Our Staff – NOCO Humane

Judy Calhoun, CFRE, CAWA | CEO

Judy joined NOCO Humane in 2008, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit organizational management and development. An accomplished professional in the animal welfare industry, she utilizes her knowledge to develop, implement, and monitor the short- and long-term operational and financial goals necessary to carry out the mission, vision, and strategic goals of NOCO Humane as set forth by NOCO Humane‘s Board of Directors.

She is responsible for the overall management and operations, ensuring the organization complies with state and local regulations and contractual agreements, and is on track with its efforts to promote and provide the responsible care and humane treatment of animals in Larimer and Weld counties through effective fundraising efforts, sound fiscal responsibility, and maintenance of an effective team of employees and volunteers.

Prior to joining NOCO Humane, Judy serves as the associate executive director for the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, and Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society; and as the executive director of the GBLT Community Center of Colorado. Her professional experience also includes eight years as the vice president of development and community relations at the Dumb Friends League and five years as the director of development at the Peninsula Humane Society.

Judy earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in sociology from Bryn Mawr College. During her time at NOCO Humane, she led the successful Yes on 200 sales tax initiative to help fund the construction of the new facility which opened in September 2017.

Judy and her spouse Cheryl reside in Timnath with their two cats, Tiger and Smokey, and guinea pig, Kona.

Nelson Murphy | Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Nelson joined NOCO Humane in October 2024 as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. In this role, he provides strategic direction and management responsibility for all financial and human resources activities. This role also provides oversight for IT, in partnership with our 3rd party provider. Nelson brings extensive financial and operations experience having held senior roles in AT&T, Northrop Grumman, and more recently in higher education. He has lived and worked in the US, UK, Europe and Latin America, supporting public, private and not for profit organizations. Nelson is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a B.S. in Accounting. He and his wife Carol live in Greeley and enjoy sports, music, hiking, and most especially time with their 11 year old dog Kilo.

Brett Harris | Director of Animal Protection & Control

Brett Harris joined NOCO Humane as Director of Animal Protection & Control in January 2025, bringing with him over 20 years of animal welfare and law enforcement experience in both nonprofit and local government environments. Brett is responsible for the oversight of daily operations and management of the Organization’s Animal Protection & Control team, which serves Larimer County’s contracted jurisdictions’ and supports its animal welfare needs.

Before joining NOCO Humane, Brett served in a number of public safety roles; in northwest Arkansas as the Animal Shelter/Animal Control Director of a municipal animal shelter, and locally as a Police Officer, Animal Control Officer, and Evidence Supervisor for two law enforcement agencies. In his free time, Brett enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and three dogs.

Brett is originally from Montana where his animal welfare career began as an animal caretaker at the Missoula Humane Society. Brett graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience. Brett is proud to be part of the NOCO Humane team, its mission, and sharing in the rewarding work we do in serving our communities and their animals.

Amanda Myers | Director of Development & Community Relations

Amanda Myers joined NOCO Humane in April of 2019 and brings more than a decade of nonprofit fundraising experience to her role as the Director of Development & Community Relations. In this role, Amanda is responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of all fundraising, marketing, volunteer, and community outreach initiatives. Prior to her time with NOCO Humane, Amanda served as the Development Director at the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette. A North Carolina native, she held the positions of Grant Writer and Public Sector Liaison at the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg before relocating to Colorado in 2016. Amanda graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Master of Public Administration focused on nonprofit management. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University. Amanda is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Amanda’s interest in animal welfare and the work of NOCO Humane can be attributed to the three wonderful shelter pets that share (and occasionally run) her home in Windsor.

Jen Valentine | Director of Operations

Jen Valentine is the Director of Operations for NOCO Humane. Having been a member of the shelter team since June of 2008 serving as a Client Services Representative, Client Services Supervisor and Shelter Manager, she brings a wealth of organizational knowledge to this leadership position.

Jen is responsible for the strategic direction and daily operations of the animal shelter, including Animal Care and Placement, Veterinary Services, Information Technology, Facilities and Maintenance, and Emergency Preparedness and Response.

From a very early age, Jen has had a passion for working with and helping animals. With experience in working with domestic and wild animals, as well as livestock, Jen was drawn to NOCO Humane through her desire to provide assistance, guidance, and resources to pet owners to help preserve the human-animal bond. She feels blessed to have her dream job which allows her to help make a difference for her community every day.

Jen is a Colorado native and shares her home with her husband and their two cats. She enjoys reading, baking, music and loves all snow-related activities.

