Board of Directors Nominations

Helen Fleischer

I grew up in State College and recently returned to Happy Valley after nearly a decade. Professionally, I specialize in data and engineering operations within payment processing software and financial systems integrations, currently at Stripe. My background is in classical music, studying French Horn performance at Oberlin Conservatory. I continue to stay active in the local arts community as a member of the Nittany Valley Symphony and the State College Choral Society. In my free time, you can find me on the local trails with my dog, Dinah, and my alphorn. I’m excited to be joining the PAWS team to help support the Centre Region community’s animals.

Kelli Gardner 

Actively involved in volunteer and community service initiatives throughout Centre County, I have been part of Centre County PAWS since 2012 as a dedicated dog care volunteer. Over the years, I’ve taken on several roles, including shift leader, pet partner, dog foster, and ongoing event staff support. I’m also an active member of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Central PA.

My lifelong love of animals and commitment to their well‑being has led me to adopt every pet I’ve had — several from PAWS, including my most recent dog rescue, Binky. PAWS is an extraordinary organization that provides exceptional care and compassion to every animal that comes through its doors, and I’m honored to contribute to its mission.

Much of my career has been dedicated to nonprofit organizations supporting underserved youth and strengthening donor engagement across the state. I joined Penn State in 2008 and currently serve as the Director of Alumni Relations and Stewardship in the College of Agricultural Sciences, where I lead the college’s strategic efforts to engage alumni and steward donors. My work spans donor communications, endowment and gift management, recognition programs, and annual reporting. What I love most is the opportunity to connect donors and alumni with the causes they care about and help them see the impact of their generosity.

Melinda Ampthor (re-election)

My life’s work has been to help others realize and obtain their best selves, on all levels of the systems within which I worked. The PAWS values of compassion and generosity specifically resonate with me and are descriptive of my way of being in all that I do. My professional experience includes a 34-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency where I developed and delivered comprehensive leadership and tradecraft development instruction, and facilitation services for numerous cadres of officers across the organization. Currently I serve as an Associate with COPIA providing leadership coaching and consulting to their contract clients. I love to work with individuals and teams that are ready for change and transformation. I am passionate about serving PAWS as an organization, staff, and a host of volunteers and would be honored and privileged to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Linda Friend (re-election)

Animals have always been an important part of my life, particularly dogs, both breed and mixed breed. About 14 years ago I started to work the Friday night sift in the cat wing and have had that assignment ever since. I assisted with the first and second PAWS strategic plans, served on the Boards Nominating Committee for several years, and am becoming a regular sponsor of PAWS activities including the Tennis Ball Tosses and Trivia Nights at Axemann Brewery. Before my retirement from Penn State Libraries I had increasingly responsible positions, mostly in technology, spending the last 8 years as co-head of Library Scholarly Publishing. I was responsible for the departmental budget, strategic planning, and chaired and served on numerous library and university committees. I’ve been a witness to the ways PAWS has grown and flourished over its history and I’ve appreciated being able to see and participate in the growth.

Daniel Nelson (re-election)

I have heard it said that the real measure of a society-the true test of its moral compass-is how that society chooses to care (or not) for the most vulnerable within that society. An animal who finds its way to a shelter, for any variety of reasons, is among the most vulnerable within our society. Ballpark Frank was one such animal. We made the right call going to PAWS. Today, Frank is living his best life, and Kelly and I could not be more grateful to have him with us. I serve as a partner and attorney-at-law with the Law Firm of Mason and Nelson in Philipsburg. I bring prior Board experience, much of that has been focused on not-for-profit and non-profit organizations. My sincere hope is that-between my previous experience, professional background, and love of the PAWS mission-I can bring a new, helpful voice to the Board members already working to guide PAWS in its mission.