EN 
ES 
Team
Meet Our Incredible Staff and Board
Staff
Suzanne Cowherd
Animal Programs Manager
Suzanne Cowherd
Animal Programs Manager
scowherd@cchumane.org
Suzanne is extremely passionate about animal rescue and spay/neuter services to decrease the homeless animal population in our community. As the Animal Programs Manager, she is responsible for anything animal related from intake through adoption, while also serving a key role in our partnership with CCAS and supporting all foster programs. Suzanne is incredibly compassionate about the animals in our programs, ensuring they all receive the care they deserve, and have the best possible adoption outcomes. Suzanne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication Studies from California State University, Sacramento. She has been with CCHS since 2018 and has been serving the nonprofit sector since 2008.
Katrina Daw
Office Manager
Katrina Daw
Office Manager
kdaw@cchumane.org
Katrina joined CCHS in 2019 and serves a variety of roles that keep our organization thriving, from marketing and development to office management. Katrina is a Concord native and brings a background in customer service and sales to our team, as well as many years of volunteer and board experience with local PTA and swim teams. Her family still resides in Concord, along with their furbaby Penny — a CCHS alum and foster fail.
Suanne Penney
Animal Programs Assistant
Suanne Penney
Animal Programs Assistant
spenney@cchumane.org
Suanne is responsible for the care and wellbeing of our animals, primarily on the weekends. She is our medical team lead ensuring our animals receive appropriate medical attention when needed. Suanne also assists with the foster program to ensure the foster animal and foster parent receive the support needed for the best possible experience.
Suanne joined the CCHS organization first as a volunteer and later as a staff member in 2021. After retiring from an extensive career in the financial services industry, Suanne decided to focus on opportunities that nurtured her love of animals. She volunteered at various local rescue organizations including CCHS. Suanne worked at JoyBound (formery ARF) as a Foster Specialist before joining the CCHS team. Suanne holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A native Californian, Suanne resides in Walnut Creek with her husband and three rescue cats (Bella, Fin and Oli) – two of which are CCHS alumni.
Allison Colarich
Animal Programs Assistant – Adoption Coordinator
Alison Colarich
Allison is Concord born-and-raised and started her animal care career by volunteering at a rescue when she was in high school. Since then, she has worked caring for animals in various settings – non-profit rescues, pet supply stores, and even worked with wild birds including owls and ravens. She joined the CCHS team in 2022. The best part of her week is helping an animal find their forever family.
When Allison is not hanging out with the cats and kittens at Kitty Corner, she enjoys pursuing her creative hobbies like art and writing, and going on outdoor outings with her family. She has two rescue cats and a young daughter who keep her busy around the house.
Alexa Hamill
Animal Programs Assistant, Foster Kitten Program Coordinator
Alexa Hamill
Alexa joined our team in 2024 to provide support to our kitten foster program and partnership with Contra Costa Animal Services. The day she learned of the immense need for bottle baby fosters (for kittens), she picked up 5 that very night! Alexa is a Biology student at Diablo Valley College pursuing certification as a veterinary technician and also works at Pet Food Express. Her life has always been filled with animals and her home is currently shared with 9 cats, 4 dogs, a rabbit, a turtle!
Hiroko Anderson
Bookkeeper
Hiroko Anderson
Hiroko has been with CCHS since 2018, overseeing the day-to-day financial activities for our organization and preparing our monthly financial statements. A graduate from Cal State East Bay with a degree in economics, Hiroko has worked in the accounting field in various industries. She grew up with dogs and puppies; her childhood pictures always include her holding a dog. Hiroko loves animals and nature and she feels it is wonderful to be with cute furry animals at work and is delighted when those animals find a happy forever home. Now she has a very spoiled cat.
Board of Directors
Steve Amos
Co-President
Steve Amos
Co-President
Steve joined CCHS in 2014, bringing a wealth of corporate financial and nonprofit audit sector experience, as well as extensive experience in companion animal welfare and professional leadership for nonprofits. He earned a BA in accounting from Portland State University and has over ten years of volunteerism with Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) where he started the Running Dog program in 2015. This program involves a team of approximately 20 runners who schedule structured runs with the dogs on local trails providing them with much needed exercise and temporary freedom from confinement. And most recently joined the CCAS team as a Community Outreach Coordinator.
Steve served as Treasure from 2022-2024 and moved into the Co-Presidency role in 2025. He resides in Martinez with his wife Jody and their animals — Winston, Penny and Poindexter, all CCAS alums.
Marie Ramagli
Co-President
Marie Ramagli
Co-President
Marie brings 20+ years of animal rescue experience to CCHS, joining the board in April 2024, before becoming Co-President in 2025. With a passion to improve the lives of homeless animals and supporting local communities, Marie is a natural fit with our mission and vision.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Miami University and a Masters of Business Administration from Capital University. Her background spans a successful career in project management, sales, marketing and development, where she has honed her skills in leadership, strategic planning, fundraising and marketing. Marie is a Director of Development for her undergraduate alma mater, serving alumni in the Western United States.
Marie is known for her dedication to making a difference and her collaborative approach to driving positive change and is committed to leveraging her expertise to support CCHS’s programs and initiatives while ensuring the welfare of animals throughout Contra Costa County.
Christine Burke
Treasurer
Christine Burke
Treasurer
Christine graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration and holds an MBA in finance from California State University East Bay. She has spent more than 20 years working in a variety of finance and accounting positions with Longs Drug Stores, Central Garden and Pet, CSAA Insurance Group and most recently with Arcticom Group.
Christine joined the CCHS board in 2009, serving as Treasurer from 2012 to 2022 and resuming the role again in 2025.
