An Introduction to the Team
Meet the Hearts Behind the Haven
Wild Heart Haven is more than a sanctuary, it’s a promise kept by the people who believe every dog deserves safety, love, and a place to belong. Our team is made up of dreamers, doers, and defenders of the voiceless, each bringing their own talents, stories, and wild-hearted spirit to the mission. Together, we work to create not just a refuge for dogs, but a community where compassion runs deep, and second chances are part of everyday life.
Kevin Cooke – CEO / Founder & Visionary
Kevin Cooke is a proud U.S. veteran and seasoned master mixologist with over 20 years of experience crafting exceptional experiences and bringing people together. Known for his dedication, creativity, and hands-on leadership, Kevin has spent his career serving others, first in uniform, then behind the bar, and now through his life’s most meaningful mission: Wild Heart Haven & the Wild Heart Foundation.
With his loyal companion Nola at his side, Kevin leads with equal parts heart and grit, determined to create a place where dogs in need find not just safety, but a true home. His vision for Wild Heart Haven is as much about people as it is about animals, building a community rooted in compassion, where every rescue is a promise kept and every visitor leaves knowing they’ve been part of something lasting.
For Kevin, this work is more than a cause; it’s a calling. And like the best things in life, it’s built on loyalty, love, and the belief that second chances can change everything.
Kristin Cooke - Co-Founder / Executive Board Member
Kristin Cooke is a wife, mother, and lifelong leader who has spent over 30 years guiding teams and shaping businesses in the fashion retail industry. From teaching piano in her early years to leading large organizations, Kristin’s passion has always been helping others grow and succeed. Today, that calling has found its deepest expression as Co-Founder and CEO of Wild Heart Haven & the Wild Heart Foundation.
At home, Kristin is surrounded by the love of her family, Kevin, their two boys, and their pack of pets that includes three dogs and two cats…so far. Her constant shadow, Magellan, is always close by, whether she’s working in the yard, running the household, or leading Wild Heart from her office. These daily bonds fuel Kristin’s belief that dogs are among the purest of companions: creatures who give love freely, trust deeply, and remind us what it means to live with authenticity.
As a leader, Kristin is devoted to transforming Wild Heart Haven from a passion and dream into a living, breathing sanctuary. She brings the same dedication and heart that have defined her career to this mission, building not just a refuge for dogs, but a movement of compassion, connection, and second chances.
Sara Russell - Executive Board Member
Sara Russell brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to Wild Heart Haven, where she is honored to serve as a Board Member. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Sara has dedicated her career to helping children and families thrive through her work at a local pediatric behavioral health nonprofit. In addition, she has spent nearly two decades teaching dance to young children, fostering creativity, confidence, and connection through the arts.
A lifelong dog lover, Sara has shared her home with many beloved pups and carries deep compassion for those who need extra care, safety, and love. She is passionate about building community, giving back, and helping both people and animals live healthy, fulfilling lives.
At Wild Heart Haven, Sara is excited to support the organization’s mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and protecting dogs in need while creating a sanctuary that nurtures connection, compassion, and healing for all.
Luis Prado - Executive Board Member
For Luis Prado, dogs have always been part of the story. From childhood companions to his current sidekick, Hendrix the Australian Shepherd (yes, named after the greatest guitarist of all time), Luis has seen firsthand how much joy, loyalty, and healing a dog can bring. That lifelong love is what makes joining the Wild Heart Haven advisory board so meaningful.
By day, Luis is a seasoned real estate broker in Central Florida, guiding families through milestones with honesty, strategy, and care. By night (and weekends), he’s a Yankees diehard, an Eagles fan, a movie buff who can quote lines from memory, and a self-proclaimed trivia junkie who never passes up a good fun fact. At his core, though, he’s a husband, a dad to two daughters, and someone who believes in growth, community, and giving back.
Luis sees Wild Heart Haven’s mission not just as a sanctuary for dogs, but as a movement, one that mirrors the values he lives by: patience, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong and feel seen