Weirdo transformation & growth

This past year has been incredibly transformative for the Weirdo Cat Lovers of Cleveland. Between earning our 501 c 3 status, launching multiple programs within our organizations, and petitioning for Weirdo license plates, our beloved group seems ever evolving. This past week a shift within our Weirdo leadership team has occurred and there have been significant changes within our group’s leadership structure. Lesley Pontin, Christy O’Malley, and Rachel Choike are no longer part of the Weirdo Cat Lover of Cleveland’s leadership team, due to unresolvable differences. Megan Edwards has also stepped down in order to prepare for her new adventure in motherhood. We are so excited for her! Their ideas and compassion will be missed. We are grateful for their contributions to the organization during their time with us and we wish them the best with their future endeavors. There are also members who were involved in Weirdo leadership in the past who have returned, we warmly welcome them back. Our organization is working to improve and continue to grow. We are looking for ways to better ourselves and better serve our group members everyday. There are many changes happening within the group right now. We ask for your trust and appreciate your support. We believe that the outcome will please our members and continue to improve the lives of the felines that we serve.
  
In order to familiarize yourself with the Weirdo Leadership team, I would like to take the time to introduce each member, including their position, and a fact or two about them.
  
Brandy Dita Alderson
Board Chair
Brandy has many tattoos and has lost count of her grand total. However, 13 of her tattoos are actually cat related or “cattoos!”
  
Amber Tischler
Executive/Creative Director
Amber loves caring for her plants in addition to her cats. Amber spends much of her free time creating, whether it be through home improvement projects, graphics, or writing. Amber is a diagnosed Type 1 diabetic and advocate for its research.
 
Christy Higbee
Treasurer
Christy is an assistant to the treasurer for a public school district. She has three cats and is married to a fellow Weirdo! Christy and her husband love to axe throw for fun and help judge/referee during league season!
 
Cassandra Bean Ungvarsky
Secretary/Community Engagement Director
Cassandra is a very talented writer and spends much of her time writing informational and captivating blogs for our website. She has recently obtained her optician license!
 
Ivy Novosel
Records Director
Ivy is currently working to earn her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She can also count to ten in five different languages!
 
Dawn Thomas
TNR Director
Dawn has been trapping feral cats since 2009 and she still has the first cat she ever trapped, Minnow. Minnow doesn’t allow petting but loves her life as a house cat!
 
Mandi Stevens
Grant Proposal Director
Mandi is actually the shortest WCLOC team member, at 4 feet and 10 inches tall!
 
Meredith Janik
Director of Compliance
Meredith was a member of the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan following the fall of the Soviet Union. It was there that she learned the importance of animal advocacy and rescue work and inspired her work today.
 
Hannah Schramm
Moderator
Hannah is involved with several animal welfare organizations and enjoys spreading positivity about animal welfare and rescue work. In addition to caring for animals, Hannah actually loves caring for plants!

Robert Darkmatter
Moderator
Robert is a skilled painter and decorator and is a long-time musician, poet, and artist.
 
Amy Marie Filbert
Moderator
In addition to 3 cats, Amy has 1 dog. During kitten season her and her family foster kittens for a local rescue.
 
Andrea Castellanos
Moderator
Andrea is a Maine Coon and Scottie mom. She has been a professional makeup artist since 2007!
 
Stacey Nackowiz
Moderator
Stacey is currently finishing her Associate’s degree in Human and Social Services. She is raising a future Weirdo and has two cats, Jack Skellington and Taco. In her free time she loves to craft!
 
Jaqueline Von Duhn
Moderator
Jaqueline has 4 cats and 1 dog. In addition to caring for animals, Jaqueline is an artist and loves gaming. She spends her free time cooking and baking.
 
Julia St. John
Moderator
Julia is a mom, wife, caregiver, Girl Scout leader, and special education teacher graduate student. In addition to being a Weirdo, she is a Harry Potter fanatic!
 
Heather Davis
Moderator
In 2007 Heather joined a roller derby team, discovering her love for it. Since then, she has found passion in volunteering for various teams and organizations including 4 roller derby teams, 3 animal welfare organizations, and the Northeast Ohio Camaro Club!