“This nonprofit organization exists because of Pam Lowry! She built it, named it, and expertly ran it. She served as the Foundation’s secretary, but she was the force behind everything.” —Melanie Sobel
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is governed by a volunteer board representing a diverse cross section of Santa Cruz County. Each board member is actively involved in some aspect of the Shelter’s operations, enabling them to be effective advocates for the range of work that the Shelter performs.
Board of Directors
INTERIM PRESIDENT: SALLY WING (Boulder Creek)
Sally Wing has been co-owner of Blue Heron Design Group, a Santa Cruz graphic design business, since 1998. She previously served on the board of directors of the Friends of Santa Cruz County Animals. She was an active dog volunteer, serving as a trainer for new dog volunteers in addition to her dog walking duties. Both she and her business partner Jenny Sandrof have contributed extensive pro bono design work for the Shelter, including logo design, website design, informational materials, and promotional materials.
TREASURER: NANCIE NEWBY (San Lorenzo Valley)
Nancie Newby is an office administrator at Design Octaves in Soquel. She began volunteering at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter in 2016, first as a dog volunteer and then helping with events benefiting the Shelter. Nancie is part of the volunteer team promoting adoptable pets, events and the Shelter's philosophy through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and was key in the SCCAS Foundation's First Place finish in the 2018 Santa Cruz Gives county-wide fundraiser. Recently honored by the SCC Board of Supervisors as an Outstanding County Volunteer, Nancie lives in the San Lorenzo Valley with her husband Brian (also a Shelter dog volunteer) and their Shelter alum dog, Rosa.
SECRETARY: KATHY HELMER (Ben Lomond)
Kathy Helmer became a volunteer at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter in 2010. Her life-long passion for animals was enhanced by opportunities to help the neediest animals of her community through the programs and camaraderie found at the Shelter. She is a strong advocate for the Shelter and has organized and led several fundraising activities and silent auctions at many of the Shelter’s most successful events. She is a mentor for new volunteers and embraces new ways to find loving homes for the animals in the Shelter’s care. Prior to volunteering, Kathy worked for local government agencies including three elected officials. Kathy lives in Ben Lomond with her husband Jim and their family of three adopted dogs and two rescued cats.
AT-LARGE: GARY BENCOMO (Live Oak)
A lifelong “dog person,” Gary Bencomo has been a supporter of and has adopted several dogs from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter since moving to Santa Cruz in 2006. A strong believer in giving back to our community, he also serves as President of the Board of Directors of Dientes Community Dental, has been a volunteer Docent/Naturalist with Año Nuevo State Park since 2015 and was previously on the Board of Monarch Services which provides safe housing and services for victims of domestic abuse. He was also a volunteer coach with Project Hire in San Jose helping people with disabilities develop workplace skills re-enter the workforce. Gary is a 2024 honoree of the Be the Difference Awards by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. After 24+ years working in high tech, he spent the last 12 years of his professional life working in the local nonprofit sector before retiring from Dientes in 2018 where he worked as Chief Human Resources Officer/Operations Director. Gary has an MBA and a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Fresno and lives in Live Oak with his wife Laura and their shelter pups Lucy and Stella Blue.
AT-LARGE: JENNET KRESGE (Live Oak)
With 33 years living in the community and 24 years as a local REALTOR® in Santa Cruz County, Jennet Kresge offers a well-rounded experience to her real estate clients. Her motto is education + preparation + strategy = SUCCESS! Her combination of passion for great service and true hospitality delivers a rewarding experience to her clients every time. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors with her husband and kids, doing yoga, and of course walking and playing with her recently adopted bull terrier, Cora.
AT-LARGE: LAURA DOWLING (Live Oak)
Laura Dowling’s love of animals began at an early age with her family of animal lovers. There was always at least one well-loved shelter dog in the home. The busy business career that followed college didn’t preclude her from finding opportunities to help animals. She volunteered at the Peninsula Humane Society, where she walked dogs, helped with fundraising and the spay/neuter clinic. After moving to Santa Cruz in 2013, she began volunteering for SCCAS in Dog TLC and as a new volunteer mentor. Laura’s particular shelter interests include supporting the Shelter’s efforts to expand its spay/neuter program as well as other front-end efforts to minimize the number of animals that need to be rescued. Laura lives near the harbor with her husband, Doug, and their Shelter alumna dog, “Dolly Rose.”
AT-LARGE: NGA TRINH-HALPERIN (Live Oak)
Nga inherited her deep love of animals from her mom, and carries fond memories of her first shelter dog "Chicken" who was named so due to his fear of people when first arriving home. She began volunteering for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter in 2010 and is particularly interested in Humane Education with children, understanding that transformational relationships with animals can lead to positive personal, social and systemic change. Nga has engaged with nonprofits and public agencies for almost 30 years in varied roles including executive director, coach and consultant, and board member throughout the Bay Area. She has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Masters in Public Administration from San José State University. Nga currently works with students K-12 in the Live Oak School District and Santa Cruz City Schools District. She is proud to be mom of two boys, Milo and Khai, dog Maverick, cat Sweetie, and six chickens.