Meet the Wild Hearts Behind the Haven
Wild Heart Haven is more than a sanctuary, it’s a promise kept by the people who believe every dog deserves safety, love, and a place to belong. Our team is made up of dreamers, doers, and defenders of the voiceless, each bringing their own talents, stories, and wild-hearted spirit to the mission. Together, we work to create not just a refuge for dogs, but a community where compassion runs deep, and second chances are part of everyday life.
An Introduction to the Team
Cassini — Head of Safety & Security
Cassini is the fearless (and sometimes mischievous) guardian of Wild Heart Haven and the Wild Heart Foundation. With ice-blue eyes that miss nothing and a tail that never stops wagging, he balances his role as protector with a healthy dose of curiosity. If something new enters the property, Cassini is the first to investigate, usually by determining whether it’s chewable, breakable, or worth zooming around at top speed.
Wild at heart and endlessly playful, he brings joy, laughter, and occasional chaos to the Haven. But when it comes to keeping our dogs and our team safe, Cassini is all business. His instincts are sharp, his loyalty unwavering, and his presence a daily reminder of why we do this work.
Cassini protects the Haven with heart, humor, and a little bit of troublemaking, and we wouldn’t have him any other way.
Kevin Cooke & Nola
Founder / CEO & President
Kevin Cooke is a proud U.S. veteran and seasoned master mixologist with over 20 years of experience crafting exceptional experiences and bringing people together. Known for his dedication, creativity, and hands-on leadership, Kevin has spent his career serving others, first in uniform, then behind the bar, and now through his life’s most meaningful mission: Wild Heart Haven & the Wild Heart Foundation.
With his loyal companion Nola at his side, Kevin leads with equal parts heart and grit, determined to create a place where dogs in need find not just safety, but a true home. His vision for Wild Heart Haven is as much about people as it is about animals, building a community rooted in compassion, where every rescue is a promise kept and every visitor leaves knowing they’ve been part of something lasting.
For Kevin, this work is more than a cause; it’s a calling. And like the best things in life, it’s built on loyalty, love, and the belief that second chances can change everything.
Kristin Cooke & Magellan
Co-Founder / Chairman of the Board Member & Treasurer
Kristin Cooke is a wife, mother, and lifelong leader who has spent over 30 years guiding teams and shaping businesses in the fashion retail industry. From teaching piano in her early years to leading large organizations, Kristin’s passion has always been helping others grow and succeed. Today, that calling has found its deepest expression as Co-Founder and CEO of Wild Heart Haven & the Wild Heart Foundation.
At home, Kristin is surrounded by the love of her family, Kevin, their two boys, and their pack of pets that includes three dogs and two cats…so far. Her constant shadow, Magellan, is always close by, whether she’s working in the yard, running the household, or leading Wild Heart from her office. These daily bonds fuel Kristin’s belief that dogs are among the purest of companions: creatures who give love freely, trust deeply, and remind us what it means to live with authenticity.
As a leader, Kristin is devoted to transforming Wild Heart Haven from a passion and dream into a living, breathing sanctuary. She brings the same dedication and heart that have defined her career to this mission, building not just a refuge for dogs, but a movement of compassion, connection, and second chances.
Sara Russell & Copper
Executive Board Member
Sara Russell brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to Wild Heart Haven, where she is honored to serve as a Board Member. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Sara has dedicated her career to helping children and families thrive through her work at a local pediatric behavioral health nonprofit. In addition, she has spent nearly two decades teaching dance to young children, fostering creativity, confidence, and connection through the arts.
A lifelong dog lover, Sara has shared her home with many beloved pups and carries deep compassion for those who need extra care, safety, and love. She is passionate about building community, giving back, and helping both people and animals live healthy, fulfilling lives.
At Wild Heart Haven, Sara is excited to support the organization’s mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and protecting dogs in need while creating a sanctuary that nurtures connection, compassion, and healing for all.
Luis Prado & Hendrix
Executive Board Member
For Luis Prado, dogs have always been part of the story. From childhood companions to his current sidekick, Hendrix the Australian Shepherd (yes, named after the greatest guitarist of all time), Luis has seen firsthand how much joy, loyalty, and healing a dog can bring. That lifelong love is what makes joining the Wild Heart Haven advisory board so meaningful.
By day, Luis is a seasoned real estate broker in Central Florida, guiding families through milestones with honesty, strategy, and care. By night (and weekends), he’s a Yankees diehard, an Eagles fan, a movie buff who can quote lines from memory, and a self-proclaimed trivia junkie who never passes up a good fun fact. At his core, though, he’s a husband, a dad to two daughters, and someone who believes in growth, community, and giving back.
Luis sees Wild Heart Haven’s mission not just as a sanctuary for dogs, but as a movement, one that mirrors the values he lives by: patience, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong and feel seen
Dr. Taylor Kimball-Sabatella, Ph.D. & Billy
Board Member
Behavioral Research & Animal Welfare
A lifelong animal lover, Taylor shares her home with a dog, Billy, two cats, and two bunnies, each a reminder of the pure and unconditional love that fuels her work. Growing up riding and showing horses with her beloved horse, Treffor, she developed a deep appreciation for the bond between humans and animals early on.
