Staff

Katherine McGowan Shenar -- President/CEO

Katherine moved to Asheville and joined AHS in January 2008 after working for The Humane Society of the United States. Her primary expertise is in marketing communications and fundraising. She served as Executive Director for two animal welfare organizations in Missouri. Before embarking on her animal welfare career, Katherine held positions with an advertising/public relations agency and a St. Louis newspaper. She also served as an adjunct professor of public relations at Webster University. Katherine holds a Masters of Arts in Media Communications. She is the author of Coalition Building for Animal-Care Organizations, part of The Humane Society of the United States' Shelter Management book series, and has several published articles in Animal Sheltering magazine. Katherine serves on the Best Practices Committee for the National Federation of Humane Societies and is active with the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA). She also serves on the National Advisory Group for PetSmart Charities. She and her husband share their home with three small dogs (Otto, Boo Boo, and Lola), a medium dog (Benjamin), and two kitties (Rory and Celeste) - all shelter pets, of course!  

Jennifer Brehler -- Director of Operations  

Jennifer Brehler joined Asheville Humane Society in July 2008 as the Director of Operations. She currently serves on the Board of the North Carolina Animal Federation (NCAF).  She has over fourteen years of experience working in open admission shelters. Jennifer began her career in animal welfare working for the Michigan Humane Society where she served initially as an Adoption Counselor advancing to shelter management. In 2003 Jennifer left the Michigan Humane Society Detroit Shelter for Durham, North Carolina where she managed the daily operations of the Durham County Animal Shelter through private/public cooperation with Durham County Government and the Animal Protection Society of Durham. She has been instrumental in the smooth transition of both staff and animals during several shelter construction projects, most recently the opening of two new facilities at the Buncombe County Animal Care Campus in Asheville, North Carolina. Jennifer has transitioned staff, volunteers and the community through significant programming changes to greatly reduce the euthanasia of adoptable animals.  Jennifer has a Bachelor’s of Science in Humane Leadership from Duquesne University.

Jim Fulton -- Director of Programs

Originally from Chicago, Jim holds a master’s degree in theatre lighting design from the University of Connecticut and was a professor of theatre design at Rollins College in Orlando, FL. While in Florida he volunteered for the Orlando Humane Society, serving as the volunteer coordinator. After moving to Asheville, Jim volunteered at the Asheville Humane Society and eventually was hired as paid staff, holding the positions of Adoption Counselor, Office Manager, and Assistant Shelter Manger. Jim is a graduate of the Humane Society of the United States “Pets For Life” program and has taught regional workshops on animal behavioral assessments, adoptions programs and reducing animal stress in shelters.

Meghan Jordan -- Director of Development & Community Relations

Meghan Jordan has joined Asheville Humane Society as our new Director of Development & Community Relations. Meghan brings nearly 25 years of public relations and nonprofit experience to her new position. She previously was Director of Communications for The American Chestnut Association, where she was responsible for all media and public relations efforts. Meghan also was Director of Youth and Member Services for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Washington, DC, where she wrote, designed and produced a national award-winning communications portfolio for the association's youth tour. As an events planner for Electronic Data Systems, she planned meetings and special events for corporate officials and visiting members of the U.S. Congress. A life-long animal lover, Meghan graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Communications. She and her family live in Asheville with a pug named Samuel Adams and a spaniel-dachshund-retriever puppy named Sophie, recently adopted from Asheville Humane Society.

Pam Burgess -- Adoption Center Manager

Pam Burgess joined the management team of Asheville Humane Society in September 2010 after spending nearly two years as a foster parent and volunteering with the photography club. Before combining her volunteer passion with her career, Pam spent 37 years in the restaurant industry. Twenty four of those years she spent in management during which time she developed comprehensive training programs and taught new managers. Pam has received numerous awards for excellence in guest services, sanitation, and increased sales profitability during her career. Pam has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Florida. Born in Cincinnati, Pam has spent much of her time in the Midwest and Florida before moving to Asheville in 2003. 

Christine Strickland-- Shelter Operations Manager

Christine joined Asheville Humane Society in September 2008 after moving to Asheville from Central Florida. She brings 4 years of nonprofit, animal welfare experience from the Save the Manatee Club of Maitland, FL, a wildlife conservation organization, where she held positions from membership service representative to membership services department manager. She holds a degree in business, having graduated with high honors and plans on continuing her education to include a degree in the animal welfare field. If you think Christine looks familiar, you've likely seen her behind the front desk at the old shelter. She's proudly served as the Client Services Representative for the last two years at our Lee’s Creek location.

BreeAnn Keogh -- Transfer Coordinator

BreeAnn joined Asheville Humane Society July 2008 from the neighboring county of Transylvania.  She has been volunteering with animal shelters since she was 12 years old. She graduated Brevard High School in 2007 with high honors and briefly attended Warren Wilson where she studied environmental science.  BreeAnn was promoted to Transfer Coordinator in September 2010 and works with Animal Compassion Network and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, as well as other adoption placement partners. BreeAnn also serves as the SAFER assessor and conducts temperament tests for dogs.  She shares her life with a three-legged hound mix(July) and a Chihuahua mix (Little Huey).

Skye Kroman -- Programs Outreach Coordinator

After volunteering with her daughter at the new Animal Care Campus, Skye joined Asheville Humane Society in March 2011. Born in Virginia, she received her Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from the University of Florida and subsequently owned and operated a successful independent automobile dealership in South Florida for 11 years. Four hurricanes prompted relocation to Asheville in 2005, where she has tutored students at Cane Creek Middle School, coached for Girls-On-The-Run, life coached and provided motivational training for adults; all while renovating a log home. She shares her home, and occasionally office space, with Jake , a pit/shepherd mix who loves coming to work and greeting foster parents, as well as two cats and assorted foster kitties.

Miranda Tipton -- Lost & Found Coordinator

Miranda Tipton is a lifelong resident of Asheville. She and her husband, Mark, began their involvement with Asheville Humane Society as foster parents in 2008 and Miranda later joined the staff in 2010 as the Lost and Found Coordinator. Miranda holds an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and is a registered veterinary technician with the state of North Carolina. She currently lives with her husband, four dogs (Izzy, Max, Chelsea and Baiden), three cats (Lily, Tikki and Ninja Kitty) and a rotation of furry foster animals.