At Seattle Humane, we are extremely fortunate to have an amazing group of people on our board. This year we were excited to welcome four new members that bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and no shortage of passion to our team!
Phil Sorgen
Venture Partner, Tola Capital
Joined
September 2021
What inspired you to join the board?
We’ve adopted two dogs from Seattle Humane, which made my initial connection personal. We rescued one in the old facility, and then the second one right after the new facility opened. We got to see that evolution, which was really cool. I then met other people who were also involved with Seattle Humane and learned about the services provided. That’s where I really got enamored with the vision and path forward for Seattle Humane.
What excites you most as a new board member?
I’m really interested in how we can innovate and expand from being a shelter to a center for the community. My family and I believe deeply in the importance of animal welfare and ensuring that pets have the opportunity to have a great life. Additionally, that anyone who wants a pet should be able to have that experience. Pragmatically, I’m excited to bring my 33 years of business experience to help Seattle Humane grow and execute on their exciting vision.
Favorite Animal
Dogs! We currently have two that we adopted from Seattle Humane — Gracie, who is a special needs Rhodesian Ridgeback/ Australian Cattle dog mix as well as our Chiweenie, Joey. We’re crazy dog parents.
Fun Fact
I love hiking and challenging myself physically. This summer, I summited Mt. St. Helens! I’m also addicted to my Peloton and was a pre-COVID adopter to the home-health craze.
Ann Johnson
Corporate VP of Security, Compliance, & Identity Business Development, Microsoft
Joined
September 2021
What inspired you to join the board?
I have a passion for animals and have rescued many pups and cats over the years. Providing a safe, loving home for these amazing family members brings me great joy, and joining the board enables me to help more animals find their furever home. I also feel that I can have a much stronger impact driving efforts to provide education opportunities and programs to serve the community. We have a tremendous opportunity to truly make a difference.
What excites you most as a new board member?
I’m really excited about the community programs that Seattle Humane is developing and our efforts to support anyone going through a hard time so that they can keep their pet. Whether that means providing food, medical care, a temporary foster home for their pet or something else. Anything that helps keep pets in loving homes and allows people to stay connected to their pets is what I am most passionate about.
Favorite Animal
Dogs! I currently have three — Landry the Weimaraner, Duncan the English Bulldog and Mariah the Seattle Humane Rescue pup.
Fun Fact
I love to cook. I grew up in an Italian family, and I make a delicious lasagna.
Clare Pedersen
Management Consultant
Joined
January 2021
What inspired you to join the board?
Through volunteer work I was doing, it occurred to me that I was interested in getting involved with an organization that focused on animal rescue. I was able to connect with Seattle Humane’s former Board Chair, John Wenstrup. I’m so glad I took the initiative to do that because I feel like I’ve ended up in a great place where I really connect with the people as well as the mission.
What excites you most as a new board member?
As the co-chair of our Strategic Planning Committee, I’m excited to join the board at such an interesting time. With our Storyline in place, I have lots of good ideas about how we can continue moving things forward and keep ourselves accountable. I’m inspired by any opportunity to learn and so I’m excited to do more of that as a board member.
Favorite Animal
Cats! I have two, Sunflower and Peony, that I adopted from Emerald City Rescue about five years ago.
Fun Fact
I’m a trained tap dance instructor!
Debbi Gillotti
Chief Operating Officer, nVoq Incorporated
Joined
January 2021
What inspired you to join the board?
When I joined the Board, Seattle Humane was about to undertake its 5-year strategic planning efforts (our Storyline!). I’m eager to help drive that effort at the governance level by leveraging my experience with other nonprofit boards, and to help operationalize it for years to come.
What excites you most as a new board member?
I’m excited about the potential of expanding our services to a broader base of pet owners as well as across the lifecycle of pets. It’s one thing to make sure that anyone that wants a pet can get one, but what about after they have adopted them? Many of Seattle Humane’s programs do a great job of supporting owners during challenging life changes such as losing a job or getting sick. But I want to further explore how we can provide the best possible experience for owners and their pets throughout that pet’s life.
Favorite Animal
Cats! We have three who are very spoiled: Oliver, Jasper and Dexter. Oliver and Jasper are brothers and Dexter is their first cousin.
Fun Fact
I’m probably one of the few people that’s worked at the senior ranks of both Starbucks and Microsoft. Not that many people go back and forth between those two companies, but I enjoyed working at both and found that to be an interesting experience.
