Board of Directors/ Bios

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Nancy is a retired non-profit professional with 40 years of experience in fund development, board development and volunteer leadership and training. Prior to beginning her career in non-profit work she spent 5 years living and traveling in Europe. Upon her return she accepted position with the YWCA, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, Northern New Mexico College Foundation and Santa Fe Community Foundation. Her volunteer efforts include the establishment of Niches, a 501c3 ecological retreat in Southeast Ohio which later became an ecological preserve. She was part of the committee that created the Los Alamos Food Cooperative and was instrumental in the creation of the Española Community Market. She served on several volunteer boards throughout her career and currently serves with the Mesilla Valley Film Society. Nancy has lived with many cats and dogs including Echo, a cat who lived to be 23 years of age and her dear Tula who died after a midnight drive to the El Paso Emergency Clinic. She was inspired by Dawn’s letter to the editor this Spring and has the passion and drive to assure that a 24/7 animal emergency clinic is established in Las Cruces.

Linda Mandel is a retired interior plant designer who owned her business, Linda M. Mandel, Ltd for 35 years in the Chicago area.  She and her husband, Steven raised their two sons in Highland Park, IL where they were both active in local politics and cultural programs.  Linda served on the Sister Cities Committee for a time and continues as co-chair of the Board of Governors of the Highland Park Community House, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing Highland park's intellectual and cultural life.  Linda and Steve had a second home near Hillsboro, NM which they frequented.  After selling it in 2017, they made their move to Las Cruces in 2020 with their 9-year-old Portuguese Water dog named Gilbert.  Linda now has another Portuguese water dog named Sullivan, her 4th.  An impromptu run-in with Dawn Duncan and realizing that the nearest pet ER was 1 hour away in El Paso prompted Linda to join Animal Companions of Las Cruces and become a volunteer.  She was recently invited to join the board. 

Heidi was born in Singapore and grew up in El Paso, TX. She has her Bachelor’s in Business and a minor in Marketing 

and worked both in the Optometric field as a tech while also assisting her husband with our roofing and construction business. She rescued Dillon from the El Paso Humane Society since she was there at the time. He was 7 then which was 4 years ago now. He truly rescued her though! She had just put her 4 year old Basset down soon after the passing of her husband so needless to say she was only hanging on by a thread! They definitely rescued each other and haven’t left each other's side ever since. 

Heidi moved up to Las Cruces after her husband passed needing a change and always loving the peace and more artsy side of Las Cruces compared to El Paso. So far she has loved her time up here with old friends and has met some really amazing new people! 

Heidi supports Animal Companions of Las Cruces and their efforts immensely!! However In all honesty she admits she might not have moved here if she had known there was no after hours emergency animal care! She feels since Las Cruces is the 2nd largest city in New Mexico and for it to not have any after hours veterinary services is ridiculous.  She does love New Mexico and believes Las Cruces can do better and feels that it is almost negligent if they don’t!

Since moving to Las Cruces, Kelly has appreciated the serenity and hospitality of the community. A native of rural Northern California, she has a deep connection to all animals, nature, and the environment. Her passion lies in art and marketing. She developed her experience in design and branding by directing local businesses and non-profit organizations in their marketing campaigns. She worked extensively with Steinborn-Better Homes Real Estate as a realtor, marketing specialist, and in digital/social media communications.  Kelly was introduced to Dr. Dawn Duncan, Founder and Chair of Animal Companions of Las Cruces, after reading testimonials from local residents who expressed the dire need for 24 hour emergency veterinarian services. She loves cooking, learning wine-making, and traveling. She and her husband, Michael adore their rescue fur-kids: Riley, a 10 year old boxer mix, and two cats, Tippy & Suki. 

 In May of 2023, Wanda and her husband relocated to Las Cruces from Western Colorado after visiting Las Cruces and staying in Mesilla while exploring the community.

Wanda was born and raised in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. She used to play every day along the Rio Grande River as a child.  She and her husband also spent a lot of time biking and hiking in Utah. The transition to the Chihuahuan desert seemed logical, and they are very excited about now living in southern New Mexico. 

