2022 International Women’s Day Feature
As Ntozake Shange said, Where there is a woman, there is magic. And golly gee, do we have enough women to produce a whole ton of magic here at the Center!
Women make up a majority of our workforce at Helen Woodward Animal Center, holding 84% of the 169 positions here! Females also account for 80% of the management and supervisory roles.
From our Communications Manager to our Adoptions ACT Leads, each woman brings a set of unique skills and talents that continue to amaze us daily. These individual ladies pictured here, in particular, have helped us continue our lifesaving mission and we want to give them a shout-out for being wonder women here at the Center!
Name: Chelsea Camacho
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 9 years
Position: Companion Animal Hospital Manager
Recognized by: Dr. Angela Gaeto
Chelsea has been with the Center going on 9 years and has truly helped grow the hospital immeasurably. Her drive, work ethic and clear passion for animals embody the mission of the Center. We have grown at CAH due to her consistent push to better our protocols, services, and management. She has been a key part of CAH and the growth and development of Pets Without Walls. I am so thankful to have her ideas, positive attitude, and love for both animals and medicine on our team.
Name: MacKenzie Gegenwarth
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 1 year
Position: Lead Animal Care Technician
Recognized by: Hella Tyler
MacKenzie has already made a huge impact with the Center. Her leadership skills and ability to stay positive is valued in our Adoptions department. She demonstrates a level of strength and perseverance that helps her navigate through any situation that is handed to her.
Name: Christina Wells
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 6 years
Position: Education Coordinator
Recognized by: Haylee Blake
Christina maintains a positive attitude regardless of the challenge and works hard in the roles given to her. She is willing to try new things and communicates openly, which makes her a great mentor for staff in the department as well as a dependable resource and pillar of the department. Christina is someone who takes pride in a job well done and always strives to do her best and help others be better too. She is an amazing part of the team and we appreciate the strength, positivity, and attention to detail she brings the Education department every day!
Name: Courtney Mellor
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 6 years
Position: Therapeutic Riding Program Manager
Recognized by: Christen Hanley
Courtney Mellor is very passionate about her career and works to improve the lives of each of her students. Courtney’s enthusiasm is contagious and her love of equines for many types of therapies is evident in any conversation you have with her! Her love of horses and the knowledge she has allows her to give her students increased confidence, strength and improves the quality of their lives in so many ways. Courtney helps students of all ages regularly to have a better life.
Name: Vera Kouprina
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 5 years
Position: Veterinary Assistant in the Equine Hospital
Recognized by: Christen Hanley
Vera is a veterinary assistant in the equine hospital that started her career with Helen Woodward as a volunteer while in High School. Vera was eager to turn 18 so she could begin to work at the hospital. Vera loves horses and is eager to start a career in veterinary medicine after college. Vera is a hard worker and dedicated to her job and her studies. Vera is very detail oriented and organized helping her juggle full time school and a very demanding job with the horses. Vera is always available and helps with lots of colic surgeries in the middle of the night!
Name: Emma Cusack
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 1 year
Position: Adoptions Animal Health Manager
Recognized by: Hella Tyler
Emma is a wonder woman. She is an amazing person with an incredible wealth of knowledge in the field of animal care. She has an unconditional ability to care for so many animals and take on so many tasks. She is a great team leader to our medical staff and never has to be asked to do things as she has an innate ability to know what needs to get done.
Name: Dianne Lefferts
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 1 year
Position: Resale Shop Assistant Manager
Recognized by: Jackie Kelleher
Dianne is a glowing presence on the Center campus and she brings a fresh exuberant energy to Orphaned Objects Designer Resale. Her knowledge of consignment goods and boutique clothing has been helpful in elevating the standards at the shop. Dianne has a huge heart for the animals and her work helps us continue our lifesaving work. For that, we are grateful for her presence!
Name: Fernanda Lopez
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 4 years
Position: PR/Communications Manager
Recognized by: Jessica Gercke
Fernanda is truly a Public Relations dynamo. She is a writer, a spokesperson, an editor, a film crew and a producer all in one. She also has heart which is essential when relaying the incredible stories we see at the Center every day. Fernanda exemplifies the drive, determination, responsibility and kindness you’d hope you find in any employee!
Name: April Betz
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 4 years
Position: Controller
Recognized by: Renee Simmons
April is a fabulous dedicated employee, very detailed oriented, organized, does a great job managing her team, highly accurate in her work. April stays positive, has a good sense of humor, meets deadlines, finds ways to save the Center money by researching exemptions (water bill, property tax).
Name: Kristen Watts
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 7 years
Position: Club Pet Supervisor
Recognized by: Christen Hanley
Kristen has an eager attitude for learning and improving herself and her team. Kristen wants to make Club Pet run smoothly and always arrives ready to work. Kristen has a kind heart and loves all of the dogs and pets who stay at Club Pet. Kristen strives for doing her work correctly and efficiently.
Name: Sarah Burnand
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 1 year
Position: Veterinary Assistant
Recognized by: Hella Tyler
Sarah always has a can-do attitude about her which makes her awesome to be around. She has a very patient way of going about her duties which is critical when working with orphan pets. Her commitment to the pets and her team is outstanding.
Name: Wendy Papera
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 9 years
Position: Director of Human Resources
Recognized by: Dr. Angela Gaeto
Join this incredible team! Search job postings at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
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