The Pawsitive Alliance Advisory Council provides expertise and assistance to further the programs and goals related to adoption, spay/neuter and pet retention. Advisory Board members represent the fields of animal welfare and adoption; veterinary medicine; behavioral training; marketing, fundraising and development; communications; and other relevant fields.
Amy Ferguson, Executive Director Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project
Amy has been in animal welfare for 10 years in various roles. She is the former president and executive director of ARF of Everett, and was also the executive director of Pawsitive Alliance before stepping into her current role as Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project's executive director. Amy also serves on the board of directors for Save A Mutt and is a foster mom to kittens from the Everett Animal Shelter. She is very passionate about shelter animals and working with animal welfare organizations to support the animals in their community.
Robin Grannell, CEO of Canine Behavior Center, Inc.
Robin has over 20 years of experience as a trainer and canine behaviorist. In addition to obedience training, she provides agility training, seminars, and other services, including boarding and daycare. Robin is a long-time sponsor and supporter of Pawsitive Alliance, and is helping us to improve our programs on pet retention by providing support and resources to our adopters.
Rachel Lazar, Founder, Lazar Marketing Consulting
Rachel has over 16 years of experience in digital marketing, with business experience from organizations such as Amazon, RealNetworks and DoubleDown Interactive. Lazar Marketing Consulting works with startups in the gaming, education, financial services and other business categories. Rachel’s passion is animal welfare and she served on the Board of Directors at Homeward Adoption Center for a number of years.
Andrea McFadden, Principal, Andrea McFadden & Associates
Andrea is a venture fund manager and consultant/entrepreneur, providing expertise on change, growth and market strategies. Andrea has been an active supporter of Pawsitive Alliance since she moved to Seattle from Philadelphia in 2007.
Kelly McGourty, former Pawsitive Alliance Secretary
Kelly found Pawsitive Alliance through her work with Clancy's Pad, an organization she started in memory of her beloved Clancy to help people help their pets, and has been an enthusiastic volunteer ever since. With a background in environmental science and regional planning, she uses her organizational skills and passion for community service to help advance the mission of Pawsitive Alliance and make a difference, one pet at a time.
Denise Melton, former Pawsitive Alliance Programs and Events Coordinator
Denise was a valued member of the Pawsitive Alliance team for many years, prior to her departure in 2014, to pursue new interests and focus on her family. Her background is of invaluable assistance to the Advisory Council.
Vaughn Merry, former Executive Director, Yakima Humane Society
Vaughn served in many roles during his 15 years at the Yakima Humane Society, including most recently as their Executive Director. Vaughn helped grow and implement YHS's mission to end animal suffering and cruelty, reduce animal overpopulation and educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
Yolanda Morris, co-founder and former Pawsitive Alliance President
Yolanda was driven to start Pawsitive Alliance to stop the tide of the thousands of cats and dogs who become homeless each year. Yolanda grew up on a small farm in Selah, Washington, with a house full of animals. Yolanda was the recipient of the In Defense of Animals Guardian Award and rescued her first animal, a pregnant cat, when she was five -- and has never stopped helping animals in need since that time. Yolanda is the auntie to several humans and animals.
Kelley Parsons, former Manager, Denny's Pet World
Kelley is a long time homeless animal advocate and supporter of Pawsitive Alliance. She has helped many animals find their forever homes through her leadership in Pawsitive Alliance's signature adoption event, Bow Wow Meow Luau, held formerly at Denny's Pet World. Kelley and her husband are huge Mariner's fans, so when she isn't helping people and their pets, she is heading to the ball game.
Steve Siadek, former CEO, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Steve is an entrepreneurial executive with a strong track record of achieving results at established public companies and early-stage start-ups in the technology, retail, and insurance industries. He co-founded Healthy Paws Pet Insurance in 2009 and, as COO, led customer acquisition, consumer marketing, strategic business planning and technology development of a customized pet health insurance platform. Steve's background includes leadership roles in large, successful companies such as Microsoft, Sprint, and Starbucks and also early-stage start-ups including Qpass/Amdocs, as well as animal rescue. He has a broad range of experience across a variety of initiatives including consumer product launches, digital commerce, strategic partnerships, and technology development.
