We are an all-volunteer organization. Everyone at Phinney's volunteers their time for free to support families in need and their beloved pets.
Daniela Caride – President of the Board
A journalist, landscaper, and medical interpreter, Daniela has been volunteering for Phinney’s since 2007 in every capacity, and became President in 2012. She has a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from UFRJ, Brazil, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Harvard University, writing her final project on dogs and the U.S. military. She lives at a small farm with her husband, 4 cats, 3 big dogs, chickens and bees. She supports Phinney's with whatever is most pressing, and orchestrates the needs and resources of the nonprofit. She is a most avid advocate of Phinney's, developing relationships for the nonprofit, and making many like-minded friends along the way.
A journalist, landscaper, and medical interpreter, Daniela has been volunteering for Phinney’s since 2007 in every capacity, and became President in 2012. She has a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from UFRJ, Brazil, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Harvard University, writing her final project on dogs and the U.S. military. She lives at a small farm with her husband, 4 cats, 3 big dogs, chickens and bees. She supports Phinney's with whatever is most pressing, and orchestrates the needs and resources of the nonprofit. She is a most avid advocate of Phinney's, developing relationships for the nonprofit, and making many like-minded friends along the way.
Judy Bell – First Vice President & Co-Clerk
After 37 years working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Judy retired and joined Phinney's in 2014. She is also involved with the Minuteman Senior Services Meals On Wheels program and previously assisted them in their Money Management and Protective Services programs. Besides being the First VP and Co-Clerk, Judy runs events and writes grants to raise funds for Phinney's. After seeing how traumatic and stressful it was for her Conure, Peanut, to lose his home, and giving him a loving family, Judy is looking forward to helping people keep their pets.
After 37 years working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Judy retired and joined Phinney's in 2014. She is also involved with the Minuteman Senior Services Meals On Wheels program and previously assisted them in their Money Management and Protective Services programs. Besides being the First VP and Co-Clerk, Judy runs events and writes grants to raise funds for Phinney's. After seeing how traumatic and stressful it was for her Conure, Peanut, to lose his home, and giving him a loving family, Judy is looking forward to helping people keep their pets.
Lisa Nelson – Co-Clerk
Lisa Nelson started volunteering with Phinney’s in 2008, and has greatly enjoyed being a part of the family ever since. She is an event planner by day, and an illustrator and painter by night, as well as an avid animal lover at all times. She has volunteered with multiple pet-centric charities, walking newly surrendered dogs, assisting pet owners with their pet care, staffing numerous pet charity events, as well as creating artwork for these events. She joined the Phinney's Board of Directors in 2020 to coordinate the support we give to pet owners in need, and to help with key administrative responsibilities.
Lisa Nelson started volunteering with Phinney’s in 2008, and has greatly enjoyed being a part of the family ever since. She is an event planner by day, and an illustrator and painter by night, as well as an avid animal lover at all times. She has volunteered with multiple pet-centric charities, walking newly surrendered dogs, assisting pet owners with their pet care, staffing numerous pet charity events, as well as creating artwork for these events. She joined the Phinney's Board of Directors in 2020 to coordinate the support we give to pet owners in need, and to help with key administrative responsibilities.
Jan Johnson, C.P.A. – Treasurer
Jan has started volunteering with Phinney’s Friends in 2013. She is a retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who now volunteers for several nonprofits in Massachusetts and South Carolina, where she now resides with her rescue dog, Pappi. She fosters animals, transports shelter dogs to their new loving homes, helps nonprofits with their finances and rescues homeless cats to find them good families. Jan manages Phinney’s finances, tax-related responsibilities and our budget.
Jan has started volunteering with Phinney’s Friends in 2013. She is a retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who now volunteers for several nonprofits in Massachusetts and South Carolina, where she now resides with her rescue dog, Pappi. She fosters animals, transports shelter dogs to their new loving homes, helps nonprofits with their finances and rescues homeless cats to find them good families. Jan manages Phinney’s finances, tax-related responsibilities and our budget.
