ERIC STEVENS
Executive Director

executivedirector@kitsap-humane.org 

For over 30 years, Eric Stevens has worked as a leader in the nonprofit sector.  He has had his own independent consulting practice since 2005, specializing in strategic and business planning, board development and executive coaching with nonprofit leaders and boards. 

Prior to consulting, Eric spent more than 25 years leading (and growing) nonprofit organizations in Minnesota as an executive director/CEO. 

For 20 years, he led St. David’s Child Development and Family Services, significantly expanding the organization’s services, staff and budget and successfully completing two capital campaigns.  For six years, he served as CEO of Courage Center, a  rehabilitation and social service facility for people with physical disabilities.

More recently, Eric served as development director of the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, where he helped to significantly expand fundraising revenues.  He also has served on nearly a dozen boards of directors, often taking on leadership roles (e.g. board chair and/or committee chairs).

Eric grew up in New York City, where he attended Queens College majoring in economics.  He then attended the MBA program at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and later earned Master’s Degrees in Early Child Education at Central Washington State University; and Organization Leadership at the Leadership Institute of Seattle. 

Eric lives on Bainbridge Island with his wife, Caroline.

ROBIN SIMONS
Director of Animal Welfare

rsimons@kitsap-humane.org 

Robin Simons came to KHS after a long career in nonprofit management.  Most recently, she managed an international development organization that works with a remote tribe in Ethiopia.  Prior to that she did management consulting for the National Endowment for the Arts, served as Programs Director for the Museum of Flight in Seattle, spent six years as Assistant Director of the Denver Children’s Museum and did management, exhibit and program consulting for numerous other museums.

Robin is also the author or co-author of nine nonfiction books on a variety of subjects from autism to mountain climbing. She lives on Bainbridge Island where she shares a house with three rescue cats.

JENNIFER STONEQUIST, DVM
Director of Shelter Medicine

jstonequist@kitsap-humane.org 

Jennifer Stonequist, DVM, received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Western University Health Sciences in Pomona, California. She has always had a passion for animal welfare and realized through veterinary medicine she would contribute to the movement in a very meaningful way.

Jennifer completed several externships with hospitals and organizations across the country during her studies, including in surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, feline medicine and a shelter medicine externship with Best Friends Animal Society.

One of Jennifer’s passions is high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery. She has volunteered with organizations including FixNation in LA, the Humane Society of Tijuana and the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project here in Washington State. Bringing those experiences to KHS, Jennifer has worked with staff and volunteers to develop and expand the Kitsap community’s own low cost Spay/Neuter Program. 

Jennifer lives with her fiancé, Alex, and their “fur babies”, including their two dogs, Rosco and Baragon in Bremerton.

LARRY BLEICH
Director of Development

lbleich@kitsap-humane.org 

Larry Bleich received his degree in advertising/marketing from Northern Illinois University. After working in advertising at Air Canada, he moved west and began a career in healthcare management. He worked with Schering-Plough and PacifiCare of Arizona in senior management roles. He also served on various nonprofit boards, including Peoria Sports Council, Arizona Senior Olympics (where he served as chair), Association of Fundraising Professionals the Arts and Business Council, Planned Giving Roundtable of Arizona and Arizona Visionaries.

Later, Larry became vice president of development for the Arizona Humane Society, followed by a director of development role at The Phoenix Symphony, and then at the Phoenix Art Museum. He served as the VP of Development and Marketing with Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and South Puget Sound.

Larry and his wife, Barbara, live in Gig Harbor to be close to their two children and grandchildren.  They are also proud “parents” of two wonderful Corgis.

KELLY MICHAELS
Director of Marketing

kmichaels@kitsap-humane.org

Kelly Michaels joined KHS after 25 years in commercial real estate, media, interior design, merchandising and retail. She is a professional editor and writer, and received her degree in communications from the University of Washington. 

Early in her career, Kelly was recruited as marketing director for Trammell Crow Company in Seattle and then for Bay West, a San Francisco-based property management and marketing firm. After being promoted to president of Bay West’s Seattle office, she spent 14 years overseeing the company’s portfolio, including its tenants’ associations. She was on the national board of Design Centers International and served on the boards of the Georgetown Neighborhood Association and the SODO Merchants Association. Most recently, Kelly started her own marketing/communications firm working with a diverse base of clients, and served as executive director of Design Centers International.

Kelly has volunteered for many years in her church, serving in a variety of roles, including board chair. 

She and her husband, Robert, are life coaches for four foster kids and live in Poulsbo with their rescue dog and cat. 

TOM COOPER  
Interim Director of Finance

tcooper@kitsap-humane.org

Bio on it way!