Meet the Team
Dr. Katherine Baxter
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Katherine Baxter, Ph.D., joined the ANAW-USA team in July 2020 as Operations Director and became Chief Executive Officer in Nov 2021. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver where she teaches graduate courses within the Institute of Human-Animal Connection that explore human-animal-environment relationships in a global context. She holds an M.Sc. and a scholarship funded Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh with a focus on global education pedagogies and regenerative development practices.
Over the last decade she has worked in academia, government, and the non-profit sector across the US, Scotland, Nepal, the Middle East, and East Africa always endeavoring to create regenerative, multi-sectoral, and evidence-based solutions to complex social and environmental problems affecting both humans and other animals. She is driven by a deep commitment to creating a world free of suffering for all living things.
Kahindi Lekalhaile
MT KASIGHAU CONSERVATION CENTER DIRECTOR; ANAW-USA ADVISOR
Based in Kenya, Kahindi is a wildlife expert and conservationist with over 30 years of experience in the field. He is formerly the head of the Department of Planning and Research at ANAW in Nairobi, where he spearheaded evidence-led planning for impactful animal welfare interventions. He has a wealth of knowledge and working experience gained since 1990 from employment by different wildlife, ecotourism and environmental organizations in Africa as a full-time researcher and also at management levels. Over the past 30 years, Kahindi has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and has used his research findings to address and influence many international policy forums. He is a long-time member of Nature Kenya, a reputable African natural history society, whereby he sits on the birds scientific sub-committee.
Kahindi is also a technical advisor to several other community-based wildlife conservancies, as well as community-based wildlife and tourism organizations across Kenya. He is an alumni of PASGR (Partnership for African Social and Governance Research) and the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM). In addition, Kahindi is an associate faculty member of Moi University’s School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management (STHE). He is an environmental studies graduate from Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and a Masters of Science Degree holder from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Tourism Management at Moi University.
Jennifer Tuuk
COMMUNICATIONS & ADVOCACY ASSOCIATE
Jennifer is a University of Denver graduate with a Master’s in Social Work focused on One Health, Conservation Social Work, and Animal-Assisted interventions. She is also a Certified Forest Therapy Guide and Zoo Keeper with a BA in Anthropology and Spanish.
Originally from West Michigan, she was raised with nature and the Great Lakes out her backdoor. She has always had a love of animals, and yet hasn’t had pets because her family spent any free time camping and traveling. Now it’s no surprise that she became an environmental advocate and has traveled the world, including a visit to ANAW in Kenya through DU.
She came on board in January 2022, and is so excited to support ANAW-USA with communications, outreach, and advocacy for One Health, animal welfare, and related ANAW/ANAW-USA initiatives.
Dr. Janet Rumfelt
BOARD PRESIDENT
Janet L. Rumfelt, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Liberal Arts Department in the School for Professional Advancement at Regis University. She works in comparative religious traditions, philosophy, and trauma studies. More recently her concerns about environmental degradation and the treatment of nonhuman animals led her to shift her focus to the environmental humanities where she draws on religion and philosophy to address conservation issues. She spearheaded the development of an M.A. Specialization in Environmental Studies at Regis.
She has published on the role of narrative in redressing trauma and on Jesuit values in post-traditional curriculum. Currently, she is editing a volume on religion and animal extinction (under contract with Claremont Press) and is writing an essay that examines the transformation of lion hunting in the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem and explores the implications for religious rituals.
Dr. Rumfelt is active in nonprofit work. She founded Running Wild, an annual 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, that supports beneficiaries in Africa that protect imperiled species and ecosystems. She currently serves as the Board President of ANAW-USA and is also a board member with ANAW in Kenya. She is passionate about promoting ANAW’s mission of compassionate co-existence with nonhuman animals.
Prof James Nkansah
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
James Nkansah-Obrempong, Ph.D., is Professor and Dean of NEGST at Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya. His area of interests and work has been in theology and ethics and how these fields shape public policies. He is passionate about creation and how humans treat it. He works on creation care issues and draws from his theological and ethics background to deal with matters relating to the environment, animal care, and human coexistence. This passion led him to be part of the work ANAW is engaged; in ensuring the humane treatment of all animals.
Prof Nkansah-Obrempong has served on the ANAW Board of Directors since 2012, and he is currently the Chair of the ANAW Board of Directors and a Member of the ANAW-USA Board.
