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Meet
Our Team
BOARD
Conrad D. Mock
President / Treasurer / Advisory Committee Member / N.C. Animal Welfare Alliance Representative
Conrad (C.D.) Mock has been involved in animal rescue since 2015. He has spent most of his life in the investment business as a Certified Financial Planner and owner/operator of a securities Broker/Dealer. C.D. has owned several businesses including retail, contracting, and food services. He served as the adoptions manager for a rescue until 2024. He is interested in animal advocacy and has spent time in both anti–dog‑fighting and anti‑tethering programs. C.D. lives with his wife Mickie, a P.A. for Duke and his pittie “Hercules” in Durham, NC. Both of his children live in Durham along with two grandsons, and their three rescue dogs.
Dr. Eve Boggs
Veterinarian / Advisory Committee Member
Eve is originally from South Carolina and attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2003. She practiced small animal medicine in Columbus Ohio for 4 years before moving to North Carolina in 2007, and finally to Chapel Hill, NC in 2019. She is married to her vet school sweetheart, Jamie. They have two human boys (Kenan and Rowan), 3 leopard geckos (Ming, Nelly and Fatty) and 3 cats (Cloud, Perry, Anais). Hobbies include sourdough bread baking, crochet, plants, and audiobooks.
Dr. Kiley Daube
Veterinarian
Dr. Kiley Daube received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech in 2011 and then completed a year‑long internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at a private practice referral center in Fairfax, VA. She followed this with an additional year of training in cancer medicine during an Oncology Internship at the University of Pennsylvania’s vet school in Philadelphia. After her training, she has spent her veterinary career working in shelter medicine, high‑volume spay/neuter and private practice. She currently provides relief veterinary services for hospitals around North Carolina. Her four‑legged family includes a Redbone Coonhound rescue named Danny and two rescue cats – Spot and Dot.
Lauren Johnson
Rescue Specialist / Advisory Committee Member
Lauren lived her best farm life until she went to college at LSU. After moving to North Carolina, she was on her way home from a golf tournament and rescued some baby wood ducks from a highway. That was the start of her life as a wild life rehab for many years. She purchased a farm and was graced to learn about horse rescue, rescuing and rehoming several horses. A few years later she began her involvement in cat and dog rescue. Lauren is passionate about both animals and people, believing that a great conversation can offer valuable learning opportunities. She began by securing donations from companies and distributing them to various animal rescues, making a difference in the community.
THE TEAM
Rachel Gutterman
Events and Merchandise
Rachel started working in animal rescue in 2023 in honor of her dog, Ruby who has her own “rags to riches” story now thanks to a dog rescue organization that gave her a chance at a new life! Rachel is passionate about animal welfare and has fostered many dogs, planned adoption events and fundraisers, and volunteers her time doing administrative work like writing pet bios and social media posts for various rescue organizations. She is excited to be a part of Animal Aid Alliance and make an even greater difference in her community for animals and organizations in need. In her spare time, Rachel loves spending time with her family including her three dogs and two cats. She enjoys reading, being in nature, and going to art and music festivals (especially when her dogs can tag along!)
Kristen McDuffee
Operations Coordinator
Kristen has a background as a family and child therapist, where she provided compassionate care to children and families. She later worked as a nanny, continuing her dedication to children’s well‑being. With several years of experience in animal rescue, Kristen has served as an operations and clinic coordinator and foster caregiver. Currently, she assists with caring for animals on a farm. She has several pets in her home.
Michele Melet
Events Coordinator
A long‑time horseback rider and vegetarian since the young age of 7 years old, Michele has a passion advocating and working with animals. She resides in Chapel Hill with her adopted dog, Denali who was named after a memorable visit hiking in Alaska’s Denali National Park. Professionally Michele has 18+ years’ experience in business development, management, and events working for two New York City based companies. She has worked with other nonprofits coordinating adoption/fundraising events and building partnerships. Michele’s efforts have made a meaningful impact in the lives of rescued animals, helping them find forever homes through adoption and fundraising initiatives.
