Meet the Wild 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.
An Introduction to the Team
Cassini — Head of Safety & Security
Cassini is the fearless (and sometimes mischievous) guardian of Wild Heart Haven and the Wild Heart Foundation. With ice-blue eyes that miss nothing and a tail that never stops wagging, he balances his role as protector with a healthy dose of curiosity. If something new enters the property, Cassini is the first to investigate, usually by determining whether it’s chewable, breakable, or worth zooming around at top speed.
Wild at heart and endlessly playful, he brings joy, laughter, and occasional chaos to the Haven. But when it comes to keeping our dogs and our team safe, Cassini is all business. His instincts are sharp, his loyalty unwavering, and his presence a daily reminder of why we do this work.
Cassini protects the Haven with heart, humor, and a little bit of troublemaking, and we wouldn’t have him any other way.
Kevin Cooke – CEO / Founder & President
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 / Chairman of the Board Member & Treasurer
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
Dr. Taylor Kimball-Sabatella, Ph.D. -
Board Member
Behavioral Research & Animal Welfare
A lifelong animal lover, Taylor shares her home with a dog, Billy, two cats, and two bunnies, each a reminder of the pure and unconditional love that fuels her work. Growing up riding and showing horses with her beloved horse, Treffor, she developed a deep appreciation for the bond between humans and animals early on.
With a Ph.D. in Psychology and a background in Neuroscience and Behavior, Taylor’s research explores the cognitive and emotional worlds of animals, particularly the mechanisms of social behavior and empathy. Her passion lies in expanding our understanding of nonhuman animals and applying that knowledge to improve welfare standards and strengthen human–animal relationships.
At Wild Heart Haven, Taylor bridges science and compassion, helping ensure that every aspect of care, enrichment, and education honors the depth and intelligence of the animals we serve.
Molly Fradley — Advisory Board Member
DonorPerfect Systems Management
Molly Fradley works in nonprofit software sales, helping organizations use technology to deepen their impact and strengthen donor relationships. A former teacher and fundraiser, Molly brings a unique blend of empathy, strategy, and innovation to her work with Wild Heart Haven and the Wild Haven Foundation.
She’s passionate about causes that nurture connection, compassion, and growth, values she sees reflected in the sanctuary’s mission to create a haven for dogs and the people who love them.
Molly’s lifelong love of animals began early in a home filled with “found furry friends” who wandered up to the doorstep and quickly became family. Pictured with her late soul dog, Ranger, Molly honors his memory through her commitment to helping other animals find the same love, safety, and belonging he brought into her life.
Lydia Broer — Advisory Board Member
Funding & Grant Strategies
With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising strategy, and grant development, Lydia Broer brings both wisdom and heart to the Wild Heart Haven Advisory Board. As the founder of LJ Broer Consulting, she has guided arts organizations, assisted living facilities, and nonprofits across the country in building sustainable funding models and impactful donor relationships.
Before launching her consulting firm, Lydia served as Director of Grants and Research for a national Alzheimer’s charity and as Development Director for two history museums in the Northeast. Her expertise in board development, capital campaigns, and philanthropic outreach strengthens Wild Heart Haven’s long-term mission and growth strategy.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lydia finds joy and grounding in the companionship of her beloved dog, Hank, a loyal friend who embodies the same compassion and resilience that fuel her work in animal welfare.
Khalil Powell — Advisory Board Member
Branding and Marketing
A Pepperdine University marketing graduate with over six years of experience in web design and social media, KJ brings both strategy and storytelling to the Wild Heart Haven team. His background blends small-business collaboration with mentorship from major corporations, giving him a deep understanding of how to build meaningful digital experiences.
From launching campaigns to refining user journeys and optimizing content for visibility, KJ’s approach bridges creativity and data, ensuring every project reflects both heart and purpose. At Wild Heart Haven, he’s helping shape the digital voice of the sanctuary, building a space where people and animals can connect, learn, and grow.
Skylar, his spirited companion, reminds him daily why this work matters: every story deserves to be seen, and every wild heart deserves a place to belong.
Nick Mammoliti —Advisory Board Member
Social Media & Content Writing
Nick is a storyteller at heart, blending creativity and compassion to give animals a voice through his writing. With a background in creative storytelling and digital media, he crafts heartfelt narratives that connect people to the mission of rescue and rehabilitation. A self-proclaimed “creative writing nerd” and lifelong animal lover, Nick believes words can change hearts, and that every story told helps bring another life closer to safety.
At Wild Heart Foundation, Nick uses his gift for language to capture the emotion behind each rescue, celebrate the spirit of every animal, and remind readers why compassion matters. His thoughtful, imaginative approach adds depth to our message and helps bridge the gap between advocacy and action. When he’s not writing, Nick enjoys exploring creative projects, experimenting with new ideas, and finding quiet inspiration in the simple moments that make life meaningful.
Cailin Schaefer -Advisory Board Member
Social Media Community Engagement
Animals have always been at the center of Cailin’s life. From the barns where she trains and manages horses to the home she shares with her beloved dogs, her work is rooted in a sincere devotion to the well-being of the animals she serves. Her professional journey blends hands-on care with business strategy, training horses, overseeing barn programs, leading marketing for equine facilities, and supporting an equine medical startup bringing new innovations to the industry.
Cailin brings to Wild Heart Haven not just her skills, but her heart. She believes deeply in the sanctuary’s mission to protect, uplift, and honor the lives of animals. Joining the team represents more than a role, it’s a chance to help spread a cause she profoundly believes in. Cailin is grateful and thrilled to support Wild Heart Haven’s vision and help build a future where every animal’s wild heart can roam free.