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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.
Meet Our Advisory Board
Sharing their expertise, strengthening our mission, and helping more animals find their way home.
The Paws Across Pittsburgh Advisory Board is made up of dedicated volunteers who bring specialized knowledge, leadership, and hands-on experience to the rescue. Each member oversees or supports key areas of our organization, providing guidance, developing programs, and helping ensure our volunteers, fosters, and animals receive the support they need.
From coordinating events, volunteers, and transports to leading our cat program, community outreach, and operational support, the Advisory Board plays an essential role in expanding PAP's impact. Their passion, experience, and commitment help strengthen our organization and allow us to continue saving lives throughout our community.
Amanda Newill -
Community Assistance Program
Amanda joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2021 as a foster and has since become a valued leader within the organization. She oversees PAP's Community Assistance Program while also helping with transports and supporting many of the rescue's day-to-day operations, always striving to keep pets with the families who love them whenever possible.
Family and rescue are at the center of Amanda's life. She shares her home with four dogs and three cats and is passionate about making a difference for both animals and the people who care for them.
Family and rescue are at the center of Amanda's life. She shares her home with four dogs and three cats and is passionate about making a difference for both animals and the people who care for them.
Amber Lynch - Vetting Coordinator & Foster Mentor
Amber joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2023 as a foster and quickly became an invaluable member of the team. With more than 20 years of experience in the veterinary field, she now coordinates veterinary care for rescue dogs while mentoring fosters and helping ensure every dog receives the care they need on their journey to adoption.
When she's not volunteering, Amber enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her son's sports activities, traveling, and tackling DIY projects. She shares her home with Buster, a former PAP foster who became a permanent family member, and Renga, her longtime calico cat.
When she's not volunteering, Amber enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her son's sports activities, traveling, and tackling DIY projects. She shares her home with Buster, a former PAP foster who became a permanent family member, and Renga, her longtime calico cat.
Christi Beck - Donation & Event Coordinator
Christi joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2023 after years of volunteering in animal rescue. As a medical software consultant who works from home, she has turned her home office into a foster room and enjoys organizing fundraising events, building community partnerships, and educating others about the importance of rescue and adoption.
Outside of PAP, Christi enjoys working out, spending time with friends, and caring for her aging parents. She shares her home with Rainy, her beloved senior foster fail, who reminds her every day why rescue is so rewarding.
Outside of PAP, Christi enjoys working out, spending time with friends, and caring for her aging parents. She shares her home with Rainy, her beloved senior foster fail, who reminds her every day why rescue is so rewarding.
Dawn Severa - Volunteer Coordinator
Dawn joined Paws Across Pittsburgh after adopting her dog, Zeke, through the rescue and quickly found her passion for volunteering. She works as the Billing Manager at Grane Pharmacy and now serves as both Volunteer Coordinator and LOVS Coordinator, helping recruit, support, and organize volunteers who keep PAP running.
When she's not working or volunteering, Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, and their two dogs, Dakota and Zeke. She is dedicated to educating others about rescue and helping PAP continue to save lives.
When she's not working or volunteering, Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, and their two dogs, Dakota and Zeke. She is dedicated to educating others about rescue and helping PAP continue to save lives.
Jan Needham - House Manager
Jan is a retired speech pathologist who has dedicated more than 30 years to animal advocacy and rescue. Since joining Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2019, she has supported the organization through fundraising, maintaining the rescue house, and helping lead the cat program, bringing years of experience and compassion to the team.
Outside of PAP, Jan enjoys pottery, kayaking, working out, and spending time with friends. Although she doesn't currently have pets, her lifelong love of animals continues to inspire her commitment to rescue.
Outside of PAP, Jan enjoys pottery, kayaking, working out, and spending time with friends. Although she doesn't currently have pets, her lifelong love of animals continues to inspire her commitment to rescue.
Kelley Edmier - Vetting Coordinator
Laurel Anderson - Cat Program
Laurel joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2021 and leads the rescue's growing cat program. A former teacher and current nanny, she combines her love of animals with years of leadership experience to help coordinate fosters, adoptions, and the many moving parts of cat rescue.
Outside of PAP, Laurel enjoys traveling with her husband, Ed, visiting her three sons, attending concerts and Broadway shows, cheering on Pittsburgh sports, and researching family genealogy. Her home is shared with two rescue dogs, Stella and Millie, and four cats—Pebbles, Bamm Bamm, Gus, and Leo.
Outside of PAP, Laurel enjoys traveling with her husband, Ed, visiting her three sons, attending concerts and Broadway shows, cheering on Pittsburgh sports, and researching family genealogy. Her home is shared with two rescue dogs, Stella and Millie, and four cats—Pebbles, Bamm Bamm, Gus, and Leo.
Sam Butera - Facilities Manager
Sam joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2023 and brings years of leadership, teamwork, and dedication through his military service and more than two decades as a water treatment plant operator. He enjoys helping wherever he's needed and is always willing to lend a hand to support PAP's mission.
Outside of volunteering, Sam enjoys spending time with his two rescue dogs, Fred and Trapper. He believes that every contribution, no matter how small, helps save more lives and strengthen the rescue community.
Outside of volunteering, Sam enjoys spending time with his two rescue dogs, Fred and Trapper. He believes that every contribution, no matter how small, helps save more lives and strengthen the rescue community.
Sara Crain - Event Coordinator
Sara joined Paws Across Pittsburgh in 2022 and quickly became an integral part of the rescue. She works from home alongside her husband, running a local internet marketing company, which allows her the flexibility to foster dogs and support many areas of PAP. In addition to serving on the Advisory Board, Sara coordinates events, mentors fosters, assists with fundraising, and helps build community partnerships.
Outside of rescue, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, their two sons, and their many pets, which include three dogs, two cats, and usually a foster dog or two. She is passionate about helping animals find loving homes while encouraging others to become involved in rescue.
Outside of rescue, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, their two sons, and their many pets, which include three dogs, two cats, and usually a foster dog or two. She is passionate about helping animals find loving homes while encouraging others to become involved in rescue.
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