Donna Barker

Chuck Waggin Pet Food Pantry President & Founder

Donna has been with PACC911 since 2012 in the capacity of President/Founder of Chuck Waggin’ Pet Food Pantry, which is PACC’s Pet Food Division.  Donna is retired after 30 years in the mortgage lending industry.  She initially became involved in the animal rescue world in 2000 through Blessing of the Animals/Pet Adopt-a-thon at the Franciscan Renewal Center.  From there she co-founded the Empty Bowl Pet Food Pantry and transitioned over to PACC911 after Bari Mears welcomed the opportunity to add a pet food bank to the many functions of the organization. Chuck Waggin’ provides free pet food, low=cost spay and neuter services, as well as medical help to the underprivileged population of Maricopa County.  Donna’s humanitarian efforts makes it possible for families to keep their beloved pets in their home. She lives with her partner, Marilyn, and three rescue dogs.

Lise Brovitz

Lise has always loved animals. As a child, her mother welcomed fish, cats, dogs and guinea pigs into the family home, instilling a connection with animals from her earliest years. She has volunteered for shelters in Alabama, New York and even London, and worked for a large veterinarian practice for fifteen years to learn more about different animals and their behavior.

While living in Alabama, Lise developed an animal program for the Alabama special education district, which the local children enjoyed for many years. Crimson, Lise’s first three legged cat, helped her with this memorable project. Since living in Arizona, Lise has helped a number of local animal groups with fostering and fundraising, and she continues to feed orphaned birds in need for Liberty Wildlife. Lise spends her time with her cats, teaching and pet sitting.

Maria Brunner

Maria Brunner, President and Founder of Insight Management, has spent over 40 years in the entertainment industry. Her company provides strategic marketing, tour promotion and artist management services to legendary celebrities the likes of Eric Clapton, The Moody Blues, George Thorogood, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Clint Black, Donna Summer… the impressive list goes on.

Maria helped found the entertainment business program at the University of Montana and previously held an advisory role at California State University’s Entertainment Business Program, where she was a past visiting instructor. She’s served on numerous charitable boards that provide aid to both people and animals; her commitment to improving the lives of others extends to helping homeless pets in need of rescue. With many years of expertise in the entertainment industry, she brings us precious invaluable counsel.

Cathy Davila

Cathy Davila brought her lifelong love for all animals with her from Southern California. With over twenty years in a career in the human healthcare field, she decided to also share her passion for the human animal bond and founded the Phoenix Dog Magazine in 2016. Animal non-profits now have a showcase to reach the pet-loving community and the magazine inspires readers to see animals in a different light. She shares her home with Boxer-Rottie dog, Roxie, Quarter Horse Jackie and Burro Norman.

Nancy Drake

Always a proponent of the underdog, while living in Illinois, Nancy worked for a nationally recognized equine humane society. Also a state licensed investigator through the Illinois department of agriculture for several years, she had the rewarding experience of rescuing and rehabilitating many animals. Drawn to the mission of PACC911, Nancy brings her heart and insights to the advisory board.

Mary & John Garbaciak

We get double the talent with this dynamic couple. Mary, a former dental hygienist and John, a semi-retired physician, have brought their help to many charity boards and organizations, both here and across the country. Appreciative of all creatures great and small, they bring all their gala fundraising expertise to us.

Debbie Grand

Executive Assistant

A native New Yorker, Debbie Grand comes to  PACC911with a diverse background from the financial security industry to work at Cablevision, Silverstone Luxury Senior Community and finally to the PV School District as the College and Career Coordinator.

Her love for her two cats and the many ways PACC911 engaged in the community was the draw that inspired Debbie to join us. Her role as an Executive Assistant has grown to oversee such key programs as our Critical Care Program and other projects, allowing PACC911 to expand our public awareness and reach into the community.  Debbie’s organizational skills are greatly valued within our PACC911 family.

Diane Kirkpatrick

Diane spent 25 years in the corporate world owning businesses in Illinois and Arizona.  She retired in 2016 and turned the businesses over to her children.  Diane has been rescuing animals on a small scale for as long as she can remember.  It was in the back of her mind that once she retired, she would pursue her passion on a larger scale and joining PACC911 helps her achieve that goal.  She currently serves on the Glimmer of Hope Fundraiser Committee. Diane and her husband Jim live with their three rescue dogs. All are different breeds, colors, and sizes, but they do have one thing in common.  They are all equally loved.

