The Board of Directors and shelter staff of the Santa Cruz SPCA are an extraordinary team of well-qualified leaders who are commited to excellent animal care and welfare. 

Ali's four-legged family currently includes three cats and one dog, all of whom are--of course--former shelter animals. In her free time, she enjoys photography, road-trips, live music, gardening and spending quality time with her family. Ali is thrilled to join the Santa Cruz SPCA team and looks forward to leading the organization into the future, including the SPCA's new purpose built forever home (expected Spring, 2020)!

Mandi has been a part of the SCSPCA team since 2009. With 17 years of experience working in the animal care industry, she brings an extensive knowledge base related to animal care, medicine, behavior, and training. Along with shelter management, Mandi coordinates many of the organization’s marketing campaigns, social media presence, community engagement, and programming efforts. During her time with the SCSPCA, she has also taken an active role in animal welfare legislation, attending the Humane Society of the United States’ Lobby Day in 2012, and testifying at a Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting to help pass SB 1221, a bill banning the use of hounds for bear and bobcat hunting.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Mandi has lived a life that revolves around animals. She took pride in caring for her childhood dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, and rabbits, and currently enjoys riding her horse Biggs and walking her dog Sage. Mandi has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in PR from California State University at Northridge.

Coming Soon!

 Lynn has managed the SCSPCA’s accounting needs since 2011. A CPA by profession, she works primarily with local non-profits and enjoys her time at the shelter, where she can pair her accounting skills with her love for animals, on any given day gaining a “lap assistant” or a “keyboard helper.” She enjoys playing soccer, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Additionally, Liz volunteers at other shelters in the Monterey Bay and interns for HeartsSpeak; a nonprofit organization that provides animal shelters and rescues the training and resources needed to promote and market their adoptable animals. Liz also holds a certificate from the Karen Pryor Dog Training Academy for completing the Shelter Training and Enrichment course. With a passion for animal behavior and Bully-breed dogs, Liz loves making a difference in the lives of homeless animals!

 Sarah arrived at the Santa Cruz SPCA after relocating from New York City in the summer of 2014.  A lifelong animal advocate and confirmed “Cat Person,” Sarah facilitates adoptions and client relations at the shelter.  In addition, she assists with donor communications and PR for the organization, utilizing her love of creative writing and editing.  While not at the SCSPCA, Sarah teaches chair yoga classes as well as sings, plays mandolin, and performs theatre throughout Santa Cruz.

Coming Soon!

 Shawn officially joined the SCSPCA team in 2012, but she was a valued volunteer even before that. On any given day, you’ll find her at our Capitola Mall Adoption Center and Gift Shop where she serves as supervisor of adoptions, customer service, sales, inventory, and everything else pertaining to that location. Shawn recently graduated from Animal Behavior College for obedience training and is now a certified dog trainer. She assists in our monthly “Ask the Dog Trainer” class and looks forward to developing a more comprehensive SCSPCA training program for the public. When she’s not at work or training dogs, Shawn enjoys hiking and going to the beach with her two border collies.

When she’s not at the SCSPCA, Jordy enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs, Dusty and Honey, as well as their newly adopted kitten, Zelda.

Joe holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is extremely committed to providing the highest quality of care for all animals. When he’s not being paid to cuddle puppies Joe enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and board games.

Teresa has been with the SCSPCA Animal Care and Facilities team since 2019. She's had a life-long love for animals and a professional background in hospitality maintenance -- so why not blend the two! Teresa is passionate about caring for animals and takes pride in the important work she does at the SCSPCA. She grew up around dogs of all sizes, including pit bulls, Ridgebacks, and hounds. She's a proud mother of two (humans) and two dogs and during her free time she enjoys music, family, and friends. 

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