Marylynn Koons
President
Marylynn joined Paws for a Cause Miami in the Fall of 2019 during her freshman year. She became an approved sitter and then handler over J-Term during her freshman year and has been a primary foster and temporary foster for six service dogs in training. She is majoring in Human Capital Management and Leadership and Psychological Science, with a minor in Criminal Justice. This is Marylynn’s third term on the exec team, she was the Volunteer Chair her first term, and president her second and third terms. Marylynn is dedicated to the organization’s mission, as well as the growth and impact the organization will have in and outside the community.
Bry Schleifer
Vice President
Bry joined Paws for a Cause in the fall of 2020. She is a senior studying Criminal Justice. She has raised future guide dogs as a part of Guiding Eyes for the Blind since going into her junior year of high school and has raised 4 dogs. Since being on campus she has co-raised Humphrey who is a bomb detection dog and Zach who is in his final phase of guide dog training called Harness Training. As Vice President, she looks forward to working with everyone and watching our organization to continue to grow and support our mission.
Emily Stevenson
Treasurer
Emily joined Paws for a Cause Miami in the fall of 2021. She is a Software Engineering major with a minor in Spanish. She has been both a sitter and a cofoster for 4 Paws for Ability, and loves working one on one with dogs of all unique personality type. As treasurer, she is excited to help the organization carry out socialization events and provide supplies for fosters and sitters.
Abigail Newland
Secretary
Abigail joined Paws for a Cause in her fall semester of Freshman year 2020 and became a sitter in Spring 2021 then became a foster last summer and is now back to sitting. She temporarily fostered Sting, and then fostered Willett through her journey who is now a breeder. She is a senior majoring in Psychology. This is her second term on exec, last year she was the policy chair and this year she is the Secretary. She is excited to continue the mission of the organization and help further our goals.
Jessica Schmitz
Fundraising Chair
Jessica is a junior majoring in Primary education. She joined Paws for a Cause the fall of her freshman year, and became a sitter then later a foster. She has summer fostered/cofostered Apoc, who is now a service dog, as well as Jess! This is her second term on exec, previously she had served as the Volunteer chair! She is excited to support the org this year by putting on a wide variety of fundraising events!
Lauren Devney
Awareness Chair
Lauren is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She has been involved with Paws for a Cause since freshman year. She started fostering through 4 Paws for Ability and has fostered Collins, who she adopted once he became a fabulous flunky! She joined the exec team her sophomore year as Awareness Chair and has enjoyed educating Miami's campus and the oxford community about what our dogs do! She is now a sitter for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and has plans to puppy raise in the future and is excited for the new school year and to continue spreading awareness about Paws for a Cause and the mission.
Emma Klicker
Volunteer Chair
Emma joined Paws for a Cause at the beginning of her freshman year fall semester 2021. She became an approved handler in fall of 2021. She is a junior nursing major with a minor in human capital management and leadership. She was previously the 4 Paws Chair on the Policy Committee and was one of Risottos cofosters who is now a service dog. She can’t wait to continue to support the vision of this organization and is always willing to provide support when needed.
Shannon Albert
Policies Chair
Shannon joined Paws for a Cause during their freshman year and is currently an approved handler for all three parent organizations. She is a junior psychology major with a minor in Spanish. As policies chair, they are thrilled to help the club stay fluent in our parent organization’s policies and be a resource for sitters and raisers along the way.
Taylor Neff
Marketing Chair
Taylor is a senior co-majoring in psychology and neuroscience. She joined Paws at the beginning of her sophomore year in 2021. She later became a handler. She has fostered 3 dogs through 4 Paws so far: Collins, Magenta, and Scarlet who became a breeder! This will be her second year as the marketing chair. Last year, she designed and produced merch for the organization including a special 10th anniversary crewneck! She also led and co-organized an event that raised money and awareness for epilepsy. She is excited to continue her role and create more awesome merch for the org!