Our Staff – NOCO Humane

Cynthia Setel, MPA | CEO

Cynthia joined NOCO Humane as CEO in February 2026, relocating with her husband, Philip, from Seattle.

She brings a rich and varied background in public service, including roles as a high school history, civics, and philosophy teacher; an advisor on criminal justice reform to the Mayor of Seattle; CFO of Public Health, Seattle & King County; and Director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program at Seattle Housing Authority. She holds degrees in history and political science, along with an MPA from the University of Washington.

A trained Interim Executive through the Interim Executives Academy, Cynthia has led organizations through critical transitions in roles that include Interim Deputy CEO at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Interim Executive Director at King Conservation District, Interim Executive at University Unitarian Church, and Interim Executive Director at Little Wings — where she advised the Machinist Union at Boeing as they developed a 24-hour early learning academy for families working non-traditional hours.

Cynthia and Philip are parents to four daughters — Claire, Madeline, Jalia, and Imara — and share their home with Lily the cat and Ginger the dog. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Cynthia has fostered more than a hundred cats and dogs over the years. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, hiking, biking, and live music. She is thrilled to be part of such a wonderful organization and to call this beautiful corner of Colorado home.

Brett Harris | Chief Animal Protection & Control Officer

Brett Harris joined NOCO Humane in January 2025 and serves as the Chief Animal Protection & Control Officer, bringing with him over 20 years of animal welfare and law enforcement experience in both nonprofit and local government environments. Brett is responsible for the oversight of daily operations and management of the Organization’s Animal Protection & Control team, which serves Larimer County’s contracted jurisdictions’ and supports its animal welfare needs.

Before joining NOCO Humane, Brett served in a number of public safety roles; in northwest Arkansas as the Animal Shelter/Animal Control Director of a municipal animal shelter, and locally as a Police Officer, Animal Control Officer, and Evidence Supervisor for two law enforcement agencies. In his free time, Brett enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and three dogs.

Brett is originally from Montana where his animal welfare career began as an animal caretaker at the Missoula Humane Society. Brett graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience. Brett is proud to be part of the NOCO Humane team, its mission, and sharing in the rewarding work we do in serving our communities and their animals.

Nelson Murphy | Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Nelson joined NOCO Humane in October 2024 as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. In this role, he provides strategic direction and management responsibility for all financial and human resources activities. This role also provides oversight for IT, in partnership with our 3rd party provider. Nelson brings extensive financial and operations experience having held senior roles in AT&T, Northrop Grumman, and more recently in higher education. He has lived and worked in the US, UK, Europe and Latin America, supporting public, private and not for profit organizations. Nelson is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a B.S. in Accounting. He and his wife Carol live in Greeley and enjoy sports, music, hiking, and most especially time with their 11 year old dog Kilo.

Amanda Myers, MPA, CAWA | Chief Philanthropy Officer

Amanda Myers joined NOCO Humane in April of 2019 and brings nearly 15 years of nonprofit fundraising experience to her role as Chief Philanthropy Officer. In this role, Amanda is responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of all fundraising, marketing, volunteer, and community outreach initiatives. Prior to her time with NOCO Humane, Amanda served as the Development Director at the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette. A North Carolina native, she held the positions of Grant Writer and Public Sector Liaison at the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg before relocating to Colorado in 2016. Amanda graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Master of Public Administration focused on nonprofit management. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University. Amanda is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Amanda’s interest in animal welfare and the work of NOCO Humane can be attributed to the three wonderful shelter pets that share (and occasionally run) her home in Windsor.

Jen Valentine | Chief Operating Officer

Jen Valentine serves as the Chief Operating Officer for NOCO Humane, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the organization’s animal welfare programs and operations. With nearly 20 years of experience in animal welfare and nonprofit leadership, Jen has been a dedicated member of the NOCO Humane team since 2008, bringing extensive operational expertise, institutional knowledge, and a deep commitment to the organization’s mission.

As Chief Operating Officer, Jen is responsible for the strategic direction and daily operations of Animal Care and Placement, Veterinary Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Safety and Emergency Management, and other key operational functions. She focuses on operational excellence, organizational growth, and building high-performing teams that deliver exceptional care for animals and outstanding service to the community.

Driven by a lifelong passion for animal welfare, Jen is committed to advancing impactful programs, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring NOCO Humane continues to provide compassionate care while supporting the human-animal bond throughout northern Colorado. She considers it a privilege to lead a team dedicated to making a lasting impact for animals, people, and the communities they serve.

