We believe every animal, regardless of age, condition, or history, deserves a full and joyful life — and that sanctuary models can be built responsibly, sustainably, and with intention.
Our KIND core values shape everything we do. Kindness for all, through universal empathy and compassion. Idealism is grounded in the belief that we achieve more together.
Sedona is recognized worldwide as a destination for human healing and transformation. Whisker Mountain is bringing that same philosophy to animals — creating the first sanctuary of its kind and setting a new standard for holistic animal care.
Origin Story
The Whisker Mountain story began when the Koller family relocated to a neighborhood home to dozens of community cats, cared for by a dedicated network of local caretakers. Their youngest daughter, Ariana, and her older sister, Eleanore rescued five kittens from a brush pile — a moment that sparked the family’s rescue journey.
What followed was a growing alliance of passionate individuals — veterinarians, family, community members, caregivers, and the local animal shelter — who collectively TNVR’d hundreds of cats and fostered hundreds of kittens. When a nearby animal hoarder needed help managing hundreds of cats, the team mobilized and responded, solidifying their shared mission: “We serve animals shelters turn away.” This grassroots effort evolved into the organization known today as Whisker Mountain Animal Rescue.
Whisker Mountain Board Members
Katina Koller, President
Katina Koller is a servant leader, entrepreneur, and lifelong animal welfare advocate. As former Chairwoman, CEO, and owner of an INC 5000 company recognized for two consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America, she brings deep operational expertise and a track record of building high-performing organizations aligned with culture, values, and vision. A Professional EOS Implementer and Vistage Chair, her board service includes Park County Animal Shelter, Literacy Connects, Youth On Their Own, and StartUp Tucson.
Greg Chambers, Treasurer
Greg Chambers is a former Silicon Valley technology executive with 35 years of senior management experience at companies including Logitech, Fujitsu, and Acer, spanning global marketing, logistics, mergers and acquisitions, and multi-million-dollar budget management. He holds a BS from Cal Poly State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California, and has served on the boards of Cross Creek Ranch, Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley Winegrowers Association, GC Hopkins Wine and Spirits, and S3 logistics technology.
Katherine O'Donnell, Operations Director
Katherine O’Donnell brings over 15 years of experience in animal welfare, with much of her work rooted in Flagstaff and the San Francisco Bay Area. She is committed to compassionate care and thoughtful, sustainable rescue practices. Katherine has supported organizations in strengthening operations and expanding community impact, with a focus on treating every animal with dignity and respect.
Board Emeritus Members
Shelby Clark Zepeda
Shelby Clark Zepeda is a seasoned human capital leader with more than 25 years of experience driving organizational success through talent strategy, leadership development, and cultural transformation. As Chief People Officer at Aligned Data Centers, she aligns global workforce strategy with business objectives. Her board service includes Hunger Busters and the St. Louis chapter of Swim Across America.
Manuel Zepeda, Board Member
Manuel Zepeda is a seasoned global executive with over three decades of experience in business transformation, operational scaling, and international expansion in technology and telecommunications. As CEO of Spirent Communications China and Division President at Amdocs, he delivered significant revenue growth and led large-scale global teams. He is a HITEC 50 honoree with nonprofit board experience through United Way.
Advisory Board Members
Dr. Amy DeFries, Veterinarian
Dr. Amy DeFries is a veterinarian with more than 30 years of clinical, community, and shelter‑medicine experience in the Cody, Wyoming region. Her work spans private practice, rural veterinary support, and hands-on care for shelter animals with complex medical needs.
As the owner of DeFries Veterinary Services LLC and a provider of in‑home end‑of‑life care through Kind Crossings, she brings medical expertise, ethical clarity, and deep compassion. Her insight into rural veterinary challenges and shelter operations strengthens Whisker Mountain’s strategy to expand individualized care models and build cross‑regional partnerships.
Taylor Hill - Underdog Rescue Ranch
Taylor Hill, a trained veterinary technician, leads Underdog Rescue Ranch with a deep commitment to pit bull–type dogs and animals with medical or behavioral special needs. Her work blends clinical skill, compassion, and a fierce belief that every dog — especially those most often overlooked — deserves a real chance at safety and healing. Taylor was recently honored with a Michigan Animal Welfare Foundation Warrior Nomination, recognizing her advocacy, hands‑on expertise, and unwavering dedication to vulnerable dogs. She has built a foster‑driven community grounded in individualized care, advocacy, and second chances, making Underdog Rescue Ranch a trusted lifeline for dogs across the Detroit area.
