Biographies of our Board and Leadership Team
Mary Althaus - MCRS Representative
Mary had to have a motorcycle. So, Mary got a motorcycle, helmet and a jacket with nice long fringes. Mary took the rider safety class two times... Then it dawned on her what she really needed was a rabbit - In her house. So, she sold the bike and got the rabbit (kept the jacket, of course). Mary learned about living with rabbits in the house by hands-on experience. Then she found Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society and met lots of Bunny Friends, met lots more Bunnies, and learned tons more about rabbits. She fosters in her house and likes to help new Bunny Parents who are in the beginning stages of knowing rabbits like she was 16 years ago! Motorcycles are good, but rabbits in the house are the best. Mary earns the bunny kibble in the advertising industry.
Michelle Ashmun - MCRS Representative
Michelle first became enamored with bunnies after meeting one at a party in 2000. After considerable research and thought, she finally got one of her own, named Sophie. Michelle was pleasantly surprised, as Sophie was way more intelligent, social, and silly than she anticipated. After Sophie died in 2004, Michelle informally visited bunnies at local shelters, when one of the volunteers suggested she use her bunny knowledge and experience to help bunnies. Michelle then contacted MCRS and became a PETCO Lead to help bunnies while ensuring she could get her regular "bunny fix". She got involved in fostering when one of the PETCO bunnies needed to go into foster care, and she has been fostering ever since. Michelle really enjoys getting to know all the different bunnies she meets in both roles. Michelle has been researching, writing, and managing marketing, user, and training documents for software companies for about 8 years. She has a degree in English and Philosophy.
Laura (Tessmer) Atkins - MCRS Representative
Laura has been living with bunnies most of her life starting with a big New Zealand White named BunnyBear, an Easter present from her grandparents when she was only three. Her first house rabbit, Rufus came to live with her in September of 1994. Within a year she had two other permanent bunnies and had fostered four other bunnies. She has been a volunteer and educator with the House Rabbit Society and then the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society since mid-1995. She has lived with various permanent and foster bunnies through the years. Currently, Laura has four "funny looking bunnies" (the feline kind with short ears and long tails) rescued from the wilds of her neighborhood. Laura received her B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Tech in 1992. She has worked in the biotech field, in government and university laboratories, between 1988 and 2000.
Tonia Baxter - Education Coordinator
Tonia Baxter is an academic advisor at a local university. She shares her home with two rabbits, Cleo, who came to her as a stray, and Gus, who was adopted from Minnesota Valley Humane Society to be Cleo’s husbun. After MCRS introduced Tonia to her first rabbit, Sherlock, in 2001, she was hooked! MCRS (and Sherlock) taught her about living with a house rabbit, and now Tonia wants to take what she’s learned and pass it on. She regularly replies to voice mail and email inquiries and has taught Bunny Basics classes. Since Tonia has moved to the state of Illinois, she no longer teaches classes here in Minnesota, but she is still involved via phone and email.
Cindy Cameron - Bookkeeper
Cindy has had pet rabbits since 1994. She currently has five, which include two sets of bonded pairs. She also shares her home with a dog, a chinchilla, a bearded dragon, a cockatiel, two parakeets, a fish tank, and elementary school-age son, and a husband. Cindy has been a member of MCRS since January 2005 and began volunteering as Bookkeeper in January 2006. She also spends her spare time volunteering for several other organizations. Cindy has a BA in English Literature, but ended up working in the Accounting field. Since 1996, she has been employed by Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
Joanna Campbell - President
Joanna has had pet rabbits for over 30 years. She got the rabbit bug after a fellow student brought rabbits to class for show and tell. Since then, she has continuously had a variety of rabbits, from dwarves to Flemish Giants. Joanna first became acquainted with the House Rabbit Society in 1997. She went on to become a nationally certified HRS Educator, HRS Fosterer, and served on the House Rabbit Society board. At the same time, she founded this group, originally named Minnesota House Rabbit Society, and continues to serve as president of this group. Joanna has a degree in Classical Studies, which obviously laid the foundation for her current career in animal welfare. Prior to running MCRS, she spent many years in electronic banking.
Christine Chan - MCRS Representative
The mother of two twin Holland Lops bunnies, Rev and Axela, Christine's great love for bunnies was ignited by her boyfriend, Jason, who grew up with a wonderful house bunny named Roger. Christine herself spent much of her childhood with animals as a volunteer for the Westwood Nature Center in St. Louis Park. This eventually led her into the field of biology where she currently works as a Genetics Researcher at the University of Minnesota. Originally a volunteer in the MCRS PETCO program she has begun volunteering at the Newly Merged Humane Society (formerly Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley) as a "Bunny Expert" and assists as an official representative for MCRS communications. In addition to volunteering, she actively trains Rev and Axela in Rabbit Agility (obstacle courses) which has led to many ribbons, a front page newspaper photo (of Rev), and very proud bunny mommy! She looks forward to fostering bunnies at home after entering graduate school for Genetic Counseling.
