All About the Team

Susan Lee Vick

President and Chief Executive Officer

Susan brings to her role as President & CEO a lifelong passion for the human-animal bond and a diverse set of business, management, and leadership, skills. In the course of her career, Susan has led local, regional, and national nonprofits and socially responsible businesses serving sectors ranging from human services to conservation science, urban renewal, endowment management, and the arts. She attributes her history of success to focus on teamwork, shared inspiration, and commitment to mission.

Prior to joining Joybound, Susan served as Chief Operating Officer at Hugh Futrell Corporation, Chief Advancement Officer at Point Blue Conservation Science, and Chief Development Officer at Church Investment Group. In under three years as National Director of Advancement at Canine Companions, her leadership drove 66% revenue growth, with corresponding surges in mission and impact.

Susan is proud to have raised service dog Ethan, successfully partnered with a multiply wounded U.S. Army Veteran. She has also served her community in leadership roles with The Living Room shelter for homeless women and their children, Roseland University Prep, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and Sonoma County Tourism, and she currently serves on the board of the Shadelands Property Based Improvement District. Susan holds a BA with Highest Honors in English from the University of California at Davis. In her free time she enjoys running and long-distance trekking, and relaxing with friends, family, and her dogs and cats, Sophie, Falcor, Luna, and Zora.

Miguel Abi-hassan

Chief Programs Officer

Miguel has more than two decades of animal wellness leadership and consulting experience with regional, national, and international organizations and is a regular speaker on topics related to compassion fatigue prevention, strategic leadership, and impact analyses. Before joining the Joybound team, Miguel led all hands-on programs for the Humane Society of the US/International as the Chief Animal Rescue, Care, and Sanctuaries Officer and served on leadership teams for various well-known animal welfare organizations ranging from Ohio to Florida. Miguel is DEI framework trained and a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), Grantwriter and National Public Information Officer (PIO), and Risk Management Professional. A lover of all types of animals, his current pets include a senior Sheltie mix, an umbrella cockatoo, and a blue-tongued skink.  

Raul del Barco

Chief Talent Officer

With extensive experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational and leadership development, and DEI initiatives, Raul plays a pivotal role as Chief Talent Officer, cultivating talent, and steering our team’s growth and continued success. As Chief Human Resources Officer at the California Academy of Sciences — one of the Bay Area’s leading educational and cultural institutions — Raul was instrumental in leading the organization through multiple changes as it transitioned from a temporary location to a newly rebuilt world-class museum and industry leader. Raul personally learned the depth of joy through the human-animal bond during his time at Joybound, adding rescue kitten Chaski to his family.

Cheryl McKenna

Chief Financial Officer

Cheryl joined Joybound in 2019, bringing with her 20 years of accounting experience. She spent 15 of those years as a CFO in the non-profit arena, cultivating strong financial, human resource, and information technology systems within her organizations. She thoroughly enjoys providing leadership and has served on local, state, and national committees. Cheryl loves doting on her grandkids, travelling, and exploring all that the greater Bay Area has to offer.

Lisa M. Moore

Chief Advancement Officer

In more than two decades of professional fund development, Lisa has built a proven track record of leading successful campaigns, including a historic campaign that raised over $136 million for Saint Mary’s College of California, where she served as Vice President of Advancement. While she has extensive experience leading development, marketing and community engagement within higher education and healthcare sectors,  Lisa’s enthusiasm and commitment to the human-animal bond is guided by her passion to elevate healthier, happier communities by sharing the joy and unconditional love of animals, such as that she receives from her own dog, Stella.

Wendy Taylor-Tanielian

Chief of Staff

Wendy’s background as a marketing and communication strategist includes creative engagement work for brands such as AT&T, DIRECTV, Tenet Healthcare, and a roster of political clients. A born storyteller (aka a Texan) she also is a dedicated problem-solver and passionately committed to our mission. When her nose isn’t in a pile of research or animal statistics, she’s often puzzling her teammates with obscure lyric references. Wendy and her husband share their Bay Area home with Joybound rescue dog, Max, and rescue cats, Bella and Vougie.