Board and Staff

Board of Directors

 

Allan E. Kornberg, M.D., President

Allan E. Kornberg, MD, MBA is a pediatrician who has practiced both primary care and emergency pediatrics. He's served as Vice-Chair and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, at the University of Buffalo, and as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University.  He co-founded a pediatrics practice in Western New York and served as the Chief of Emergency Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo.   He advocated on behalf of survivors of child abuse and sexual assault, and was the co-editor of a textbook 'Child Abuse and Neglect-a Medical Reference,' along with writing peer review articles on child abuse and emergency pediatrics.

Allan served as medical director with managed care organizations, provider institutions, and advocacy groups, frequently focused on population health for the underserved, in Georgia, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  He was the Medicaid Medical Director for Rhode Island, and was Chief Medical Officer and subsequently CEO for Network Health, a managed care organization that serves impoverished families in Massachusetts.

Dr. Kornberg served as the executive director for the United States for World Animal Protection, and as the executive director for Farm Sanctuary, a not-for-profit focused on providing lifetime care for abused farm animals, educating the public, advocating on behalf of better treatment for farm animals, and in the promotion of plant-based diets.

He received his B.S in Biology from MIT, M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and M.B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Kim Haddad, DVM, Vice President

Kim K. Haddad, DVM is a Co-Founder of GFAS and currently works as Medical Director for VCA San Carlos Animal Hospital. She has been providing veterinary medical care for dogs, cats and a wide variety of wild and exotic animals for more than 25 years. Prior to joining VCA, she owned and managed three small animal hospitals and an Emergency Hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as a dog daycare, professional pet grooming salon and boutique for high-quality foods and pet supplies. Dr. Haddad served as Medical Director and provided veterinary care for California native wildlife at Coyote Point Museum, an AZA Accredited facility, and served as a relief veterinarian at the San Francisco Zoo for many years. She also worked as a veterinarian at the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens. Dr. Haddad served as medical director for Another Life for Animals, a domestic dog and cat rescue and shelter organization. She was the founder of the Kimya Institute for Animal Welfare and manager of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, which have both come under the GFAS umbrella.

Dr. Haddad served as an advisor to the American Zoological Association Animal Welfare Committee, and as a member of the Animal Welfare Committee of the American Association of Zoological Veterinarians. She maintains membership in the American Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Medical Association,  the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the American Zoological Association. She currently serves as the GFAS Vice Chair of the Board and Chairs the GFAS Accreditation Committee.

She received her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, San Diego,  her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1997 from the University of Florida, and her Master's in Animal Welfare Science Ethics and Law in 2022 from the university of Winchester, and is a Resident of the American College of Animal Welfare. Dr. Haddad is a San Francisco native and resides in the Bay Area with her four rescued dogs, Finn, Ferb, Max and Goose.

Bill Nimmo, Treasurer

Bill Nimmo is founder and president of Tigers in America. Formed in 2012 to provide transportation, vet care and shelter for unwanted tigers retired from performing, exhibition at roadside zoos, or from owners unable to care for them.

Recently Tigers in America has expanded to rescue or relocate all Big Cats (Lions, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Jaguars and Cheetahs) as well as other predators (Bears and Wolves). To date Tigers in America has helped 450 animals including 325 tigers to find happy and healthy lifetime homes in this country.

Prior to the establishment of Tigers in America, Bill was Managing Director of Smith Barney and a member of the merger team that managed the acquisitions of Salomon Brothers, Shearson Lehman and other securities firms that culminated with the formation of Citigroup where he was Senior Vice President. Bill graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in Electrical Engineering and began his career in California at Vandenburg AFB as a Launch Control Engineer. He moved back east to work on computerized trading for the New York Stock Exchange. He currently resides in New York with his wife Kizmin and three rescued domestic cats.

Daryl Tropea, Secretary

Daryl Tropea first joined the GFAS equine team in 2011. Daryl has had a lifelong interest in all things equine. She completed the University of Guelph's equine science degree with advanced courses in nutrition, physiology and functional anatomy; studied and taught Natural horsemanship techniques; competed on the hunter/jumper circuit with her horses for many years; and helped, as president, a fledgling equine rescue organization become a successful and sustainable resource for at-risk horses. Later interests in health care outcomes research and quality assurance led to her complete a master's degree in education and a Ph.D. in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of Toronto.

 

Wim Dekok, Director

Sue A. Leary, Director

Sue Leary brings extensive experience in management of nonprofit organizations. Since receiving her B.S. in Biology in 1976, her career has focused on coordination of programs and services; education and advocacy; administration and planning; and membership development. Since 1995, she has served as President of both the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) which opposes the use of animals in science, and the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF), which funds and promotes the development of non-animal alternative methods for research, testing and education. Sue is Executive Editor of the AV Magazine and Chair of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), which operates the Leaping Bunny Program (U.S. and Canada.) Sue has served on a number of boards, including Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, Gray Panthers, National Council for Animal Protection, and International Assoc. Against Painful Experiments on Animals. Sue also serves on the Council of Professionals of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA.)

Katie Moore, Director

As IFAW's Program Director-Animal Rescue, Katie is responsible for developing and directing IFAW's animal rescue vision and planning together with the VP of Programs and International Operations, animal rescue team, country offices, and program staff. She identifies, develops and oversees the implementation of strategies to globalize animal rescue programs and establish IFAW as the premier animal rescue and relief organization worldwide.

