Staff and Board
Staff
Administrative Staff
Angela Wacker
Executive Director
angela@paws4ever.org
919.241.8438 ext. 101
Angela joined the Paws4ever team in April of 2026, bringing decades of experience in animal welfare, community engagement, education, and social work. Most recently, she served in a business and development role for a public animal shelter. As she steps into her role as Executive Director, she is excited and honored to be part of such a dedicated cause that creates a positive sanctuary for every pet in their care, while also ensuring the community has access to the food, medical care, and resources needed to keep families together. Her passion for animal welfare extends far beyond her professional life. Over the years, her family has fostered over 130 pets and even raised thousands of tadpoles. At home, Angela shares her life with three “foster-fail” housecats (Fitz, Daisy, and Captain), two outdoor cats (Jack and Benny) that she lovingly helped transition through TNR, and two scruffy senior dogs (Bo and Rudy). When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find Angela in the garden with her pets nearby, listening to true crime podcasts. She also has a soft spot for fascinating animals – ancient marine reptiles, insects, dinosaurs… and possums!
Savanna LaPrad
Development Manager
Savanna loves working with others who are passionate about animal welfare and seeing the positive impact Paws4ever has on both the animals and the community! Before joining Paws4ever’s development team, Savanna worked in veterinary support, adoptions, humane education, animal control, and pet-sitting. When she isn’t at work, she likes to go for walks, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, play Minecraft, and spend time with her fiancé and their six cats, Jack, Houdini, Myrtle, Zara, Ziggy, and Edgar!
Adoption Center – 919.241.8438 ext. 103
Peyton Sykes
Adoption Counselor
Isabella DeSantis
Outreach Coordinator
Isabella brings a diverse background in non-profit leadership, animal welfare, and equestrian pursuits to Paws4ever. She holds a degree in English and Creative Writing from UNC. She began her career in animal welfare as an Animal Care Tech and later served as an Animal Control Officer for Orange County. Her extensive experience includes managing volunteers and instruction at the NC Therapeutic Riding Center as a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, managing a local food pantry, and owning/operating her own horse training and lesson farm in Chapel Hill. She currently manages Dingo Dog Brewing Taproom, a Carrboro non-profit supporting NC animal rescue organizations. Outside of work, Isabella is an avid equestrian competing with her three horses (Peanut, Mezcal, and Moonpie), a vintage jewelry entrepreneur, and an outdoor enthusiast who takes her dog, Salem, on all her adventures—from trail running to kayaking. She is thrilled to bring her skills and passion for animal welfare to the Paws4ever team!
Kimberly Lawson
Foster Coordinator
Kimberly joined the Paws4ever team in April 2026 and quickly found her passion in supporting foster families throughout their journeys. She especially values building meaningful connections with both fosters and animals, allowing her to provide thoughtful, individualized care and guidance. Kimberly brings a wealth of knowledge to Paws4ever with over 22 years of experience in animal care – including zookeeping, training, veterinary technician work, and boarding. She has worked with more than 100 species, with a special love for lemurs, hippos, bears, and giraffes. Her fascination with animal behavior continues to inspire both her professional and personal life. No stranger to rescue work, Kimberly has spent years volunteering through fostering and other efforts. At home, she’s surrounded by animals – three cats (Brenna, Josh, and Bella), a goofy hound-mix named Finley, a cornsnake (Sir Crawley), and a lively fish tank. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys hiking trails that her family has carved out on their property, listening to podcasts and music, and hosting living room dance parties with her kids.
Jennifer Echeverria
Foster Coordinator & Event Coordinator
Jennifer brings with her a strong background in animal welfare, veterinary support, and community engagement. Most recently, she served as a Support Coordinator at Burlington Animal Services, facilitating adoptions, foster pet placements and medical triaging, coordinated public resources, and facilitated education for her community, in both English and Spanish! She has over 10 years experience working as a veterinary receptionist and assistant, most recently at Elon Oaks V.H., but was also fortunate enough to start off with animal care and client education in a retail setting at the age of 18, to cover all the bases! Jennifer loves animals so much that she went vegetarian six years ago, and currently shares her home with her partner Cody (now a steady P4E volunteer!) 5 large rescue dogs, 8 adopted cats ranging from 8 months to 18 years in age, 2 hospice hamsters and an elderly rat.
Destiny Heath
Animal Welfare Specialist
With over four years of hands-on animal care experience, ranging from playgroup pack leading to veterinary clinical care, Destiny brings a compassionate touch and deep expertise to the paws4ever team! Trained in fear-free handling, she is passionate about making every animal feel safe, loved, and comfortable, whether they need a soothing bath, a high-energy play session, or gentle medical care. Destiny is devoted to building strong bonds with both shelter pets and the community members who welcome them home. She is even on the path to becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician!
