President – Lori is a Data Link Engineer at Collins Aerospace and an active volunteer, foster caregiver, and advocate for animals in need. Originally from North Dakota, Lori has called Iowa home for more than 30 years. She has fostered many dogs and works to help dogs from southern shelters and rescues find opportunities with northern rescue organizations when space is available. She actively advocates for these dogs and helps facilitate connections that can give them a path to safety and, ultimately, forever homes.
Lori is also actively involved in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs and has trapped numerous feral cats to help reduce the number of homeless cats in the community. Two of the feral cats she trapped ultimately found their forever home with her.
In addition to her animal welfare work, Lori is active in her local church, where she uses her technical skills to help with livestreaming services.
Vice President – Stephanie lives in Springville with her husband Justin, their three young boys, and their three rescue dogs (2 huskies and a lab). Stephanie is currently the business and computer science teacher in Springville, and serves as their Business Professionals of America advisor. She also teaches HR through Kirkwood. She is very passionate about animal welfare, and hopes her involvement with AWF is a meaningful way to make a difference beyond what she can give monetarily, or through (more) adoptions/foster fails. In her rare spare time, Stephanie enjoys traveling with her family, cheering on the Hawkeyes, and making memories with her boys and pups.
Treasurer – Danica brings a finance background from her work at Nordstrom to the Animal Welfare Friends board, along with a personal commitment to dog rescue. She’s new to the AWF community and is excited to be a part of this wonderful organization. Danica also has a personal connection to Monticello, where her dad grew up and her grandparents resided. Danica lives in Marion with her husband Scott, daughter Adicyn, and their yorkie, Ollie, who reminds them daily why this work matters. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, live music, and yoga.
Board Member – Jillian is a licensed veterinarian who graduated from North Carolina State University CVM in 2018. After her graduation, she moved to Monticello to join the local veterinary clinic. Although she no longer works locally, she fell in love with the Monti community and joined the board to give back to her neighbors in town and in Jones county. Celebrating the human animal bond is a fundamental passion both professionally and personally. Jillian spends a lot of time outside of work riding her horse with friends when the weather permits! She lives under the imperial rule of one cat at home and is very enthusiastic about merging her professional passions with local outreach.
Board Member – Since as far back as she can remember, animals have been her sanctuary, so volunteering at Animal Welfare Friends has been the perfect fit. She lives with her husband Brandon, son Peyton, 7 hens, and 3 dogs: Maggie, Benny (adopted from AWF 2024), and Charlie (adopted from AWF 2024). She also has an adult son, Rylan. In her free time, you can find her digging in the dirt seeing what she can grow. Her love for animals, outdoors, and gardening started from a young age and continue to be her joy and passion.
Board Member – Megan Knatz is a Monticello native whose lifelong passion for working with and helping animals encouraged her to begin volunteering and fostering with AWF in 2022. Megan is the Founder and Owner of Ashton Hill Farm wedding venues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Galena, Illinois. In 2024, she joined the AWF board, bringing her background in business development, construction, real estate, marketing, and fundraising expertise. She and her husband Bryan live in Marion, Iowa and have two children, daughter Ashton and son Jack.
Board Member – Candy began volunteering for AWF in 2004 after AWF reached out to the community for volunteers. Candy has been AWF’s top fundraiser for many of those years. Her efforts include the annual summer bake sales and Tupperware parties.
Candy is pictured here with her dog Bailey. Candy also has numerous outdoor cats on her farm.
Board Member – Kate is a former volunteer and manager at AWF. She teaches and lives in the Monticello area. When not spending time with her family and friends, Kate is spoiling her pets and the many foster animals that pass through her care.
Board Member – Paxtyn was born and raised in Monticello where she currently resides. She works for Waste Management as a Senior Account Executive which allows her the flexibility to do doggie day care part time at her home. She has watched over fifty dogs and has fostered for AWF. Paxtyn has been involved in three adoptions with AWF and loves their mission of finding the right owner. When she is not busy watching dogs, she is busy corralling her own bunch. She has an Australian Shepherd named Zada and also shares a Golden Retriever, Hank, and a Black Lab, Sam. Her most recent adoption from Animal Welfare Friends is Honey, a three-legged Australian Shepherd.
President – Lori is a Data Link Engineer at Collins Aerospace and an active volunteer, foster caregiver, and advocate for animals in need. Originally from North Dakota, Lori has called Iowa home for more than 30 years. She has fostered many dogs and works to help dogs from southern shelters and rescues find opportunities with northern rescue organizations when space is available. She actively advocates for these dogs and helps facilitate connections that can give them a path to safety and, ultimately, forever homes. Lori is also actively involved in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs and has trapped numerous feral cats to help reduce the number of homeless cats in the community. Two of the feral cats she trapped ultimately found their forever home with her. In addition to her animal welfare work, Lori is active in her local church, where she uses her technical skills to help with livestreaming services.
