The Team
Our team at Catskill Animal Sanctuary brings tremendous experience, visionary thinking, and a shared commitment to the animals who call this place home.
Nodira Akhmedova, Humane Educator
Nodira joined CAS in 2018 as a Humane Educator, a year after she became vegan. She is passionate about education as a tool for transformation to a kinder and more sustainable world. When not at CAS, Nodira works at the United Nations, and teaches yoga and Middle-Eastern dance. She started baking after becoming vegan, and now is working her way through the Compassionate Cuisine cookbook. While loving all the animal residents at CAS, she shares a special connection with Hermione, the goat.
Mary Anderson, Animal Caregiver
Dominic Armao, Buildings & Grounds Manager
Dominic, Animal Caregiver, joined CAS in October of 2022. He has been vegan since 1999 and is happy to have found a job caring for animals and return to the Mid-Hudson Valley after a long absence.Lauren Barbieri, Associate Director of Education
Lauren Barbieri, Associate Director of Education, first visited the Sanctuary in July 2015. This was also the first time she was able to connect with turkeys, goats, cows and other animals; this transformative experience led her to veganism and, in February 2017, to join the team. Today, with the goal of creating a kinder world for all beings, Lauren helps kids of all ages tap into their innate senses of compassion, fairness and justice.Camryn Beck, Marketing & Communications Associate
Camryn, Marketing & Communications Associate, has been involved with CAS since 2021, initially joining the organization as a member of the Humane Education department. They have utilized their skillsets in communications/writing, public speaking, and technology to elevate both our Communications & Education departments, having worn many hats over the years. You may find her replying to social media comments one day, and out giving a tour of the Sanctuary the next day! Camryn has been a lifelong animal advocate and a devoted vegan of nearly 10 years. Dedicated to fighting for the rights of all living beings, Camryn prides themselves on bringing positivity, compassion, and an uplifting spirit to all their advocacy work. Outside of CAS, Camryn enjoys writing plays and making art with her best friends, as well as spending time with her fiancé and their rescued animals: 1 dog (Scout) and 2 cats (Kitty and Yuki).Sarah Beth, Tours Manager
Sarah Beth joined CAS as a Tour Guide & Greeter in 2022 after volunteering with animal care since 2017. In May of 2023, she started full time as a Humane Educator and Merchandise Specialist, but is now our Tours Manager. Sarah became a vegetarian in the summer of 2016 (starting with educating others about the horse racing industry). After visiting her first farm sanctuary (CAS), she made an instant connection with Amos the cow—who stole her heart while giving her a big kiss on the cheek. She was a vegan within a few months of this visit. CAS's approach to educating others in a kind manner kept bringing her back and she is honored to help facilitate new human-animal relationships every weekend.Tasha Davis, Humane Educator
Alison Delaney, Humane Educator
Alison, Humane Educator, has started her first year at Catskill Animal Sanctuary in 2025. Alison has been a tour guide previously at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY. She has been a proud vegan and animal advocate for over 5 years and wants to get involved in any way she can! Outside of CAS, she volunteers both at Farm Sanctuary for their events and volunteers every week at Wildlife Freedom Foundation in NYC. Alison is also a trained actor and based in NYC so she can give you some good recommendations for vegan spots! A special shout out to her gorgeous cat at home, Willow.Sarah Fucci, Animal Caregiver
Jacob Goings, Sr. Director of Development & Communications
Jacob, Sr. Director of Development & Communications, brings a deep commitment to compassion and justice to his work at Catskill Animal Sanctuary. With a background in nonprofit leadership, he’s spent 20 years supporting vulnerable communities including children with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and senior animals, with a belief in every being’s right to safety and care. His work in nonprofit development has raised millions in support of life-saving programs. He was drawn to CAS’s mission of rescue and advocacy by a lifelong love for animals and a passion for building a more compassionate world. When not at the Sanctuary, you’ll likely find him at home with his two beloved Yorkie-Chihuahua mixes, Roxas and Riku, who bring equal parts joy and chaos to his daily life.Megan Graham, Humane Educator