Sara Myers
Animal Welfare Specialist
Bringing years of veterinary clinical experience and hands-on patient care to paws4ever, Sara is all about keeping our furry friends happy, healthy, and thriving! From administering routine medications and lab work to giving gentle TLC, her background in veterinary hospitals makes her a go-to caregiver for every animal in our care. Sara loves getting to know each rescue pet’s unique personality and ensuring they feel safe, comfy, and loved on their journey to finding a forever home.
Audrey Hinshaw
Animal Welfare Specialist
Audrey’s passion for animal welfare runs deep, from volunteering with local organizations like Paws4Ever and Burlington Animal Services to fostering animals in need (including her foster favorite, Rusty!). Paired with over eight years of experience in business operations, organization, and customer care, Audrey brings both top-notch efficiency and heart to our team. Whether she’s leading care and enrichment routines, supporting community outreach, or giving extra love to our shelter residents, Audrey is dedicated to helping every animal thrive on their journey to finding a forever home.
Sam Barber
Animal Welfare Specialist
With over five years of hands-on experience in animal care and an Associate Degree in Animal Care, Samantha is dedicated to making every rescue animal feel safe, happy, and understood! From interpreting subtle behavioral cues and body language to administering specialized medical care, her keen eye and compassionate approach ensure every shelter resident receives top-tier attention. Samantha loves designing engaging enrichment activities to keep tails wagging and spirits high on their journey to finding forever homes.
Dog Training Program – 919.241.8438 ext. 102
Brian Gibbs, CPDT-KA
Dog Training Instructor
Brian loves to be a part of that moment when dogs and their owners start to understand one another and communicate through fun, positive training. Brian started working with animals as a volunteer in 2018 after the loss of his own beloved dog, Sonny. When Brian isn’t training dogs or working in his other job at Duke University Medical Center in the Radiation Safety Office, he enjoys hiking at parks around the Triangle, collecting comic books, and doing puzzles.
Heather Daniel, CPDT-KA
Dog Training Program Coordinator and Instructor
Heather loves to see partnerships between dogs and people strengthen. She especially enjoys witnessing the joy and pride of that moment when a dog starts to understand what their human is asking them to do. When Heather isn’t at work, she enjoys doing crafts like macramé and plasma cutting, watching horror movies, hosting theme parties with her husband, and traveling. She stays connected to her Scottish roots and attends the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games every year. Heather has a dog named Hornsby, 2 hens, and a rooster!
Read more about Heather’s Dog Training experience.
Kaitlyn Staib
Dog Training Program Instructor
Before officially joining Paws4ever in May 2026, Kaitlyn volunteered with our Dog Training Program, assisting in group classes and gaining hands-on experience with our science-based, positive reinforcement methods. Now a Dog Training Instructor, she finds the most fulfillment in seeing the positive impact of her work on both dogs and their families. Kaitlyn brings a diverse background in animal care, including experience in dog daycare and boarding, kennel work, and certification as an AKC dog groomer. While she hasn’t owned a dog of her own, her passion for them shines through in everything she does. At home, her companion of choice is Bluey, a blue-tongue skink. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with loved ones, creating art, and attending concerts and festivals.
Read more about Kaitlyn’s Dog Training experience.
Renae Reed
Dog Training Program Instructor
Renae joined the Paws4ever Dog Training program in May of 2026, bringing experience as both a professional dog trainer at PetSmart and a pet portrait artist. She is passionate about helping pet parents build strong, harmonious relationships with their dogs and is dedicated to supporting families every step of the way. At home, Renae shares her home with a very lively “animal kingdom” – including her “pocket rottie” Persephone, her German Shepherd/Rottweiler/Pit Bull mix Kirby (Kerberos), two leopard geckos named Valentine and Banshee, a Tokay gecko named Apophis, and a butter morph ball python named Jasper. Outside of dog training, she enjoys drawing and painting, hiking with her dogs, and volunteering at the Conservators Center. Ask her about animal behavior and psychology, animation history, or dogsledding, and you’re sure to see her light up!
Read more about Renae’s Dog Training experience.
ReSale Store – 919.245.0445
Terri Shue
ReSale Store Manager
terri@paws4ever.org
919.241.8438 ext. 107
Terri has a background in animal care, and she started out at Paws4ever as an Animal Care Tech. She loves knowing that she works for an organization that has such a deep passion for animals’ well-being. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and her dogs. She has two beagles, Jake and Piper. Jake loves coming with her to the ReSale Store, and he has his own set of fans. When customers come in, the first thing they say is “Hey Jake!”
Board of Directors
Jill Grant (President)
Sally Schatz (Vice President)
Director of Development, Duke Health (Retired)
Eleanor Armstrong (Treasurer)
Agency Director of Armstrong Homecare
Carla Julian (Secretary)
