Sponsors
Board of Directors
Nancy Schimmer
President and Executive Director
Nancy Russ Schimmer has been involved with Save Our Cats and Kittens as a volunteer and board member since 2007.
After a 25 year career in information technology she took the reins of SOCKS in 2009. With the help, guidance, and support of the SOCKS board, as well as the founders, Sara and Cecil Demonbrun, she has overseen the improvement and stabilization of the financial status of SOCKS, as well as the improvement of the facilities.
SOCKS’ standing in the community has improved each year and has become a fixture in the Florida panhandle with a
reputation for cleanliness, a healthy environment, and a concern for all felines in need.
Nancy is a Florida native, born in Panama City. She received an AA from Okaloosa-Walton Community College (now Northwest Florida State College) in 2000.
Working with other rescue organizations and shelters, as well as the local county and municipal governments, Nancy hopes to improve the lives of all domesticated animals in our community.
Ayesha Haider
Treasurer
Ayesha Haider is an Assistant Director at the Florida SBDC, where she manages the region's Capital Access and Government Contracting programs. Ayesha has 10 years' experience as a business consultant and, prior to joining the SBDC, she worked for the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia advising UK SMEs on how to expand into the Middle East.
Ayesha has also worked as an accountant for the Air Force, as an independent business consultant for numerous private sector businesses and (her favorite job) as a Sales Assistant at a student run university bookstore in Canada.
Ayesha holds a BA in Economics from Carleton University in Ottawa and an MBA from York University in Toronto. She recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Government Contracting from the University of West Florida and she is also a Certified Business Appraiser.
In her spare time, Ayesha likes to go to the beach, travel the world, read books, workout and binge watch Star Trek (the original).
Ayesha's dream is to own a house full of dogs, cats and other animals. However, her cat, Chutia, does not get along well with others and will not allow it. Luckily, Chutia gets along very well with Ayesha's husband, Damian.
Elaine Sheldon
Board Member
Brian Ward
Board Member
Doctor Brian Ward is Pensacola State College’s lead human resource professor, as well as serving as a professor for The University of Maryland and as a Course Lead for Western Governors University, where he maintains course congruency for both new and seasoned course evaluators.
Before embarking on a career in higher education, he served twenty-three years in the United States Air Force where he completed four contingency deployments and served in numerous executive HR and operational positions.
After his retirement, he went on to work in the private sector as a human resource manager and site operational leader. In his capacity as lead HR professor, Dr. Ward serves on several cross-functional committees, including PSC’s Community Advisory Board, Scholarship Policy Committee, Academic Appeals Committee, the Sigma Beta Delta Directors’ Committee, and the Business Department’s Hiring Committee.
He has been recognized as a regional HR Manager of the Year four times, as well as being named as the Senior Operations Manager of the Year, the Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award winner, the Fred Archer Military Leadership Award winner. He has also received the Spirit of Bob Hope Service Award.
He is married to his beautiful wife Claudia and they reside in Navarre, FL.
Dawn Montoya
Board Member
Staff
Kim White
Shelter Manager
Wabash, Indiana is the place Kim calls “home.” Kim grew up with and developed a love of horses and animals of all kinds.
Kim moved to Okaloosa County in the fall of 2018. When she started exploring her new home, she quickly located the library, the yarn stores, and the animal shelters.
When it came time to look for a new profession, she remembered SOCKS, and knew she wanted to be involved. She began as a part-time cleaner, which quickly grew to shelter technician, and then manager.
Kim holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana. During her time there she was involved in psychology club, Women’s Choir, Chamber Choir, and theatre.
The most important thing in Kim’s life is her family, both back home in Indiana, and her new SOCKS family. She resides with her husband, Ed, and their two SOCKS cats, Bob and Jasmine.
Marti Gordon
Communications
Marti's journey at Save Our Cats and Kittens started when she fostered a kitten named Diddle Bug. After choosing to foster, Marti developed an affection for the organization and began volunteering.
From volunteer to Board member, Marti helps manage the organization's social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Marti also continues to volunteer at the Thrift Store several times a month.
A self-proclaimed "crazy cat lady," Marti enjoys spending time with her family when not volunteering. She is a wife of 25 years and has two daughters, five grandsons, and several pets.