JiaNin Chen - MCRS Representative
JiaNin is a technical communicator with an IT company who got the bunny bug again while walking dogs for the Newly Merged Humane Society (formerly Humane Society for Companion Animals in St Paul) back in 2004. Having had small white rabbits as a child, she figured the adult JiaNin could probably handle the cute friendly brown bunny on display next to the desk, just begging to be loved by the world. BB ended up ruling the house instead. She encountered MCRS in 2005 while looking for a companion--Taremimi--for BB, and has since assisted where she can, predominantly with editing and posting the blogs. BB and Taremimi deigned to have a third bunny, LB, join them in 2006 in their rule over the household, a couple of fishes, and a few planter boxes of greenery for their dining pleasure. When not serving the trio or providing a last minute helping hand at MCRS events, JiaNin keeps herself busy with other hobbies like reading, knitting, anime and studying languages.
Laura Franco - Adoptions Coordinator
Laura is a Physical Therapist at Methodist Hospital. She and her husband Peter live with Elaine, a five year old rabbit, and adopted Fidget from MCRS in Sept 2003 as a companion for Elaine. Elaine has lots of medical issues and Laura is interested in learning more about using physical therapy to help rabbits. Laura looks forward to ensuring a good quality of life for rabbits in the community through education.
Ken Geisler - Board Secretary
Before June 2005, Ken had only limited experience with animals of any kind, limited to a dog as a child, and relatives' and friends' pets. At the end of June 2005, Ken became involved with MCRS through a friend that was fostering and volunteering for MCRS. He received a call as he walked through the airport in Oklahoma, returning from a business trip, to be told of a major bunny confiscation and the need for foster homes. Shortly thereafter, Ken shared his home with two dwarf bunnies loaded with personality and attitude. Since then, he has fostered a continuous string of foster bunnies, each with their own unique personalities, and continues to benefit from this enriching and fulfilling experience. Ken's background is in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and he has worked in R&D, System Delivery, Project Management, Development Management, and Technical and Executive Consulting. He has served, at various times over the last 16 years, as Founder, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board for 3 Technical Start-Up Companies. He hopes to contribute his business knowledge as a MCRS board member to benefit MCRS and the bunnies it serves.
Brenda Holden - Board Chairperson
Brenda has had house rabbits for over 25 years. She volunteers because she is thankful that the bunnies that live with her have a home and are loved, safe, and healthy. She would like all rabbits to have the same opportunity. Her family also volunteers. They are the Arden Hills location for hay and supply sales, and as a PETCO Lead Volunteer, they visit the Roseville PETCO store which has rabbits on location for adoption, and help by exercising, cleaning, and socializing them.
Sandy Hulsey - Board Treasurer
Sandy has always lived with and for animals, having learned to walk with the aid of a Springer Spaniel. Her only rabbit experience was with two outdoor friends when she was about 7 or 8, but those two went everywhere with her during her waking hours. She currently lives with one 9-year-old and one 3-year-old Akita, the younger one a rescue; and a 7-year-old and a 22-year-old cat, the younger one again a rescue. They are all waiting for the perfect LARGE rabbit to complete their family. Sandy brings 25 years of banking experience to the board along with five years of investment experience.
Tanya Hulsey - Board Member
Tanya has always lived with animals, although she only began sharing her life with rabbits in 1999. Since then, she has fostered a few hundred rabbits for Minnesota House Rabbit Society and later for Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society. Tanya is one of the MCRS Bunny Boot Camp instructors and works with many of the more troubled rabbits that come to our organization. Tanya can be found at most of the MCRS adoption events, usually trimming bunny nails or supervising rabbit introductions. When not working with rabbits, Tanya is employed by Wells Fargo Wholesale Banking.
Ingrid Harding - Board Member, Educator
Ingrid's animal experience includes seven years as shelter project coordinator with the MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Shelter in Methuen, MA. She feels fortunate to have been involved with the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society since its beginning, and was Education Director up until 2005. Ingrid is proud of the accomplishments of MCRS in the Twin Cities area and looks forward to even more great things happening as the group continues to develop. Ingrid’s family includes two rabbits, Ramona and Bella, as well as her own cats. She also volunteers with Cause for Paws, a small 501(c)(3) cat rescue group.
