Allison Cardona, California Director
Allison Cardona joined the Koret Shelter Medicine Program in January 2022 as California State Director. She is thrilled to serve on this esteemed team and make an impact for animals and the people who care for them. Prior to this, Allison worked for nearly five years as deputy director for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. In that role, she oversaw two full-service animal care centers, a communications center, public relations, adoption partners, behavior and enrichment, and volunteer programs.

Allison also served as liaison to the County’s Homeless Initiative ensuring that people experiencing homelessness have options and resources for their pets as well as participating in the County’s Anti-racism, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, assisting with the implementation of an anti-racist policy agenda. Before that, Allison spent fourteen years as a senior program director at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in a variety of departments including adoptions, spay/neuter, disaster response, large-scale cruelty operations, animal hoarding cases, cruelty intervention programs and community engagement.
She serves on the Leadership Council and volunteers on-site at the Downtown Women’s Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trauma-informed care to unhoused women in Los Angeles. She received a bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs from Empire State College and is a graduate of the USC Price School of Public Policy Executive Leadership Development Program and Southern Utah University Certificate in Executive Animal Services. The proud daughter of Colombian immigrants, Allison is deeply committed to racial justice and equity work. She lives in Los Angeles with her partner, Yvonne and beloved dog, Emma.
Read an interview with Allison in our first newsletter.
Nadia Oseguera, California Program Manager
Nadia Oseguera joined the Koret Shelter Medicine Program (KSMP) in September 2022 as California Program Manager. Prior to joining the KSMP, Nadia received a Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her desire to help animals combined with her profound understanding and appreciation for people’s diverse experiences and motivations encouraged her to pursue a career in animal welfare.

Nadia’s professional background in customer care and education enabled her to approach animal sheltering with compassionate communication and collaboration, open-mindedness and solution-driven problem-solving. During her five years with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Nadia managed a high-volume feline foster program in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC). Her proudest accomplishments while at the ASPCA included: developing programs to help vulnerable felines, removing barriers to fostering, providing learner-centered trainings for foster caregivers, and supporting felines with behavioral challenges.
Nadia attributes her insight and appreciation for the challenges and successes that animal sheltering professionals experience daily in high-volume animal shelters to her time working on the ground at DACC animal shelters and her collaboration with DACC team members. In her new role at KSMP, Nadia looks forward to working alongside shelter leaders to brainstorm and implement innovative, lifesaving operations.

Mehnaz (Chumkee) Aziz, DVM
Outreach Veterinarian

Andy Cowitt
Marketing and Communications Specialist

Cindi Delany, DVM
Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge Director of Online Learning

Kate Hurley, DVM
KSMP Program Director

Cynthia (Cindy) Karsten, DVM
Director of Outreach

Emily Leverentz
Administrative Assistant

Mandy Newkirk
Marketing and Communications Manager

Elise Pollard
Marketing and Communications Specialist

Becky Stuntebeck, DVM
Facility Design Veterinarian

Ivy Ruiz
Outreach Specialist

Karol Tapias
Deputy Director

Denae Wagner, DVM
Facility Design Veterinarian