Cheri Moreno

Media Specialist 

Married with dog-children, Cheri has over 35 years in marketing, with an extensive background in media planning and buying. Having many long-term relationships in the industry opens up opportunities to support PACC911 events and fundraising efforts through low cost or no cost media exposure. Volunteering at the events provides a chance to see first-hand, and appreciate the 24/7 efforts of those involved in the animal rescue community. Involvement with PACC911 is an opportunity to give back to all the dogs I’ve loved and love all the dogs who have so much to give.

Bette Read

Volunteer Coordinator

Bette has been an animal lover all her life. As a youngster she brought home abandoned baby squirrels, bunnies, and mice, as well as the more typical lost pets. Since retiring from a graphic design background she’s volunteered with Ruby Ranch Pet Rescue and Sanctuary and a nationwide pet transport organization.

Bette and her hubby Jim share their home with three dogs: twelve year old blind Maltese mix Ms. Charlee, (affectionately referred to as Charlee with two e’s and no eyes.); ten year old toy poodle diva Nikki Rose, who was a street dog from animal care and control, and Mr. Oliver Stubbs, a dachshund rescued from a small town in Colorado. They have been known to foster and pets-sit additional pups in the fifth wheel camper where they live.

Kim Sasso

Kim has been involved with helping homeless pets for as long as she can remember. Over the years she’s volunteered at Southwest Wildlife, the Phoenix Rescue Mission and other local rescues. Kim also serves on the board of the FETCH Foundation, where she assists with Fido bags and other needs. During Houston’s deadly Hurricane Harvey, Kim traveled there to aid and bring comfort to the overwhelming number of tragically displaced dogs. A HomeSmart Realtor, she donates a portion of her commissions back to the community. Kim shares her life with her husband of 36 years, two children and one very happy Labrador Retriever.

Marcia Schafer

Branding and Cyber Manager

An active board member since 2005, over the years Schafer designed many of PACC911’s special program graphics to develop a branded image and spearheaded a website overhaul that marked a new phase of growth for the organization. She is our managing web and marketing guru.

When she’s not working with PACC911, Marcia is an award-winning author and MBA business consultant mentoring humanitarian entrepreneurs around the world with an unusual approach. By blending her professional expertise and intuitive skills she helps people understand the hidden world around us, including what goes on within an animal’s consciousness. Her psychic animal communication ability has aided rescues in times of need and she has a striking record resolving difficult issues, helping challenged pets get adopted.

An animal advocacy division within her company Beyond Zebra® enlightens about pet awareness as she works to change society’s perception to bring about the international life rights and legal protection these beings deserve. Inventive and trendsetting, she is a devoted animal lover providing a home for rescued Persian cats. Her current companions are two catnip snorting girls named Sakkara and Truffles. Devoted to getting people to better understand the not-so-silent world animals live in, she brings all her creativity, passion and savvy to our advisory board.

Robin Smith

Event Coordinator

Robin became involved with animal rescue way back in 2006 when she found a stray dog on her lunch hour.  After taking him to the local animal control shelter she cried for days, then went back to bring him home so she could find him his forever family. Searching for a proper home opened her eyes to the world of rescue and all the sad, displaced animals needing help. He was adopted by a nice couple, which spurred Robin to get involved helping the dog breed closest to her heart, the Brittany Spaniel.

She became a volunteer state coordinator for a national rescue organization and attended our PACC911 adoptathons to find families for her homeless pets. Robin and husband Mark created Brittany Rescue AZ in 2012, which they operate today. Robin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy and finds this far more rewarding than when she worked in the corporate world of finance.

Stephanie Stead

Our prior volunteer coordinator, Stephanie brings all her devotion to our Advisory Board as a modern day gal Friday, always ready to lend a helping hand. 

Dee Umpleby

Rescued Treasures Store Manager

Deanne was one of the original board members for PACC911 and is store manager for PACC911’s Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique. Dee’s creativity has been the perfect ingredient to make our boutique one of the best thrift stores in the valley. Her touch and sense of design make it a unique and fun place to stop and shop, all while supporting PACC911. Dee also creates decorative baskets for our many silent auctions affiliated with our fundraisers. A past member of Fast Dogs, Fast Friends, Dee was a foster for Many A Greyhound and now helps to foster Basset Hounds with AZ Basset Hound Rescue. She and her hubby Joe enjoy their 5 dog family.