Laura Howes, C.P.A. – Finance Chair
Laura, a Certified Public Accountant, became involved with Phinney’s in 2014. Animals are Laura’s passion and besides her dedication to promoting the human-animal bond, she is a strong supporter of no-kill animal shelters and advocates for spay and neuter organizations. Laura, who shares her life with her beloved, super fuzzy rescue Persian cat, leads our Finance Committee. She is responsible for the company’s day-to-day financial reporting and bookkeeping, and also enjoys helping with pet care.
Laura, a Certified Public Accountant, became involved with Phinney’s in 2014. Animals are Laura’s passion and besides her dedication to promoting the human-animal bond, she is a strong supporter of no-kill animal shelters and advocates for spay and neuter organizations. Laura, who shares her life with her beloved, super fuzzy rescue Persian cat, leads our Finance Committee. She is responsible for the company’s day-to-day financial reporting and bookkeeping, and also enjoys helping with pet care.
Allessandria Polizzi, PhD – Fundraising Chair
Allessandria has been volunteering with animal welfare for over 20 years, joining Phinney's in 2020. She helps Phinney's raise funds to cover the costs of care for the pets of owners in need. Allessandria has fostered over 50 dogs and remains committed to helping people and pets in her role as Chief People Officer for VetCor, which owns and operates veterinary practices across the US. She shares her home with her husband, daughter, son, pug, parrot, foster dog(s), and three geriatric goldfish.
Allessandria has been volunteering with animal welfare for over 20 years, joining Phinney's in 2020. She helps Phinney's raise funds to cover the costs of care for the pets of owners in need. Allessandria has fostered over 50 dogs and remains committed to helping people and pets in her role as Chief People Officer for VetCor, which owns and operates veterinary practices across the US. She shares her home with her husband, daughter, son, pug, parrot, foster dog(s), and three geriatric goldfish.
Laura Scott, Esq. – Communications Co-Chair
Laura, who joined Phinney’s as a volunteer in 2020, has a B.A. in Communications from Simmons College and a J.D. from New England School of Law. She is a Massachusetts-licensed attorney, a Realtor® and the broker/owner of the residential real estate firm Laura Scott Properties. When she isn’t assisting clients—and their pets—with home buying and selling, she is developing communication strategies and developing creative content to tell a good story. She has an extensive publishing background including as managing editor and content director for large-scale conferences and other events. She loves spending time with her husband and fabulous feline family.
Laura, who joined Phinney’s as a volunteer in 2020, has a B.A. in Communications from Simmons College and a J.D. from New England School of Law. She is a Massachusetts-licensed attorney, a Realtor® and the broker/owner of the residential real estate firm Laura Scott Properties. When she isn’t assisting clients—and their pets—with home buying and selling, she is developing communication strategies and developing creative content to tell a good story. She has an extensive publishing background including as managing editor and content director for large-scale conferences and other events. She loves spending time with her husband and fabulous feline family.
Lauren K. Terry – Communications Co-Chair
Lauren K. Terry became a volunteer with Phinney's in 2013. She started out as a foster parent and media assistant. Soon after, she took on the role of Foster Manager, and now she's thrilled to work alongside Daniela and Laura as Communications Co-Chair and strengthen our Board as Second VP. She brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in developing compelling communications strategies for high-growth organizations. She lives in Watertown with her husband, Eric, and a clowder of feline friends.
Lauren K. Terry became a volunteer with Phinney's in 2013. She started out as a foster parent and media assistant. Soon after, she took on the role of Foster Manager, and now she's thrilled to work alongside Daniela and Laura as Communications Co-Chair and strengthen our Board as Second VP. She brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in developing compelling communications strategies for high-growth organizations. She lives in Watertown with her husband, Eric, and a clowder of feline friends.
