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 joined the SCSPCA team in November, 2018. Though new to Santa Cruz, Ali has spent the past 24-years working in and with animal shelters; she has been working with companion animals since 1991! Ali has held leadership roles at the East Bay SPCA, at the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga, TN, and she spent more than 10-years at Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV). During her time at HSSV, Ali was a key leader on their Operations Team where she focused on animal behavior and training, but also played cross-functional roles across the organization. Ali feels very fortunate to have been with the organization during their Capital Campaign and to have been a part of the team that moved the operation from their traditional shelter to the state of the art Animal Community Center. Prior to her work at HSSV, Ali received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the UC Davis Animal Science Department where her studies were focused on companion animal welfare and animal shelters.

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.

Brenna has lived in Santa Cruz and worked in animal care, placement, and education at local shelters for more than 20 years. She joined SCSPCA in May of 2006 as the humane educator because she believes education is the most effective way to make a difference for animals and promote a humanely progressive society. Brenna enjoys teaching children and adults compassion and respect for all living things. Her humane education programs teach that even the smallest actions can have big effects, and that responsible choices can improve the lives of animals – both domestic and wild –as well as the people of our community. During the school year, Brenna spends much of her time in classrooms and other education settings, presenting fun, informative, and interactive material to both adolescents and adults. She also directs the SCSPCA Summer and Winter Kids’ Camp and a series of youth volunteer programs.

Brenna lives with an SCSPCA-adopted pug mix named Poe and a rescued blue and gold macaw named Loki. Brenna has a B.A. in marine biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Sydney joined the SCSPCA Humane Education team in April 2018. Her important work involves assisting the humane educator with classroom presentations, directing summer and winter camps, and coordinating various youth volunteer programs.

Sydney graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. As a lifelong lover of animals with a passion for education, she greatly enjoys the chance to teach people of all ages about animals and their needs. In her free time, you can find her vaulting on horses, hanging out at the beach, watching documentaries, or cuddling with her own cat, Wally.

Savannah came on board with SCSPCA in May of 2018. Her position as the Administrative Assistant provides office support to multiple facets of the organization. From clerical work to coordinating events and corresponding with our incredible volunteers, Savannah stays busy!

Savannah graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies. Her lifelong love affair with animals has guided her to the incredible world of animal rescue after spending a number of years in the service industry. Her fondest memories are of volunteering at her hometown animal shelter, maintaining her own dog-walking business while living New Zealand, and caring for the plethora of pets she’s had throughout her life.

Currently, she is wrapped around her mixed-breed pup Ryker’s paw and they love to go on adventures to the beach, dog parks, and along various walking trails!

 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.

Petra joined the SCSPCA in 2018, after seven years of volunteering. During her time as a volunteer, she found herself drawn to working with the more behaviorally challenged dogs, helping them to learn and grown into more adoptable dogs. Petra’s interest in behavior modification led her to an apprenticeship with Mardi Richmond, owner and trainer at Good Dog Santa Cruz, and ultimately to earn her CPDT-KA certification. At the SCSPCA, Petra performs behavior evaluations, works behavior modification plans with shelter dogs while also educating new and existing volunteers on dog handling basics and providing adopters with specialized counseling and behavior assistance. Petra grew up in Germany, moved to the US in 1999 and enjoys spending time with her family and two Miniature Australian Shepherds.

Liz joined the SCSPCA Adoption and Client Services staff in 2018 and is a life long animal lover. She obtained a degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, but her true passion lies in animal welfare. She has a special place in her heart for senior pets and shy animals who take a little more time and love to open up and thrive. Working with the SCSPCA allows her to blend her customer service and animal care skills to help connect our visitors with their future furry family members. In her free time Liz loves to hike and garden, often with her hairless rat tucked in her pocket.

Liz came on board as Adoption and Client Service staff in 2018. While she has a real passion for matching people with shelter pets, Liz also has a background in graphic design, marketing, and photography and enjoys utilizing these skills to help market the animals of the SCSPCA.

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.

 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.

 Ana has been an important part of the SCSPCA’s animal care team since 2012. She works incredibly hard to ensure the health and well-being of each animal that comes through our doors, and she carefully maintains a high level of care throughout their stay. Ana also assists with volunteer orientation and training as well as the management of in-kind donations. When she’s not working hard for the animals, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and watching movies.

Jordy joined the Animal Care team in 2018 after a nine-year career as a certified dog groomer.
She is dedicated to providing a high level of care to the shelter animals on a daily basis and takes pride in the important work she does at the SCSPCA. On top of daily care duties, Jordy is also able to utilize her valuable grooming skills to help animals feel and look their best. Her passion many times extends past working hours; you’ll often find Jordy helping out at our Capitola Mall location even on her days off!

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 joined the SCSPCA Animal Care team in 2017 after serving for many years as a dedicated volunteer. In addition to animal care duties, he maintains our aging facility and manages Heather’s Pet Food Pantry, one of the SCSPCA’s vital community programs. Joe is currently fulfilling a life-long desire to help animals and feels very lucky to be part of such an amazing organization.

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.

 Patricia is the longest-standing staff member at the SCSPCA, having joined the organization in 2005. Thanks to her hard work, our little shelter is cleaned top to bottom every single morning and evening, using best-practice sanitizing protocols and a whole lot of elbow grease. She interacts with every animal with kindness and care as she sanitizes the areas around them in order to prevent disease and create a comfortable and fresh home-like environment. While she’s not keeping things in order at the shelter, Patricia is running her own private cleaning service, entertaining friends and family, and traveling.

 Luisa joined the SCSPCA facilities team in 2015. With a natural desire to clean and organize, Luisa dives into her sanitation duties with vigor. She enjoys creating an environment conducive to the health and happiness of all the shelter guests, and she meticulously delivers just that. In her free time, Luisa enjoys socializing with friends, crocheting, and baking.