MEET OUR
LEADERSHIP TEAM

Business leaders, animal lovers, creative types

Christy Stevens

Founder & Executive Director

In 2013, after volunteering at a small local shelter with her daughter, Christy discovered that they shared a dream: to open an animal sanctuary. To show her daughter that dreams do come true, she put all her efforts into building a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the Las Vegas Valley a kinder place for pets. In typical Christy fashion, she dived into the issue of pet homelessness and has spurred the creation of many owner-support programs. “Keeping pets out of the shelter in the first place must be a primary focus of our work,” says Stevens. Before founding Hearts Alive Village Christy worked with her family for over 26 years leading a large format printing company, Pictographics.

“I’ve never worked harder in my life, but I love it. I’ve found my groove.”
~Christy Stevens

THE HEARTS ALIVE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Hammer

Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

For over 50 years, David has lived and pursued his career in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. He established his own world-class manufacturing campus which, to date, has grown to over 1,200,000 sq ft.

David Hammer is a public equity impact investor and a private equity impact investor in agriculture, medical research, waste disposal, communications and retail. Throughout his philanthropic endeavors, he has followed his mandate of Charity is a business. “In order for a charity to survive and thrive, it must create its own income streams to effectively manage its own beneficial programs in addition to seeking donor support.”

David serves on the Board of Directors of several corporations and charities. Upon meeting with Christy Stevens at Hearts Alive Village, he was impressed with her honesty, integrity and dedication to helping animals. He wanted to help her succeed.

Now David lives in bliss with his high school sweetheart (now wife!) pursuing his dreams and visions…in Las Vegas.

Alice Whitfield-Hammer

Writer & Director

Alice’s love of animals has been life-long. When she and Christy met, it was the perfect match!

Acknowledged in the entertainment industry as Voice-Over Coach to the Stars, Alice Whitfield has for over 40 years been a writer, casting director, producer and director. The founder of one of Manhattan’s top creative production houses, she has produced and directed such celebrities as Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Jason Robards, King of Queens co-star Leah Remini, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin, among many others.

As a performer, Alice wrote the vocal arrangements for and starred in the original cast of the iconic “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.” She later went on to perform her One-Woman show at Carnegie Hall.

In 2013, after years of searching, Alice reconnected with her high school sweetheart. And in 2017 Alice Whitfield became Alice Whitfield-Hammer!

Crystal Solis

Business Founder

Crystal is the owner of Freddie Ramon Design and Pro Services, a creative residential and commercial design company located in Las Vegas. She specializes in conceptual design, unique finishes and millwork design. Crystal’s high-profile clients include Wynn Resorts, Cosmopolitan and many others. As an HAV board member she focuses on program development and animal rescue coordination.

Heather Carpenter

Regional Director of HSUS

As the Western Regional Director for The Humane Society of the United States, Heather oversees 10 states within the western region. With more than 16 years of grassroots advocacy for animals, she has worked on a national and statewide basis. From ballot campaigns in Florida, Massachusetts and California to protect greyhounds and farm animals, to grassroots organizing for Congressional briefings on horse slaughter and chimps in research. Heather has collaborated with national leaders, state directors and volunteers. She lives in Las Vegas with her two rescued pit bull type dogs.

Meet Our Crew >>