Leighanne Alford, CFRE | Director of Development

Leighanne joined NOCO Humane in April 2022, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience. As Director of Development, she oversees the planning, budgeting, and evaluation of all annual fundraising activities, helping to secure critical support for NOCO Humane’s lifesaving work. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Leighanne graduated from Hendrix College and later moved to Fort Collins in 2019. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club and holds a certificate in nonprofit management. Outside of work, Leighanne enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and cheering on English Premier League soccer at Horse & Dragon. She and her husband, Wes, share their home with three beloved rescue dogs—pugs Winston and Lolo (NOCO Humane alumni) and Scholesy, who made the move with them to Colorado.

Brett DeWester, CAWA | Director of Operations, Weld Campus

Brett DeWester has been with NOCO Humane since February of 2017, first serving as an Animal Care Supervisor for two years and later as the Shelter Manager for four years. Brett then served as our Associate Director of Operations for three years before taking on the role of Director of Operations in June of 2026. As Director of Operations Brett is responsible for the oversight of daily operations and management of the Organization’s shelter and adoption facilities, including safety and emergency response, client services operations, animal care and placement, and the enrichment and evaluation of our shelters’ animals. Before joining NOCO Humane, Brett managed a farm and natural foods company in the Midwest for several years. In his free time Brett enjoys sports, racing, thrifting, tinkering in his barn, cooking and spending time with his wife, son, friends and family (including his flock of chickens and dogs Dale & June who are NOCO Humane alumni!). Brett is originally from the small town of Tipton, Indiana and is a graduate of The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. At Wooster, Brett earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and was a four-year letter winner for the school’s baseball team. He is passionate about animal welfare and is excited to have the opportunity to help the lives of members of the communities we serve and our shelters’ animals each day!

Courtney Imhoff | Director of Human Resources & Organizational Development

Courtney brings more than 18 years of experience in human resources to her role at NOCO Humane. Throughout her career, she has worked across public sector, construction, and retail industries, including well-known organizations like McGuckin Hardware in Boulder and Crocs. She’s passionate about helping employees grow their careers and enjoys fostering professional development within organizations.

Originally from a small town in Kansas, Courtney moved to Colorado in 2000 with her husband. At home, she’s surrounded by four wonderfully ornery cats — Molly, Charlie, Sam, and Callie — each with their own unique personality. Outside of work, Courtney is a longtime supporter of roller derby. She spent nearly a decade playing, coaching, and serving on the board of directors for Boulder County Roller Derby and continues to be an enthusiastic fan of the sport.

I’m excited to be part of a mission driven organization, working with people who care about animals and the world in general. It’s so refreshing! Of course, it’s an added bonus to get to see some puppies and kitties at work!

Gail Rapport, DVM | Chief Veterinarian

Dr. Gail joined NOCO Humane in October of 2023. She had been the Shelter Veterinarian at the Humane Society of Weld County prior to it becoming NOCO Humane. At the start of 2025, she accepted the position of Chief Veterinarian and now oversees the veterinary departments at all of our campuses. Gail brings over four decades of shelter medicine experience to our organization. She grew up in Michigan and obtained her DVM degree at Michigan State University. Her first position was with a local humane society which ignited her forever passion for shelter medicine and surgery. In addition to Michigan, she has practiced at animal shelters or high volume spay/neuter groups in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. For the last 15 years, she has been with shelters here in Colorado. This varied experience in different shelters brings with it a deep appreciation for the need to be both creative and practical in shelter medicine. Her sheltering passion is to be able to provide the most humane care to the most animals while working to further the human-animal bond in our surrounding community. When not at one of the shelters, she can be found with her husband, two adult children, three cats, two dogs, or pursuing her other passion of equestrian sports.

Laurel Young | Director of Operations, Larimer Campus

Laurel Young is the Director of Operations at the Larimer Campus, where she leads operational excellence, staff development, and continuous improvement across the organization’s shelter services. With extensive experience in animal welfare leadership, Laurel focuses on building resilient teams, strengthening systems, and designing sustainable solutions that support both people and animals. A lifelong student of mathematics, systems thinking, and organizational behavior, Laurel brings an analytical, collaborative, and people centered approach to leadership. She enjoys identifying patterns, solving complex problems, and helping teams navigate change with clarity, purpose, and a focus on long-term success.

When she’s not at the shelter, Laurel enjoys spending time with her daughter and pets, exploring the outdoors, watching ice hockey, reading, learning something new, and contemplating the bigger questions that connect people, animals, and the world around them.