Megan, Humane Educator, was born an animal lover and chose to go vegetarian at the young age of four! Her family thought it was just a phase, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. At twenty, she made the connection between her vegetarianism and the horrors of the dairy industry, and she’s been vegan ever since. She is deeply passionate about animal rights, educating others about factory farming, and raising awareness of the link between meat, dairy, and the climate crisis. When Megan isn’t at CAS, she works as a documentary film producer with PBS and is also a yoga teacher.Wendy Haberman, Humane Educator
Wendy joined CAS as a Humane Educator in 2021 after working as a physical therapist for 20+ years and raising 2 amazing children. At the age of 11, while living on a horse farm, she raised a gorgeous and loving little Jersey calf named Bonco, which lead to her being vegetarian for most of her adult life. Wendy has been vegan since 2017 and loves to help others onto that path as a health coach and a lover of all animals. When not leading tours at CAS, she loves to hike and kayak. She shares her home with Molly, a 16 year old dog rescued from Puerto Rico, and Thistle, a loving and very large “shoulder cat”. Sharing animal rescue stories with visitors as they meet the animals face to face – and then seeing the lights come on in their eyes – is one of Wendy’s greatest joys.Lauren Hart, Marketing & Communications Manager
Jiji Higgs, Tours Greeter
Jiji is excited to start her first year at Catskill Animal Sanctuary! She is a student at SUNY New Paltz and the manager of their men’s basketball team. Passionate about sports and animals, she also volunteers with the Dutchess SPCA. Outside of CAS, Jiji loves exploring Vegan and Asian cuisine and at home, she gets plenty of love from her two boys, Cannoli and Tiramisu!Michelle Hodge, Director of Public Engagement & Events
Michelle Hodge, Director of Public Engagement & Events, has been an animal lover since early childhood and vegan for nearly two decades. Michelle believes that being true to yourself and living your best life, while sharing with others, connects us to each other in a compassionate, meaningful way. For Michelle, there's nothing more rewarding than meeting fellow animal lovers, sharing stories with guests from all over the world, and connecting with folks as everyone enjoys a home cooked vegan meal. She brings this energy to our organization each day and welcomes every guest with compassion and kindness.Sophie Hoinoski, Healthcare Lead
Sophie, Healthcare Lead, joined the CAS family in December of 2022. She has been an animal lover since day one and working to heal animals, both physically and emotionally, to be her true calling in life. She has worked in veterinary hospitals with dogs and cats, interned at an avian wildlife hospital, and volunteered at a pig sanctuary. Working at CAS has been an entirely new and exciting experience for her and an absolute privilege getting to know and love all the unique animals that call the sanctuary home.Camrine Howell, Animal Caregiver
Camrine, Animal Caregiver, has spent most of her life around animals and it shows in her interactions with them. Camrine loves working with chickens, and when she was younger, she and her younger sister would sneak their favorites into the house to play dress up with them. Camrine's love for animals and taking care of them is what led her to CAS. She's looking forward to learning more about animal care and having some great experiences!Nicole Hunt, Business & Finance Manager
Bari Johnson, Animal Caregiver
During Bari's freshman year in college back in 2007, her class was visited by animal rights activist, Gary Yourofsky. His educational talk and the video he shot and made himself of the conditions of factory farms completely inspired her to change her life. Bari went fully vegan the first day of 2008, and shortly after switched career paths from chemistry to animal rights philosophy.
After working as a paralegal for about six years, Bari discovered the beauty and sanctity of farm sanctuaries. In 2024, she moved to Kingston, NY where she was determined to work and volunteer on a farm sanctuary. She interned at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary which helped her understand how the work filled her soul. From there, she became an Animal Caregiver at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, providing her the path that she was always dreaming of, tending to rescued farm animals and practicing the compassion she craves to see in others.
Lesley Johnson, Grants & Development Specialist
Working as the Grants Specialist & Analyst at Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a dream come true for Lesley, who enjoys using her writing and research skills to help the most exploited animals on our planet. She is deeply passionate about this cause, as well as rescuing and caring for cats, and folding animal care laundry with a precision that has earned her the awe and admiration of her colleagues. Lesley's favorite Sanctuary resident to introduce to visitors is Bruce the Duck, who rivals any seasoned lap cat with the duration of his lap-time visits.