He obtained a BA in Theology from PAC University, Nairobi, Kenya, Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya and a Ph.D. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.
Dr. Ted Cohn, DVM, AVES (Hon)
BOARD MEMBER - TREASURER
Dr. Ted Cohn has devoted more than forty years of service to the people and animals of Colorado and the veterinary medical profession. A graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Cohn spent the first 7 years as an associate veterinarian in Denver. Next, he took a position at University Hills Animal Hospital, where he was an owner and hospital director until 2015. Additionally, Cohn served as a veterinarian on call for the Denver Zoological Gardens. In 2016, Dr. Cohn began his latest business venture, becoming an independent advisor and consultant serving the Veterinary Medical community.
Dr. Cohn has been a leader in veterinary medicine throughout his career, having served in numerous positions including president of his local, state, and national veterinary medical associations. Dr. Cohn was formerly a member of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative and is currently a member of the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition, as well as an advisor for the AlignCare project - all groups whose aim is to help the pets of low-income families receive veterinary care.
He served for six years on the Board for the Animal Assistance Foundation, and in 2019, Dr. Cohn joined the Africa Network for Animal Welfare-USA as a Board member and treasurer.
Dr. Elizabeth Whitney, DVM
BOARD MEMBER - SECRETARY
Dr. Liz Whitney graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. Over the span of her 34 year career, she has practiced small animal medicine for 24 years, worked in veterinary marketing and technical support for 8 years, taught small animal nursing in the veterinary technology program at Front Range Community College and provided temporary clinical support at CSU Community Practice. She has also served in an advisory capacity on veterinary educational boards.
Volunteerism and giving back has been a large part of Liz’s personal and professional life and philosophy. She served veterinary medicine in leadership positions at the local, state, and national level for over 20 years. She served 9 years on a non-profit board supporting youth in the arts, and in the past 4 years, she has traveled to Mexico (VIDAS), Puerto Rico (HSUS Spayathon Puerto Rico) and Kenya (Vet Treks) participating in veterinary service trips that perform free vaccination and spay/neuter services for local communities.
Liz feels strongly about playing an active role in the eradication of rabies, combating pet overpopulation, supporting the human/animal bond, working toward humane lives for all animals, and educating people about the connection between human and animal health. Her trip to Kenya in 2019 provided a wonderful perspective on the lives of humans and animals in Kenya and an introduction to the important and wonderful work of ANAW. She is enthusiastic and motivated to shift gears to global animal health and welfare in her board role with ANAW USA.
CURTIS WOITTE
BOARD MEMBER
Curtis Woitte is the Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer at the Denver Art Museum. As a leader, Mr. Woitte takes a holistic perspective to the Museum’s finances. Leveraging years of experience in both accounting and operations, he supports strategic growth while ensuring sustainable operations. Prior to joining the Museum in 2010, Mr. Woitte honed his skills working with high-profile companies in the restaurant, manufactured home, and retail industries. Mr. Woitte holds a CPA and earned his Business Administration degree from University of Northern Colorado and his MBA from Regis University. Mr. Woitte has adopted nine rescue animals and has long supported animal advocacy organizations.
Josphat Ngonyo
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ANAW
Josphat Ngonyo is the Founder and Executive Director of Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW). ANAW is the largest indigenous, hands-on, Pan-African non-governmental organization that promotes humane treatment of all animals across the continent by working with communities, governments, partners and other stakeholders, represented in 25 African countries. Josphat also co-founded Africa Network for Animal Welfare–USA.
In this role, Josphat is leading ANAW’s strategy focused on ensuring that animals are treated as sentient beings both at the grassroots and policy level. Through the annual Africa Animal Welfare Conferences, a platform he initiated and currently in tripartite partnership of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and ANAW. Josphat has been a champion and an advocate for the integration of animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation into the continent’s policies and strategies for the achievement of sustainable development goals in Africa.
Josphat has worked extensively in wildlife conservation and animal welfare for over 20 years. Through his leadership at ANAW, he catalyzed the establishment of the National Judicial Dialogues that brings together sixteen law-enforcement agencies in Kenya among them the judicially, Kenya Wildlife Service and the Office of the Attorney General, to deliberate and work towards addressing wildlife and environmental crimes; among them being illegal wildlife trade.