Nicole Haney
Secretary
Nicole Haney
Secretary
Nicole joined the CCHS Board in 2015, serving as Co-President from 2019-2021. Her main focus has been supporting both our Dog Program, including Sunday School, and our Re-homing Assistance Program. Nicole is passionate about the welfare of all animals and practices a vegan/cruelty free lifestyle. She and her family volunteer in many capacities: from fostering animals to organizing Scout volunteer projects.
Nicole is a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer and offers her support to many different programs and projects in the community. Born and raised in Pleasant Hill, she earned her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Philosophy from SFSU and enjoys a successful career in the insurance industry.
Alex Aldana
Alex Aldana
Alexander joined the CCHS board in Fall 2024, bringing a decade of animal welfare and care experience across both nonprofit and municipal shelters, to our organization.
Alexander holds a degree in Biology from Stanislaus State University and began his career in animal care at a dog daycare before transitioning to the sheltering world, joining the Sacramento SPCA as an Animal Care Technician and later as an Animal Care Supervisor. He then joined Front Street Animal Shelter, also in Sacramento, where he focused on animal behavior before becoming an Animal Control Officer with the city’s enforcement team. During the pandemic, Alexander relocated to Utah, partnering with Humane Society of Utah as an Animal Control Officer.
In 2022, Alexander returned to California and rejoined the Front Street Animal Shelter as a Senior Animal Services Officer overseeing cruelty investigations, bite complaints, and dangerous animal declarations. He was particularly passionate about working in the field alongside his fellow officers and engaging with the community. Alexander also prioritized supporting both housed and unhoused pet owners by connecting them with resources such as food and veterinary care. He recently joined Contra Costa County Animal Services.
Alexander is eager to contribute his leadership skills and experience to CCHS and expand opportunities in. animal welfare. In his free time, he enjoys visiting the beach, listening to music, and spending time with his wife, their three cats, and their Labrador.
Jody Amos
Jody Amos
Jody has been a CCHS volunteer since 2014, and joined the board in 2024. She is an active member of our Dog Programs, including Sunday School, and has been a volunteer with Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) since 2009.
Jody earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis and has had a broad range of career experience, including staffing and recruitment, technology implementation, and writing/editing. She is currently a member of the compliance team at AlphaSense, an AI-powered market intelligence platform. Jody and her husband Steve live in Martinez with their dogs, Winston and Penny, and their cat Poindexter, all CCAS alumni.
Chris Bono
Chris Bono
Chris is a compassionate pet lover and enthusiastic all-purpose volunteer who joined CCHS in 2014, and became a board member in 2024. He has overseen our AniMeals Program for many years — accepting food donations and pet supply donations and working with our key suppliers to receive donations, organizes and supports teams to bag donated supplies as well as teams to distribute those supplies to pet families in need in our community through local food pantries.
Chris has operated his own dog walking and pet sitting business since 2007. He has worked with dogs in our community to provide basic manners training and is a certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator. In retirement, he is continuing his extensive support of CCHS, playing more golf and supporting the First Tee program. Chris was recognized as a CCHS Hero of the Year in 2018 with his wife Jan, and in 2023 received the Threads of Hope award from Diablo Magazine for outstanding volunteer service to our community. They live in Martinez where they pay rent to a rescued bully breed dog named Mo Buckets (Buckets), and seven rescued cats.
Jan Bono
Jan Bono
Jan has been a passionate and enthusiastic board member and volunteer with CCHS since 2014. She supported the board as Secretary until 2021, as well as served as our President from 2022-2024. Jan sponsors our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program, Kitty Corner and Kitten Foster Program; is an active volunteer with our Shelter Dog Sunday School and AniMeals programs, Kitty Corner and also a kitten foster. Jan also fills the role of our Volunteer Coordinator, supporting nearly 100 active volunteers, and responds to every volunteer application we receive, onboarding and training new volunteers as they join our CCHS team.
Jan earned a BS degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Organizational Development at California State University, Fresno; and holds professional certifications in both project management and information systems. Before retirement, Jan was a Global Coordinating Service Partner for Ernst & Young, LLP where she focused on risk management and consulting services, serving clients across the world for over 25 years.
Jan was recognized as a CCHS Hero of the Year in 2018 with her husband Chris. They live in Martinez and are owned by seven rescued kitties and one rescued dog named Mo Buckets (Buckets).
Karen Collins
Karen Collins
Karen Collins joined CCHS in 2021 as an experienced kitten foster, skilled in supporting neonatal kittens and is an active foster supporting kittens 0 days and older, as well as serving as a foster coach. Karen joined the board, focused on development and marketing to increase awareness of our organization with our local community. Karen’s career involves building partnerships across various avenues to move nonprofit missions and focus’ forward. Over the last 9 years, Karen has focused on food industry donor cultivation at the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, a Feeding America food bank, soliciting over 20M pounds (over 15M meals!) annually for the two counties, as well as partner food banks across Northern California. Previously Karen worked at the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association, her alma mater, to solicit revenue generating partnerships. Go AGS! Karen and her husband, Matthew, are extremely passionate and committed to supporting animal welfare and increasing awareness and focus on the needs of animals in our community. They reside in Martinez with their furbabies — dogs Sadie and Kubota and cat foster fails, Pepper, Sazz and CCHS alum Peanut; and any number of fosters that may be with them at any given time. Karen is also an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels Mt. Diablo and a 10 gallon blood donor with Vitalant..
Myrna Schultz
Myrna Schultz
Alexa joined our team in 2024 to provide support to our kitten foster program and partnership with Contra Costa Animal Services. The day she learned of the immense need for bottle baby fosters (for kittens), she picked up 5 that very night! Alexa is a Biology student at Diablo Valley College pursuing certification as a veterinary technician and also works at Pet Food Express. Her life has always been filled with animals and her home is currently shared with 9 cats, 4 dogs, a rabbit, a turtle!