With a Ph.D. in Psychology and a background in Neuroscience and Behavior, Taylor’s research explores the cognitive and emotional worlds of animals, particularly the mechanisms of social behavior and empathy. Her passion lies in expanding our understanding of nonhuman animals and applying that knowledge to improve welfare standards and strengthen human–animal relationships.
At Wild Heart Haven, Taylor bridges science and compassion, helping ensure that every aspect of care, enrichment, and education honors the depth and intelligence of the animals we serve.
Elizabeth “Liz” Finch & Valentine
Board Member
Development & Strategic Writing
Liz Finch brings over two decades of lived experience in animal welfare to her role on the Wild Heart Haven board. Her journey into rescue began at just six years old, when she surprised her parents by bringing home a stray kitten she found outside a movie theater, unknowingly setting the foundation for a lifelong commitment to animals. Liz has since spent over 25 years working in the animal welfare field, pairing deep compassion with clear, thoughtful communication. At Wild Heart Haven, she supports the organization’s long-term sustainability through strategic storytelling, donor-facing narratives, and relationship-driven development efforts. She works closely with leadership to help shape intentional, emotionally grounded messaging that reflects the heart of the mission while building trust with supporters.
Liz’s personal life mirrors her professional dedication. Over the years, she has shared her home with countless animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, and other rescued companions, and credits her dogs, especially Valentine , with shaping her understanding of loyalty, protection, and unconditional love. Her experiences in rescue, paired with her belief in honest storytelling, make her a valued voice in Wild Heart Haven’s work to create lasting impact for dogs who need it most.
Molly Fradley & Ranger
Advisory Board Member - DonorPerfect Systems
Molly Fradley works in nonprofit software sales, helping organizations use technology to deepen their impact and strengthen donor relationships. A former teacher and fundraiser, Molly brings a unique blend of empathy, strategy, and innovation to her work with Wild Heart Haven and the Wild Haven Foundation.
She’s passionate about causes that nurture connection, compassion, and growth, values she sees reflected in the sanctuary’s mission to create a haven for dogs and the people who love them.
Molly’s lifelong love of animals began early in a home filled with “found furry friends” who wandered up to the doorstep and quickly became family. Pictured with her late soul dog, Ranger, Molly honors his memory through her commitment to helping other animals find the same love, safety, and belonging he brought into her life.
Lydia Broer & Hank
Advisory Board Member - Funding & Grant Strategies
With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising strategy, and grant development, Lydia Broer brings both wisdom and heart to the Wild Heart Haven Advisory Board. As the founder of LJ Broer Consulting, she has guided arts organizations, assisted living facilities, and nonprofits across the country in building sustainable funding models and impactful donor relationships.
Before launching her consulting firm, Lydia served as Director of Grants and Research for a national Alzheimer’s charity and as Development Director for two history museums in the Northeast. Her expertise in board development, capital campaigns, and philanthropic outreach strengthens Wild Heart Haven’s long-term mission and growth strategy.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lydia finds joy and grounding in the companionship of her beloved dog, Hank, a loyal friend who embodies the same compassion and resilience that fuel her work in animal welfare.
Khalil Powell & Skylar
Advisory Board Member - Branding and Marketing
A Pepperdine University marketing graduate with over six years of experience in web design and social media, KJ brings both strategy and storytelling to the Wild Heart Haven team. His background blends small-business collaboration with mentorship from major corporations, giving him a deep understanding of how to build meaningful digital experiences.
From launching campaigns to refining user journeys and optimizing content for visibility, KJ’s approach bridges creativity and data, ensuring every project reflects both heart and purpose. At Wild Heart Haven, he’s helping shape the digital voice of the sanctuary, building a space where people and animals can connect, learn, and grow.
Skylar, his spirited companion, reminds him daily why this work matters: every story deserves to be seen, and every wild heart deserves a place to belong.
Nick Mammoliti
Advisory Board Member -Social Media & Content Writing
Nick is a storyteller at heart, blending creativity and compassion to give animals a voice through his writing. With a background in creative storytelling and digital media, he crafts heartfelt narratives that connect people to the mission of rescue and rehabilitation. A self-proclaimed “creative writing nerd” and lifelong animal lover, Nick believes words can change hearts, and that every story told helps bring another life closer to safety.
At Wild Heart Foundation, Nick uses his gift for language to capture the emotion behind each rescue, celebrate the spirit of every animal, and remind readers why compassion matters. His thoughtful, imaginative approach adds depth to our message and helps bridge the gap between advocacy and action. When he’s not writing, Nick enjoys exploring creative projects, experimenting with new ideas, and finding quiet inspiration in the simple moments that make life meaningful.
Cailin Schaefer & Casca
Advisory Board Member - Social Media Community Engagement
Animals have always been at the center of Cailin’s life. From the barns where she trains and manages horses to the home she shares with her beloved dogs, her work is rooted in a sincere devotion to the well-being of the animals she serves. Her professional journey blends hands-on care with business strategy, training horses, overseeing barn programs, leading marketing for equine facilities, and supporting an equine medical startup bringing new innovations to the industry.