Josphat earned his MBA from Africa Leadership University School of Business following a B.ED (Arts) degree from Moi University, and a Diploma in Management of Not-for-Profit Organizations. He then led conservation initiatives at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and later went on to lead Youth for Conservation as its Director.
Josphat serves on the Boards of ANAW-USA and Compassion in World Farming, United Kingdom. He is also an Honorary Warden, appointed by Kenya Wildlife Service, due to his achievements in wildlife conservation in Kenya. Previously, he served in a national steering committee to review the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of Kenya (cap 376) and develop a wildlife policy; as a member of Ministerial Task Force on Animal Welfare Policy Development and Cap 360 review committee spearheaded by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries in Kenya; and as an Environmental Advisor to Vision 2030 of the Government of Kenya.
Josphat lives in Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife and two children.
David L. Gies
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Across many decades, Mr. Gies has led the development of philanthropic interests in the public and private sectors. In 2005, he met Josphat Ngonyo. Their friendship grew over the years resulting in the establishment of ANAW-USA, the nonprofit arm of ANAW in the United States. Mr. Gies continues to serve on the ANAW board of directors in Nairobi and facilitates efforts for the ANAW-USA office in Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Gies guided the board of directors for the Animal Assistance Foundation successfully redefine its giving portfolio diversifying the Foundation’s annual giving from one veterinary hospital to many humane organizations. Today, the veterinary hospital is a program of a major animal shelter. Prior to this he led several nonprofits, schools, and philanthropic organizations expand effectiveness and efficiencies. Over the course of his career programs missions ranged from human health, K-12 Education, poverty prevention and the performing arts. His experience includes establishing the national fundraising unit for the National Stroke Association, executive director for the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, and director for the Anschutz Family Foundation. Prior to his private philanthropy endeavors, Mr. Gies worked in the public sector as a grant administrator managing the distribution of Federal funds through Colorado’s Department of Human Services. Along the way he taught Nonprofit Management at Regis University and established the Kenya travel course at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work where he is currently a Scholar in Residence.
He has an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences from Colorado State University, an M.S. in Management of Rehabilitation Facilities from De Paul University, Chicago Illinois, and Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the University of Colorado at Denver.
Dr. Rich Reading
BOARD MEMBER
Richard Reading, Ph.D., is Director for Research and Conservation at Butterfly Pavilion. He is also Executive Director of the non-profit Coalition for International Conservation. Dr. Reading holds affiliations with the University of Denver, Colorado State University; and the University of Nebraska. He received a Ph.D. and three Master’s degrees from Yale University and an Honorary Doctorate from the National Education University of Mongolia. Rich has conducted or overseen projects in dozens of countries, working primarily on grassland and arid ecosystems on six continents, with a focus on the Great Plains of N. America, the steppes and deserts of Mongolia, the Savannahs and deserts of Botswana, and the Altiplano of Peru. Dr. Reading has experience studying and conserving a wide variety of wildlife from butterflies to wild camels; from frogs to hedgehogs; from snakes to wild dogs; and many more species. His work focuses on developing pragmatic, effective, and interdisciplinary approaches to the conservation of wildlife and protected areas through research, capacity development, and working with local people and governments. Dr. Reading serves as an associate editor for 5 scientific journals; has published over 220 scientific papers and book chapters; written dozens of popular articles; and written or edited 9 books.
Dr. Philip Tedeschi
BOARD MEMBER
Some of Philip Tedeschi's best friends are animals. He studies and teaches on the intricate relationship between people, domestic and wild animals, and the natural world. Tedeschi is the executive director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver and a Clinical Professor at the Graduate School of Social Work. He received his MSSW degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his specialization was the bio-affiliative connection between people and animals.
Dr. Maryanne Kagai, DVM
BOARD MEMBER
Dr Maryanne Kagai is a veterinarian currently working with companion animals in the private sector in Kenya.
Previously, she was the programs manager at the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW). She was a nominee for the Global Rabies Alliance Control (GARC) award in 2017. She served in the secretariat of Animal Welfare Action Kenya (AWAKE consortium), and was a member of the National Rabies Elimination Coordination Committee (NRECC), Kenya.
Additionally, she is a member of the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB), Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) and the Kenya Women Veterinary Association (KWVA). She is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, college of agriculture and veterinary sciences, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM).
