Board of Directors

KATE GLIDDEN, PRESIDENT GLOUCESTER, MA

Kate joined the Board of Directors in 2020 and has served as President since 2023. She graduated from the University of Vermont and studied at the University of Economics and Business in Prague, Czech Republic. She is an avid traveler, loves exploring New England, a fan of live music, and teaches Cycle classes at the Cape Ann YMCA. She lives in Gloucester with her partner, Jesse, their three rescue cats; Willy, Agnes and Stanley and rescue pup, Dixie.

CRISTOPHER PETERSON, VICE PRESIDENT GLOUCESTER, MA

Cris grew up in Colorado, lived in Upton and moved to Gloucester in 2017. He’s had pets all his life. In addition to his work at Cape Ann Animal Aid, Cris serves on the board for the Cape Ann YMCA and is a chair for Tiger 21. Prior to this, Cris founded a software development company and has served as a tech executive for large corporations and nonprofits.

Cris holds degrees in Computer Science and Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts with his fiancée and two cats, Sam and Oliver. He’s an avid sea kayaker and cyclist embarking on his eleventh Pan Mass Challenge this year, riding 192 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown as captain of the team Big Lion.

EMILY NEISH, SECRETARY GLOUCESTER, MA

Emily was born and raised in Canada, but has roots in Massachusetts spanning generations. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts at York University in Toronto and a speciality certificate in Animal Care from Sheridan College, she ventured here permanently in 2004. She went straight to work at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, serving proudly for 12 years as an emergency nurse and anesthesia technician, eventually becoming Supervisor of Anesthesia. The ocean called, however, and Emily excitedly decided to make Gloucester her new home in 2016. She ran a successful pet care business for the first few years, eventually getting back into veterinary medicine at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn and now, locally, at Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital.
She joined the Winter Ball planning committee in 2021 and started volunteering regularly in the CAAA dog kennel in 2022. Rescue work has been a lifelong passion and she had cared for a multitude of adopted dogs and cats over the past two decades. She currently lives with her partner, Natalia, and their 3 rescued Chihuahua mixes and 2 rescued cats. In their free time, they can often be found at the beach with their dogs or checking out the newest restaurant. Travel, live music, and biking are also huge passions.

MIDORI WILLIAMS, TREASURER MELROSE, MA

Midori grew up in Littleton but has since moved to Cape Ann, first to Gloucester and now in Rockport. She is deeply passionate about dog welfare, with a particular focus on Giant Breed advocacy and the development of training and behavior management programs. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University. She is a partner with Verge Advisors, a consulting CFO and Controller firm, where she works with companies at nearly all stages of growth, advising on their financial operations and helping them navigate a variety of complex challenges. When not buried in spreadsheets or following hundreds of dogs on social media, Midori enjoys traveling, going to classical music concerts, and trying new restaurants with her husband, Jonathan.

SUSAN KRUPANSKI, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Susan has been a member of the Board of Directors and the Governance and Community Outreach Committees since 2017. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Emmanuel College, her Juris Doctor from New England School of Law, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University School of Law. She embarked on her legal career as a Judge Advocate General for the United States Coast Guard at USCG Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and worked closely with the US Department of Justice enforcing the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and Admiralty laws. She later was assigned to the 1st District Legal Office in Boston, specializing in port security and drug interdiction. She worked closely with the United States Attorney's Office, and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander after 8 rewarding years. Not wanting to leave her Massachusetts roots, she departed military service and joined the General Counsel's Office of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as Assistant General Counsel specializing in procurement and contract law. Her outside interests include twice monthly CAAA shelter puppy visits to the Den-Mar Health and Rehabilitation Center in Rockport, boating, gardening, fine dining and taking care of Maddie, her rescue pup from Puerto Rico, and rescue kitty Lucy.

MARISSA GOODWIN, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Marissa grew up in Beverly and Gloucester and joined the Winter Ball Committee in 2017 and the Board of Directors in 2020. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Endicott College and works in Commercial Lending at Bank Gloucester. Animal welfare has been a lifelong passion. Marissa is an advocate for senior animal adoption and has adopted many senior animals throughout her life as well. Ensuring that these animals have a wonderful end of life experience is very important to her. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike and their two rescue dogs, Novi and Johnny. They all love going out on the boat and going to the beach.

LAURA O'NEILL, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Laura has lived in Gloucester since 2004, and began volunteering at Cape Ann Animal Aid after adopting her beloved cat, Butterbean (she volunteers with dogs to get her 'dog fix'). Laura joined the Winter Ball Committee in 2014, and the Board in 2015. She also serves on the Development Committee. Laura has worked in development for 20+ years, for a variety of organizations including the Museum of Science, the USS Constitution Museum, and many other consulting clients. Today, she serves as Major Gifts Officer for Pathways for Children. In the summer, Laura is often on the water, and in the winter, traveling to find water. Her recently adopted fur baby, Little One, provided the editing for this entry as he enjoys 'working' with her when she insists on doing so at home.

