Our Team
Jen Lehane
Founder/Chairman of the Board
jennifer@jensneonatalnursery.com
Jen has been rescuing baby kittens her whole life. Eight years ago, she decided to open a Neonatal Kitten Nursery and went to train at Austin Pets Alive Neonatal Nursery! Upon her return, Jen went to work with HPA and started their Neonatal Kitten Program. Today, Jen has seen her dreams come true. She works tirelessly with the friends she has met along the way to save the most vulnerable kittens, the “Neonatals.”
Dr. James Simmons
Advisory Director
Dr. Simmons is President Emeritus of Lamar University and served as President of the Board of Managers for the Beaumont Independent School District. He has extensive expertise in leadership and management protocols and is always available for advice and counsel to the board members.
Christy Stetson
President/Founder
christy@jensneonatalnursery.com
Christy is our neonatal kitten EXPERT. An accountant by trade, her passion has been caring for neonatal kittens and medical cases. Dedicated to providing the highest level of care and support to these special kittens, Christy helps them on their path to recovery. Through her experience, compassion, and collaboration with veterinarians, she strives to give these kittens the best chance at a healthy and happy life.
Kim
Secretary
Kim is the secretary for Jen’s neonatal and a dedicated neonatal foster. During the lockdown, while others took up new hobbies and home projects, Kim decided to try bottle feeding—and never looked back. Rescuing and fostering have become a fulfilling and rewarding part of her life. Whether supporting the organization through her role as secretary or caring for fragile kittens, Kim is committed to giving these tiny lives the best chance at survival.
Zamira Soni-Woods
Vice President
zamira@jensneonatalnursery.com
Zamira started fostering kittens after Hurricane Harvey and has not stopped. She lives a double life as the founder of her own CPA firm and a passionate kitten foster. Zamira believes in balancing a professional career with the joy and fulfillment of saving and caring for adorable little felines.
Susan Thrash
Intake Coordinator
intake@jensneonatalnursery.com
Susan started her rescue career in 2015 as a volunteer and foster for Harris County Pets where she had the highest live return rate of adoptable kittens for several years. A champion of the underdog, her passion lies with neonates and medical cases. Susan’s ability to successfully care for and raise the most vulnerable kittens led her to train formally at the Austin Pets Alive Neonatal Nursery. With compassion, patience, and dedication, she has fostered over a thousand kittens in her career, and continues to look for ways to do more to support kittens in need as well as her fellow fosters and the organization
Baou Ta Shardonofsky
Board Member
Baou and Jen met to volunteer with HPA after Hurricane Harvey. Baou has five years of fostering experience and is excellent at that! An educator by day but a full-time foster by heart with a special place for neonatal bottle babies.
Dr. Karen Euers
Advising Veterinarian
Dr. Euers answers medical questions for the team and is always available at a moment's notice. Her contributions undoubtedly make a significant difference in the lives of our foster kittens.
Jennifer Spriggs
Board Member
Jennifer and Jen met when Jennifer was a Houston Pets Alive volunteer for the Kitten/Cat program during and after Hurricane Harvey. Jennifer eventually landed at the Helm as HPA Executive Director. Jen has a passion for not only helping the kittens but for helping the organizations she volunteers with become the best they can be. Her professional operational/logistical background serves us well. She is a troubleshooting genius during the day and a heck of a bottle feeder at night!
Jennifer Johnson
Treasurer
Jennifer and Jen met volunteering with HPA after HARVEY! Jen is an accountant by trade and has over seven years of experience fostering kittens. She has a special place in her heart for amputees, blindness, CH, and Panluek.
