PHILADOPTABLES - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Marketing Director
• Member of the Board of Directors

From rescuing injured birds to picking up loose dogs, Ali has, for as far back as she can remember, felt an attachment to all living creatures, and a deep need to protect them. She adopted her pit-bull terrier mix Daphne in 2013 from a North Carolina shelter and "failed" at fostering her dog Marni in March 2017, adding another to her pack. She has a soft spot for pit bull-type dogs, as these tend to flood open-intake shelters; and she focuses her life-saving efforts on those that are time-stamped for euthanasia at ACCT Philly. In 2015, Ali started volunteering for Philadoptables, managing its Instagram account and helping with other communications needs. Her marketing and networking skills have been instrumental in growing the organization and awareness generally of the many, many ways people can help homeless animals. In her spare time, Ali enjoys creative projects, hiking, golf, snowboarding and all outdoor activities involving dogs.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of the Board of Directors

Diana grew up with dogs and cats and has always loved animals! She started volunteering at ACCT in 2012. Diana assists with planning fundraisers for Philadoptables and networking with other rescue groups. One of Diana's main passions is for helping community cats. Community cats are stray cats that live outside. Diana assists with trapping these cats and getting them spayed and neutered so they are not contributing to the overpopulation of homeless animals. Diana lives in Allentown PA with her adorable lab mix pup Lilly and cat Nemo. Diana also fosters kittens and cats through a rescue in the Lehigh Valley. She graduated from West Chester University in 2005 and works as an underwriter for an insurance company.

Job Titles:

• Director of Development
• Member of the Board of Directors

Hannah is a dedicated advocate for animal welfare with over ten years of expertise in the non-profit sector. Simply put, Hannah's life work, passion, love, and sacred space is animals. Her journey to serve animals began at a very young age with influence from her beloved grandmother, Cheryl, who helped instill a lifelong commitment to animal rescue. Hannah's background includes operational strategy, development, marketing, graphic design, and broad-based non-profit management. Hannah works for Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national non-profit working to end the killing of animals in shelters by 2025. In her spare time, Hannah finds solace in reading, nurtures her passion for plants, and values quality time with her family. Hannah is Philadoptables' first remote Board Member, residing in Colorado alongside her husband, Lucas, and their three dogs - Otto, Nyx, and Bella.

Job Titles:

• Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Kim has loved animals as long as she can remember. She was raised in a house that always had dogs and cats, and trips to the local SPCA to "just visit" were a frequent occuence. In 4th grade she raised a baby raccoon for six months after the raccoon's mother was hit by a car. By the time she was in 6th grade she had 2 gerbils, 2 hamsters, 2 parakeets, 2 zebra finches, and 2 African tree frogs all living in her room. In 2014 she started fostering and volunteering for Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue. Over the past several years she has volunteered with other rescue organizations (and Philadoptables!) by fostering, transporting, raising money, and providing accounting assistance. Kim's favorite type of dogs are big dogs with big block heads; the true Philly Underdog. Kim lives in Springfield Delaware County with her son Garrett and her rescue dog Lily. She graduated with an Accounting degree from Old Dominion University; where she also played lacrosse. In her spare time Kim enjoys gardening and the beach, and is a member of the sailing crew on the Kalmar Nyckel, the tall ship of Delaware.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Member of the Board of Directors
• President
• Philadoptables' President and Founding Member

Philadoptables' President and founding member Michelle Helms began volunteering with Philadelphia's homeless animals in 2007. At that time, most of the dogs and cats that entered the open-intake animal shelter did not leave alive. She recognized a great need, and founded Philadoptables in an effort to save more lives. She focuses on increasing adoptions, socializing animals and recruiting volunteers. Her goal is the transform the way animals are viewed in society: As valued companions, and beings worthy of kindness, respect and care. Michelle and her husband Dave live in Bucks County and share their home with their many rescued senior dogs. Michelle is an HR professional and a Cum Laude Temple University graduate.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Director of Outreach

In 2015, after her experience fostering and adopting a stray dog, Sandy realized the dire need for more animal rescue volunteers and advocates. She began volunteering with Tiny Paws Rescue and ACCT Philly. In 2017, she joined the Board of Philadoptables serving as treasurer and now focusing on fundraising and outreach. Sandy is a business consultant for Wells Fargo, where she is also a board member for the Pennsylvania and Delaware volunteer chapter and employee resource network and was also recognized as volunteer of the year. Sandy lives in Philly with her husband Sean, has two daughters and four rescued dogs, 2 of which were ACCT Philly shelter dogs. She also enjoys volunteering and supporting other non-profit organizations such as Caring for Friends, Women Against Abuse, as well as many local rescues.