CHAIR / FOUNDER

Robin is a recently-retired genetic counselor in hereditary cancer, from the University of California, San Francisco with over 40 years of experience. Much of her career was focused on providing access and resources to underserved individuals affected by cancer. In 2016, Robin founded a non-profit, NOVA12SF, a 12-mile walk across San Francisco highlighting breast health disparities within the city of San Francisco.

DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL OPERATIONS

Olivia spent her childhood attending zoology camp and working at animal shelters. She received her degree in Animal Studies at NYU with a focus on non-human primates, and eventually made her way back to California. For the past four years, Olivia has worked closely with LA’s first rescue cat cafe, and Hello Critter Care, which focuses on bringing the joy of goats to the LA community. She believes animals rescue us as much as we rescue them.

DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Jacob hails from horse country Kentucky, and has always had an unbridled passion for helping others and animals. It was through working with children and building schools in Nicaragua that he found his ambition for nonprofit work, and he is thrilled to take the next steps in making the world a better place with Press Paws. Jacob has seen first-hand how animals can heal emotional pain, and is overjoyed to bring these resources to individuals affected by cancer.

BOARD MEMBER

As a colon and breast cancer survivor, Joyce knows the value of having access to the environment and appreciating life in the present moment. She is a survivor who has been fortunate to connect with the environment while experiencing cancer treatments, chemotherapy, and radiation. Joyce is a Photographer of People and Animals, a UX Design Producer, and a certified SoulCollage® facilitator.

BOARD MEMBER

Elisabeth is a Monty Roberts Certified Instructor, and specializes in non-violent training of horses and the people that handle them. She also works as a trainer at Win Place Home, a non-profit focused on rehoming retired Thoroughbred racehorses. She is honored to be a part of Press Paws and help facilitate healing connections for animals and humans alike.

BOARD MEMBER

Carol is a retired RN who worked at Kaiser Hospital for 30+ years, 15 of those years in Hospice and Palliative care; So she has been steeped in working with those that have a terminal disease, and understands the territory of death and dying. She is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher from Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and a practitioner of SoulCollage®.

TREASURER

Janet is a finance professional with over 40 years of experience working in a variety of fields including hospitality, real estate, and non-profit organizations. Janet moved to Southern California to attend UCLA, but it is her rural Northern California roots that taught her the importance of nature and community. She has lived in Santa Clarita with her husband Steve since 2010 and is overjoyed to have an organization like Press Paws, serving the needs of both people and animals, so close to home.

BOARD SECRETARY

Charlotte is a doctor of physical therapy and currently works as a senior and lead therapist with a focus in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. She is an avid animal lover and is currently working on her certifications to become an animal physical therapist. She believes that our animal friends have a great capacity for healing and wants to be able to provide the same for them.

BOARD MEMBER

Franny is a linguist, researcher, and data scientist with a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from UCLA. In her free time, Franny enjoys running, hiking, seeing live music, and arguing about politics. She is also a pig enthusiast with dreams of someday owning an urban farm. She currently lives in Redondo Beach with her husband, Charlie, and shelterdoodle, Rufus.