FOCAS Board of Directors
FOCAS' volunteer board of directors meets monthly to set the strategic course and ensure the organization is fulfilling its mission. They represent a wide variety of skills, interests, backgrounds and expertise and like all FOCAS volunteers, have a passion for animals.
Nancy Heitel, FOCAS President
Nancy is a longtime volunteer, and a mentor for new volunteers, at the Dept. of Animal Services’ South County Animal Shelter in Bonita. Not only has Nancy been an active advocate for FOCAS, she has also volunteered in various capacities at SNAP (Spay Neuter Action Project) and the Give Some Life Foundation. In the past, Nancy produced a brochure for FOCAS, and several of its newsletters.
Before retiring, Nancy was the Development Director for Canine Companions for Independence. Since that time, Nancy has dedicated herself to the improvement of the lives of dogs and cats in the shelter environment of San Diego County. Nancy’s own animal family includes 10-year old Ella, an orange tabby who was adopted as a FOCAS kitten.
Dr. Kathryn Lund, DVM, FOCAS Vice President
Dr. Kathryn Lund received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A & M, and currently works as a staff Veterinarian in San Diego. She brings to the FOCAS Board of Directors 14 years experience working as the lead shelter veterinarian in government agencies and in a private non-profit humane society. In her career in shelter medicine she has been the expert witness in prosecuting many animal cruelty and hoarding cases. She has worked extensively with lost cost spay/neuter clinics. While living in Austin, Texas, Dr. Lund served as secretary and treasurer for the local Veterinary Medical Association and as the shelter veterinary liaison for the Animal Advisory Board of Austin Texas.
Over the years Dr. Lund has repaired and rescued numerous injured shelter animals. From a three legged dog and cat, fracture pelvis lab, to her current dog Louie. He is a one eyed Affenpinscher who is keeping Dr. Lund’s mother company in Texas.
Amy Vadgama, FOCAS Secretary
Teacher, Webster Science and Research Academy
Amy became involved with FOCAS when she adopted her Catahoula Leopard dog mix, Cajun, from the group. Active as a board member and in helping to plan the FOCAS Bowlathon, Amy also has her fiancée involved making improvements at the FOCAS-AMC House. She has more than nine years experience in education and in working with English as a Second Language students. She holds a masters degree in education and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In addition to Cajun, she shares her home and her heart with Nikki, a husky she adopted from the San Diego Humane Society.
Jennifer Donohue, CPA, FOCAS Treasurer
Director of Sarbanes Oxley Compliance, Pure Bioscience
Jennifer Donohue, an active CPA with over 10 years experience in public accounting and other finance roles, has served as the Treasurer on the FOCAS Board of Directors since 2008. As a writer currently working on her second book, Ms. Donohue also enjoys contributing to the FOCAS newsletter. Animals have been a lifelong passion for Ms. Donohue (she loves her fluffy black rescue cat Balthazar), and she is excited to share her skills on behalf of the FOCAS mission. Ms. Donohue holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The College of William & Mary and currently works as the Director of Sarbanes Oxley Compliance at a local, publicly-traded biotech company.
Dawn Danielson, FOCAS Honorary Director
Dawn is the Director of the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. She joined the department as an animal control officer in 1977, was promoted through the ranks and now oversees the strategy and policy making for the department, which provides animal law enforcement as well as an innovative adoption program for the entire unincorporated area of the County and six contract cities. In addition the department provides veterinary care and shelter to more than 28,000 animals annually in the department's three animal shelters located in San Diego, Carlsbad and Bonita. She lives in Ramona with three dogs, four cats, a flock of 12 chickens and a chatter of parakeets.
Glynna Hoekstra, FOCAS Director
Executive Vice President - Business Operations, Barnhart, Inc.
Glynna became a FOCAS supporter after the 2003 adoption of her shepherd mix Trudy. She has had a lifelong passion for animals, particularly for adoption and rescue.
She has spent the last thirteen years with Barnhart, Inc. constructing a variety of projects throughout California, with a special emphasis on K-12 schools. She has managed individual projects in excess of $40 million, and programs in excess of $300 million, and now focuses on the “business of running the business”, including financial oversight and reporting for the $500 million per year construction company.
In addition to their two beautiful daughters, Glynna and her husband Mark share their home in Escondido with cats Elvis, Romeo, Bella and Riley, dogs Trudy and Murphy, and horses Charlie and Tia.
Doreen Mulz, FOCAS Director
Doreen Mulz has a passion for animals - especially for helping animals in need - and joined FOCAS this year because she truly wanted to make a difference in the lives of animals.
Doreen graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from San Diego State University and currently works for a non profit organization where she provides administrative oversight in the areas of grant writing, contract compliance, personnel, and budget development and management. She has over 10 years nonprofit management experience.
Doreen's animal family includes a dog (Alley Dog), and three cats - Kitters, Katie, and Midnight - all are rescues.