Leadership Team

Lisa Scarbrough

President/Founder
Many people love animals. In fact, you won't find too many people who don't enjoy the companionship of a pet at least once in their lifetime. However, there are very few who love our four-legged friends with the same deep adoration as Lisa Scarbrough. Lisa has had a unique compassion for animals since childhood where her father taught the importance of animal care through first hand encounters with displaced pets and wildlife. Whether it was an orphaned raccoon requiring special attention or an adorable litter of puppies, her father was there to pass on his knowledge of animal care.

His inspiring deeds moved Lisa into action. For several years she rescued animals, eventually making the leap to band with other individual rescuers and forming central resources for the rescue community.

While Lisa was expanding her knowledge of animals during adolescence, she was also active in community service. From eight years as a Girl Scout to volunteering at the Tybee Beautification Association, she found ways to keep busy even in her youth. She also coached an adolescent soccer club for the Islands YMCA and was greatly conducive in her high school campus ministry. While attending Andrew College, Lisa spent time tutoring local school children in addition to co-organizing Operation Christmas Child on campus. And through it all, Lisa Scarbrough's active volunteering became a shining inspiration to classmates.

These impressive youth accomplishments paved the way for leadership skills that proved invaluable as the Editor-in-Chief for her high school and college yearbook, cheerleading captain, and outdoor adventure club vice-president and president. As a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Lisa became the Public Relations Officer and was elected their first President of Georgia Region Alumni Association in 2000.

Continuing her volunteer work, recognition and awards did not follow far behind. In the last three years, Lisa has been featured in Skirt!, Savannah Magazine, the Savannah Morning News, Daisy Belles, Pooler Magazine, and on CNN.com. In 2007, she was named as an eWomenNetwork Emerging Leader of the Year finalist as well as the Top Ten Working Women in Savannah list and Hands on Georgia Gallery of Service. WGNU in St. Louis, MO featured her as a call-in guest for their "Women Inspiring Women" show. In 2008, she was recognized as a Savannah Hero by the Georgia Equality Association.

An unending thirst for knowledge is evident from the multiple degrees from well-respected educational institutions. She is a graduate of St. Vincent's Academy (1997), a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Andrew College (1999), and Georgia Southern University (2001). Most recently Lisa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duquesne University's Bachelor of Science in Humane Leadership program. Lisa also has Executive Leadership Certification from the Humane Society of the United States and is a certified instructor for the American Red Cross's Pet First Aid and CPR course, which she teaches regularly in Savannah.

Lisa currently works full-time as a web developer with eMarketSouth. Her web work was recognized in 2005 as "Best of Savannah" by Connect Savannah, and she has served the last six years as a judge for the Web Marketing Association's International Web Awards. She also volunteers her time as an instructor with the Georgia Center for Non-Profits educating other non-profits in utilizing their websites to further their missions.

Throughout the years of hard work, her father's teachings of animal care have stayed close to her heart. She now carries that knowledge and passion forward to provide for as many animals as possible. Perhaps even more importantly, she's inspiring others to do the same.

Aside from Coastal Pet Rescue, Lisa has two dogs of her own; DaVinci, a Rottweiler / Siberian Husky mix, and Hannah, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mix.

photo by Michael Rosenau

Wendy Owens

Special Events Coordinator

Heather Erwin

Secretary
Heather grew up in rural southwest Georgia and was introduced to animal rescue at a very early age. Shortly after Heather’s birth, her father rescued a puppy, Bear, from a potato field. Bear was with the family for 19 years. Bear was the first of many pets rescued from fields, trash dumps, and beside the road. Heather has continued the tradition. She and her husband, Todd, share their home with five cats and one dog, all of whom were rescued.

Volunteerism also began at an early age for Heather. From age 6, Heather became active with the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The walk-a-thons became a family tradition. For her volunteerism and community spirit, Heather was awarded the first annual Citizenship Award from Hamilton Elementary School (1989). Heather remained active in her community throughout her high school years.

After high school, Heather joined the United States Army. Heather completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson South Carolina, where her platoon was selected as Honor Platoon. Heather completed Advanced Individualized Training at Fort Lee, Virginia, where she was selected as the Distinguished Honor Graduate. Heather served at Fort Hood, Texas, where she was recognized for excellence in service numerous times. Heather and Todd were married while stationed at Fort Hood.

After relocating to Fort Stewart, Georgia, Heather became an active volunteer with the Fort Stewart Youth Club, Savannah ‘s Promise, and the American Diabetes Association. Heather served as a team leader for the American Diabetes Association’ s Walk on the Wild Side. Heather joined Coastal Pet Rescue in October 2005.

Heather attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she was awarded a Certificate of Merit in Writing, and graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University with a Bachelor of General Studies degree in early childhood education. Heather has been accepted into the Master of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Leadership Track at Armstrong Atlantic State University. She is currently employed at an area university.

Michelle Still

Animal Management Coordinator
Michelle maintains all records regarding Coastal Pet Rescue's rescued pets. She also coordinates our SNAC spay appointments as well as adoption packs. Michelle even dedicates her time as a foster mom, most recently fostering a litter of six puppies and their mom.

Ashley Davis

Adoption Coordinator
Ashley joined Coastal Pet Rescue in June 2005 and currently serves as the Foster Coordinator. Ashley has served as a foster parent herself, and works with animal shelters to try and get pets into to our program to prevent animals from being euthanized. She founded the C-SAW program at a local elementary school. This program works to teach students the value of community service with local animal welfare groups and the importance of resposible pet ownership. Ashley regularly represents Coastal Pet Rescue at events and helps with transports, vet visits, home checks, and adoptions. She also volunteers with a grass roots music organization, which helps to promote unsigned bands.

Ashley has loved animals all her life. This began when she was in high school and volunteered at a local Vet's office. She lives with 1 cat, Chloe. She has 2 dogs, Maddie, a Border Collie and Boca, a English Shepherd. All her pets were adopted from shelters. She has always been known to help homeless animals . All the stray dogs and cats seem to find her!! During her time with Coastal Pet Rescue, she has helped numerous animals get into rescue and assisted them in finding their forever homes.

Ashley moved to Savannah 4 years ago from Virginia. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in French. She completed her Masters of Education in Counselor Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently employed as a Elementary Guidance Counselor for the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools.

Jackie Blazier

Adoption Coordinator

Patsy Rivera

Foster Coordinator

Chelsea Parker

Volunteer Coordinator

Sherry Montgomery

TNR Trapping Coordinator

Please Note

All our executive board members and support staff are volunteers. They all have full-time jobs. They donate their time, and in some cases, their money, to being an officer for Coastal Pet Rescue. Officers and volunteers do not receive any monetary compensation for their work with Coastal Pet Rescue.