Isa Jones, Healthcare Lead
Healthcare Lead, Isa started working at CAS in October of 2021 as an animal healthcare assistant. They have some experience with exotic animals including reptiles, small mammals, and birds of prey, but are fairly new to caring for farmed animals. Their experience in human healthcare has been a huge help with their role at CAS. In their free time, Isa is an avid birder, enjoys taking care of their myriad of house plants and giving the best life possible to their three guinea pigs. Isa lives in Kingston with their partner Liam.Emelia Kern, Animal Caregiver
Ana Kuprava, Humane Educator
Humane EducatorAndie Langlois, Animal Caregiver
Andie Langlois, Animal Caregiver, has just started her journey at CAS this past August after a 5 year run at a local horse barn. She has worked with horses her entire adult life and as a little girl wanted to be a veterinarian. Andie grew up riding and taking care of horses, raising chickens, and befriending cows. She has always been passionate about animals and animal rights. Andie is going back to school to study anthropology and environmental science in hopes to continue her work with animals and conservation. You can find Andie cuddling some sheep, joking with the Farrier, and rubbing some pig bellies. She is a wonderful new addition to CAS!Sam Moon, Executive Director
Sam Moon (they/them), Executive Director, brings a compassionate, collaborative approach to non-profit leadership, with over 15 years of experience guiding mission-driven organization’s operations, development, and expansion in this complex landscape of uncertain times. They have dedicated their career to building a more just and equitable world, with a professional history that spans from animal rights advocacy to environmental and social justice. Prior to CAS, Sam served as a Managing Director for a nonprofit focused on environmental and economic systems change. They have also previously held transformative leadership roles at Animal Outlook, an animal advocacy organization, and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at the NYU School of Law. Sam holds an MBA from Montclair State University, a B.S. in Management from Northeastern University, and certifications in nonprofit management and program management. Sam’s dedication to these causes extends far beyond their professional roles. Their dedication to animal rights is lifelong, with years of personal commitment to vegan living, animal rescue, and foster work. Their tireless pursuit of environmental and social justice is a daily practice. Sam is excited to bring their vision of a more compassionate world to Catskill Animal Sanctuary. They promise to lead with presence and connection, whether that’s by rolling up their sleeves in the barn, working side by side with staff, or helping shape how the sanctuary shares the remarkable journeys of its animals with the world.Annie Motter, Healthcare Advisor
Animal Healthcare Support Annie has been putting her love of animals into practice since becoming a vegetarian at the age of 5. Her final step towards veganism was inevitable when she started as an intern at CAS in 2016. From intern to animal caregiver to healthcare manager to animal care director, Annie always seems to find herself drawn back to the incredible people, animals, and message that CAS represents. The welfare of humans, animals, and the planet we share is inextricably linked -- Annie is excited to help work towards a future where all three are equally important.Lauren Rich, Humane Educator
Lauren, Humane Educator, fell in love with the sanctuary the moment she spotted a group of sheep basking in the sunshine. Carefree, they lay scattered on the hill by the road leading to the welcome hut. Seeing this reinforced her long-held belief that all animals deserve to be this happy. Less than a year later, Lauren joined the Humane Education team to do her part in making the world a better place for animals. Prior to this first sanctuary visit, Lauren transitioned to Vegan after seeing the documentary, Earthlings, in 2017. When she’s not at the sanctuary, Lauren enjoys hiking, power yoga, tennis and snuggles with her rescue dog, Hope.Andrew Sior, Animal Caregiver
Megan Sisti, Animal Care Manager
Megan joined the CAS team in July 2022 as an Animal Caregiver and is now the Animal Care Manager. Growing up she has always had a love for animals, to the point where she has always dreamed of working with them when she grew up. As a kid she never thought this could be achievable, until she went to college and decided to pursue her childhood dream of working with animals. Megan is proud to say that she made her dream into a reality, and is thrilled to be on a team that puts compassion for all species above all else. Her favorite part of working with animals is getting to know their unique personalities! When Megan is not at CAS you can find her with friends playing board games, swimming, or hiking, as she loves being outside in nature.Rebecca Shaw, Sr. Development Associate
Rebecca Shaw, Senior Development Associate, first began her journey with CAS in 2011 as a Camp Kindness attendee. She immediately fell in love with all of the animal residents, including beloved Rambo and Tucker, and started advocating for animal rights. She rejoined the Sanctuary’s team in 2022 as an Animal Care volunteer and Communications Intern, and shortly after accepted her current position - offering aid to donors and sponsors. She is excited to continue her work fighting for animal rights and promoting a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle. When she is not at the Sanctuary, you can usually find her snuggling with her dog, Cooper.Sam Spione, Animal Caregiver
Kathy Stevens, Founder
Kathy Stevens, Founder, views the Sanctuary as the embodiment of her two greatest passions: animals and teaching. While Kathy speaks, writes and raises money in support of our work, her greatest joy is in connecting good-hearted people with the animals we love, then stepping back to watch as the animals work their magic and change human lives. Her second greatest joy? Kissing pigs.Aidan Wellstood, Barn Assistant
The Board of Directors
The Catskill Animal Sanctuary’s Board of Directors hail from diverse backgrounds and organizations, bringing an inclusive range of knowledge, perspective and experience to guide and drive long-term planning to the sanctuary.
