Josh Kruk (Chair) 
Bank of Burlington

Josh has spent the last 25 years in the financial services industry. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Bank of Burlington. This is his second stint on the HSCC Board, and he has been a proud supporter since the early 2000s. Josh is a graduate of the University of Vermont and also serves on the boards of Kayla’s Directory and the CFA Society of Vermont. He lives in Shelburne with his wife Sara and his two daughters, Kelcie and Kayla. Over the years, they have rescued three basset hounds and two Saint Bernards.

Jennifer Meyer (Treasurer)
Oxfam America

Jennifer joined the HSCC Board in January 2024 bringing over 15 years of experience in leading and managing financial operations for private companies and non-profit organizations. Jennifer is currently the Director of Accounting & Finance at Oxfam America, an organization working globally to fight inequality to end poverty and injustice.  Jennifer has worked and volunteered for multiple local and national non-profit organizations including Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington.

Jennifer is passionate about supporting the mission and vision of non-profit organizations that make a positive impact on our local community. As a life-long dog lover and owner to multiple rescues over the years, Jennifer is excited to contribute to the HSCC mission and help steward the organization. Jennifer lives in South Burlington with her husband Tim, two boys Cole & Henry, and two special fur babies Jolene and EmmyLou.

Sarah Grunwell (Secretary)

Sarah works as a special education teacher and is passionate about teaching students with learning differences to read. Sarah grew up in Montreal and at her 6th grade graduation won an award "for her love of nature and animals". This love of animals has stuck with Sarah throughout her life. In 2018, Sarah rescued her first feral kitten family and fell in love with fostering and providing help to animals in need. Sarah continues to foster kittens, volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator assistant and takes care of her own 2 dogs, 3 cats and 2 guinea pigs. 

Sarah Lenes
University of Vermont Foundation

Sarah is the Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations at the University of Vermont Foundation and currently leads staff and program efforts of the UVM Alumni Association. She oversees a team of six professionals and a volunteer network of more than 1,200 alumni, students, and friends to foster lifelong relationships with alumni and the University.

Sarah has worked for more than 15 years in higher education and has experience in volunteer management, communication, program management, and alumni relations activities. She is a firm believer that relationships matter in all angles of her work at UVM and beyond.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science from Wheaton College in 2005 and a Master’s in Education from UVM in 2010. She currently lives in South Burlington, Vermont, with her yellow lab, Salty.

Kristina Madarang
Animals Vermont

Kristina Madarang has spent 2 decades working with domestic and wild animals in Kosovo, the Philippines, Guam, DC, Maryland, Vermont, and Montana. She opened Queen City Cat Lounge (a clean, relaxing place to hang out with cats waiting for homes) in 2024. She serves on the board of Wild in Vermont (VT’s wildlife rehabilitation organization), and on the advisory council of the Bear Care Group (the global consortium of bear biologists & zoologists). Kristina guest lectures for the University of Vermont’s Animal Sciences courses. In her spare time, she is usually singing lead vocals for two bands, working out at the Pure Barre studio, or spending quality time with her beloved dog (Jackie), step-cat (Mini), godson (Koda), and newest family member, Geralt the betta fish.

Natalie Mazzuca  
Brumaire Consulting LLC

Natalie Mazzuca is an operations executive in Burlington. Originally from Chicago, she has been a volunteer with a Midwest beagle rescue organization for about 20 years, educating hundreds of adopters about beagles and assisting them through the adoption process. Since moving to Vermont, she has been volunteering with her local VDART team, helping aid and prepare our local communities to respond to animal needs in the event of a disaster. Natalie is excited to be a part of the HSCC and its mission to not only rehome animals in need but also educate and support pet owners to prevent animal homelessness. 

Wil Nelms
University of Vermont Foundation 

Wil Nelms has served as the Executive Director of Annual Giving at the University of Vermont Foundation since June 2023. In this role, he leads the central Annual Giving team, focusing on fundraising for university-wide initiatives and supporting units across UVM in their annual giving efforts.

Wil has a long history of advocating for homeless pets, beginning with his first job out of college at his hometown humane organization, the Richmond SPCA in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked as a volunteer coordinator and adoption counselor. After moving to Vermont in 2021, he was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this rewarding work in a new capacity as a member of HSCC’s Board of Directors.

He lives in Winooski, Vermont with his wife and their four rescue pets — including their cat Todd, an HSCC alum.

Gina Puls

Gina is a litigation attorney at Downs Rachlin Martin in Burlington, and she joined the HSCC Board in January 2025. Gina grew up in Bristol, Vermont surrounded by many pets, including dogs, cats, horses, fish, and guinea pigs. Gina adopted her rescue dog Penny in 2024, which led to her interest in becoming involved with HSCC. Gina is looking forward to supporting HSCC in all of the incredible work they do for our community.

Parker Riehle

Parker comes to the HSCC Board with over 25 years representing the ski industry and outdoor recreation sectors with the Vermont Legislature and the media. Parker has extensive experience with non-profit boards, including the Vermont Ski Areas Association, the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum and Green Up Vermont, and he is Vice Chair of the Act 250 District 4 Environmental Commission. Parker lives in his hometown of South Burlington with his wife Deidre and their cat Moonpie (pictured here when Parker adopted her on his first day as a Board member).

Catherine Stanger, Ph.D.
Dartmouth College

Cathy is a Professor in the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health at Dartmouth College. She is a clinical psychologist and researcher focused on health behavior change.  She has rescued and fostered too many cats and kittens to count over the past 40 years and counting – and currently fosters for HSCC. She is the proud mother of three terrific young adult children, Sarah, Charlie, and Kate, and lives with her husband, Alan, in Charlotte. The current animal census at their home stands at two dogs, Belle and Paul (rescue), plus four foster failure cats, Monsieur, Delores, Shadow, and Hiccup (our most recent addition, featured with his favorite lady in the photo). She is thrilled to support the HSCC in their mission to care for and find loving homes for all animals in need.

Kaomi Joy Taylor 
Museum of Names

Kaomi Joy Taylor is the Founder and Chief Namiac at the Museum of Names. She previously served as Executive Director of the Governor's Institutes of Vermont for eleven years and adjunct professor at Champlain and St. Michael's College for nine, and now provides training and strategic consulting for UVM and other nonprofits. Kaomi earned her bachelor's degree at Middlebury College and a Masters degree in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is a lifelong animal lover who was instrumental in reopening Franklin County Animal Rescue and credits HSCC for uniting her with many beloved furry friends over the years, most recently Sasha (pictured with her small friend Luke). 

Christi Wojewoda, M.D.
University of Vermont Medical Center

Christi Wojewoda is a pathologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center where she runs the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. After a year of COVID-19 stress, she wanted to donate her time to a wonderful cause and was lucky enough to find HSCC. She has had pets her whole life - mainly dogs, but also cats, hermit crabs, and fish. Christi and her husband Kendall moved to Vermont in 2012 and live in Essex with their 2 rescued Weimaraners, Cosmo and Smuckers.