Gail Rapport, DVM | Chief Veterinarian

Dr. Gail joined NOCO Humane in October of 2023. She had been the Shelter Veterinarian at the Humane Society of Weld County prior to it becoming NOCO Humane. At the start of 2025, she accepted the position of Chief Veterinarian and now oversees the veterinary departments at all of our campuses. Gail brings over four decades of shelter medicine experience to our organization. She grew up in Michigan and obtained her DVM degree at Michigan State University. Her first position was with a local humane society which ignited her forever passion for shelter medicine and surgery. In addition to Michigan, she has practiced at animal shelters or high volume spay/neuter groups in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. For the last 15 years, she has been with shelters here in Colorado. This varied experience in different shelters brings with it a deep appreciation for the need to be both creative and practical in shelter medicine. Her sheltering passion is to be able to provide the most humane care to the most animals while working to further the human-animal bond in our surrounding community. When not at one of the shelters, she can be found with her husband, two adult children, three cats, two dogs, or pursuing her other passion of equestrian sports.

Brett DeWester | Associate Director of Operations

Brett DeWester has been with NOCO Humane since February of 2017, first serving as an Animal Care Supervisor for over two years and later as the Shelter Manager for four years. Brett has been in the role of Associate Director of Operations since July of 2023. As the Associate Director of Operations for the Organization’s Weld County facilities, Brett is responsible for the oversight of daily operations and management of the Organization’s shelter and adoption facilities, including safety and emergency response, front desk operations, animal care and placement, and the enrichment and evaluation of our shelters’ animals. Before joining NOCO Humane, Brett managed a farm and natural foods company in the Midwest for several years. In his free time Brett enjoys thrifting, hiking, tinkering in his barn, cooking and spending time with his wife, friends and family (including his flock of chickens and dog June who are NOCO Humane alumni!). Brett is originally from the small town of Tipton, Indiana and is a graduate of The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. At Wooster, Brett earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and was a four-year letter winner for the school’s baseball team. He is passionate about animal welfare and is excited to get to help the lives of members of the communities we serve and our shelters’ animals each day!

Laurel Young | Associate Director of Operations

Laurel joined NOCO Humane in December of 2024. She brings to the team over a decade of extensive animal welfare experience. Laurel previously served in the Trinidad, CO area in a wide-range of animal sheltering roles encompassing hands-on animal care, volunteer coordination, event management, marketing, fundraising, community outreach, and operation management. As the Associate Director of Operations she is responsible for the oversight of daily operations at the Larimer campus. She is a powerhouse of organization, creativity, and has a deep love for both people and animals. When she’s not strategizing or improving processes, you’ll find her solving The New York Times crossword, gardening with her cat Beans, or tinkering with just about anything mechanical. She’s an enthusiast of hockey, Scrabble, and ambidextrous training (yes, really). Laurel is excited to bring her innovation, passion, compassion, and knack for getting things done to NOCO Humane and our community.

Tracie Thompson | Controller

Tracie joined NOCO Humane in August 2021 with 25 years of accounting experience in government, quasi government, and non-profits organizations. Tracie is responsible for planning, directing and controlling the finance functions of NOCO Humane. She works closely with the CFAO, CEO, Board of Directors and senior staff to help guide financial development to ensure healthy and responsible fiscal activities within the context of NOCO Humane’s mission and goals. Prior to joining NOCO Humane, Tracie held management positions at Loveland Housing Authority for 14 years, City of Dacono as Finance Officer for 3 years and Little Thompson Water District for 8 years. Tracie graduated from CU Boulder with a BS in accounting while raising her three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, paddle boarding and traveling. She has a 2-year-old rescue dog, Sorka, adopted as a puppy from NOCO Humane. Sorka has grown up being an office dog at the shelter. Tracie’s favorite part of working at NOCO Humane is being part of the team that gets to help pets find their forever home.

Leighanne Alford, CFRE | Development Manager

Leighanne joined NOCO Humane in April 2022, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience. As Development Manager, she oversees the planning, budgeting, and evaluation of all annual fundraising activities, helping to secure critical support for NOCO Humane’s lifesaving work. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Leighanne graduated from Hendrix College and later moved to Fort Collins in 2019. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club and holds a certificate in nonprofit management. Outside of work, Leighanne enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and cheering on English Premier League soccer at Horse & Dragon. She and her husband, Wes, share their home with three beloved rescue dogs—pugs Winston and Lolo (NOCO Humane alumni) and Scholesy, who made the move with them to Colorado.

Ryan Carlson | Shelter Manager – Weld Campus

Ryan was born in Boulder, Colorado and grew up in Loveland, Colorado. Ryan started working at NOCO Humane as an Animal Care Technician in 2020 and quickly found a deep passion for Animal Welfare. As the Shelter Manager of the Evans Campus, Ryan oversees daily operations campus wide, directly overseeing the Client Services, Animal Care, and Behavior teams.

