Heather Owen One Tail at a Time Executive Director

Heather Owen

BOARD PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
[email protected]

Heather Owen co-founded One Tail at a Time in 2008 while attending law school. She helped run the organization while practicing litigation in Cook County until 2015. That year she left her career to help One Tail open the Adoption Center and begin to reach its potential. Since then she has served as the Executive Director where she has been passionate about implementing progressive programming to address the problem of needless euthanasia. Heather is passionate about social justice, good books, and finding the best veggie tacos in the city. She is almost always accompanied by her One Tail alum and adventure buddy Trout.

Rachel Rader

VICE PRESIDENT

Rachel joined the Board in 2018, bringing her knowledge of business strategy and analytics to the team. She discovered One Tail in 2014 and “failed” with her first foster dog Lulu. She is passionate about One Tail’s mission and ensuring that all the other Lulu’s out there get their second chance. Rachel has an MHSA from University of Michigan School of Public Health, and works on improving the health insurer experience for both doctors and consumers.

Hilary Orler

TREASURER

Hilary joined the Board of Directors in 2020 to help manage the organization’s finances. After adopting OTAT alumn Luna with her husband in 2018, she knew she wanted to help save more lives. Shortly after, Hilary began fostering, volunteering at the Adoption Center, and joined the Associate Board in 2019. Hilary is a Finance Analyst for one of the largest liquor companies in the US. When she isn’t working or volunteering, she enjoys travelling with her husband, rock climbing, and pampering Luna.

Melanie Villanueva Rodriguez

SECRETARY

Melanie joined OTAT’s Finance Committee in 2020 and is very excited to serve on the Board of an organization with an amazing mission! Melanie was drawn to OTAT’s community, accessibility and impact they have on people and dogs alike. After adopting her first dog in 2017, Melanie realized the positive impact dogs have on a person’s life. Melanie currently works for a non-for-profit in the Loop focused on social sciences and is a Certified Public Accountant. Melanie and her husband reside in Lakeview East with their sassy pup, Aya.

Fran Federman

BOARD MEMBER

Fran joined the Board in 2018 to focus on development and fundraising and also helps out with the Associate Board. She was drawn to OTAT by its dedication to programming, community outreach, and efforts to make Chicago a no-kill city. A lifelong animal lover, Fran grew up with rescued dogs and cats and became more involved in the community after she and her husband, Mike, rescued their first dog. Fran has an MBA from Harvard Business School and leads treasury and capital markets for a real estate investment trust. When she’s not at work or helping out with OTAT, Fran can be found at the dog beach with her two rescue dogs, Louise and Rufus.

Brandi Morris

BOARD MEMBER

Brandi joined the Board in 2020 to focus on development and also serves as the President of the Associate Board. Brandi’s involvement with One Tail at a Time started in 2015 when she and her husband Bob adopted their dog Ada. She is drawn to One Tail at a Time’s vision and relentless dedication to make Chicago a no-kill city. Brandi has a degree in environmental sciences and manages a number of volunteer boards for a large environmental non-profit organization. She loves traveling the world with her husband, live music, and photography.

Beth Naccarato

BOARD MEMBER

Beth joined the Board in 2019 to assist as One Tail grows. Beth has over ten years of employment law experience representing both employees and organizations. Beth’s passion is helping workplaces be inclusive, fair, and just environments where individuals can cultivate their talents and organizations can achieve their goals. As an OTAT adopter, foster, and volunteer Beth is very excited to continue to be of service as a Board Member. No matter where she is Beth’s OTAT alumni Miami is usually not far away.

Lee Greenwood

BOARD MEMBER

Lee joined the Board in 2021 to help the organization expand its work and impact in the animal welfare space. He has worked in and around the government on the local, state and federal levels for most of his career, including 6+ years as a legislative attorney for a national animal welfare organization. He’s spent a lifetime surrounded by loving animals, including his current misfit pup, Kaya. Kaya usually lets him and his partner, Lori, share the house in Boston with their two adorably naughty kiddos, Max and Noa.

Katie Freeman

BOARD MEMBER

Katie joined the Board in 2021 to support One Tail in operations as the organization continues to grow. Katie has more than a decade of experience in management consulting and business operations and is currently a senior leader in a disaster and emergency management consulting firm. Her education is in political science and public policy, and the focus of her career has been in public sector and non-profit performance management and improvement. She is driven by One Tail at a Time’s vision to serve all of Chicago’s communities and pets by expanding resources to support shelter diversion. In her free time, Katie enjoys a good book, a challenging crossword puzzle, and working with her OTAT alum Special Agent Dale Cooper as they learn new tricks.

Taylor Robertson

BOARD MEMBER

Bio coming soon…

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Board

The DEIB Board develops and promotes strategies and best practices within the realms of racial, social, sexual, and gender diversity.

The DEIB Board meets quarterly and works on special projects to help OTAT progress.

Board Chair: Isabel Kadar

Board Secretary: Alya Adamany Woods

Board Members: Beth Nacarrato, Bob Martinez, Carla Garcia, Elizabeth Kurian, Eunice Ntiamoah, Melanie Villanueva Rodriguez

Associate Board Members

Stephanie Grohovsky & Tony Smith – Co-Presidents, Candice Burgess – Secretary, Ashley Marquez – Engagement Lead, Darcy Young – Engagement Lead, Emily Sanders – Auction Ops Lead, Erica Zitron – Auction Engagement Lead, Maggie Bafia – Auction Ops Lead, Matth Stroh – Auction Ops Lead, Allyson Spacht, Amy Johnson, Andrea Lin, Andrea Wendlandt, Ashley Gordon, Ashley Gunter, Brandi Morris, Bri Roan, Bridget Bodee, Britain Young, Casey Thele, Catherine (Cat) Hof, Cindy Nge, Courtney Blackwell, David Blakeman, Eleanor Cain, Elisa Harris, Elizabeth Smith, Isabel Shaindlin (Izzy), Jennifer Pstrong, Jessica Jones, Jillian Braun, Jillian Grachan, Jillian Rice, Joanna Goldberg, Jon Davis, Kaitlyn Vasko, Katya Shcherbakova, Kayla Brackett, Kiersten Smith, Kristin DeCorrevont, Kyle Hopwood, Lauren Carranza, Lauren Smith, Lori Portnoy, Lynne Styles, M. Rachel Ambrozewski, Madeleine Uelk, Maggie Rose-Salvadore, Mallory Earll, Margaux Joelson, Marissa Oberlander, Marissa Pinto, Melissa Burel, Molly Zisook, Priya Trivedi, Quinn Wright, Rebecca Zak, Richard Rice, Riz Gilani, Sam Karp, Talia Canter, Wade Coffin

Thank You to our Volunteer-Based Program Managers!

Jennifer Gardy, Twitter Manager
Laura Slivka, Team One Tail Manager
Shannon Friziellie, Webmaster