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Meet Our Board of Directors
Compassion in action, working together to give every animal a second chance.
Paws Across Pittsburgh is led by a dedicated group of volunteers who share a common mission: to rescue, care for, and advocate for animals in need. Our board members bring together diverse professional backgrounds, personal experiences, and a deep commitment to animal welfare, all working collaboratively to support the rescue’s daily operations, long-term growth, and community outreach.
From coordinating transports and fostering dogs to managing finances, technology, and fundraising, each member plays an active role in helping animals find safe, loving homes. Their passion, generosity, and hands-on involvement are what make our lifesaving work possible.
Jackie Armour
President & Founder
Jackie founded Paws Across Pittsburgh in April 2016 after volunteering with another rescue, where she gained hands-on experience in all aspects of animal welfare. Her vision was to build an organization dedicated to saving as many dogs and cats as possible while creating a strong network of fosters and volunteers.
A registered nurse, Jackie works full time with Wesley Family Services and part time with Monarch Hospice. Outside of rescue, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing at camp in Pymatuning with her six rescue dogs—Callie, Molly, Clemson, Cindy, Tulip, and Ruby—and her cat, Shadow.
A registered nurse, Jackie works full time with Wesley Family Services and part time with Monarch Hospice. Outside of rescue, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing at camp in Pymatuning with her six rescue dogs—Callie, Molly, Clemson, Cindy, Tulip, and Ruby—and her cat, Shadow.
Yvonne Ross
Vice President
Yvonne has been involved with Paws Across Pittsburgh since 2016, combining her passion for animal behavior with hands-on rescue work, fostering, and event coordination.
With a background in IT and tech support, she manages many of the organization’s behind-the-scenes technology needs. She later pursued a career change and is now a registered nurse, bringing both compassion and structure to her work in rescue and beyond.
Outside of Paws, Yvonne enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and life with her four beloved dogs. Her husband is also an active volunteer with the rescue.
With a background in IT and tech support, she manages many of the organization’s behind-the-scenes technology needs. She later pursued a career change and is now a registered nurse, bringing both compassion and structure to her work in rescue and beyond.
Outside of Paws, Yvonne enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and life with her four beloved dogs. Her husband is also an active volunteer with the rescue.
Leslie Gordon
Board Member
Leslie joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in February 2020 and brings a lifelong love of animals along with strong organizational skills that support the rescue’s daily operations. She works as a legal transcriptionist and uses her background in teaching and mentoring to help guide fosters and share her passion for rescue with new volunteers.
Together with her husband and their two children, Leslie has opened her home to many animals in need and has adopted several former fosters—dogs Yoshi, Larry, and Ember—as well as three cats, Steve, Michael, and Nancy. She is dedicated to helping as many animals as possible while inspiring others to foster, volunteer, and make a difference.
Together with her husband and their two children, Leslie has opened her home to many animals in need and has adopted several former fosters—dogs Yoshi, Larry, and Ember—as well as three cats, Steve, Michael, and Nancy. She is dedicated to helping as many animals as possible while inspiring others to foster, volunteer, and make a difference.
Sarah Medina
Board Member
Sarah joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in May 2020 and brings a strong background in social work and nonprofit leadership. She serves as the Director of Operations for a residential treatment program supporting women who have experienced exploitation and are working toward recovery, and has held director-level roles in nonprofit organizations for several years.
Sarah is passionate about helping as many animals as possible while also providing education and support to the community on responsible pet care. She shares her home with two dogs—Sadie, a rescue from her time in Cincinnati, and Sookie, who was born into her care when she fostered her first pregnant Paws dog in 2021.
Sarah is passionate about helping as many animals as possible while also providing education and support to the community on responsible pet care. She shares her home with two dogs—Sadie, a rescue from her time in Cincinnati, and Sookie, who was born into her care when she fostered her first pregnant Paws dog in 2021.
Heather Puskar
Board Member
Heather joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in November 2023 and brings over 16 years of experience working remotely in roles ranging from payroll and purchasing to sales and customer service. Her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and calm approach make her a valuable support to the rescue and its foster network.
Heather is passionate about helping as many dogs as possible through fostering and mentoring new fosters as they navigate their journey. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their four dogs—Clover, Gravy, Kingston, and Strudel—who make up a wonderfully mismatched and loving crew.
Heather is passionate about helping as many dogs as possible through fostering and mentoring new fosters as they navigate their journey. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their four dogs—Clover, Gravy, Kingston, and Strudel—who make up a wonderfully mismatched and loving crew.
Colleen Radebach
Treasurer
Colleen joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in March 2023 and brings more than two decades of experience with Wesley Family Services, where she has served as both an Administrative Manager in the IDD Residential Program and a Residential Supervisor. Her strong financial and administrative background provides valuable guidance in her role as Treasurer.
Colleen is dedicated to helping the rescue grow and supporting fundraising efforts so that even more dogs and cats can receive the care they need. She enjoys volunteering, spending time with family and friends, and sharing her knowledge to help others.
Colleen is dedicated to helping the rescue grow and supporting fundraising efforts so that even more dogs and cats can receive the care they need. She enjoys volunteering, spending time with family and friends, and sharing her knowledge to help others.
Kathleen Vinay
Board Member
Kathleen joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2023 and quickly became an integral part of the rescue’s daily operations. She plays a vital role in coordinating transports, organizing volunteer drivers, co-leading the matchmaking team, and serving as a key point of contact for public inquiries and social media outreach. Known as one of PAP’s “serial fosters,” Kathleen regularly opens her home to dogs in need, helping them transition from shelter life to the stability of a foster home and ultimately to adoption. Her hands-on commitment helps ensure dogs move safely through every step of the rescue process.
Outside of rescue, Kathleen enjoys staying active through softball, socializing, and traveling. She is proud of her daughter, Katrina, and shares her home with her husband, Mark—also a dedicated Paws volunteer—along with their three rescue dogs, Kit, Diesel, and Elmo, plus a steady rotation of foster dogs.
Outside of rescue, Kathleen enjoys staying active through softball, socializing, and traveling. She is proud of her daughter, Katrina, and shares her home with her husband, Mark—also a dedicated Paws volunteer—along with their three rescue dogs, Kit, Diesel, and Elmo, plus a steady rotation of foster dogs.
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