Tori Ashcraft | Shelter Manager

Tori’s passion for animal welfare began early—volunteering at humane societies across North Texas throughout her teenage years. That commitment continued into her career, including more than six years at Longmont Humane Society, where she served as Shelter Manager. They also studied Organizational Leadership at Colorado State University, strengthening their foundation in compassionate, effective team leadership.

At NOCO Humane, Tori finds purpose in advocating for animals who have no one else to speak for them. She also values the deeply mission-driven team she works alongside every day, describing it as both inspiring and refreshing.

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Tori has called Colorado home for the past decade. Now living in Northglenn with her partner, Eric, and three teenagers, they share their home with a German Shepherd–Husky mix and a Russian Blue cat. Outside of work, they enjoy concerts, comedy shows, cooking, and spending time on Colorado’s trails.

Kelly Cann | Veterinary Services Manager

Kelly brings nearly a decade of experience in shelter medicine to her role at NOCO Humane. A proud shelter technician and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), she has worked with several shelters and rescues since 2016. Kelly completed her Bachelor of Science in Project Management and is currently completing a Masters of Science in Shelter Medicine. Her studies are a combination of her love for animal care and a passion for strong leadership and organizational skills. At NOCO Humane, Kelly’s favorite part of her work is serving both the animals and the dedicated team behind the mission. She finds joy in making a difference alongside colleagues who share her passion for animal welfare.

Originally from Casper, Wyoming, Kelly has called Fort Collins home since 2007. She and her husband of 20 years have three children and a lively home filled with two dogs, two cats, and two backyard hens. In her free time, Kelly loves getting outdoors, whether paddle boarding, relaxing on patios, or exploring Colorado’s beauty. She’s a proud hockey and figure skating mom and an avid hockey fan.

Patrick Eastman | Facilities & Maintenance Manager

Growing up in the small town of Elk Mountain, Wyoming, Patrick Eastman developed a strong work ethic and a knack for problem-solving—skills that have served him well throughout his 15+ years in the construction industry. With experience across multiple trades, Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to NOCO Humane, ensuring that the facilities remain safe, functional, and welcoming for both animals and people. Patrick’s favorite part of working at NOCO Humane? The incredible team he gets to work with every day. When he’s not keeping things running smoothly at the shelter, he’s at home spending time with his two beloved pugs, Leia and Gizmo.

Taylor Grummert | Shelter Manager

Taylor came to NOCO Humane after numerous years in the parks and recreation and tourism industries, drawn by the chance to build on her customer service experience in a new sector — one where she could make a real difference in the community, for people and pets alike. Taylor joined NOCO Humane in September of 2021 as a Client Services Representative, and went on to serve as Client Services Supervisor, Shelter Supervisor, and most recently, Interim Adoption Manager at our Greeley Adoption Campus before stepping into her current role as Shelter Manager. Taylor’s favorite part of her job is being able to work with such compassionate and dedicated staff and volunteers. A Fort Collins native, Taylor spends her time at home with her five-year-old Russian Blue.

Nick Heimann | Event Program Manager

Nick joined NOCO Humane as Event Program Manager in January 2026, bringing more than a decade of experience planning and producing events of all sizes. In this role, Nick leads the coordination and execution of signature community events designed to bring people together in support of animal welfare across Northern Colorado. He is passionate about creating meaningful, mission-driven experiences that foster connection and collective impact.

Prior to joining NOCO Humane, Nick worked for the City of Fort Collins, where he supported flagship programs and community initiatives including alternative transportation-focused events like Bike to Work Day and Open Streets, and the pioneering ARPA-funded Cultural Community Programs. He earned his Master of Public Health from Colorado State University in 2015. A Fort Collins resident since 2009, Nick has spent his life along the Rocky Mountain region, beginning in Colorado Springs and growing up in central Wyoming before returning to northern Colorado.

Outside of work, Nick enjoys gardening in the warmer months, practicing yoga year-round, and spending time outdoors with his husband, Dylan. Their spirited cat, Clarise, rules the household and serves as a daily reminder of the joy pets bring to our lives!

