We are an all-volunteer organization. Everyone at Phinney's volunteers their time for free to support families in need and their beloved pets.
Morgan Ritz – President of the Board
Morgan joined Phinney’s Friends in 2022. She worked in the mental health field for many years, most recently as residential manager of a group home. A lifelong animal devotee, Morgan wanted to do what she could to help the millions of animals suffering in the world, so she started volunteering with The Cat Connection in 2010, was involved in every aspect of that nonprofit, and served as their president from 2016 to 2021. Currently a dog-walker and cat-sitter, she lives in Watertown with her clowder of failed foster cats and her boyfriend. Morgan believes that all animals (with the possible exception of house centipedes) deserve a chance to have a good life, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Phinney’s to help pets and their people stay together happily ever after!
Morgan joined Phinney’s Friends in 2022. She worked in the mental health field for many years, most recently as residential manager of a group home. A lifelong animal devotee, Morgan wanted to do what she could to help the millions of animals suffering in the world, so she started volunteering with The Cat Connection in 2010, was involved in every aspect of that nonprofit, and served as their president from 2016 to 2021. Currently a dog-walker and cat-sitter, she lives in Watertown with her clowder of failed foster cats and her boyfriend. Morgan believes that all animals (with the possible exception of house centipedes) deserve a chance to have a good life, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Phinney’s to help pets and their people stay together happily ever after!
Daniela Caride – Board Advisor
A journalist, interpreter and hobby farmer, Daniela has been volunteering for Phinney’s since 2007 in every capacity. She was Phinney's President from 2012 to 2022, and now advises the Board and supports the organization by jumping in wherever she is needed. 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 in Massachusetts with her husband, cats, dogs, chickens and bees, where she enjoys growing food for the whole family and her neighbors.
A journalist, interpreter and hobby farmer, Daniela has been volunteering for Phinney’s since 2007 in every capacity. She was Phinney's President from 2012 to 2022, and now advises the Board and supports the organization by jumping in wherever she is needed. 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 in Massachusetts with her husband, cats, dogs, chickens and bees, where she enjoys growing food for the whole family and her neighbors.
Judy Bell – Vice President & Clerk
After 37 years working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Judy retired and joined Phinney's in 2014. She was also involved with Minuteman Senior Services Meals On Wheels, assisting in their Money Management and Protective Services programs. Besides being the VP, Judy helps with administrative tasks and leads the fundraising team. After seeing how traumatic and stressful it was for her Conure, Peanut, to lose his home, and giving him a loving family, Judy found renewed energy to help people keep their pets.
After 37 years working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Judy retired and joined Phinney's in 2014. She was also involved with Minuteman Senior Services Meals On Wheels, assisting in their Money Management and Protective Services programs. Besides being the VP, Judy helps with administrative tasks and leads the fundraising team. After seeing how traumatic and stressful it was for her Conure, Peanut, to lose his home, and giving him a loving family, Judy found renewed energy to help people keep their pets.
Lisa Nelson – Assistant 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 illustrator and painter, as well as an avid animal lover. She has volunteered with multiple pet 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, when she helped coordinate the help we give to pet owners in need, and now focuses on Phinney's many 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 illustrator and painter, as well as an avid animal lover. She has volunteered with multiple pet 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, when she helped coordinate the help we give to pet owners in need, and now focuses on Phinney's many 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.
Rebecca Critser, Esq. – Fundraising Co-Chair
Rebecca, who has joined Phinney's in 2020 to lead the nonprofit's Planned Giving efforts, has been passionate about animals since a young age. She has her J.D. from Indiana University and is an Indiana-licensed attorney residing in Boston. Rebecca is pursuing an Animal Law LLM from Lewis & Clark Law School to help bring about legal reform for the benefit of all animals. When she is not advocating for animals, she spends her time bird watching, playing board games, and enjoying the company of her spouse and fur babies.
Rebecca, who has joined Phinney's in 2020 to lead the nonprofit's Planned Giving efforts, has been passionate about animals since a young age. She has her J.D. from Indiana University and is an Indiana-licensed attorney residing in Boston. Rebecca is pursuing an Animal Law LLM from Lewis & Clark Law School to help bring about legal reform for the benefit of all animals. When she is not advocating for animals, she spends her time bird watching, playing board games, and enjoying the company of her spouse and fur babies.
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.
Ina Lee – Fundraising Co-Chair
Ina Lee joined Phinney’s in 2021. To her, fundraising goes beyond the dollar amount. It is about developing an organization into a sustainable, impactful force for community good. With ten years of experience in the fundraising and development arena, Ina offers a wealth of knowledge in individual and corporate giving, grant development, campaign management and donor analytics. She also holds an MA in Social Service Management from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At Phinney’s, Ina is dedicated to optimizing its strategic approach to raising funds for our furry friends. She enjoys spending her free time exploring towns along the East Coast, volunteering and gardening.
Ina Lee joined Phinney’s in 2021. To her, fundraising goes beyond the dollar amount. It is about developing an organization into a sustainable, impactful force for community good. With ten years of experience in the fundraising and development arena, Ina offers a wealth of knowledge in individual and corporate giving, grant development, campaign management and donor analytics. She also holds an MA in Social Service Management from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At Phinney’s, Ina is dedicated to optimizing its strategic approach to raising funds for our furry friends. She enjoys spending her free time exploring towns along the East Coast, volunteering and gardening.
Allessandria Polizzi, PhD – Fundraising Co-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 – Fundraising 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, worked as Communications Co-Chair, and now is Fundraising Co-Chair, responsible for Grants. She brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in developing compelling grants to submit to foundations. She lives in New Hampshire 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, worked as Communications Co-Chair, and now is Fundraising Co-Chair, responsible for Grants. She brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in developing compelling grants to submit to foundations. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Eric, and a clowder of feline friends.
