Meet The Team
Leadership Team
Executive Director
Simi Balter
Simi Balter is the Executive Director of the Pet Network Humane Society. Simi has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership. She spent the majority of her career working for a leading service dog organization headquartered in California. If it involves transforming the lives of animals or humans, she is all in! On the weekends you will most likely find her playing outdoors. In Simi's own words, "she has the best job in the world."
Director of Development
Hillary Abrams
Hillary became interested in nonprofit work after serving in the Peace Corps as a Schools and Community Resource Specialist. She earned her masters degree in philanthropy from NYU and although she has worked with both large and small organizations in New York City, Orange County, Mexico, and Seattle, Hillary’s favorite place is close to her family in Lake Tahoe. She is dog-mom to Lolita, a snuggly long-haired Dachshund rescue.
Director of Finance & Human Resources
Kimberly Highfill
Kimberly Highfill is a recent transplant from the southern California area and is just awed by the beauty of Tahoe and the surrounding areas. She attended the University of Maryland, where she studied Finance and Art History and has three very active dogs, Lilly, Harley & Bella. She also adopted Scotty, a 7 year old orange tabby from Pet Network, who loves to be the center of attention.
Director of Operations
Katie Millonzi
Before joining the Pet Network team, Katie spent 8 years working in various roles and organizations in the animal welfare field. Katie is new to the Lake Tahoe area and is very excited to explore. She currently has two dogs, Island and Peanut.
Director of Veterinary Services
Dr. Marlene Tremblay
Dr. Tremblay received her D.V.M from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013 followed by a Public Health & Epidemiology Research Internship. She received a PhD in epidemiology and data science from Utrecht University in 2019. Dr. Tremblay has worked as an Assistant Researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and as a veterinarian at a variety of shelters and organizations across Arizona and Utah including Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City and Kanab.
She has experience practicing a variety of types of medicine including shelter medicine, internal medicine, critical care, emergency surgery, high volume spay and neuter, specialty surgery, behavioral medicine, and epidemiology. Her interests include surgery and helping animal welfare organizations implement data-supported strategies. Her goal is to integrate population medicine with individualized medicine to optimize outcomes in shelters.
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Board of Directors
Chair
Alan Wechsler
Alan Wechsler is the Chair of the Pet Network Board and has been an active Board member since February 2018. Alan is an attorney who founded and owns a local law firm, Mountainside Law. He and his wife have two children and an energetic border collie mix rescue. Alan is passionate about dogs and cats, and is strongly committed to Pet Network’s mission of rescuing adoptable animals and connecting them with loving families.
Secretary
Kim McClain
Kim has lived in Incline Village, Nevada, for seven years. She has been married to Chris McClain for 38 years, and they have three grown children, two grandchildren, and a Golden Retriever named Juno. Kim has been a lifelong volunteer in her community and is proud to be a part of the Pet Network Humane Society.
Board Member
Denise Menzies
Denise Menzies is a commercial film producer, business manager, consultant and a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Denise and her husband, Australian Cinematographer Peter Menzies, Jr., have been Incline residents for over 25 years. An educational advocate, Denise is an Ethics Instructor and mentors high school students. She is on the Boards of the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline and the CYMBAL Foundation. Denise and her family have adopted several rescue animals, most recently “sassy” Mercedes from Pet Network.
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Treasurer
Scott Menath
Scott Menath has been an active board member with Pet Network since 2013. Being born and raised in Incline, he has been involved with the community for many years.Scott is an animal lover, he has a passion and dedication to serve this community as well as rescue as many animals as he can. He made the decision to move back to the Tahoe area in 2012 to raise his family: 2 children, 3 dogs, a cat, 2 goats, and several fish. He brings a passion and historical knowledge of the area and has served in several roles on the Pet Network Board. Currently Scott is the Treasurer of the Pet Network Board and very happy to be in this role.
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Board Member
Beverly Keil
Beverly Keil is a retired business executive whose career with The Washington Post Company spanned over two decades and included positions as VP Human Resources, CEO weekly newspaper group, CEO tech magazines, and CEO Kaplan Education Centers. Upon retirement Bev became a non-fiction author with books about pets and sports. Her most popular work, Diary of a Dumpster Pup, chronicles how Pet Network saved the lives of abandoned newborn puppies. Bev has been a Pet Network volunteer since she moved to Incline Village over twenty years ago. She has served on the Board of Directors as Chair and Treasurer. She shares her home with spouse Doug, also an author, and four Pet Network special needs rescue cats.
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Advisory Board
Veronica Bayduza
Ronnie Bayduza initially became involved with animal rescue in 1991 as a weekend dog walker with the SPCA in San Francisco. Following retirement in 2014 and becoming a full time resident of Incline, she became an active supporter of Pet Network and currently serves on the Advisory Board. Ronnie and her significant other, Greg, live in Incline with Maxi, a rescued Beardie mix, who joined their home in 2015 and quickly managed to assert himself in all household decision making activities.
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Ted Ventresca
Currently President and Chief Operating Officer for CHEMEON in Minden, Nevada, Ted Kelly brings expertise in global brand development, multimedia/digital sales, marketing and communication strategies, team building, promotion and presentation to the Pet Network Advisory Board. Ted and his wife, Susan moved to Nevada in 2014 and adopted Bocce from Pet Network in 2017. Ted, Susan, and Bocce enjoy Kayaking. Ted collects vintage microphones, radios, mid-century furniture/art, and supporting the life-saving work of Pet Network.
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Christine Karnofsky
Christine Karnofsky has been a resident of Lake Tahoe since 1987. Christine is a landscape designer and is the owner of her business, Christine Karnofsky Landscape Design for the past 25 years. She was invited to join the Pet Network board in 2016 and continues on the advisory board. Christine chaired and worked with the Fur Ball Committee for the past 2 years in charge of the theme, decor and entertainment, including the 20th anniversary Fur Ball, The Roaring Twenties in 2019 and A Thank you to our Troops theme in 2020 focusing on training service dogs for our vets. Christine designed the landscaping for the Pet Network building.
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Arielle Verinis
Arielle Verinis is a professional vocalist who has lent her voice to animal rescue for nearly two decades. She lives in Incline Village with her husband, baby and 3 rescue dogs. She has been a supporter of the Pet Network since 2015.
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Apply Today
If you are interested in this unique opportunity and contributing to our lifesaving work please email a cover letter and resume.