Lauren Avon & Bri Xandrick-Spiegel - Weird Rescue
Co‑founders Lauren Avon and Bri Xandrick-Spiegel lead Weird Rescue, a Los Angeles–based organization dedicated to saving animals who fall outside traditional shelter pathways — seniors, neonates, medical cases, and the wonderfully “weird” souls who need specialized, individualized care. Focused on saving the overlooked, misunderstood, and the perfectly odd, Lauren and Bri bring a rare blend of creativity, clinical intuition, and deep behavioral insight to their work, building a foster‑centered model that prioritizes emotional safety, decompression, and long‑term wellbeing. Their leadership has made Weird Rescue a standout voice in the LA rescue community and a powerful partner in cross‑country collaboration focused on elevating standards of care and expanding lifesaving capacity.
Volunteers
Nancy Chambers, Volunteer
During Nancy’s childhood in Guam, she frequently brought home stray animals, including dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, and even a rooster with one eye. Her mother accepted this without issue. Nancy’s interest and dedication to animals is the reason for her desire to start and be a part of Whisker Mountain.
Her background took her from Silicon Valley’s high-tech industry, to establishing a winery and learning the process of wine production in Healdsburg with her husband Greg. Having over 30 Spanish goats on the property, along with barn cats and their Border Collie Kiva.
Starting Whisker Mountain sanctuary is Nancy’s lifelong dream to help save animals that have been abandoned and neglected through no fault of their own. A place where they will receive the love, attention, and care to thrive.
Haley Couch, Volunteer
Haley Couch is a dedicated Whisker Mountain volunteer and the co‑owner of Icon Steel, where she leads alongside a team of exceptional employees — including two working cats, Apple and Orange.
Haley and her partner Daniel have built a workplace culture that embraces both people and animals, welcoming multiple dogs and cats into their daily operations and opening their home to fosters whenever needed.
Her commitment to animal welfare extends far beyond her business. Haley brings steady compassion, hands‑on support, and a deep belief in giving every animal a safe place to land. She embodies the spirit of community partnership that makes Whisker Mountain’s work possible.
Adam Lundquist, Volunteer
Adam Lundquist is a Whisker Mountain volunteer and the driving force behind Southwest Urban Real Estate and Southwest Urban Builders, where he brings together his expertise as a real estate broker, licensed general contractor, and community‑minded leader. His professional work shapes neighborhoods — and his compassion strengthens them.
In addition to his real estate and construction leadership, Adam is one of Tucson’s most dedicated TNVR advocates. He leads Trap‑Neuter‑Vaccinate‑Return efforts in the barrios where he lives and works, ensuring that community cats are cared for with dignity and that colonies are responsibly managed.
Adam has single‑handedly activated and trained numerous community cat caretakers, building a grassroots network of neighbors who now actively practice TNVR. His hands‑on commitment has reduced fighting, stabilized colonies, and improved the lives of countless cats across Tucson.
Adam is also known as a true animal whisperer. Recently, a lost dog wandered onto his property. After multiple attempts to reach the microchip contacts with no response, Adam stepped in without hesitation — taking her to the vet, getting her groomed, and making sure she felt safe. Today, she’s living her best life with Adam’s mom, a perfect example of how his instinctive kindness changes outcomes for animals who cross his path.
Adam’s blend of professional excellence, community leadership, and deep compassion makes him an invaluable part of the Whisker Mountain family.
Sharon Penchina, Volunteer
A lifelong animal lover, Sharon has cared for a variety of pets and now volunteers at the Humane Society of Sedona, using social media to help homeless dogs find homes.
Before moving to Sedona, she was Director of Sales/Marketing at a multi-office insurance firm and previously owned a successful jewelry store in New York. She’s also the author of an award-winning children’s book series and now spends time pursuing her passions—animal advocacy and pottery.
Her superpower is making connections and thinking outside the box.