BROOD Board Nominees
Listed below in alphabetical order are the 8 nominees for the 9 open positions in the BROOD Board of Directors election for the 2022-2024 term.
BROOD members who have paid their 2022 membership dues by June 30 are eligible to vote in the election. The election will be conducted online and members will receive an email with a link to the online ballot. Votes must be received by July 14 at midnight eastern time. Winners will be announced at the Annual Membership Meeting at Frying Pan Park, 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171 on July 16.
ASHLEIGH BOHLMANN (Front Royal, VA)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? I have been passionate about animal rescue since I was a child and once I adopted my heart and soul dog, Meathead, a senior Basset, I have been hooked on their sweet personalities since. I've since adopted 2 more (special needs) Bassets and have joined BROOD as a volunteer on the home visits team. I would like to take on more responsibility with BROOD and look forward to continuing the wonderful rescue work for years to come.
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? N/A
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? Experience with volunteering with multiple 501(C)(3) non-profit organizations from Florida to Virginia; including Hound Haven in Clermont, FL, Amazing Animals Inc. in St. Cloud, FL, Back To Nature Wildlife Refuge in Orlando, FL, Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL, Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, VA. Licensed Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitator, experience working with the public for animal rescue.
Veterinarian Technician (Associates Degree from St. Petersburg College) with experience ranging from shelter medicine, general practice, surgeries, and emergency/critical care. Ability to care for special needs patients requiring extra medical attention.
Excellent communication skills ranging from a BA in Communication/Public Relations from George Mason University, 9 years of experience working at FL theme parks (Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa), ability to educate the public regarding animal rescue.
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? So far I have worked with the house visit teams and I'm proud of the attention to detail I take of each visit/potential adopter I meet. After adopting sweet Beignet, I'm especially passionate about ensuring the potential adopter will be the perfect home for a Basset/Basset mix and if I have any reservations, I am honest and list those in my report. I plan on attending and helping with the events in July & September and meeting more BROOD members/people interested in adopting from us. Of course my biggest "achievement" is adopting Beignet and nursing her back to health with the immense help of BROOD aiding in medical bill relief and her court case and being able to provide her with a safe and loving forever home.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? New and exciting ideas such as fundraisers (for example the Beignet & Beefy fundraiser we just launched), or events/meet ups to help breed advocacy, spread the word about BROOD, "WHY" Bassets - why they're so amazing, family dogs, wonderful personalities, loyal, etc.
Increase social media presence by using outlets (example, the Dodo or Instagram Reels/TikTok). Education is so important to decrease the amount of dogs that end up in rescue and get ahead of the problem. Be able to join forces with people that share the same passion and same end goal as us. Be able to help more hounds, increase donations, and find new forever homes for Bassets in our care.
MARTHA CONNER (Virginia Beach, VA)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? Currently a member.
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? I have only been a board member since June 2021 at the time I took over the Adoptions Director position. During this time I reached out to each approved applicant to ascertain that they wanted to remain actively looking for a BROOD dog. I maintain contact with the adoptions team via emails to ensure they are monitoring they approved applications. I have trained two new adoptions coordinators since June 2021. I review each of the applications, house visits, vet reference and ensure receipt of pet policy (if needed) before making a final determination on the application. I have managed the adoption of classic bassets. I was instrumental in the successful adoption of a BROOD dog whi h has been returned to us twice.
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? In my previous occupation, I managed a staff of 6-10 individuals and was responsible for payroll processing for upwards of 5K individuals. I worked diligently to resolve payroll issues as they arose. I was responsible for the implementation of various payroll interface systems and training of multiple individuals for those systems across NAVSUP. Additionally, I was responsible for the tracking of positions within my command, tracking vacancies and submitting recruitments of those positions.
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? I am most proud of the interaction and relationships formed with numerous adopters. Some have successfully adopted a BROOD hound, other are still looking or have moved on. It is always a good day when a BROOD hound is adopted.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? At this time, I feel that BROOD is doing all it can to be a successful rescue, through its numerous fundraiser events and promotion of BROOD through social media.
ELIZABETH FORD (Reston, VA)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? I would like to be more active and contribute more to BROOD. Valuable work is being done, and I want to help facilitate and influence positive change for our dogs and adopters.