Wanda remembers being shocked when she learned that the nearest 24-hour veterinary services were in El Paso. Two years ago, she adopted the sweetest dog in the history of dogs, Guido. He is the love of their lives and they can't imagine not being able to get him the veterinary help he may need in a timely manner. That is when Wanda became involved with this Animal Companions of Las Cruces and says It feels good to be proactive and work toward a solution to the lack of emergency veterinary care. After 45 years as a Registered Nurse, she retired in 2022. Throughout her nursing career, she remained committed to being an advocate and voice for the families she had the privilege of caring for. She hopes that passion translates to making a difference for the animals in our community.

Jean Berlowitz has lived in Las Cruces for 12 years. She is an avid visual and performing arts patron. A retired manager and business executive, she has county, state and federal government experience, as well as experience in private industries, such as banking and commercial aviation. Additionally, she assisted government and private entities with management issues through her own consulting business. Jean has served in many volunteer positions, prior to and during her time here in Las Cruces. Nearest to her heart are her assistance to asylum seekers and her participation as a Reading Buddy at Jornada Elementary. Her first pet was born the year before she was, an American Cocker Spaniel named Snoopy. Her uncle raised the spaniels for show, so during her youth, she also enjoyed Chester and Oliver. Her own dog, Jilly, saw her through many years in Texas, Missouri and Oregon, but since her Jilly's death, Jean has been a cat person. Her current fur babies are Gabi, soon to be 16 years old, and Lulabelle Wallenda (Lulu) who will be 3 next year.

 Leah Romero was born and raised in Las Cruces, NM. She has worked as a journalist in the state since 2018, starting at New Mexico State University’s student newspaper The Round Up. Leah is currently a staff reporter with Source New Mexico, but Las Crucens might recognize her from her three and a half years as trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News. She actually wrote about Animal Companions of Las Cruces early on for LCSN.Leah also works as a freelance writer, published by The Bite New Mexico and The Las Cruces Bulletin. She writes news releases and completes other media work for the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Symphony Orchestra and New Mexico Performing Arts Society. She is a board member of the Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society. 

Leah has two dogs, a 9-year-old Chihuahua-mix named Rosie and a 1-year-old Chiweenie named Bruno. She is passionate about getting closer emergency care for her little ones. Leah lost her family dog, a 16-year-old Chihuahua-mix named Diego, this past spring. Diego had heart and liver conditions and required emergency care several times over the past year. There were times it wasn’t clear he would make the drive to El Paso. When Dawn asked if she would be interested in joining the Animal Companions board, Leah was super interested. She is excited to do what she can to help promote the organization and further its mission.

 Jennifer Bonalumi lives in Las Cruces, NM, with her five dogs. She was raised in New Hampshire and decided to move to the Southwest in 1999. She attended New Mexico State University and received her master's in social work, with a minor in drug and alcohol counseling. She has worked as a mental health therapist in the Las Cruces community since 2007. Jennifer has been working with animal non-profits since 1999. First, with Voice for All Animals in El Paso, TX, who was instrumental in removing Sissy the elephant to an animal sanctuary in Tennessee. 2012 she began volunteering with the Action Program for Animals in Las Cruces, NM. She was involved in various areas of APA until 2017. She became involved with Animal Companions of Las Cruces this year. She has also been actively fostering the Cherished-K9 non-profit. She has a strong love for animals and is passionate about getting them the care they need. 

 Since July 2024, Anna has served as an Ex Officio member to the Board of Animal Companions of Las Cruces.

Until her retirement in December 2021, Anna served as the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller for a southern New Mexico production home builder.  Prior to moving to Las Cruces in 2015, she served as an executive consultant to various Fortune 100 corporations, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of a publicly-held company, and as an Audit Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. 

Since 2022, Anna also serves as Treasurer and past Secretary for the Safe Haven Sanctuary Board of Directors; and, is also a current member of the Talavera Community Association Board.  Anna has previously served on other not-for-profit Boards including as past-Treasurer of the Portland, OR Volunteers of America, the Portland, OR Save the Child Foundation; and, as a volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor for the Las Vegas Community College.

Anna and Dale are well-trained by their three opinionated shih tzus and one long-suffering chihuahua.

Matt Holt serves in an Ex Officio capacity as a Lawyer since July 2024, having been a supporter of Animal

Companions of Las Cruces since since 2022. Matt has his own law office, is an arbitrator and attorney, as

well as a former professor of business law at New Mexico State University. Matt serves on the Board of

Abode, Inc. A New Mexican at heart, Matt graduated from New Mexico State University and from The

University of New Mexico School of Law. He enjoys time with his family, doing home projects, and his

beloved dog.