FOUNDER

“It all begins with an idea. But it takes a village for success and I am so proud of our village of amazing volunteers and leaders.”

Robert is a former Animal Advisory Commissioner for the City of Austin, founder of Austin Pet Month with a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in finance, sales, animal advocacy, state and local government and is a successful entrepreneur . Awarded the City of Austin Peace Maker award for outstanding community service.

Steve has devoted much of his professional career to public service, particularly in the field of communications for large state agencies and also has enjoyed success as a broadcast journalist, writer, and voice talent.

Steve is an animal lover who recognizes the sacred bond between pets and their human companions. One of his greatest joys is being Dad to his furry, tail-wagging girls. Steve serves as chair of the Wags & Whiskers (W&W) board of directors, leading the board in determining mission and purpose, ensuring strategic planning, establishing policies, and promoting W&W. Prior to W&W, Steve helped plan and implement adoption and promotional activities for Austin Pet Month.

Steve has learned that life’s simple pleasures are indeed the best – a home-cooked meal, moonlit walks with the one you love, and hearing the contented sigh of your animal-companion at your side. These are joys he wants others to have as well.

Development Chair

Experienced leader with a demonstrated record of implementing innovative strategies to achieve programmatic goals and objectives such as the betterment of both human and animal life through programs supporting the human-animal bond and through life-saving strategies. Previously the Program Director for Meals On Wheels Central Texas and currently the Development Coordinator for The Settlement Home For Children

Director of Training

“Empowering, inspiring and visionary leader committed to shining a light on the strengths, capabilities and greatness in anyone who crosses my path.”

As a conflict transformation and emotional intelligence expert, Nicole Perrotta speaks, coaches, and trains leaders who yearn to bring out the best in themselves and their teams.

By combining Fortune 500 best practices with Emotional Intelligence skills, Positive Psychology techniques and Conflict Transformation tools, she brings a unique, fun and powerful approach to leading teams with heart and wisdom.

Treasurer

Kris Donley joined the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) in 1993 as Executive Director and oversees all operations in implementation of the DRC Mission. Her skillsets include non-profit governance, operational case management, paid and volunteer labor sustainability and work culture development. In addition, she is an experienced mediator, facilitator and strategic planner. Served as as an appointed Fellow at the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at the University of Texas Austin Law School. public member representative of the State Bar Of Texas ADR Council

Human Resource Director

Annette was raised in Washington DC, Rome, Italy, and Galveston Texas, and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She has always been an enthusiast of animals, plants, and people! She is a recent retiree from the State of Texas where she spent over 34 years as a Human Resources professional with 30 years serving as an HR executive in various state agencies that included Parks and Wildlife, Teachers Retirement and various health and human services agencies.