PAWS Chicago Development Board members serve as ambassadors to the Chicago community.
They are impassioned animal lovers that are accomplished professionals, representing a broad range of corporate, philanthropic and civic organizations. Board members are engaged in the issue of pet homelessness and committed to helping PAWS Chicago obtain the resources it needs to continue to grow lifesaving programs and ultimately build a No Kill community.
Raising Awareness
Development Board members are true ambassadors of PAWS Chicago and homeless animals, raising awareness in their professional, civic and social circles. They serve as PAWS Chicago representatives at signature events each year, from engaging passers-by at Angels with Tails adoption events each summer to supporting lifesaving adoptions and outreach while volunteering to hosting our most important fundraising events.
Providing Support
The Development Board is charged with providing, facilitating and securing the resources needed to operate PAWS Chicago’s life-saving programs. With continued growth every year, the Development Board’s efforts continue to expand, including:
- Leading two signature fundraising events: the Beach Party in July and the Fur Ball in November
- Contributing and raising funds to support the PAWS Chicago Adoption Centers, the Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic and outreach and education programs
Requirements
All Development Board members are expected to become or solicit event sponsorship, providing annual support that is fully tax deductible and directly supports PAWS Chicago’s operations. Involvement in Board committees and volunteering is encouraged.
Join
New members are accepted on an ongoing basis. To begin the application process, they are asked to submit a resume and a statement of interest. From there, a Development Board or PAWS Chicago representative will meet with the applicant.
If you are interested in joining the PAWS Chicago Development Board, please send an email to developmentboard@pawschicago.org with a resume and statement of interest included.
Development Board Members
Melissa Canning, President
- Carol E. Allerton
- Mitzy L. Applegate
- Sarah Atkinson
- Nancy Aversa
- Suzanne H. Bachman
- Beth Bentley
- Margaret Bentley
- Sharon P. Bergen
- Aileen N. Blackwell
- Lynn Block
- Renata M. Block
- Robert Block
- Benjamin Bornstein
- Barrie L. Brejcha
- Monica Canellis
- Jessica S. Canning
- Melissa Canning
- Linda Carallis
- Morgan Carr
- Hsing Chen
- Renee Chez
- Brittony Croasdell
- Terri D'Ancona
- Jill Dillingham
- Kayleigh Dudevoir
- Michelle Durpetti
- Matthew E. Duvall
- Phillip Emigh
- Laura Epstein
- Paula Fasseas
- Candace F. Fates
- Alex Florea
- Susan Foley
- Virginia L. Follmer-Stafman
- Ashlee Fox
- Megan Francisco
- Susan Frank
- Christopher Frederick
- Wayne R. Gailis
- Kimberly L. Gleeson
- Suzanne A. Glickman
- Christine Gnutek
- Judy Goldberg
- William I. Goldberg
- Paula Goldman
- April Gottesman
- Issac Gottesman
- Alison Victoria Gramenos
- Elly R. Greenspahn
- Whitney Gretz
- Ramona D. Griffin - Kwan
- Bruce Haas
- Margie E. Habermann
- Anna Hagopian
- Julie Hasiba
- Gary Haut
- Lindsay Hawkins
- Beth Hayden
- Jill Helenbrook
- Frances C. Henkel
- Stephanie Henry
- Virginia H. Holden
- Mark Holder
- Kelly Hondru
- Courtney Howell Freeman
- Brook Jay
- Candace Jordan
- Susie L. Karkomi
- Jill Kasza
- Erica Kelly
- Meigan Kelly
- Shanna Khan
- David M. Klaskin
- Paige Krueger
- Ada Kumar
- Roberta G. Kushen
- Claudia Langman
- Lisa Latessa
- Erin Lazarus
- Emily Mackie
- Elaine Markoutsas
- Anita L. Mauro
- Daniel P. Mauro
- Karen McEniry
- Gracie McFadden
- Thomas F. McGuire
- Sarah McNally
- Irene Michaels
- Julie B. Miller
- Michele Mistovich
- Shay Moinuddin
- Sora Monachino
- Robert A. Montgomery
- Rita Moore
- Shaunda Moore
- Lisa E. Mullaney
- Emily K. Mullen
- Daphne Ortiz
- Joe Panarese
- Bridget Penney
- Anne Marie Peretz
- Ashley W. Pettit
- Maggie Pisarczyk
- Samantha Prousis
- Stephanie Prousis
- Nadia M. Quarles, Esq.
- Jenny Kustra-Quinn
- David Rekhson
- Vasoula Rekhson
- Barbara Rinella
- Millie Rosenbloom
- Sharon Rosenthal
- Laura Sachs
- Regina Savage
- Mitch D. Serrano
- Mihir Shah
- Anna Glazer Simon
- Kimberly N. Smith
- Donna Socol
- Nancy Sorvillo
- Patricia S. Spratt
- Bonnie L. Spurlock
- Mika Stambaugh
- Nancy Timmers
- Andrew G. Tobin
- Judith K. Tullman
- Carol Walter
- Lindsay Walter Carlton
- Julie E. Weisler
- Pat Welch
- Ludan Wu
- Christoph Wunn
- Heather Yeager
- Pam Zunker Myerson
*Development Board Members as of February 13, 2026