Patrick Eastman | Facilities & Maintenance Manager

Growing up in the small town of Elk Mountain, Wyoming, Patrick Eastman developed a strong work ethic and a knack for problem-solving—skills that have served him well throughout his 15+ years in the construction industry. With experience across multiple trades, Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to NOCO Humane, ensuring that the facilities remain safe, functional, and welcoming for both animals and people. Patrick’s favorite part of working at NOCO Humane? The incredible team he gets to work with every day. When he’s not keeping things running smoothly at the shelter, he’s at home spending time with his two beloved pugs, Leia and Gizmo.

Brad Kobernik | Safety & Emergency Manager

Brad joined NOCO Humane in March 2023 and leads safety and emergency planning efforts to ensure a secure environment for staff, volunteers, and the public. He oversees the Safety and Emergency Management Program, focusing on education, planning, and response to safety concerns. A U.S. Navy veteran, Brad honed his security and emergency response skills during his six years of service. He graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the University of Akron. Before NOCO Humane, he served as Security Supervisor at Poudre Valley Hospital and interned at Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s Emergency Management Department. Passionate about community outreach, Brad works to prepare the shelters and the public for emergencies. Outside work, he enjoys time with his wife, and his dog Barry, camping, paddle boarding, and exploring breweries. Combining his love for animals and interpersonal skills, Brad is dedicated to enhancing safety and preparedness at NOCO Humane.

Emma Meeker | Shelter Manager – Larimer Campus

Emma Meeker serves as the Shelter Manager at NOCO Humane, bringing experience from both limited and open admission shelters across the country. With degrees in psychology and social work from Loyola and Tulane Universities, she has always been passionate about the connection between human and animal welfare. While she once planned to become a psychiatrist, she quickly realized her true calling was in animal sheltering, where she could make a direct impact on both animals and the people who care for them. Emma finds immense fulfillment in mentoring and inspiring the next generation of animal welfare professionals. Even if she won the lottery, she insists she’d still be at NOCO Humane (after a well-earned tropical vacation) because this work is her true purpose. Originally from the Deep South—primarily Alabama and Louisiana—Emma is still adjusting to Colorado’s snowy winters. She has always had cats and dogs but once dreamed of having a python, a wish vetoed by her mother, who insisted all pets have legs. Instead, her most exotic companion was a leopard gecko named “Gecky.”

Clara Taylor | Volunteer & Humane Education Program Manager

Clara joined NOCO Humane in May 2023, bringing her passion for animal welfare and expertise in volunteer management to the team. She fosters collaboration between staff and volunteers to enrich the lives of animals and leads the Humane Education Program, aiming to inspire greater awareness of animal welfare issues. Originally from Windsor, CO, Clara honed her skills in hospitality during her time in Charleston, SC, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with Business Administration from the College of Charleston in 2019. After five years in the event industry, she transitioned to animal welfare in 2021, successfully building a volunteer program at a rural shelter in Summerville, SC. In her free time, Clara enjoys spending time with her four cats and following WWE. Using her love for animals and interpersonal skills, Clara proudly works with volunteers to support the staff and animals of NOCO Humane.

Jessica Velthuis | Event Program Manager

As a life-long animal lover, Jessica currently shares her home with three playful cats, two lovable dogs, and a sassy conure. Jessica holds a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management, and her background in fundraising allows her to create memorable experiences that connect people to meaningful causes. At NOCO Humane, she loves combining her passion for animals with her knack for creative problem-solving. Seeing the joy our events bring to participants—and the lifesaving impact they have for pets—is the best part of her work. When she’s not working, you can find her cuddling with her furry crew, digging in the garden, thrifting, or exploring new hiking trails.

Scott Wendelberger | Marketing & Community Outreach Program Manager

Scott joined NOCO Humane in June of 2022 and brings over 10 years of nonprofit and communications experience to the team. Scott is responsible for the marketing efforts and communication outreach needed for NOCO Humane to successfully promote its services and to build meaningful and lasting relationships with community partners. On any given day, Scott dives into a plethora of tasks: gathering content for social media, updating the website, crafting printed publications, generating e-newsletters and blogs, speaking on behalf of NOCO Humane, and anything related to marketing and communications. Scott was born and raised outside Milwaukee, WI and has lived in Colorado since 2009. He graduated with a BA in Mass Communication from Principia College, IL, and soon after dabbled in the radio industry working at 620 WTMJ and 94.5 WKTI, both based in Milwaukee. He gained ample experience from other Colorado nonprofits: Imagine!, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, and Autism Society of Boulder County, gaining a valuable understanding of mission-based organizations that are designed to directly support its communities. Scott takes pride in using his skillset and experience to directly impact a cause close to his heart. He looks forward to growing in this role while supporting the mental health and wellbeing of animals and their owners in our community!