Before taking on her current role, Katie was the manager of IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research team of six scientists and responders and more than 350 volunteers. Previously, Katie had led the Cape Cod Stranding Network (CCSN), since its inception in 1998 until the organization merged with IFAW in 2007.

Melissa Rubin, Director

Melissa’s involvement in animal protection began when she founded Students for Animal Welfare, the first college animal protection organization at American University. Rubin received her degree in environmental science from American University and obtained her Juris Doctor from the Washington College of Law. She has a certificate in non-profit business and management from Johns Hopkins University.

Melissa worked for thirty years at The Humane Society of the United States, where she served as a Senior Vice President who ran the direct care programs, which included the Animal Rescue, Care, and Sanctuary department, which included the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, Duchess Sanctuary, Rural Area Veterinary Services, Pets for Life, Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge Liberia, and the Global Animal Rescue and Response team.

Melissa currently works at Greater Good Charities, where she heads up the advancement team.  She works to develop and cultivate donor relationships through major gifts and grants.

Staff

 

Executive Director

Valerie Taylor currently serves in the role of Executive Director for the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.  Prior to, and for the past three years, Valerie has managed the GFAS equine and farmed animal programs, as Program Director.

Valerie has spent the majority of her career in the animal welfare and non-profit management fields. Before joining GFAS, she spent time managing Humane Education programs for a local animal shelter, where she presented education and outreach opportunities to over 20,000 people annually.  Valerie also has over 15 years of experience working for, and overseeing, organizations providing Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies. During this time, Valerie was afforded not only hands-on interactions with equines and clients, but also gained valuable skills such as overseeing staff, fundraising and grant writing. In addition, for several years, she served in a volunteer capacity as State Director for an equine rescue in Oklahoma.  Valerie's educational background includes a degree in Equine Studies, as well as two certificates in the Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies field.  She is a life-long horse owner and rider, and believes rescued animals are simply the best! Valerie lives with her family in Wichita, KS.

Program Director - Equine

Traci Hanson joined GFAS in late 2021 as the Program Director for Equine.

During her career, she has had the privilege of caring and advocating for a wide variety of animals including but not limited to horses, exotic cats, primates, native wildlife, and more. Traci has 20+ years of hands-on experience working with domestic and wild animals in rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuary settings. She has served in many different capacities including Volunteer, Animal Caregiver, Wildlife Veterinary Technician, Hospital Manager, Sanctuary Manager and Outreach Coordinator. During that time, she has worked for several GFAS Accredited organizations.

Traci received her B.S. Biology from Baker University where she met her college sweetheart. These days, she enjoys living and adventuring in a 33ft travel trailer along with her family of two rescued cats - Cooper Patches and Fizgig, rescued dog - Klaus (pronounced 'Klouse'), and husband.

Program Director - Farmed Animals

Jessica Harris joined GFAS in 2021 after working in multiple capacities with the Farm and Equine programs since 2019. She is a lifelong animal advocate with over 15 years of experience in the animal welfare and veterinary fields.

Her first shelter experience was at a municipal shelter in the Southeast United States: it forever solidified her dedication to homeless animals and improving their lives. Since then, she has worked in a variety of roles with both municipal and private shelters, including managing a cat shelter in the Greater Boston area, with a particular interest in shelter medicine and effective shelter models. Jess furthered her impact on animals as a veterinary technician for over 12 years in general, specialty, and shelter practices.

Pivoting to the issues facing farmed animals, she spent several years doing grassroots and statewide advocacy with both HSUS and The Humane League. However, her connection to the animals led her to extern and volunteer with both Farm Sanctuary, NY and Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, NC and instilled a deep appreciation for these unique spaces for mutual healing, support, and learning.

Jess holds a BA from North Carolina State University and a MS in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

Program Director - Wildlife

Kristin Leppert joined GFAS early in 2019. Prior to GFAS, Kristin was the campaign director for Save Endangered Animals Oregon - a statewide coalition that successfully banned wildlife trafficking in the state in 2016. She worked in Washington, D.C. for several years where she led the Fur-Free Campaign for The Humane Society of the United States. Kristin directed investigations, influenced fashion design students and secured high-visibility sponsorships at New York Fashion Week. Her investigative research led prominent retailers Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Kenneth Cole to adopt fur-free policies and supported the passage of the Truth in Fur Labeling Act in 2010. She has appeared in national media including The Today Show and Good Morning America. Kristin holds a degree in Political Science from Portland State University.

Operations Director

Robin Mason has been with GFAS since 2010 after previously working as Education and Technology Manager for PetSmart Charities for eight years, and prior to that, worked in Human Resources in municipal government.  While working for PetSmart Charities, she assisted in developing and managing the free online educational program for animal welfare organizations across North America.  Robin has a passion for utilizing technology to assist non-profit organizations in developing efficiencies to assist these organizations in meeting their mission.  She has developed and managed several databases and developed strategies to improve and streamline processes.  Robin's experience also includes reviewing and processing of grant applications.

Robin was also a beta tester for Microsoft software which afforded her the opportunity to meet Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer of Microsoft.  Robin has a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona State University.