Christy Stevens
Founder& Executive director
Christy Stevens is a 42 year resident of Las Vegas. She spent over 26 yrs building and leading a large format printing company, Pictographics, along side her family. In 2013, after volunteering together at a small local shelter with her daughter Kendall, she discovered that Kendall’s dream was to open an animal sanctuary (something she’d dreamed of herself). Committed to showing her daughter that dreams do come true, she has spent every possible moment building an organization to make the Las Vegas valley a kinder place for pets. Her comprehensive approach to the issue of pet homelessness 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.
“As we’ve pulled animals from our local shelter for years, I know that many of them were loved. I know that the person who loved them saw no alternative to give them up because they faced homelessness themselves, food insecurity for their families, and even domestic violence.” Making Hearts Alive Village a resource for pets AND people is a labor of pure love for Christy and her family.
Kelly McMahon
assistant executive director
Kelly has been an animal lover since the day she was born, and having been born with a disability became a good thing because that meant she could always have a service dog by her side. Having a service dog was just the beginning, as over the past decade this amazing supporter starting volunteering as a dog walker from Hearts Alive Village. Kelly was now able to walk the most difficult dogs and since she uses her wheelchair, wear them out. She has helped countless dogs learn to have better manners on a leash, and provides much needed exercise and enrichment these dogs so desperately need for better mental health, all while they wait for a loving new home all their own.
Kelly’s service dogs have always been a part of her mission to help homeless animals. For years, Pele, her Golden Retriever, with his sweet nature, has helped frightened shelter dogs feel at ease. Her current service dog, Wonka, greets people and animals every day at our adoption center. His big, bouncy play bow helps dogs who’ve gone through a rough time remember how to have fun, and just be dogs again. Also joining her family was PeeWee, a deaf pit bull mix who became an ambassador for her breed and now proudly helps serve others as a therapy dog.
Kelly’s dream of rescuing animals became a reality when she and Christy Stevens became friends after volunteering at the same shelter, and eventually founded Hearts Alive Village. Kelly now manages the daily operations of a busy adoption center and pet supply store. Her positive attitude is contagious, and the way she lives her life inspires everyone around her and brings out the best in all of us.
Amy Clatterbuck
Director of operations
A Las Vegas native, Amy Clatterbuck holds a BA in Public Administration in Law Enforcement and has spent the last 17 years creating positive change in the lives of Las Vegas animals. As the Nevada State Manager for the Anti Dog Fighting campaign she promotes awareness, battles for stronger laws, and speaks out for the victims and the targeted breed so their voices are heard. Her involvement monitoring the lost and found pages along with shelter intake has resulted in countless dogs reunited with their owners, and she has opened her home to foster puppies (including over 103 medical needs fosters), giving them a safe and nurturing place to grow until they are ready to be adopted. “I have always been passionate about the protection and welfare of the animals in my community,” said Clatterbuck. “Joining Hearts Alive Village has allowed me to dedicate my life to serving them.”
Julio Mejia
director of community engagement
From a very early age, Julio was introduced to what it meant for a person to give up their pets. Many people would drop off their unwanted cats and dogs at his childhood home in Mexico. It was his parent’s job to make sure they found good homes. He has always felt lucky to have such kind parents that showed care and compassion when no one else did.
In 2013 he joined The Animal Foundation as a staff member where he brought together his passion for helping animals and customer service. He worked many titles, but one of his favorites was as an adoption counselor. Helping people navigate the adoption process was very rewarding. In more recent years he developed a program designed to help people who faced surrendering their pets due to hardshop. He worked closely with local rescues and other organizations like Hearts Alive Village to maximize the opportunities for people to keep their pets. Julio fostered dogs and cats from the shelter during his time there. There were 3 cats in particular that were very sick and struggled to get better. After months of intensive care and multiple visits to the vet, they finally pulled through. Julio made them family. Rico Suave, Julieta and Andre now run his entire world!
In his free time Julio likes to go for daylong hikes. Some of his other hobbies are photography, camping and drawing.
Stephanie Woody
Director of Feline Solutions
A native of Orange County, California, Stephanie Woody found her home in Las Vegas and her heart in helping homeless animals. She began her rescue journey in 2009 with P.A.W.S (Providing Animals with Support) before joining Hearts Alive Village at its inception. Since she’s been at the village, Stephanie has built the kitten program, coordinating fosters, hosting kitten adoption events, and serving as the Feline Solutions Director. In addition to her kitten duties, Stephanie is now helping to run Oldies But Goodies, ensuring that the senior pets are happy and comfortable, and the second-hand boutique merchandise is ready to entice window shoppers.
When she’s not caring for the animals at HAVLV, Stephanie can be found loving on her own troop of fur kids. She’s got dogs and a cat that thinks he’s a dog. In times of tragedy, Stephanie and her therapy dog, pit bull Pongo, are providing comfort and love to the people affected.
Sheryl Green
Director of Communications
Sheryl Green is a New York native living and thawing in Las Vegas with her fur baby, Akasha, since 2008. When a devastating divorce shook her world, she found solace in animal rescue. In 2015, she hosted an event to honor Pele, a very special service dog, and found her true passion. Paw it Forward raised $5,000 for the newly formed Hearts Alive Village and Sheryl was asked to join the rescue. She now serves as the Director of Communications and Cuddling for the organization. When she’s not rescuing, Sheryl is a professional speaker and content writer, working with businesses to improve their sales and communication through the power of story. She’s the co-founder and President of The Cause Marketing Chamber of Commerce, an organization designed to connect businesses with non-profits for the benefit of both.
She is the author of Surviving to Thriving: How to Overcome Setbacks and Rock Your Life, Book Writing for Busy People, Once Upon a Bottom Line™: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling in Sales, and Do Good to Do Better: The Small Business Guide to Growing Your Business by Helping Nonprofits. Learn more at www.sherylgreenspeaks.com.
Cliff Burkhart
Retail & Volunteer Manager
Five years ago, Cliff adopted Darcy from Hearts Alive Village. The experience prompted him to volunteer and make a difference! Now, his greatest joy (besides loving on his own fur kids) is connecting the right animals with the right forever families. He has since added Dexter to his family. Dexter is Cliff’s sidekick and goes everywhere with him… even to work at the adoption center!
Throughout his life, Cliff has worked in numerous industries from automotive and sporting goods, restaurants and convenience stores, before turning his attention to animal rescue. His past retail experience has come in handy as he now manages inventory, coordinates volunteer tasks, and is an adoption ambassador. Cliff has worked at the Hearts Alive Village Adoption Center and Pet Supply Store since January 2017.,
Brittany Rutledge
Volunteer Coordinator
Brittany was born and raised in Hawaii and moved to Las Vegas in 2015. Professionally a front end web developer, Brittany has realized her dream of being a crazy cat lady. Always loving animals, Brittany came to Hearts Alive Village on a whim one day to volunteer, at the time unable to have pets.
Since starting she began to foster and ended up adopting one of her foster kitties, Mana, who loves helping take care of her feline fosters and playing fetch at midnight. He serves as a great role model for kittens learning their manners and how to socialize with others.
Since starting she began to foster and ended up adopting one of her foster kitties, Mana, who loves helping take care of her feline fosters and playing fetch at midnight. He serves as a great role model for kittens learning their manners and how to socialize with others.
Brittany helps run our foster program and serves as an ambassador for other fosters. She handles coordination of volunteers to ensure our animals are well taken care of.
