Staff

Dr. Laura A. Andersen, DVM -- Veterinarian --

 

 

 

Jennifer Brehler -- Director of Operations -- 

Jennifer came to AHS in July 2008 from the Durham Animal Protection Society.  She brings 10 years of animal sheltering experience and worked previously at the Michigan Humane Society.

 

 

 

Guinn Friedman -- Shelter Manager

- Guinn is originally from RI and graduated from Ithaca College in NY with a BS in Science.  She grew up on a horse farm and started her animal welfare career in 1999 at Animal Advocates, a low-cost spay neuter clinic.  After 3 years of Fundraising, education outreach and vet teching there, she took some time off for travel.  She continued to work on and off as a vet tech for a private Veterinarian. She relocated to Asheville in October 2005  for it's reputation of being an outdoor recreational playground. Now that she's a part of the Asheville Humane Society, she feels right at home.  Guinn is the proud parent of three dogs and one cat, all adopted from shelters.

Jim Fulton -- Volunteer Coordinator -

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, Florida. 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.

 

Leah Kaselak -- Special Events Coordinator - Growing up in a rural Michigan town Leah always had a passion for animals.  She knew she wanted to pursue a career that benefited animals, so she enrolled at Ohio University and graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology.  Leah joined AHS in 2006  is so excited to be working for such a great cause.  Two AHS shelter alumni, Snoop (pictured) and Sammy, make their home with Leah and her husband, Chris.

 

 

Katherine McGowan, CFRE -- Director of Development - Katherine has spent more than a decade in fundraising, marketing communications, and animal welfare management.  She joined AHS in February 2008.  Katherine also works as a consultant for the Animal House Fund in Missouri and The Humane Society of the United States in Washington, D.C.  Before embarking on her animal welfare career in 1996, 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 from Webster University.  She is the author of Coalition Building for Animal-Care Organizations, part of The Humane Society of the United States’ Shelter Management book series. Her animal family includes cats Chloe and Simon, and dogs Otto and Boo Boo (recently adopted from AHS!).

Shelly A. Moore, CAWA -- Executive Director - Shelly joined Asheville Humane Society in February 2001. She brings to the Humane Society nineteen years of animal sheltering and control experience, with emphasis in program development, law enforcement and investigations, and public education. Thirteen of the past nineteen years have been in animal shelter management–nine as Executive Director of a non-profit Humane Society and five years of prior management experience with a large municipal animal control program serving a community of approximately 750,000 residents. Shelly holds a B.A. degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and has completed the Johns Hopkins University / Humane Society of the United States Non-Profit Management Program. She is also a nationally Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. She has extensive specialized training in all areas of animal protection, sheltering, and personnel management. She was instrumental in getting a new state-of-the-art animal shelter built in her previous position. Shelly is also a member of the steering committee for the North Carolina Task Force to Abolish Animal Fighting, and serves on the Education Committee and the Small Animal Committee for the Buncombe County Animal Response Team. Shelly is active in the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators and is on the consulting team for the Humane Society of the United States Animal Services / Shelter Evaluation Program.

 

Carolyn Paden -- Director of Public Relations - Carolyn has worked with non-profits for nearly 20 years. She holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan. Fluent in Spanish and with a diverse work background, Carolyn has worked at every level of non-profit for many great causes, but this is her first opportunity to blend her talents and passion to work on behalf of animals. She joined AHS in 2005.  Puppy, a 5-year old spotty-hound-dog mix, Tucker, a one-year old retriever mix, Bella, a beautiful stray semi-socialized Himalayan kitty, and a flock of chickens now make their home with Carolyn.

 

Troy Salsbury -- Executive Assistant - Troy joined AHS in 2005.  He has held a variety of positions in the US and Europe, in both corporate and academic environments. Supporting the executive functions of the organization, Troy sees his job at Asheville Humane Society as an important element in helping to enrich the lives of the animals in our community.