Michelle
Ziel-Dingman
Michelle Ziel-Dingman has served as Executive Director of the Snake River Animal Shelter since February 2022, leading significant growth in lifesaving programs and community services.
Under her leadership, the shelter achieved a 22% year-over-year increase in adoptions, launched a full-time veterinary team providing low-cost spay and neuter services, expanded low-cost vaccines to six days per week, and earned three national wins in the Helen Woodward Animal Center / Blue Buffalo Home for the Holidays campaign.
In 2026, SRAS launched the Carrie Scheid Humane Education Project to promote youth engagement and responsible pet stewardship. Michelle also brings over a decade of municipal governance experience, serving 11 years on the Idaho Falls City Council, including time as Mayor Pro-Tem. She has advanced key animal welfare ordinances addressing multiple-dog households, strengthening animal control enforcement, and prohibiting the retail sale of companion animals outside of nonprofit organizations and shelters.
Previously, she held leadership roles with the Community Food Basket - Idaho Falls, the College of Eastern Idaho, and Razor’s Edge Boxing Club. Michelle and her husband, Dayne, have rescued four dogs and are raising four children.
Outside of work, she enjoys cycling, live music, and cheering on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Caren Kahan
Gwen Hernandez
Caren has a heart for animals and a passion for getting them to safety. With years of experience in animal welfare, she has transported countless dogs and cats across multiple states, working closely with rescues and shelters to give animals a second chance. She also supports the Davis County Animal Shelter, organizing donations of food, toys, and blankets for pets in need.
In 2022, Caren was crowned Mrs. Utah, where her #SimplyGiving platform celebrated local businesses making a difference and encouraged others to get involved in their communities. Her experience leading volunteer efforts and coordinating with multiple organizations gives her a unique perspective on how connection and collaboration create meaningful impact.
Whether she’s behind the wheel on a transport run or helping at community events, Caren understands that compassion for animals starts with caring for the humans who serve them. She believes that intentional self-care, shared experiences, and building strong networks strengthen our ability to make a lasting difference.
When she’s not helping animals, Caren works as a Sr. Project Management Specialist at Boston Scientific and lives in Farmington with her husband, Chris, and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Aela. Through every effort, she continues to make a difference in the communities she calls home — one connection at a time.
Gwen Hernandez brings more than 20 years of hands-on emergency preparedness experience with a specialized focus on protecting animals and the people who care for them. A lifelong preparedness advocate and former owner of an emergency supply business, Gwen has trained individuals, families, and animal caregivers to build practical, scalable disaster plans that work when it matters most.
As a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Gwen integrates medical readiness, crisis response, and behavioral insight into comprehensive preparedness strategies. Her background in life-saving skills and emergency coordination allows her to translate high-stress disaster scenarios into structured, actionable plans for shelters, rescues, and animal transport teams.
As a dedicated animal guardian and mother of three, preparedness has always been both professional and personal. Gwen understands that in disaster situations, animals are among the most vulnerable — and that rescue organizations must be ready to respond quickly, safely, and strategically. Her philosophy is simple: when a crisis hits, systems save lives. Preparation isn’t fear-based — it’s responsibility-based. And in animal welfare, it’s lifesaving.
Meet the Presenters
Mandy
Evans
Julie
Jacobsen
Mandy Evans is the Executive Director of Better Together Animal Alliance and the founder of Home To Home®, a nationally recognized pet rehoming platform used by shelters across North America to keep pets out of the shelter system.
She is a leading advocate for prevention-based animal welfare, advancing practical, community-centered strategies that support families before challenges become crises. Mandy’s work focuses on removing barriers that lead to surrender — including housing instability, financial hardship, and lack of access to resources — while strengthening trust and the human-animal bond.
Under her leadership, Better Together Animal Alliance has increased the number of animals assisted by more than 500% and reduced owner surrenders by 33%. A national speaker and collaborator, Mandy equips organizations to move upstream, reduce shelter intake, and preserve families. She believes prevention isn’t just a strategy — it’s a powerful way to transform outcomes for pets and the people who love them.
Julie Jacobsen brings over 30 years of experience in victim advocacy, grant writing, nonprofit development, and animal rescue. As co-founder of Elevate Training & Solutions, she specializes in helping nonprofit organizations secure sustainable funding through strategic partnerships, effective grant writing, and strong community engagement.
A nationally certified victim advocate with certifications in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Trauma and Advocacy, Julie has worked alongside law enforcement agencies and nonprofit leaders to strengthen systems, build collaborative networks, and increase access to critical resources.
Her work centers on the power of connection — cultivating relationships that lead to long-term impact and financial sustainability. Through her consulting work, Julie helps organizations diversify revenue streams, develop meaningful donor relationships, and build cultures of trust that turn supporters into lifelong partners.
A devoted animal lover, Julie is the proud mom to 18 pets and even makes room in her heart — and on her property — for horses. She understands firsthand that lifesaving work depends not only on passion, but on partnerships that make the mission possible.