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Board of Directors

Our volunteers have a strong commitment to serving the many clients served by our organization. But first and foremost, they focus their energies on those who take advantage of our programs and services.

Our board represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and those we serve. The members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization and oversee that the funds raised directly affect those in need.

Board Member Bios

Mary Douglas is the President and a founding member of the Lincoln Animal Ambassadors, which was established in 2008. She has been involved in animal rescue for over 20 years. As a result, Mary realized that spay and neuter was one of the key components in alleviating animal homelessness and, along with a handful of like-minded volunteers, created LAA. Originally from Scribner, Nebraska, Mary has worked in the legal field in Lincoln for 44 years and also has a thriving home business. She lives in Lincoln with her husband, Randy, of 42 years and currently has 1 fur-kid... a 14 yr old Dachshund/Boston Terrier mix.

Pauline Balta is the vice president and a founding member of Lincoln Animal Ambassadors.
When not issuing spay/neuter vouchers for LAA's clients or fulfilling other board member duties, Pauline volunteers for two non-profit human services agencies in Lincoln. Pauline has been involved with animal rescue for the past 20 years. Pauline has worked and lived in Lincoln for the past 28 years.

Before retiring, Pauline most recently worked in the criminal justice field for Lancaster County District Court.
Pauline currently lives with two rehomed small dogs, Jade, a ten-year-old blind Rat Terrier, and Taco, a 13-year-old Chihuahua. Miss Fluffy Pants Marmalade, an orange tabby female, rounds out the pets with which Pauline gets to live. Important other pets in Pauline’s life are grand dogs Scrappie, Martin and Ralph; and grand cats, Rick, Dorothy, and Carol—all adopted from a variety of animal rescue groups.

Blake Gilmore serves as the Treasurer and Technology Director. Blake is responsible for making sure the bills get paid and that our technology mostly works. Blake also stays busy taking care of a Pomeranian/Dachshund mix named Scrappy.

Mary Yager serves as the grants coordinator.

Jane Nelson, co-chairs the Fundraising & Events Committee. She also helps with various projects. Jane stays busy as a local business owner and with her husband, 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren.

Amy Nelson, co-chairs the Fundraising & Events Committee and assists in assembling the quarterly newsletter. Her house is active with 2 dogs, 1 cat, a husband and a daughter.

Kristina Alas serves as our social media coordinator and Wine & Howl coordinator. She became involved with LAA because she wanted to volunteer in the community with her dogs, Lucy and Margot. They frequently attend events together and have a pawesome time! She also has three curious cats, Ernie, Elliott, and Eleanor, and three talkative cochin bantam hens, Wynona, Trixie, and Nancy. Kristina is a doctoral student in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She conducts research to support a Midwest hop breeding program. Her research focuses on the development of hop cultivars adapted to the Midwest so that regional producers can have consistent yields and beer brewers can have consistency in their ingredients.

Jamie Bruder serves as volunteer coordinator.  She takes care of phone scheduling, volunteer onboarding and training and reports.  Jamie has a spunky boxer named Hank, and a handsome cat named Rebel (aka. Ruler of the House).