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? N/A
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? I have been an Adoption Coordinator for 3 years, so I am intimately aware of and involved in the adoption process. I have helped many adopters find new companions, always keeping in mind that the dogs come first. I also have volunteered at multiple Rambles, working at the adoptions tent and the silent auction table. I'm also a follow-up coordinator, sending the survey and mailing welcome letters to new adopters. I'm an empathetic, organized, and conscientious person, and these qualities have helped me succeed in my home life and work life.
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? I thoroughly enjoy being an Adoption Coordinator because I regularly see dogs and adopters find each other, and start their new life together. The work is fulfilling and heartwarming, knowing that I help make adoptions happen.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? I can't think of any new initiatives at the moment, but I am very happy to take on a more active role with the Ramble, the BROOD store, or any other program where there is a need.
STEPHANIE HARM (Woodbridge, VA)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? I am currently a Board member.
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? I have served a secretary.
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? I've been with BROOD since 2016, starting as a foster. Because of BROOD, I am a lifer with bassets. I don't have particular skills, but I am up for doing anything to help get our adoptables into their forever homes. I have enjoyed my work as a Board member and hope that I've made a positive contribution to the group. 🙂
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? I used to foster, but I haven't done so in the past two+ years; my current dog is dog-selective, so I don't feel we are a good home for fostering at the moment.
I help with Ramble and feel good about being part of that event and making it an enjoyable time for all! I am assistant transport coordinator and I really enjoy this.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? I can't think of anything new right now. Chris and I were talking recently about streamlining things more with posting/getting news out about adoptions. I think, as an organization grows, that it's important to have communication across the different areas and to keep things simple. I think we do a pretty good job of keeping each other informed, so I am glad that we are going to work on streamlining things a little better between adoptions and social media.
ALISON PEAK (Washington, DC)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? Currently a board member - love to support the dogs!
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? I have contributed by managing posts on the BROOD Facebook and Instagram pages on a weekly basis.
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? I have been on the board for several years now and I'm familiar with the organization. I'm also organized and have good project management skills.
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? I love participating in the Ramble and promoting the organization through social media.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? We should organize more awareness events and work with kids groups to get them involved in rescue activities.
SHERYL SMITH (Crofton, MD)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? N/A
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? I was an Adoption Coordinator until September, 2021, and I have managed the Brood Online Store since 2019.
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? My husband and I have run our own business for 25+ years and I have a general love of animals.
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? I think the thing that I've done that I'm most proud of is being a foster parent for some of Brood's dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed bringing the frightened little dog who Brood rescued from a puppy mill, or the puppy with the broken leg, or the dog that was afraid of the dark and the challenges of helping them to feel, confident, secure, and ready to go to their Forever Homes.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? I'd like to see more community outreach, and involving and educating people about our rescue work. Before the Covid Pandemic, we would occasionally participate in parades or go to local baseball games, and I think we should try to bring back some of those programs. Some one recently mentioned something about a "walk a foster dog" program, helping to walk any foster dogs that are in your community, whether they are for Brood or a local animal shelter, and I think it is an idea that definitely could use some further thought and research.
LISA WALLACE (Chincoteague, VA)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? Current Board Member
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? Vice President
Foster Care Director
Veterinary Medical Director
Auction Maven
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? See above
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? all of them from above
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? With all, I do for BROOD not sure I have any new initiatives or programs. I'm sure if I thought of something new my ideas would be very useful and help further BROOD's rescue mission.
CHRISTINE WILLIAMS (Corrales, NM)
If you ARE NOT currently a Board member, what is your reason for joining the Board? N/A
If you ARE currently a Board member, what has been your primary contribution during the last two years? I have been President of BROOD since 2010. I am primarily responsible for fundraising and the Ramble event, and for oversight of other areas of BROOD. I manage the BROOD website, donor database and am the primary contact for owner surrenders and intake from animal shelters and other rescues.
What specific skills or background do you have that would make you valuable as a Board member? I worked 25 years in non-profit fundraising at large organizations in the DC area and managed fundraising operations, and annual, monthly and planned giving programs. I had direct contact with donors at all levels and made personal asks for donations and managed direct mail programs for small donors. I also managed donor databases and volunteers.
What BROOD-related activities do you perform that you are most proud of? BROOD is in excellent financial shape due to our successful fundraising programs. We also have a strong and large base of donors and volunteers who support our rescue work through donations and volunteer work.
What new projects, initiatives or programs would you suggest BROOD implement? How would these add to or improve BROOD’s dog rescue work? I would like to expand our monthly giving program, increase the number of volunteers to help with administrative work and improve our online donation processing.