Mia MacDonald
BOARD MEMBER
Mia MacDonald is the Executive Director of Brighter Green, a New York-based public policy action tank that works to raise awareness and encourage dialogue on and policy attention to issues that span the environment, animals, and sustainable development globally. Its work has a particular focus on equity and rights. At Brighter Green, she directs strategy, programs, and collaborative projects.
Prior to founding Brighter Green, Mia was a policy analyst, writer, editor, and project manager as a consultant on sustainable development, women’s rights, reproductive health, population, conservation, and animal protection. She worked with the Ford Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Green Belt Movement, among many others, as well as several United Nations agencies. She has taught in the Environmental Studies program at New York University and at the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the Human Rights program at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Mia has published many articles and opeds, authored a number of policy papers and reports, been quoted in a variety of media, and contributed to several books, including Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai’s bestselling autobiography, Unbowed. She serves as treasurer of the Green Belt Movement International-U.S., co-vice president of the Culture and Animals Foundation, on the U.S. board of the Africa Network for Animal Welfare, and has served on the board of directors of Farm Sanctuary and the Food Empowerment Project.
Mia received a master’s degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a B.A. with honors from Columbia, and also studied at Oxford University.
Gretchen Healey
BOARD MEMBER
Gretchen Healey was midway through what she thought was a lifelong career immersed in the world of information technology. She spent years in executive leadership at Fortune 50 companies such as IBM and AT&T, but her passion for sustainable travel and wild places made her forge a new path.
Gretchen left the corporate world for a safari consultancy position in 2009, where among other accomplishments, she launched a sustainability program and expanded the company’s community involvement programs. In 2010, Gretchen founded Pangolin Media, a full-service copywriting development and online strategy consulting company focused on the travel industry and wildlife conservation. She has worked with representation companies, tour operators, travel agents, product development organizations and NGOs in areas that range from communications to field implementation of wildlife protection technology.
Gretchen has a long history of community and board service including serving as president of the board of directors for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa; on the board of AfricAid, an organization facilitating girls’ education in Tanzania; as well as serving as board chair for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Liver Foundation. Gretchen brings her passion and expertise in travel and first-hand experience with wildlife conservation to ANAW-USA's board.
Anna Birman
INTERN
Anna Birman is a second-year student at the University of Denver pursuing a Master of Social Work with a concentration in ecological justice and a certificate in human-animal-environment interactions.
Before moving to Denver a year ago, Anna received her Bachelor’s in Psychology where she planned to work with children with disabilities. However, over the last few years, she realized she wanted to do more than just therapy and began looking into other career paths. Along with her interest in working with children, she always had a passion for working with animals and the natural environment. It was not until she came across the University of Denver’s MSW program that she realized she could combine her passions for both children and animals into one career.
Her goal is to work with organizations and the community to teach children about the connection between humans, animals, and the environment, with a focus on conservation and animal welfare. Anna is excited to be working with ANAW-USA to gain hands-on experience within the field and build relationships with community members and partners.
Michelle Hansen
INTERN
Michelle received her dual bachelor's degree in Psychology and Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2009. After which she worked in creative industries for over a decade, holding many different organizational roles from being a producer in advertising to reforming a two-year apprenticeship program for advanced hairstyling. She used those same skills in her volunteer work to measure and evaluate systems in order to develop more efficient programs as well as plan community events, such as a weekend-long makeover event for survivors of extreme violence and homelessness who were reentering the workforce. Wanting to dedicate more time to meaningful work, she decided to transition to a career that would capitalize on these skills while having a more direct impact on making the world a better place.
Being an avid traveler, she was especially interested in the voluntourism industry and in using data-driven methods to measure and evaluate the efficacy of foreign aid in order to promote effective assistance cross-culturally. She spent the next two years preparing for this transition by exploring career paths and traveling the country, at which time she was introduced to both macro social work and geographic information sciences, where she became interested in using spatial analysis to investigate human-animal conflict, especially in regard to conservation. She completed her GIS certification in 2022 and is currently pursuing her master's in macro social work with a concentration in ecological justice and international social work. She is interning at the African Network for Animal Welfare and a graduate research assistant with the Institute for Human-Animal Connection. When she’s not working, her interest is in outdoor adventure sports from rock climbing to trail running and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers. She is also still a working hairstylist.