Margaret Jacot - PETCO Volunteer Coordinator
Margaret is an attorney living in the Twin Cities. She grew up with cats and dogs and discovered rabbits while in college. She and her husband adopted Ferdinand, her first rabbit shortly after they were married. A year later they brought home Isabella to be his best friend. Ferdinand and Bella have been very patient with them as they learn the ins and outs of rabbit care. Margaret began volunteering with MCRS at the Roseville PETCO and eventually took on the additional task of PETCO Volunteer Coordinator. She is fascinated by bunny bonding and bunny behavior.
Maria Jansma - MCRS Representative
Maria is an interior design drafter by profession, but spends her spare time helping rabbits. She got her first rabbit – a big French lop named Guy – more than 20 years ago. Like many rabbits at that time, he was an outdoor rabbit. Since then, Maria had several rabbits years but always wanted house rabbits which eventually interrupted her rabbit ownership because she just couldn't handle having them out doors. Maria got her first house rabbit in 2003 – a dwarf now named Butterscotch, who was abandoned by a neighbor. With Butterscotch’s help, Maria and her husband embarked on the journey of learning the joy of sharing their lives with a house rabbit. In 2004 Butterscotch was joined by Snickers, a cute Holland lop with just one ear, a birth defect which made her "unshowable" but still very loveable. And finally in 2005, Maria adopted Norbert from MCRS and added him to the mix.
Heidi Johnson - MCRS Representative
Heidi is currently studying Animal Communication and talks with some of our more challenging fosters. She looks forward to helping animals to get along better with their people. Sharing her home are two spoiled rabbits, Vespa Amberlyn Regina and Don Diego de la Vega, plus one incredibly handsome hooded rat named Paladin. The Bunnies are siblings who were born soon after their Mother, Elena, came to MCRS in April 2006.
Barb Kelley - MCRS Representative
Barb has raised and trained horses for over 30 years. In the fall of 2005, her friend adopted a little black Rex from the Newly Merged Humane Society (formerly known as Animal Humane Society) and so it goes. By Thanksgiving, Barb had adopted Abigail and Alexander - Jersey Wooly's from the June confiscation of that year. Then Andrea started sending her to groom the fuzzies at the PETCO’s and soon afterwards River was bonded in to form her trio. Barb continues to volunteer her time to groom the fuzzies at PETCO and also at the Newly Merged Humane Society.
Janet Kittelson - Website Coordinator
Janet is a software engineer with a degree in Computer Science from the University of MN, and an all-around bunny slave. She is owned by three house rabbits, Spencer, her first bunny ever who was adopted from a local shelter in 1999; Haylie, adopted from MCRS; and Mirabelle, adopted from MCRS in 2007. Janet also fosters rabbits for MCRS in her home. Haylie came to her initially as a foster following a confiscation in 2004, and she fostered Mirabelle from the tender (and absolutely adorable!) age of 3 or 4 weeks, which entailed lots of formula, nursing, and snuggling! She hopes to share her knowledge and love of rabbits so that as many bunnies as possible can lead happy, healthy lives in permanent loving homes.
Rich Lancello, DVM - Board Member
Dr. Lancello obtained his degree from the University of Minnesota Veterinary School and has been practicing in the Twin Cities area since 1988. He has been a recommended veterinarian of the House Rabbit Society and the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society since 1994. Dr. Lancello continues to maintain his rabbit knowledge by regularly attending seminars offering the latest in rabbit medicine. He does not have a rabbit, but does have a dog, two cats, and two turtles.
Holly Lang – MCRS Representative
Holly Lang is currently the Manager of the Veterinary Services department for the Newly Merged Humane Society's Golden Valley, Coon Rapids, and Buffalo shelters (formerly Animal Humane Society and Greater West Metro Humane Society). She has been working in the animal welfare world for 8 years. While her passion is helping all animals surrendered to the humane society, Holly has always had a special interest in helping rabbits. Her very first rabbit was named Oatmeal (featured on the first page of the humane society's website) that she adopted from the Golden Valley shelter. She currently shares her home with various shelter animals including 4 rabbits named Rainbow, LuLu, Helen, and Twinkle.
Karen Nejedly – MCRS Representative
Karen "accidentally" adopted her first rabbit in 1999 when she went to adopt a cockatiel but came home with both a bird and a rabbit. She was immediately captivated by his personality and charm and began her crash course in learning about and living with a house rabbit. Feeling a strong desire to share that information and be an advocate for all rabbits, she began volunteering with MCRS by exercising bunnies at the Roseville PETCO store. She enjoys the educational opportunities it provides as well as being able to meet and socialize with many of the wonderful foster rabbits. Karen currently lives with and is a dedicated slave to three MCRS alumni, Carli, Calvin and Lily.
