Board of Directors

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

DREA BOWEN -
Chair, Board of Directors

Drea's qualifications include; LICSWA, MSW, ESA, and Board Certified Life and Health Coach, She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology, minor in trans-species Psychology and specialty certifications in trauma.

Drea’s lifelong passion for non-human animals, nature, and the environment along with her commitment to empowering people to heal their relationship with self, each other, our animal kin, and the natural world led to the creation of the trauma-informed nonprofit; One Heart Wild Sanctuary and ROOTS Institute. ROOTS Institute certifies therapists, educators, and others working within the human-animal interface, in Animal/Equine Assisted and Nature-Based Therapeutic Services. ROOTS Institute meets the American Counseling Association facilitator competencies for Animal-Assisted Intervention training.

Drea has worked full time with youth, teens, and adults since 2010, prior to that she spent decades managing and volunteering for nonprofit organizations. Drea’s advocacy to end suffering and heal psychological harm for humans and our animal kin is highlighted in One Heart Wild’s humane education focus. Trans-species psychology teaches us that social animals are more alike than different from us, and it calls us all to heal the connections between nature, humans, and non-human animals.

BRENDA NEWELL -
Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Brenda Newell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her background and extensive training includes: serving the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, working with individuals impacted by abuse and violence, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, individuals seeking support for significant life transitions, holistic approaches to wellness, and bringing humans and horses together for healing through Equine Experiential Learning and Psychotherapy. Brenda is a Sexual Minorities and Gender Specialist for the LGBT community, a Certified Children’s Mental Health Specialist and a Certified Human Equine Alliance for Learning & Psychotherapy Facilitator. Brenda is a certified volunteer for RedRover Readers humane education reading program.

Brenda grew up in small mountain communities in Idaho and Utah surrounded by animals, both domestic and wild, and feeling most at home in their presence. Some of Brenda’s greatest joys have been her relationships with the horses, dogs, cats, and goats that became beloved friends. Non-human animals have modeled authenticity, trust, loyalty, compassion and mutuality in relationship and she believes sharing those experiences with her clients can be life changing. Brenda feels blessed to continue the journey of connecting humans with horses and other non-human animals; increasing self-awareness, emotional healing, empowerment and resiliency. Brenda has spent her career supporting community and social service nonprofits and has been a tireless volunteer and board member for many organizations.

BRIE YOUNGKER-
Secretary, Board of Directors

Brie is a founding board member active in many operations of One Heart Wild. She was the Chair for Marketing & Community Relations for the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association 2006-2009.
As a lifelong equestrian and animal lover, Brie has volunteered in several programs including Therapeutic Riding for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, children’s summer horse camps and fundraising for these causes. Brie is Certified in Equine/Animal Assisted Therapeutic Services and spends the majority of her time outside of board duties working with children in local schools, seeing clients at the sanctuary and managing sanctuary operations. Brie enjoys cultivating new programs for the organization, training volunteers in safely working on the property and caring for the animals, planning events and fundraisers, and giving tours of the sanctuary to community members.

Karin Knight

Karin Knight earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Whitman College. A Bainbridge Island native, she returned to her hometown after college to raise her family. Early in her career, she worked in the outdoor industry, holding positions at REI and serving as the Purchasing Manager for Outdoor Research, Inc. After taking a 15-year break to focus on her family, she re-entered the workforce as a K-8 School Counselor. She worked extensively in the South Kitsap and Bainbridge Island School Districts before retiring in 2020.

Karin comes to One Heart Wild with a myriad of experience supporting social service organizations that focus on mental health issues, dispute resolution, social emotional learning, and animal welfare. Her dedication to OHW stems from her strong belief in the healing power of the animal-human connection. In her free time you will find her in the mountains, on the golf course or puppy raising service dogs in training.

Tina Chenevert

Tina is a retired trial attorney and long-time animal welfare advocate and volunteer. One of her proudest achievements is her creation of new legal precedent in the area of animal cruelty after successfully prosecuting and convicting a man who starved and killed several
species of animals over a long period of time. That published appellate opinion and binding legal precedent make it easier for criminal prosecutors to prove animal cruelty cases across the country.

Tina has been on several other non-profit boards but is extremely honored to serve on the One Heart Wild Board because of its unique makeup. One Heart Wild distinguishes itself by offering a broad range of much-needed community counseling services in its dual capacity as both an animal sanctuary and animal-assisted therapy charitable organization. When other animal rescues or human counseling efforts are unable to help or are ineffective, One Heart Wild steps in and works tirelessly to provide professional and heartfelt assistance. This organization is truly one of a kind.

Tina has volunteered for most of her adult life, initially as a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, and over the last 10 years as a volunteer for One Heart Wild and a local animal shelter. Tina and her husband, Doug, have three rescue dogs that make up their family here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She also enjoys finding and adorning vintage items with crystals and beads to create sun catchers and wind chimes to sell at local craft shows for the benefit of One Heart Wild.

Brooke Pisani

I have called Kitsap County home for the past nine years and love being part of its vibrant, compassionate community. As a local Realtor, I lead with integrity and empathy, helping people navigate important decisions with confidence and support. Organization, creative problem-solving, and a win-win approach to negotiations are at the heart of my work, ensuring the best outcomes for those I serve.

When I'm not working with clients, I like to share my skills with the CK Food Bank and One Heart Wild. I also enjoy spending time with the animals, gardening, and "playing in the dirt." I’m honored to support One Heart Wild’s mission of healing connections between humans and animals and look forward to contributing to its important work.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS

ROBY SNYDER-
Emeritus Board Member

Roby's work experience included 4 years as an elementary school teacher; 22 years with Lockheed Martin in various capacities, and facilities around the country, including group lead, staff to 3 division managers, and 3 Directors.
Roby was head of Administrative Staff in charge of researching and writing all administrative procedures for a new LM venture based on corporate and customer requirements; setting up financial controls including proposing, negotiating, creating, and managing a $2.6 million direct and indirect budget which also included creating a charge number structure and timekeeping system, and daily, weekly, monthly and annual reports and presentations for upper management.
After teaching first and second graders for three years on the island of Guam, and then working 22 years with Lockheed Martin, Roby stepped into living two long held dreams; developing her artistic talent and hanging out with horses. Time with Drea, along with her horses, and her passion for creating relationships in connection with our authentic selves, other humans, non-humans, and our environment, profoundly changed the quality, activities, and trajectory of Roby's life. Roby brings her own passion and commitment to being an advocate for animals, our fragile environment, and the children and adults who are served by OHW. Roby is a certified volunteer for RedRover Readers humane education reading program.
Roby is currently OHW's artist-in-residence, using her new-found artistic abilities to create special OHW cards to sell in local venues to raise money for OHW scholarships, and to capture in graphite and watercolors, the individual beauty and character of the non-human residents of the Sanctuary. Roby continues to serve as a mentor and advisor to the board.

One Heart Wild also relies on the invaluable efforts of assistants, interns and volunteers that support day-to-day operations.
Click here to learn how to apply to become a volunteer or intern.