Introduce yourself! What do you like to do in your free time?
As a mom of 2 little boys, the majority of my free time is spent at their sports or spending time together outside as a family. And when I’m not volunteering with DSR, I also volunteer at Roaring Brook Nature Center in their clinic working with injured and/or orphaned wildlife.
What is your role at DSR? What inspired you to join and lead DSR?
What was incredible about accepting the position as Executive Director, was the role only came to be by DSR’s founder Dan McCabe looking at the many hats he was wearing, and splitting them between Hayley and me. Our jobs and responsibilities are so different, but together we really complement each other. We would be lost without Hayley’s leadership and knowledge on the organization’s day to day operations, but her incredible attention to detail allows me to focus on larger scale projects and our community image and impact. Over the past few decades I’ve been fortunate to work with rescues and shelters across the country, and with my family putting down our roots in CT, I am honored to be able to share that experience with DSR.
What values or principles guide your decisions and leadership within the organization?
Transparency, inclusivity and altruism. Too many times I’ve seen individuals in the nonprofit sector, who started out with good intentions, lose their way and allow their arrogance and negativity to take over. We are working with not only animals who have either unknown or dismal backstories, but also each other; individuals with our own pasts who are dedicating their free time to helping animals in need. One of the elements I cherish in volunteer work with animals is how healing it is for the animal as well as the caregiver, so everyone here will always get my full attention, complete honesty, and my zero tolerance for any exclusionary behavior, bullying or disrespect. Every single role, every single volunteer at DSR, no matter what you do, how much time you can give, how long you’ve been here, is just as important and just as valued as the next person.
What challenges have you faced in running the organization? How have you overcome them or turned those challenges into opportunities?
It’s no secret that, like the rest of the country, Connecticut is currently facing an animal crisis. Because DSR helps find homes for dogs who’s origin stories start with our southern partners, we have ended up in the crosshairs of some activist groups. Instead of ignoring the issue, Hayley and I worked together to face it head on creating Connecticut centric initiative and start productive dialogue with those groups, local Animal Control Officers, and other rescues across the state. We want to be able to keep supporting what our mission has been from the beginning, but also become a leader in the rescue community to combat the hurdles other organizations, government officials and individual families are facing when it comes to the welfare of Connecticut dogs.
Can you share a particularly memorable story or experience you’ve had during your time at DSR?
I’m still in my first year here at DSR so every interaction is all still so exciting and memorable, but I think my favorite thing was watching Cheryl and Christine touch down in this teeny tiny plane with the dozens and dozens of dogs they helped rescue from the south. They were so tired, and both emotionally and physically exhausted… but I watched these two women who saved all these dogs from a fate only they truly can understand after seeing it firsthand. I don’t think I had ever been more proud to be part of something than that day.
How do you stay motivated and passionate about the work?
Because it’s not about me. So many people spend their whole lives looking for their purpose or saying one day they’ll give back but never actually get around to it. I get to spend time with so many incredible people saving so many incredible dogs… I’m the lucky one.
What advice would you give to volunteers, especially new volunteers?
It’s cliche, but: “there are no stupid questions”. If you don’t know something: Ask. If you were taught something but forgot: Ask again! If you have an idea or suggestion or anything: Share it! You can always go to your leads, but you can also always come directly to Hayley or me with anything at all. We want everyone to feel included, and heard, and just all around good about the work they’re doing here because everyone really is making a difference.
What are you most looking forward to in the future?
I think I’m most looking forward to being surprised. It never ceases to amaze me how the power of love and the innate urge to do good and give back always finds a way to create change. I think Dog Star Rescue has that ability and is going to make a positive difference in the lives of dogs, people and the entire rescue community in a way we can’t even dream of.
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for taking the time to put this together and thank you to everyone who’s reading it! I’m so proud to be part of this organization with so many amazing people!