Andrea Nye - Fostering Coordinator
In 1996, Andrea Nye rescued her first pet rabbit, Ebony, from a meat farm. Ebony passed away in the fall of 2006, but Andrea’s love and concern for rabbits as pets has continued. Andrea has been volunteering with MCRS since the beginning and has served in a variety of leadership capacities. Andrea has a degree in Healthcare Management and works in the health care industry.
Marcelyn Reiter – MCRS Representative
Marcelyn (Marcy) Reiter has been an animal lover all of her life, beginning with the Brittany spaniel named Twinkle that she grew up with. She has kept hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, cats. While her husband Pete claims that she turned him into a bunny junkie, they co-parent four house rabbits: Maybelline, a gray and white mini-lop; Maxwell Q. Rabbit, a chocolate-brown Havana mix; Clifford, a black and white Rex; and Beauregard, a French Lop. All of their rabbits are rescued rabbits. At work, Pete is proudly known as Bunny Dad, and Marcy is proudly known as the Rabbit and Rodent Whisperer.
John Rubbo - Photographer
John and his wife Jeanne had their first exposure to rabbits in 2004. Their home is now ruled by a mini lop named Cinnamon and an English spot mix named Brinco (both MCRS alumni). Aside from taking pictures of adoptable bunnies and other pictures at MCRS events, John and Jeanne have served as a foster home for the past two years. When not serving bunnies, John works as a Systems Engineer for Thomson.
Jamie Schmeichel – MCRS Representative
Jamie has a big heart when it comes to animals. If you don't believe it, visit her house! Her family includes a dog, four cats, and three feisty boy bunnies! Her furbabies are all very close and are known to travel in a pack following her throughout the house. Although a big animal lover, rabbits are closest to her heart. She has had rabbits since she was a child and began volunteering with MCRS in 2005. Today she fosters and is a part of the adoption application and voicemail teams. She feels that education about our companion animals is the most valuable service we can provide as a group serving our furry friends. In addition to doting on her animals, she is pursuing a degree at the University of St. Thomas and works full-time in the financial services industry.
Karen Skewes - Adoption Events Coordinator
Karen has been a bunny mama since 1992. She joined MCRS as a member and volunteer in 2003 and believes the cause of rabbits is one of her purposes in life. Karen is known as the MCRS "Bunny Profiler" and "Bunny Dater" at the Newly Merged Humane Society (formerly Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley). She started volunteering at the shelter in 2003 and has become quite knowledgeable about rabbit care. Karen is involved in many MCRS events, including Adoption Events, the Holiday Boutique and teaching Bunny Basics classes. Karen has many creative talents as well; she sings classical and jazz, and she sews the dust bunnies and carrier covers. Karen is a bunny mom to Noelle and Figaro or "Figgy", as well as cat mom to her 11-year-old calico, Ruffles.
Ian Western - Retail Sales Coordinator
Ian has enjoyed rabbits and rabbit shenanigans since his childhood. He gets especially giddy when they binky (do a little bunny dance) and has been known to join in to try and get them to do more of it. Ian has volunteered with MCRS since 2005 in various capacities including the co-lead volunteer at Apple Valley PETCO, a Bunny Date supervisor at adoption events, a fostering apprentice and as the Retail Sales Coordinator. Ian has several rabbits of his own, 2 cats, and fosters MCRS rabbits at times as well.
Lana Western - MCRS Representative
Lana received her Bachelor's degree in Music from St. Olaf College in 2003. After teaching private music lessons for several years, she decided to make a career change to the world of animal welfare. Lana is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Coon Rapids and Golden Valley locations of the Newly Merged Humane Society (formerly Animal Humane Society). She and her husband, Ian, share their home with several pairs of companion rabbits, and two young cats.
Taryn Wichterman - Membership Coordinator
Taryn had her first bunny, Whiskers, when she was a little girl and so followed Patches, Fuzz #1, Fuzz #2. It wasn't until Taryn wanted to find a companion for her lop Peanut that she found MCRS. She adopted Maggie from the Newly Merged Humane Society (formerly Animal Humane Society) with the help of MCRS. Taryn wanted to help out the bunnies personally so she chose to volunteer with MCRS. Taryn fosters in her home and also exercises the buns at Richfield PETCO. She loves that MCRS is so dedicated to helping bunnies find good homes and is happy to be a part of the gang.