Amy Ferguson, Executive Director Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project
Amy has been in animal welfare for 10 years in various roles. She is the former president and executive director of ARF of Everett, and was also the executive director of Pawsitive Alliance before stepping into her current role as Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project's executive director. Amy also serves on the board of directors for Save A Mutt and is a foster mom to kittens from the Everett Animal Shelter. She is very passionate about shelter animals and working with animal welfare organizations to support the animals in their community.
Robin Grannell, CEO of Canine Behavior Center, Inc.
Robin has over 20 years of experience as a trainer and canine behaviorist. In addition to obedience training, she provides agility training, seminars, and other services, including boarding and daycare. Robin is a long-time sponsor and supporter of Pawsitive Alliance, and is helping us to improve our programs on pet retention by providing support and resources to our adopters.
Rachel Lazar, Founder, Lazar Marketing Consulting
Rachel has over 16 years of experience in digital marketing, with business experience from organizations such as Amazon, RealNetworks and DoubleDown Interactive. Lazar Marketing Consulting works with startups in the gaming, education, financial services and other business categories. Rachel’s passion is animal welfare and she served on the Board of Directors at Homeward Adoption Center for a number of years.
Andrea McFadden, Principal, Andrea McFadden & Associates
Andrea is a venture fund manager and consultant/entrepreneur, providing expertise on change, growth and market strategies. Andrea has been an active supporter of Pawsitive Alliance since she moved to Seattle from Philadelphia in 2007.
Kelly McGourty, former Pawsitive Alliance Secretary
Kelly found Pawsitive Alliance through her work with Clancy's Pad, an organization she started in memory of her beloved Clancy to help people help their pets, and has been an enthusiastic volunteer ever since. With a background in environmental science and regional planning, she uses her organizational skills and passion for community service to help advance the mission of Pawsitive Alliance and make a difference, one pet at a time.
Denise Melton, former Pawsitive Alliance Programs and Events Coordinator
Denise was a valued member of the Pawsitive Alliance team for many years, prior to her departure in 2014, to pursue new interests and focus on her family. Her background is of invaluable assistance to the Advisory Council.
Vaughn Merry, former Executive Director, Yakima Humane Society
Vaughn served in many roles during his 15 years at the Yakima Humane Society, including most recently as their Executive Director. Vaughn helped grow and implement YHS's mission to end animal suffering and cruelty, reduce animal overpopulation and educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
Yolanda Morris, co-founder and former Pawsitive Alliance President
Yolanda was driven to start Pawsitive Alliance to stop the tide of the thousands of cats and dogs who become homeless each year. Yolanda grew up on a small farm in Selah, Washington, with a house full of animals. Yolanda was the recipient of the In Defense of Animals Guardian Award and rescued her first animal, a pregnant cat, when she was five -- and has never stopped helping animals in need since that time. Yolanda is the auntie to several humans and animals.
Kelley Parsons, former Manager, Denny's Pet World
Kelley is a long time homeless animal advocate and supporter of Pawsitive Alliance. She has helped many animals find their forever homes through her leadership in Pawsitive Alliance's signature adoption event, Bow Wow Meow Luau, held formerly at Denny's Pet World. Kelley and her husband are huge Mariner's fans, so when she isn't helping people and their pets, she is heading to the ball game.
Steve Siadek, former CEO, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Steve is an entrepreneurial executive with a strong track record of achieving results at established public companies and early-stage start-ups in the technology, retail, and insurance industries. He co-founded Healthy Paws Pet Insurance in 2009 and, as COO, led customer acquisition, consumer marketing, strategic business planning and technology development of a customized pet health insurance platform. Steve's background includes leadership roles in large, successful companies such as Microsoft, Sprint, and Starbucks and also early-stage start-ups including Qpass/Amdocs, as well as animal rescue. He has a broad range of experience across a variety of initiatives including consumer product launches, digital commerce, strategic partnerships, and technology development.
Caitlin Smith, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
