Each week will feature a different blogger or department. Rotating authors allows us to bring a variety of perspectives and keep the content fresh.
Robin Robertson Starr
Chief Executive Officer
Robin left a successful career as an attorney to join the Richmond SPCA as its chief executive officer in 1997. During her tenure, Robin has transformed the organization into a national leader in animal welfare and has implemented a multitude of progressive and innovative programs and services, now replicated at agencies nationwide, dedicated to ending pet homelessness throughout the community. She is a visionary in the humane movement, and her work has led to Richmond being distinguished as one of the safest cities in the country for homeless animals.
Tamsen Heckel Kingry
Chief Operating Officer
Tamsen joined the Richmond SPCA in 2002 and presently serves as the organization’s chief operating officer. In this capacity, Tamsen and her team oversee development, public relations, veterinary services, and the adoption center. She is involved in a number of community initiatives that have helped garner public support for the state-of-the-art, nationally-recognized Robins-Starr Humane Center and its myriad lifesaving programs and services, and she has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit Richmond’s orphaned animals.
Tabitha Frizzell Hanes
Director of Communication
Tabitha, director of communication for the Richmond SPCA, joined the organization in 2005. You can see Tabitha on NBC-12 featuring pets of the week each Friday at noon, or you can hear her voice on Lite 98 and 96.5 KLR among other radio stations. In addition to appearing on regular media spots, Tabitha oversees media relations, branding campaigns, social networking initiatives, Web development, advertising initiatives, our blog and more. Her work has been recognized with Virginia Public Relations and Communicator Awards.
DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Liz Bryant
Manager of Major Gifts
Prior to her appointment as manager of major gifts, Liz served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond SPCA and its Executive Committee. As a member of the development staff, Liz oversees major fundraising efforts including individual, planned and corporate giving; grantwriting; special events such as the Fur Ball; and special campaigns. Liz earned both a bachelor and master degree in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her professional background includes experience as an award-winning journalist, successful fundraiser and creative public relations professional.
EDUCATION & TRAINING TEAM
Sarah Babcock
Chief of Education and Training
Sarah became a member of the Richmond SPCA team in 2001 and currently serves as the organization’s chief of education and training. Sarah and her staff manage the behavior helpline, youth humane education programs, adult education via Pet University seminars, pet behavior and training, outreach and companionship programs, volunteers and Project Safety Net. The Richmond SPCA has grown to be the largest provider of humane education throughout Central Virginia, and its operating model is emulated by communities across the country through national outreach partnerships.
Marie Tripton
Senior Behavior and Training Specialist
Marie joined the Richmond SPCA in 2003 and serves as the organization’s senior behavior and training specialist. She provides behavior and training help through phone, e-mail and face-to-face consults with members of the public who contact our Behavior Helpline. She also teaches classes about dog and cat behavior, basic dog obedience skills, agility, flyball and tricks. The Richmond SPCA promotes reward-based training and management programs to improve relationships between pets and their people. What’s Marie’s favorite thing to teach? How to say “Yes! Good dog!”
VETERINARY MEDICINE TEAM
Dr. Angela Ivey
Director of Veterinary Services
When Dr. Ivey started working at the Richmond SPCA, she thought the position would serve as her transition from private practice ownership to retirement. Five years later, that original goal is a mere fantasy! Dr. Ivey, director of veterinary services, oversees both spay/neuter clinic operations and in-house shelter pet medicine. She manages one of the highest-volume, targeted free and low-cost spay/neuter initiatives in the country while also delivering exceptional medical care to more than 300 shelter pets daily with her dedicated veterinary team. She is a graduate of Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine and worked in private practice for more than 20 years before joining the Richmond SPCA.
Kate Hall
Manager of Veterinary Services
Kate joined the Richmond SPCA in 2004. As the manager of veterinary services, Kate manages the medical staff responsible for shelter pet health and the Smoky’s Spay/Neuter Clinic team. Under Kate and Dr. Ivey, the clinic has become one of the most successful low-cost and free sterilization operations in the country. Kate also stays busy orchestrating low-cost wellness programs for pets of low-income families throughout Greater Richmond. In 2009, she completed a program of study and certification to become a licensed veterinary technician.
ADMISSIONS TEAM
Laura Palin Clement
Manager of Admissions
Laura joined the Richmond SPCA in 2008 as an admissions counselor and 7 months later became the assistant manager of adoptions. After managing the volunteer department for a brief stint, Laura moved into the role she considered her "dream job" with the organization, managing the admissions department. Laura considers it a privilege to manage the intake process through both transfer relationships with partner shelters and counseling of pet guardians who are contemplating relinquishment, enabling the Richmond SPCA to save the life of another orphaned animal in great need.
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