Cailin brings to Wild Heart Haven not just her skills, but her heart. She believes deeply in the sanctuary’s mission to protect, uplift, and honor the lives of animals. Joining the team represents more than a role, it’s a chance to help spread a cause she profoundly believes in. Cailin is grateful and thrilled to support Wild Heart Haven’s vision and help build a future where every animal’s wild heart can roam free.
Emma Geyer & Colt
Canine Behavior & Rehabilitation Advisor
A lifelong animal rescuer, dog trainer, and veterinary assistant, Emma brings a deep passion for helping animals heal, grow, and reach their fullest potential.
Raised on a rescue farm in Volusia County, Florida, Emma spent her childhood caring for animals of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. Those early experiences shaped her lifelong dedication to animal welfare, rehabilitation, and compassionate care.
Emma’s work is especially focused on behavioral and medically complex dogs, the animals who often need extra patience, structure, and understanding as they begin a new chapter. She is passionate about helping dogs feel safe, supported, and fulfilled by meeting their physical, emotional, and behavioral needs with consistency and compassion.
Through her role with Wild Heart Haven, Emma hopes to help build a community of confident, educated, and compassionate people who understand that rescue is not only about changing an animal’s world, it is about allowing animals to change ours as well.
Noah Toren & Francie
Brand Growth Marketing Specialist
Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Noah has helped strengthen the organization’s voice, visual identity, and audience engagement through thoughtful storytelling and mission-driven content. He has played an important role in shaping Wild Heart Haven’s growing brand presence through his work on campaigns such and initiatives by helping communicate the vision of a world where dogs can experience safety, nature, healing, and a place to call home. His content focuses on building emotional connection with supporters while helping expand awareness of Wild Heart Haven’s mission and long-term impact.
Beyond his core content work, Noah is consistently quick to step forward and support new initiatives, bringing creativity, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset to the team. His willingness to contribute wherever needed has helped Wild Heart Haven continue building momentum during its early stages of growth.
With a passion for brand storytelling, audience engagement, and mission-centered communication, Noah represents the next generation of marketers using creativity and strategy to help organizations create meaningful impact.
Ethan Fricke
Creative Media & Program Content Specialist
Ethan helps bring the organization’s mission to life through visual storytelling, creative content, and program-focused social media campaigns. He is currently supporting awareness efforts for Wild Heart Haven’s Everest Foster Program by creating content that highlights foster life and encourages supporters to become fosters, advocates, or sponsors for rescue dogs in need. He is also contributing to upcoming educational initiatives designed to help families better understand and prepare for welcoming rescue dogs into their homes.
A graduate of Arizona State University, Ethan earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Supply Chain Management through the W. P. Carey School of Business and Barrett, The Honors College. He was recognized on the Dean’s List and received the New American University President’s Award.
His background includes international marketing experience in Dublin, Ireland, where he developed SEO-focused content strategies, social media campaigns, and market research presentations. He also brings leadership experience from mentoring university students, organizing engagement events, and supporting business community marketing initiatives at Arizona State University.
With strengths in creative design, writing, communication, and brand storytelling, Ethan represents the next generation of mission-driven creatives using their talents to create meaningful impact for dogs and the communities that support them.
Aaron White & Cain
Program Marketing Specialist
Aaron helps create meaningful social media content that communicates the ongoing funding and support needs behind the organization’s rescue and foster efforts.
Through intentional storytelling and emotionally driven content, Aaron helps supporters understand the real needs of rescue dogs, from veterinary care and supplies to foster support and long-term sanctuary development. His work focuses on connecting audiences with Wild Heart Haven’s mission and showing the tangible impact their support can make for dogs in need.
Aaron earned his degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and applies that creative and strategic foundation to work he deeply cares about.
Outside of Wild Heart Haven, Aaron is training his own dog to become his service dog, a journey that has strengthened his appreciation for the bond between people and animals. He is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys hiking, running, swimming at the beach, and traveling with his dog by his side.
For Aaron, using creative storytelling to help more dogs experience safe, joyful, and fulfilling lives is both meaningful and deeply rewarding. His work reflects Wild Heart Haven’s belief that powerful stories can inspire real change for dogs and the communities that support them.
Hailey Shay & Finn
Head Writer of The Advocate Newsletter
Hailey Shah serves as Head Writer for The Advocate, Wild Heart Haven's monthly newsletter focused on animal welfare, advocacy, education, and community engagement.
She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Professional Communication with a Digital Media emphasis through Southern Utah University. Her background includes animal science studies, preclinical veterinary education, animal welfare research, rescue advocacy, and communications.
Hailey is passionate about combining storytelling, education, and advocacy to create meaningful change for animals and the people who care about them. Through her work with Wild Heart Haven, she hopes to inform, inspire, and empower readers while helping amplify the voices of those working to improve animal welfare.
At home, Hailey shares her life with Finn, her rescue French Bulldog. Once facing an uncertain future, Finn now spends his days proving that second chances can lead to extraordinary outcomes. His resilience, personality, and unwavering companionship continue to inspire her work and commitment to animal advocacy.