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Board of Directors
Since 2017 Conservation Dogs Collective has been overseen by a group of dedicated, volunteer board members. We are always on the lookout for amazing people to serve on our board. Are you interested?
Kate Stel, MDiv, President
Kate brings diverse experience in conservation, mission-driven nonprofit work, and community engagement with social issues. Growing up Kate regularly engaged in conservation work, especially prairie restoration, with her family, and accompanied by the family dogs. She holds a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she focused on connecting communities to environmental work and research subjects and included Aldo Leopoldo’s "A Sand County Almanac" as a guidebook for growing faith-based environmental consciousness. This path led her back to her beloved central Wisconsin to work in the nonprofit sector and live closer to the land that helped grow her.
Currently, Kate works in nonprofit development and communications at the Oshkosh Public Museum.
She lives with her partner Cory in Ripon, WI along with their beloved animal companions. Their family includes the tireless Australian Labradoodle Ruby, and two feline rescues Indy and Maggie. Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, training courses with Ruby, organic vegetable gardening, and cooking for her friends and family.
Pronouns: she, hers
Currently, Kate works in nonprofit development and communications at the Oshkosh Public Museum.
She lives with her partner Cory in Ripon, WI along with their beloved animal companions. Their family includes the tireless Australian Labradoodle Ruby, and two feline rescues Indy and Maggie. Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, training courses with Ruby, organic vegetable gardening, and cooking for her friends and family.
Pronouns: she, hers
Holly Lewis, Secretary
Holly brings over 20 years of non-profit experience to the group. She was the president of Alliance of Wisconsin Animal Rehoming Efforts (AWARE) for 7 years and has been actively involved in running the Great Lakes Pet Expo (the largest pet expo in the Midwest) for 13 years.
Holly has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from St Norbert College, but her career was written in stone when she started volunteering in dog rescue more than 15 years ago. During her early years of involvement in dog rescue, she shared her heart with a dog that sparked her interest and desire to learn more about dog behavior and training.
Luckily, that interest has never stopped. In 2011, Holly launched Cold Nose Canine to share her passion and expertise with others. Each animal—human or canine—that crosses her path brings new insight and information to Holly, and she strongly believes in teaching people that animals have choice. Choice is a powerful resource for all beings. She also believes our paths cross for a reason and each interaction with our animals, and others, has a purpose.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her own dogs, reading up on the latest dog industry news, and getting her hands dirty in her garden.
Holly has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from St Norbert College, but her career was written in stone when she started volunteering in dog rescue more than 15 years ago. During her early years of involvement in dog rescue, she shared her heart with a dog that sparked her interest and desire to learn more about dog behavior and training.
Luckily, that interest has never stopped. In 2011, Holly launched Cold Nose Canine to share her passion and expertise with others. Each animal—human or canine—that crosses her path brings new insight and information to Holly, and she strongly believes in teaching people that animals have choice. Choice is a powerful resource for all beings. She also believes our paths cross for a reason and each interaction with our animals, and others, has a purpose.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her own dogs, reading up on the latest dog industry news, and getting her hands dirty in her garden.
Dayna Villa, Interim Treasurer
Dayna Villa is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), Behavior Consultant (CBCC) & Whistle Recall Instructor (CWRI) based out of Southeastern Pennsylvania. She is currently the owner of Taking the Lead Dog Training LLC, providing force-free dog training & behavior modification services to her community. Prior to owning her own business, Dayna worked in animal welfare and provided leadership in both staff and board position in local shelters. She is passionate about keeping dogs out of shelters and helping pet guardians understand the behaviors of man's best friend.
Dayna received her undergraduate degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2003. She is a constant learner and has attended numerous conferences & seminars to continue her education in dog behavior & training. Some of these include: Clicker Expo, The Lemonade Conference, The Business of Saving Lives Conference, and The Best Friends National Conference where she participated as an attendee and a speaker on shelter animal behavior.
In her spare time, Dayna enjoys going see live music, traveling, volunteering with the Philly Vax Project & ACCT Philly and taking nosework classes with her dog.
Dayna currently lives in Norristown, Pennsylvania with her husband Chris and her deaf rescue boxer, Charlotte.
