PRESIDANT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sherri has been involved in animal rescue for nearly three decades working with animals from all kinds of backgrounds. In 2014, she made it official and founded Royal Canadian Pooch Rescue in Ontario, which focused on networking with other rescues to help needy animals North and South of the Canadian border. Shortly thereafter, she moved to the US and continued her mission to help as many innocent souls as possible. She enrolled in Cesar’s Way Dog Training and became certified; not to become a dog trainer but knowing the skills learned in that program would be beneficial in animal rescue. Sherri also spent time in Jamaica and Bahamas providing much needed medical care (triage and hands on spay/neuter) to animals there. She has a well-established network of medical professionals all over South Florida she consults with on a regular basis and has fostered strong relationships with many county shelters and other rescue organizations in the area. In 2021, Sherri co-founded Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue with 2 other board members, Dana Voris Bursch and Diana Thies. The need for resources to rescue, restore and rehome animals across South and Central Florida is never-ending and Sherri was thrilled to have formally organized with her co-founders to make an even greater impact. Sherri was honored to be selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2022 William J. Von Liebig Foundation Award for her significant accomplishments in animal welfare. One can always find a houseful of short-term, long-term and forever-term wonderful, loving mutts living with Sherri!

TREASURER

Dana possesses a bachelor’s degree in accountancy, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois. Her career in Corporate Finance spanned three decades in diverse areas with increasing responsibility, concluding with her position as Vice-President of Global Finance for a complex global organization with 28 entities worldwide. She has managed budgets of $500M and overseen organizations of over 120 employees. One of the highlights of her career was her selection from over 1000 finance employees to receive the prestigious Monsanto Global Finance Excellence Award in 1996 for sustained accomplishments and outstanding performance. She also was the recipient of several President’s Awards for her innovation in the finance area and cross-functional roles and accomplishments. Dana has always had the calling to make a difference in the lives of animals, truly feeling it was one of the reasons for her existence. While working these demanding positions in Corporate Finance and raising kids for the past several decades, she donated to rescues and adopted animals in need, but that was never enough to quell her desire to really make a difference. Upon her retirement, she decided it was time to devote herself to animal welfare and rescue. She feels fortunate to have found like-minded professional women to embark on this journey by co-founding Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue in early 2021. Dana currently has two rescue dogs, Bailey (adopted from Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue) and her older buddy Cooper, a rescue dog from her home state of Illinois.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Diana graduated Cum Laude from Pace University, Lubin School of Business and holds a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Advertising and Promotion. Her diverse marketing career spans over 3 decades ranging across a number of different industries, including banking, corporate products and consumer retail products. She is currently the Executive Vice President of Brand Management and Corporate Communications at Discovery Senior Living. Her love and passion for all animals started as a young child and she credits her father for these traits. Growing up for most of her life on more than 150 acres in upstate NY, she was blessed with having a farm full of animals and rescues; from cows, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and horses; to dogs, cats, ferrets, a bird, and even a pet raccoon. She has previously been involved in various animal rescue groups in small ways until she co-founded Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue. She has lived in Southwest Florida for more than 23 years and currently has three rescue dogs and a rescue cat from Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue, as well as a rescued African Grey.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CO-SECRETARY

Kim is a licensed practicing attorney in the state of Florida. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy (1999) and received a Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida (2002). She is the mother of three adult children and an avid dog lover, having been a mom to a range of dogs over the years. She currently has two dogs she adopted from Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue, Tucker and Rodeo. Kim is also a foster mom in Lee County and currently also volunteers as a guardian ad litem representing foster children in court.

CO-SECRETARY

Tina holds a business degree from Central Connecticut State University. She previously owned and operated an all-women’s fitness facility and currently co-owns a cabinet and painting company with her husband, in addition to running her own personal training studio. In 2005, after selling her business in Connecticut, Tina moved to Florida to be closer to her parents. In 2022, as a new empty-nester, Tina made it her mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in the community. Tina found Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue and immediately fell in love with the organization and everything it stands for. Since then, she has proudly dedicated her time to volunteering and fostering, helping countless dogs find safety, love, and forever homes. Tina is also an avid triathlete, completing eight full-distance Ironman triathlons and coaching and guiding many athletes through their own triathlon, marathon, and personal weight loss journeys. Animals have always been at the heart of Tina’s family – she currently shares her home with six rescue dogs, including three foster fails from Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue, and one rescue cat.

VOLUNTEER PROJECT MANAGER

I have always loved animals and have adopted dogs most of my life. I first became involved in dog rescue in 2006 in Pennsylvania when I started volunteering with “Meet and Greet” events for a local organization. A couple of years later, a few volunteers of that rescue started our own foster-based dog rescue. We brought dogs to Pennsylvania from high-kill shelters in other states to adopt out in the Philadelphia area where homes were more plentiful. I am proud to say that rescue is still in operation today. Since moving to Florida about 6 years ago, I have volunteered with other wildlife-oriented organizations, but really missed helping dogs. Fortunately, I was able to meet a few of the ladies in GOFAR and I am excited to be involved in this fantastic organization!

VOLUNTEER PROJECT MANAGER

I have always had a love for all animals and there’s never been a time in my life when I didn’t have a pet. My mom is a saint, as is my brother, so we constantly had animals growing up! Since I can’t bring them all home now, I’ve been volunteering with Domestic Animal Services in Naples since 2015 and working with GOFAR has now given me the opportunity to devote myself to getting homeless animals adopted into loving homes. Pictured is my Daisy Mae – who we recently rescued – she is an angel!!! Adopting and fostering save lives. My rescue partners go above and beyond for our animals with love and support. It is an honor to be part of GOFAR.