Emma Meeker | Shelter Manager

Emma Meeker serves as the Shelter Manager at NOCO Humane, bringing experience from both limited and open admission shelters across the country. With degrees in psychology and social work from Loyola and Tulane Universities, she has always been passionate about the connection between human and animal welfare. While she once planned to become a psychiatrist, she quickly realized her true calling was in animal sheltering, where she could make a direct impact on both animals and the people who care for them. Emma finds immense fulfillment in mentoring and inspiring the next generation of animal welfare professionals. Even if she won the lottery, she insists she’d still be at NOCO Humane (after a well-earned tropical vacation) because this work is her true purpose. Originally from the Deep South—primarily Alabama and Louisiana—Emma is still adjusting to Colorado’s snowy winters. She has always had cats and dogs but once dreamed of having a python, a wish vetoed by her mother, who insisted all pets have legs. Instead, her most exotic companion was a leopard gecko named “Gecky.”

Mila Monteiro | Shelter Manager

Mila joined NOCO Humane in 2025 with over seven years of experience in animal welfare, having held roles across animal care, community outreach, and shelter operations management. Originally from Brazil, she brings a broad perspective and a deep commitment to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

Mila leads with a collaborative and empowering approach, focusing on team development and advancing the care of shelter pets. She is especially passionate about coaching and supporting staff growth, helping team members build confidence and reach their full potential.

Outside of work, Mila enjoys painting, cooking, spending time with friends and her rescue pets Dexter, Twiny and Sirius. She’s excited to be part of the NOCO Humane team and continue making a positive impact in her community.

Luisa Salas | Adoption Manager

Born in Venezuela and raised in Miami, Florida, Luisa moved to Fort Collins to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Colorado State University. That academic foundation, combined with a lifelong love of animals, shaped a career dedicated to animal care and welfare.

Before joining NOCO Humane, Luisa gained hands-on experience working in grooming salons, veterinary clinics, and even spent a year working on dairy farms. She also served as Transfer & Foster Coordinator at NOCO Humane, deepening her understanding of shelter operations and lifesaving programs. Luisa later returned to NOCO Humane as Adoption Manager for the newly opened adoption campus, where she now plays a key role in helping animals find loving homes.

The most rewarding part of the work is collaborating with other dedicated professionals in the animal welfare field, guiding clients as they meet their future furry family members, and leading a passionate team committed to providing compassionate care to animals in need.

Clara Taylor | Volunteer & Humane Education Manager

Clara joined NOCO Humane in May 2023, bringing her passion for animal welfare and expertise in volunteer management to the team. She fosters collaboration between staff and volunteers to enrich the lives of animals and leads the Humane Education Program, aiming to inspire greater awareness of animal welfare issues. Originally from Windsor, CO, Clara honed her skills in hospitality during her time in Charleston, SC, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with Business Administration from the College of Charleston in 2019. After five years in the event industry, she transitioned to animal welfare in 2021, successfully building a volunteer program at a rural shelter in Summerville, SC. In her free time, Clara enjoys spending time with her four cats and following WWE. Using her love for animals and interpersonal skills, Clara proudly works with volunteers to support the staff and animals of NOCO Humane.

Tracie Thompson | Controller

Tracie joined NOCO Humane in August 2021 with 25 years of accounting experience in government, quasi government, and non-profits organizations. Tracie is responsible for planning, directing and controlling the finance functions of NOCO Humane. She works closely with the CFAO, CEO, Board of Directors and senior staff to help guide financial development to ensure healthy and responsible fiscal activities within the context of NOCO Humane’s mission and goals. Prior to joining NOCO Humane, Tracie held management positions at Loveland Housing Authority for 14 years, City of Dacono as Finance Officer for 3 years and Little Thompson Water District for 8 years. Tracie graduated from CU Boulder with a BS in accounting while raising her three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, paddle boarding and traveling. She has a 2-year-old rescue dog, Sorka, adopted as a puppy from NOCO Humane. Sorka has grown up being an office dog at the shelter. Tracie’s favorite part of working at NOCO Humane is being part of the team that gets to help pets find their forever home.

Scott Wendelberger | Marketing & Communications Manager

Scott joined NOCO Humane in June of 2022 and brings more than 15 years of nonprofit and communications experience to the team. Scott is responsible for the marketing and communication efforts needed for NOCO Humane to successfully promote its services and to build meaningful and lasting relationships with the community. Scott was born and raised outside Milwaukee, WI and has lived in Colorado since 2009. He graduated with a BA in Mass Communication from Principia College, IL, and soon after dabbled in the radio industry working at 620 WTMJ and 94.5 WKTI, both based in Milwaukee. He gained ample experience from other Colorado nonprofits: Imagine!, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, and Autism Society of Boulder County, gaining a valuable understanding of mission-based organizations. Scott takes pride in using his skillset and experience to contribute to a cause close to his heart!