Leadership
Laura Toller Gardner, Chief Executive Officer
In her decades of nonprofit leadership, Laura has served in multiple executive roles, helping lead mission-driven organizations to thrive and reach increased growth, capacity and impact in communities. She believes that successful organizations center mission, vision, and culture to lead smart strategy, and has an uncompromising commitment to invest in and empower people who bring a diversity of skills, backgrounds and perspectives. At PIN, Laura is thrilled to lead a talented and passionate team, and to build on our essential, lifesaving work in our shelters and communities. Prior to joining PIN, she held various executive roles overseeing fundraising and development, systems infrastructure, and marketing and communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California and more recently a Certificate in Non-Profit Executive Management from Georgetown University. A lifelong animal lover and devoted cat co-parent, Laura has a deep volunteer background in Bay Area animal welfare.
To reach out to Laura, please email ceo@petsinneed.org.
Laura Birdsall, Director of Shelter Operations
Laura oversees operations and shelter staff at both of our locations. Having served in leadership roles in sheltering for 14 years, she brings extensive experience in shelter operations management from Humane Society Silicon Valley, San Francisco SPCA, Placer SPCA, and others. Laura has a BS in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology with an emphasis in Animal Behavior from UC Davis.
Dr. Barbara Laderman-Jones, Director of Shelter Medicine
Dr. Barbie is the 3rd veterinarian in the world (yes, the world!) to have completed a 3-year residency in Shelter Medicine and has held leadership roles at San Francisco SPCA, Placer SPCA, and others. She brings a level of expertise and knowledge that has already helped grow a culture of excellence and professional rigor in both of our shelters. Dr. Barbie is a Certified Animal Welfare Professional, is Board Certified in Shelter Medicine, has a DVM from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island, an MS from Wayne State University, and a BS from Michigan Technological University.
Ali Kagawa, Director of Development and Communications
With over 15+ years of experience in philanthropy, Ali brings enthusiasm, expertise, and a passion for health care to further our mission of saving lives and uniting families. Most recently, she led the digital communications and digital fundraising teams at Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, raising critical funds for Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, and served as a consultant for Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream. An award-winning video producer, Ali’s work has been nationally recognized in the Shorty Awards, film festivals, and even People Magazine. When she’s not working or volunteering, you can usually find her on the hiking trail with her partner Randy, in the Little League dugout cheering on her 9-year-old son Kanoa, or tending to her grumpy senior cat Fiona.
Teri Dunwoody, Director of Finance
Teri drives PIN’s financial health and fiscal responsibility, overseeing our annual budgeting processes, financial forecasting and planning, and helping guide our operational and fundraising strategies. She brings a wealth of leadership experience to PIN, having served as Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and CEO at numerous Bay Area nonprofits. Teri holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in History of Science and Technology from both Princeton University and Stanford University, and a BA in the History of Science and Technology from Stanford University.