Julie Paddison
Chair, Advisory Committee / Cat Surrender Prevention Specialist / N.C. Animal Welfare Alliance Representative
Julie’s love for animals began with her first cat, Socks, and has only grown over the years. With over 25 years of experience in animal rescue, Julie has held numerous roles, including director of rescue operations, president, board chair, and fundraising lead. She advocates for initiatives to combat animal suffering, overpopulation, and homelessness. Julie’s career spans 22 years in healthcare, including 5 years as a Registered Nurse and 17 years in management consulting with Deloitte Consulting and Cerner Corporation. She owns a wine shop in Research Triangle Park, NC, and has competed in 25 Ironman events, 5 marathons, and numerous other triathlons. Julie lives in Durham, NC, with her five resident cats – Cobalt, Gus, Marley, Monkey, Rocky – and rotating foster cats.
Lisa Montone
Partnerships Coordinator / Co-Applications Committee Lead / N.C. Animal Welfare Alliance Representative
An animal lover from a young age, Lisa’s passion for animal advocacy truly ignited in early adulthood with the adoption of her first of six retired racing greyhounds. Her commitment deepened several years ago when she became actively involved in rescue, taking on diverse operational roles and working directly with adoption applicants and adopters. Lisa is particularly passionate about animal behavior, facilitating successful human‑animal bonds (as well as fostering community among animal advocates), and ensuring animals thrive in their forever homes. A dedicated volunteer with multiple local organizations, Lisa enjoys spending her free time outdoors and in the company of her two beloved dogs.
Brandee Newkirk
Development Committee Member
Originally from Arizona, Brandee is a Ph.D candidate at Duke University, pursuing a graduate degree in Art History and Visual Media Studies. While writing her dissertation, she felt compelled to give back to her community. Caring for the beautiful animals in North Carolina seemed like the perfect fit. Her first cat was originally named Reeses, but, like all cats, Reeses decided to rename herself Kitty. For Brandee, shifting her time away from her graduate work to volunteering gives her life more meaning and community purpose.
Melissa Weil
Co-Applications Committee Lead / Newsletter Coordinator
Melissa’s lifelong love of animals led her to start fostering in 2016 and she quickly discovered her purpose in the world. Rescue has become a huge part of her life and she has enjoyed connecting with so many likeminded people over the years! Her experience working in a veterinary clinic kicked off her love of medical fostering and helping rescues find cost‑effective medical care. Over the years, she has gotten more involved with behind‑the‑scenes aspects of rescue and furthering animal welfare causes, while continuing to foster cats and dogs. Professionally, Melissa has 15 years experience in clinical laboratory data management and review. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her pack of rescue dogs and cats!
Tia Harris
Digital Marketing Manager
Tia is a lifelong animal lover with a passion for rescue, especially Rottweiler mixes. With a background in graphic design, marketing, and website support, she brings both creativity and technical expertise to Animal Aid Alliance of NC. Originally from Connecticut and now based in North Carolina, Tia enjoys supporting her daughter’s equestrian career, spending time on the water, and adventuring with her husband and their rescue pup, Delilah.
Robin Langdon
Development Committee / Grants
Robin moved to the Triangle area after spending more than a decade working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is an economist who has worked in both environmental consulting and for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From an early age, her “family” included neighborhood pets, as well as her family’s animals. She doesn’t remember a time when the “family portrait” didn’t include their dog. Robin is passionate about listening carefully, communicating clearly, building lasting relationships with humans and animals, and improving the world one kind act at a time. Robin lives with her husband Chuck and their hound mix Finn in Chapel Hill, NC.
Kat Spitzer
Network / Coalition Committee
Kat joined our team after moving from Fairfax, Virginia where she served as a volunteer with the Fairfax County Animal Shelter for over 7 years until she moved to our beloved North Carolina. Seeking to continue helping rescued animals, Kat joined Animal Aid Alliance ready and eager to help where she could. Kat’s love of service is also reflected by her 20 years career as a medical service corps officer in the United States Air Force, retiring with honors. In her post-retirement life she worked in the DoD contract world managing healthcare-related information technology contracts as a project and program manager. But her love of animals kept calling to her so she decided to leave the corporate world behind and devote her time to supporting animal rescue. She has volunteered with a few local rescue groups and is also a proud member of the Animal Aid Alliance.