Dayna received her undergraduate degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2003. She is a constant learner and has attended numerous conferences & seminars to continue her education in dog behavior & training. Some of these include: Clicker Expo, The Lemonade Conference, The Business of Saving Lives Conference, and The Best Friends National Conference where she participated as an attendee and a speaker on shelter animal behavior.
In her spare time, Dayna enjoys going see live music, traveling, volunteering with the Philly Vax Project & ACCT Philly and taking nosework classes with her dog.
Dayna currently lives in Norristown, Pennsylvania with her husband Chris and her deaf rescue boxer, Charlotte.
Lizzy Gengembre
Lizzy Gengembre is a professional dog care provider and proud maker of the first, freeze-dried trail mix for dogs. She truly enjoys working outside year-round with her canine pals, exploring the enriching experiences her community has to offer. And with an introverted, artsy soul, making dog treats and enrichment toys at home is one way she recharges her internal battery (in addition to eating pancakes).
Lizzy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in glass and fibers from UW-River Falls. She is Fear Free Certified, trained on First Aid & CPR for pets, and has completed additional coursework through Fetch Find, Bravo Dog Knowledge, and DogMinded, thus far.
Giving back by supporting local rescues and fostering dogs has been a long-time priority for Lizzy, and as her own dog’s needs are changing, she’s eager to contribute to the canine community in new ways. Otto is Lizzy’s heart dog, a 7-year-old Welsh Terrier, with a zest for life, food, and snuggling. The two live in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, where they spend their spare time doing dog things and adding flower gardens to their yard.
Pronouns: She/Hers
Lizzy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in glass and fibers from UW-River Falls. She is Fear Free Certified, trained on First Aid & CPR for pets, and has completed additional coursework through Fetch Find, Bravo Dog Knowledge, and DogMinded, thus far.
Giving back by supporting local rescues and fostering dogs has been a long-time priority for Lizzy, and as her own dog’s needs are changing, she’s eager to contribute to the canine community in new ways. Otto is Lizzy’s heart dog, a 7-year-old Welsh Terrier, with a zest for life, food, and snuggling. The two live in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, where they spend their spare time doing dog things and adding flower gardens to their yard.
Pronouns: She/Hers
Mackenzie Franz
Mackenzie has been working in the conservation field since graduating in 2020 from UW-Whitewater with a bachelor's degree in environmental science. She has an extensive knowledge of native and invasive species in Wisconsin both terrestrial and aquatic, restoration management planning, marketing and outreach skills among others. Mackenzie enjoys learning and believes there is something new to learn everyday - especially in this field!
Mackenzie has experience working on a restoration crew, a land trust and in a plant nursery. Currently, Mackenzie is the Area of Concern Project Manager at Milwaukee County Parks where she is managing projects, working with the community and spreading the word about the amazing projects to delist the Milwaukee Estuary as an Area of Concern!
Mackenzie is currently living in Milwaukee with her partner Rob and their multitude of pets. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cross stitching, spending time with her family and growing native perennials.
Mackenzie has experience working on a restoration crew, a land trust and in a plant nursery. Currently, Mackenzie is the Area of Concern Project Manager at Milwaukee County Parks where she is managing projects, working with the community and spreading the word about the amazing projects to delist the Milwaukee Estuary as an Area of Concern!
Mackenzie is currently living in Milwaukee with her partner Rob and their multitude of pets. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cross stitching, spending time with her family and growing native perennials.
CDCI's Advisory Board
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Judy Cardin
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Emily M. Chester, Ph.D.
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Dr. Alli Dunlop, DVM, CVA, CCRT
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Sharlene Kipfer, MPA
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Joy Nonnweiler PhD, Esq.
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Dr. Lori Rockwell DVM, CCRT, KPA-CTP
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Shelby Klein, CPA
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Louise Wilson
Former Board Members
Meredith Evens Kristen Salmon Dawn Jacques Janet Cram Kathleen Riley Beth Enneking Shannon Downey Leah Neuroth Elizabeth Giddens, Ph.D. Maria Muradas, MS Joe Clohessy Anna Nusbaum, MD Natalie Dutack, MS Jen Patel Tracie Feest Carly Irland Hannah Stonehouse Hudson Shana Magill, CPA, MBA John Janssen, PhD Lisa Kluslow, DVM, CVA, VSMT, CCRT, CVCH Dr. rer. nat. Gerlinde Höbel
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