MELANIE LOVELL, BOARD MEMBER LYNNFIELD, MA

Melanie grew up in Gloucester and has been a member of the Cape Ann Animal Aid Board of Directors since 2014. She is an attorney at Doherty, Cella, Keane & Associates, a law firm in Beverly exclusively dedicated to the process of obtaining Social Security disability benefits. She graduated from Washington and Lee University and received her law degree and MBA from Suffolk University. She was a member of the Lynnfield Conservation Commission for over five years and is currently a member of Lynnfield’s Tree Committee. In her free time she enjoys gardening, travel, escape rooms, and spending time with her husband Scott and their two rescue dogs, Papaya and Picasso.

TESSA BROWNE, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Tessa has been a member of the Board of Directors and Building Committee since 2017. Her first involvement with CAAA was when she joined the Winter Ball Committee in 2015 to help with décor and the rest is history. Her love for animals has been a lifelong passion. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of New Hampshire and her MBA from Endicott College. Her post undergraduate years were spent working for her family company in the Boston Flower Exchange and continuing her education. In the spring of 2017, she started her own wholesale lobster and bait operation, Cape Ann Lobstermen, in Gloucester, which she currently owns and operates. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan, a commercial lobsterman, and spoiling her three rescue dogs Bower, Scupper and Storm, and two rescue cats Buoy and Olive. They all love spending time out on the water or in Maine. 

CINDY DUNN, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Cindy moved to Gloucester more than 25 years ago after graduating from Vermont Law School and immediately fell in love with the city. She has served as Assistant General Counsel to the City of Gloucester and is currently the Director of the Danvers, Middleton and Rowley Housing Authorities. Cindy has been a member of the Board of Directors of Cape Ann Animal Aid since 2002 and is a past President and Vice President. She enjoys gardening, boating and walking the beaches and wooded trails with her spouse Sandy and their 2 rescue dogs; Lil Bit and Rosey, and their grand dogs, Millie and Milo. She is equally in love with her cat Bugsy. Cindy has served on two ad hoc committees that worked to increase the number of off-leash areas in Gloucester for dogs.

DEBORAH ELIASON, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Deborah is a long time resident of Gloucester and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2005. She has participated in the shelter’s foster program fostering dogs from the shelter until they find their forever family. She is a “repeat adopter” and currently has two senior beagles, Linus and Wanda, adopted from CAAA. Deborah is principal and founder of Eliason Law Office, LLC ("Eliason Law"), located in downtown Gloucester. Eliason Law advises clients regarding residential and commercial building projects and real estate transactions. With more than thirty-five years of legal experience, she has been involved in a wide variety of projects and transactions and has represented clients throughout Massachusetts.
She graduated from Salve Regina College and received her law degree from Suffolk University School of Law. She spends her free time with her dogs, family and friends, kayaking on the Annisquam River and working on her house and garden.

LINDSY OWENS, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Lindsy grew up in Framingham, MA while spending her summers visiting the beautiful beaches of Gloucester. Over the years she grew to love the community and decided to make her official move to Gloucester in 2017. Passionate about animal care, she began volunteering for Cape Ann Animal Aid where she has fostered many adorable dogs! She has since joined the Development Committee and The Wing of Hope Capital Campaign Committee. Lindsy received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Westfield State University and went on to a career in wealth management helping individuals and generational families plan for the now and the future. When she is not out and about looking for a forever home for her fosters, she can often be found on a run or simply enjoying the outdoors with her family.

JESSICA BIKER, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Jess joined the Board of Directors in 2024 and serves on the Winter Ball Committee and the Community Outreach Committee. Jess began volunteering in 2017 and fostering in 2020. Jess and her dog Charlie, adopted in 2017, enjoy fostering kittens and puppies in their home in Gloucester. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Biological Sciences and currently works as an acoustical engineer. A lifelong animal and nature lover, Jess and Charlie love exploring Cape Ann and sharing their passion.

STEPHEN HOWARD, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Steve grew up in Plymouth, joined the US Navy after High School and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence CV62. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, while working as a maintenance mechanic in Federal Buildings in Boston. Steve then went on to work as a property manager in high rise office buildings, also in Boston. Steve and his wife Jeanne moved to Gloucester in 2006 and enjoy living on Cape Ann. In 2018, Steve retired and started volunteering and donating his time to non-profit and charitable organizations. At Cape Ann Animal Aid he takes care of general maintenance problems, screens and manages outside contractors, makes recommendations on capital improvement projects and most recently served as the project manager for CAAA's Wing of Hope.

TOM AURELIO, BOARD MEMBER GLOUCESTER, MA

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Tom’s career in Human Resources allowed him to travel the world. After living for several years in California and Paris, Tom landed in Boston. Many weekends of visiting friends in Gloucester led to a move to the back shore in 2016. Tom is a co-owner of The Salted Cod Arthouse, an art gallery and wine bar on Rocky Neck, and owner of the soon to be open Saluti Wine Bar on Main St. Tom and his partner Jeff aim to be community advocates and are parents to three dogs, Beemer, and two rescues Bailey and Remi.

EMERITUS DIRECTORS

LINZEE COOLIDGE GLOUCESTER, MA
CAMILLA RICH SOUTH HAMILTON, MA