Meet the Humans

Kendall D. Paul
Executive Director

Hometown: Evansville, Indiana

Education:
FJ Reitz High School ‘89
B.S. Public Relations, Emphasis in Radio/Television, University of Southern Indiana ‘95
Certificate in Fundraising, Indiana University School of Philanthropy
Leadership Evansville graduate

@VHS: Kendall began her career with the VHS cleaning kennels in 1994. She has since served as the Operations Manager, the Public Relations & Events Manager, and now Executive Director. She celebrated 25 years of service to the VHS in 2019.

Pets: 2 dogs, Finn the Boxer/Bulldog and Eleven the Boxer (VHS alumni); Goose the cat (River Kitty Cat Cafe alumnus); 4 hens; and her VHS office pet, Severus Snake the ball python, another VHS alum.

Fandoms: Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings

Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Cubs & Pittsburgh Steelers

Cindy A. Nemer
Business Manager

Hometown: Evansville, Indiana (“West Side is the best side!”)

Education:
Mater Dei High School ‘71
B.S. Business Administration & Accounting, University of Southern Indiana

@VHS: Cindy began volunteering at the VHS in 1990. She was a Board Member from 1994-1996 and joined the staff in 1996.

Pets: Luna the Shar Pei mix, Rylie Sue the Beagle mix, Frankie the Australian Cattle Dog mix, and a house full of felines

Fandoms: Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:  Um, frozen? :)

Wende McKinney
Operations Manager

Hometown: Evansville, IN

Education:
Harrison High School ’02
B.A. Psychology with Concentration in Animal Behavior, Purdue University ‘07

@VHS: Wende joined the VHS team as an Animal Care Technician in 2008. She has served as Medical/Intakes Supervisor, and was promoted to Assistant Operations Manager in 2009. She became Operations Manager in 2016.

Pets: Dogs, Boscoe & Sunny; Cats Timmy, Olaf, Tilt, and Betty

Myers-Briggs personality type: ISFP-A

Favorite type of tea: Bubble tea

Amy Hairston 
Assistant Operations Manager

Hometown: Evansville, IN

Education: 
Reitz High School

@VHS: Amy rejoined the VHS staff in 2019 as the Assistant Operations Manager. Her total time working at VHS, previously + currently, is more than 12 years!

Pets: 2 dogs, Oscar & Lolli; 2 cats, Kittaly & Reggie; and Betty Bunny the rabbit 

If you were a dog, what breed would you be? A mutt! :)

Favorite type of tea: Chai tea 

Amanda D. Coburn
Development Coordinator

Hometown: Evansville, IN

Education:
North High School '08
B.S.B.A. Business Administration & Law, Western Carolina University ‘11
Leadership Everyone Graduate '19

@VHS: Amanda became a VHS volunteer in 2011. She joined the staff as a part-time public relations/events assistant in 2013, Adoption Counselor in 2014-2015, and now Development Coordinator since 2015.

Pets: 3 cats, Moon, Westley, and Falkor

Fandoms: Harry Potter, all things Disney, The Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things

Myers-Briggs personality type: ENFP

Cyndi Hoon Donley
Humane Education & Volunteer Coordinator

Hometown: Bedford, IN

Education:
Bedford-North Lawrence High School ‘80
B.A. Telecommunications & Theater, Indiana University ‘84

@VHS: Cyndi began volunteering as a docent at VHS in 1995. She was asked to join the VHS team in 2003 and now splits her time between Humane Education and the Volunteer program.

Pets: Fiona & Joey the Golden Retrievers (VHS alumni)

Favorite Bands: The Beatles and Led Zeppelin

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cherry amaretto

Diane Whipkey
Receptionist & Inventory Manager

Hometown: Evansville, IN

Education:
Harrison High School ‘65
West Side Beauty College

@VHS: Diane has dedicated nearly her entire adult life to the VHS’ cause. Her mother was a long-time volunteer until her passing in 1997. Diane carries on her legacy today and has served as a volunteer, Board Member from 1982-2004, and staff member from 2004-present.

Pets: Ms. Wiggles the pit bull; cats Bailey & Bengal (VHS alumni); and Sam the office hermit crab

Favorite Movie: Dances with Wolves

If you were a dog, what breed would you be? An American Staffordshire Terrier (“pit bull”) of course!

Josh Steinback
Facilities Technician

Operations Staff
with at least 1 year of service:

Adoption Counselors:
Kellsie Phillips
Kalea Baize

Intake Counselors:
Helena Brendel-Niles
Brittany Wilkinson

Animal Care Technicians:
Vanessa Brown
Marissa Creamer
Mara Gleason

Clinic Staff

Veterinarians
Dr. Julie Gray (full-time)

Clinic Manager
Debbie Babik

Clinic Receptionist
Rachel DeVasier

Vet Assistants with at least 1 year of service:
Austy French
Kelly Mank, RVT
Maddi Hargett
Cait East-Hutson

Get to know the Clinic staff more here!