BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND KEY STAFF

Originally from upstate NY, Nadia moved west and called Idaho her home for nearly 20 years. Now back east she appreciates being close to family, especially her young niece and nephew. Nadia enjoys all things outdoors, whether hiking with her dog, riding her horse or just enjoying a beautiful day in West Virginia. Nadia is passionate about all things animal welfare and has been in the field for more than 20 years.

Megan has had the privilege of being around animals all her life and has experienced the joy and love they bring. She is honored to call Anna C. Briggs, the founder of The National Humane Education Society (NHES), her great-grandmother. She has fond memories of watching her great-grandma make fudge, go on fearless animal rescue missions, and envelope those around her with her warm smile and selfless acts of kindness. Megan started her career working with children in 2000 and is excited to continue NHES’ legacy of creating a more humane world for all animals by teaching NHES’ Kindness in the Classroom program since 2015. Megan enjoys spending time with her family, her dogs, and hiking along the scenic trails in WV, VA, and MD.

Angie began adopting from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in 2001 and realized how much she wanted to be involved in the care and process of helping shelter animals find their forever homes, so she began working in the kennels in 2017. After seeing the need for help in her community with the overpopulation and high cost of spaying and neutering strays and family pets, she moved into NHES’s Spay Today department and has been the supervisor for the last four years. She likes to spend time with family, play games, read, and go on adventures with her dogs: a 9-year-old super mutt named Blitz and a gentle giant lab/pit mix named Bandit.

Sam has been working at NHES and specifically within the Briggs Adoption Center for 6 years. After receiving a degree in Business Management from Shepherd University, she decided to return to NHES as her passion lies with finding great homes for dogs and cats. Sam enjoys riding her dirt bike, hiking and spending time outdoors. She shares her home with Finn, a spunky Aussie/Pit Bull mix, Boomer, a talkative Blue Tick Coonhound, and two cats Spooky and Casper.

Teri has a full house with 6 dogs, 3 cats, 1 snake, 1 bearded dragon and a gecko! She shares her home with her husband, daughter and grandson and when she’s not taking care of all the pets and people she likes to watch true crime and biographies on Netflix. If time allows she loves to bake and cook, which the entire family appreciates. Teri is our Cattery Supervisor and ensures all our feline friends needs are met.

A true animal lover from a young age, Shannon has always known she wanted a career working with them. As our vet tech she gets to spend her days with us making sure our animals get the best of care! Shannon enjoys watching Disney movies, visiting new places and she has fostered numerous kittens for us, making her a certified cat mom! She shares her home with her husband, two children and playful Labrador Aurora.

Tara began her journey with the Briggs Animal Adoption Center as a volunteer, and it wasn’t long before she realized her passion for the organization and sought to become an employee. With a background in real estate photography following a lengthy career in nursing, Tara transitioned her skills to highlight our adoptable animals via photographs and biographies that help to capture their unique personalities. Outside of work, she enjoys horseback riding, painting, and cherishing moments with her three rescue dogs, all of whom she adopted from Briggs.

Shelly Carver has been with NHES for 7 years and has spent time in multiple roles, giving her a very well rounded knowledge of the organization. Currently working with donors in the Membership Services department, Shelly gets to connect with people who love the programs at NHES as much as she does! When she’s not at work Shelly and her husband enjoy spending time with their 3 cats and adorable dog, Pickles. And because no one can resist a kitten, Shelly is one of our kitten foster parents as well!

Rebecca had the great pleasure of joining NHES’s team as a Humane Educator in the end of January 2024. Her background is in arts education in her hometown of Winchester, Virginia. The opportunity to join this staff has been an incredible honor for her; the mission of the NHES has been close to her heart since adopting a rehabilitated puppy named Nita from the BAAC in 2021. Nita is now Chloe and has been loving life being the couch potato of the office, and going to visit local schools as an ambassador dog!

 When she’s not meeting every need of her 5 kitties, Digit, Critter, Echo Bae and Gator, Amber can be found matching NHES dogs and cats with their new families. While she has a soft spot for felines, having helped Bolivar Cat Rescue as well TNR in her own community, Amber is also known to sneak treats to dogs who ask nicely. Being mom to Ayden and Avery means Amber is a pro at packing lunches and teen lingo, which doesn’t leave her a lot of time for tarot reading, one of her hobbies.

Libby came to NHES with lots of animal experience. From bottle feeding camels to caring for her 3 dogs and 3 cats. While she works primarily with the dogs at the Briggs Adoption Center, she is happy to help with any animal! All her pets are rescues, and all her dogs were adopted right here at Briggs!

Mary has been a trusted employee of NHES since 2007! Mary has family nearby and enjoys spending time with them when she isn’t taking care of the dogs here at the Briggs Adoption Center. Mary has a knack for getting shy dogs to open up, wild dogs to learn manners and makes sure all the dogs here at NHES receive the best care possible.

After retiring from a full time pet grooming profession after 18 years, Susan decided she wasn’t quite done with dogs yet and joined our team as a Kennel Attendant. Susan is mom to 2 daughters, and grandma to 3 grandchildren. She dotes on her 4 kitties Djinn, Kaz, Dante and Miss Wednesday while also giving love to her grandpup Toby! She is pictured with her newly adopted son “Buddy” from Briggs! 

Cass enthusiastically embraced her role as a cattery attendant at Briggs Animal Adoption Center in the fall of 2024, generously providing affection and care to our feline residents. When she is not indulging the cats with love, she immerses herself in the digital world of video games or enjoys binge-watching the latest documentaries. At home, she shares her life with two charming black cats and an irresistibly adorable black Labrador retriever.