Meet Our Board and District Captains

MEET OUR BOARD
 
Carolyn Kilborn, Chair
 
Carolyn and her husband, Jeremy Kilborn, founded MVFA's predecessor, Annapolis For Animals, when they realized that animals desperately need an advocate to speak up for them in the Maryland General Assembly.  The group expanded rapidly, went state-wide and changed its name to Maryland Votes For Animals.  Carolyn and Jeremy have done rescue work, TNR and animal advocacy of various kinds, including lobbying at the federal level.  They love all types of animals but have a particularly soft spot in their hearts for cats.
 
Valerie Pringle, Vice-Chair
 
Valerie has loved animals her whole life and as an adult, has returned to her childhood passion--riding horses.  She is pictured with her horse Amber, who has brought her more joy than she ever thought possible.  She also has a golden retriever named Sugarbear and a cat named Kramer.  Valerie helped advocate for the carriage horses in Annapolis, who were being worked during a heat alert, by writing legislation to improve their conditions. That experience taught her the power of legislation for helping animals.  She is also an Equine Protection Specialist for the Humane Society of the United States.
 
 
Kimberly Jackson, Treasurer
 
Kim has worked in the finance and accounting industry for over 20 years. With a bachelor’s degree in economics and specialized experience in financial management and oversight, she has held staff positions at public and private firms and for the past 6 years has owned her own business serving clients in Baltimore and New York. Kim has worked with and supported local animal welfare and rescue groups for years. As Treasurer for MVFA, Kim combines the depth of her professional experience and knowledge with her lifelong love of animals. 

Lynn Hopkins, Secretary 
 
Lynn Hopkins is a retired federal employee and an animal lover since birth.  Her mother says that her first words were not "mama" or "daddy" but "pretty pussy."  She lives with 7 cats, one pitt bull and one husband.  She's volunteers at Rude Ranch Rescue, working with cats, and has seen first-hand the effect of not spaying/neutering pets.  Now Lynn wants to expand her work for animal by helping MVFA get humane legislation passed to help all animals. 
 
Kathy Kirschner, Board of Directors

Kathy has been in the travel business for the last 30 years, currently doing independent travel and event consulting.  She has loved animals all of her life and has always had dogs and cats in her home.  She is active with Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue and fosters cockers along with helping to place them for adoption.  Kathy became active in MVFA when she realized the best way to help the animals was through a voting bloc to elect humane legislators who will change the laws.
 
Joseph Lamp, Ph.D., Board of Directors 
 
Joe is a speech professor at Anne Arundel Community College. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Communications from the University of Maryland and a Certificate of Advanced Study from The Johns Hopkins University. In 1998, former Governor Parris Glendening appointed him to the Wildlife Advisory Commission of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He is the first animal welfare person ever to be appointed to such a position in the United States, where he continues to serve. He received the Environmental Achievement Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2003, and the Excellence in Teaching Award from The Johns Hopkins University in 2001. He lives with his wife, JoAnn, and “a few” furry feline associates.   

Frank Branchini, Board of Directors 
 
Frank's dedication to helping animals is so well known that he's practically a household name among animal advocates in Maryland.  He has over twenty years of management experience at Maryland animal shelters and was one of the founders of Maryland Legislation for Animal Welfare.  Frank has received several awards for his work including the Recognition of Excellence Award from the Willian Syder Foundation for Animals in 1998.  Frank shares his home with his partner, Paul Allison, and cairn terrier, Butler, and pig, Rollo, both of whom were adopted through rescues.

Darlene Harris, Board of Directors 
 
Darlene was one of the first two certificate graduates from Humane Society University.  She works full time as a manager for Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS).  Perhaps Darlene is best known for her successful organization of the Michael Vick protest in Baltimore in 2010.  She lives with her rescue cats: Pinky, Sydney, Gracie Jane and Layla as well as Winnie (aka Tank) who she is fostering for a soldier currently serving in Afghanistan.

 Michelle Lane, Board of Directors  and Volunteer Coordinator

Michelle has spent the last twelve years as an employment recruiter for banking, and more recently, for the health care industry.  She has also been working to obtain a degree and certification in volunteer and fundraising management.  Her combined experience and education has prepared her to serve as MVFA's Volunteer Coordinator.  Michelle is so dedicated to the welfare of animals that she also finds time to volunteer for Tales of Hope animal sanctuary.  She lives with her four cats, Aria, Noah, Mimi Hope and Chloe, her newest rescue.

MEET OUR DISTRICT CAPTAINS

Dana Hudson Goldstein, Anne Arundel County District Captain