann (Ensminger) O’Brien, MS, CAWA

Chief Programs Officer
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Susan Salyads

Chief Development Officer
Katie Vecchi, KPA-CTP, CSAT, LFDM-S/T

Katie Vecchi, MSc, MA, KPA-CTP, CSAT, LFDM-S/T

Chief Shelter Operations Officer

Directors & Managers

Maddie Aicher

Maddie Aicher

Placements Manager
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Bob Amic

Manager of People & Culture
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Stacy Bartlebaugh-Gmys

Volunteer Program Manager
Shalyse

Shalyse Bolash

Intake & Pathways Manager
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Tori Kolodziej, CVT

Director of Clinic Services
Lauren Leffakis, CTC

Lauren Leffakis, CTC

Behavior Manager
Dr. Liz Mulhall, DVM

Dr. Liz Mulhall, DVM

Shelter Medicine Managing Veterinarian
Penny Paich-Caraway

Penny Paich-Caraway

Community Programs Manager
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Tom Snee

Maintenance Coordinator
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Whitney Wagner

Behavior Care Manager
mike warren

Mike Warren

Corporate & Community Partnerships Manager
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Theresa Wilson

Accounting Manager

Testimonials

Audra O.

I volunteer here and the amount of time and care they take with the animals is above and beyond.

Leah C.

We got our baby girl Maya there over a year ago and had a wonderful experience!!! They were friendly and helped us adopt out fun, vocal, sassy, beautiful girl as a member of our family. 

Thomas B.

Absolutely wonderful place. We frequently return for classes and grooming!

J. Els

Awesome staff - they take great care of the animals and go above and beyond for veterans. 

Kerry W.

Such a clean, organized and loving environment! Beautiful campus and very well run organization.