About Us

Samantha Anderson

Director of Development

Samantha has lived in the LA area for over 20 years and is originally from Shaker Heights, Ohio. She has been a passionate animal activist since she was a little girl. As an elementary school student she started a petition and letter writing campaign to Prime Minister Trudeau (Senior) to end the killing of baby seals. Since then she has volunteered on many political campaigns and initiatives.

Samantha attended college at the University of Pittsburgh. While there, she worked for Bill Graham Presents helping to produce concerts from Prince to Paul McCartney. This fueled her passion for event production, which continues to this day. She has created dynamic events at many of LA’s premier venues for nonprofits, private clients and corporations.

Samantha has extensive nonprofit experience, having sat on the board for many different nonprofits, including five years as the President of The Friends of Memorial Library, Fundraising Chair and Vice President for her daughter’s preschool and elementary school PTA as well LAYN and The Hans- Schneider International Children’s Foundation

Samantha was an avid equestrian and mom to her beautiful horse Chloe for over 23 years. She has been a foster mom to dogs, cats and horses. Currently, she lives with her wonderful daughter and husband, three rescue dogs and two rescue cats.

Megan Hunt

Adoption Coordinator

Megan’s love for dogs began at a young age. Growing up, her family fostered and adopted countless animals. She spent much of her childhood rehabilitating these animals. As an adult, she began reaching out to local rescues and volunteering within the shelter system. In 2019, she created Animal Interest and in 2020 she joined I Stand with my Pack.

Megan has been passionate about helping others for as long as she can remember. Volunteering has always been a major source of happiness in her life. Her mother taught her the importance of empathy and compassion at a very young age, and she continues to practice that in her daily life. She grew up in Southern Califonia and attended college at the University of San Diego, where she studied psychology. Within her major, she focused on child development. After graduation, She spent five years as a behavior therapist and worked with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many of her students were non-verbal and it was during this time that she realized her fervor for being a voice for the voiceless. Megan has since dedicated her life to human and animal welfare. Her goal to educate others on what it means to be an advocate

Aleksandra Schiffer

President and Founder

Aleksandra Schiffer Aleksandra’s life purpose is building a world where animals and humans live peacefully and respectfully.

Her life began in former Yugoslavia during a decade long civil war. As a refugee, she relocated through the Balkans where she regretfully witnessed many atrocities against humans and animals. Fortunately, her loving mother kept her safe and fed while living in various war zones.

She had the opportunity to grow up living in several countries. Having been exposed to many diverse cultures and languages from a young age, she has learned about animal welfare issues from a global perspective.

Aleksandra’s affection for animals was immediately apparent from birth. Her earliest memories are rescuing injured wild animals and releasing them back into the wild. To date, she has rescued over 700 dogs from 10 countries, funded the protection and relocation of many species on the verge of extinction and organized international protests against animal exploitation.

For over a decade, she has worked and volunteered with various international animal welfare organizations. This experience convinced her to become a dedicated animal activist and eventually form her own organization, I Stand With My Pack.

Aleksandra also has worked as a theatrical actress, model and a manager. She studied law and speaks several languages.

Aleksandra lives with African Mastiff Hank and Cane Corso Scout. Aleksandra recently became a mother to a human child Margot, who is now the youngest Pack member.

Taryn Larock

Chief Communications Officer

Taryn is a fashion designer, photographer and animal advocate, and is specifically passionate about marine animals, the sea, and habitat conservation. Taryn’s clothing line, Sage Larock, was founded on her own principles of high environmental and social welfare standards, the refusal to use any fur or animal skins, or materials that contribute to deforestation.

Before founding her clothing line in 2013, Taryn worked as a model and commercial actress, and is trained raw vegan chef. As a child and teenager, Taryn trained competitively in grand prix show jumping & dressage, which strengthened her respect for and bond with horses, other animals, and the natural world.

Taryn has previously worked with multiple animals rights organizations, such as Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, and is an outspoken advocate for cetaceans and sharks, low cost spay/neuter options locally & abroad, the protection of companion and wild animals, conserving the world’s remaining open spaces and speaking out against dog breed discrimination.

She lives with her adopted PitBull Evie.

Taylor Hart

Event Producer

As an animal rights activist and avid adventurer, Taylor believes that through proper animal and human interaction we make the world more awesome. He has been involved with ISWMP for over three years, fostering, producing events and content, including a series video cast for ISWMP.

He is brand manages Los Angeles based. @LIDROW.LA which customs, sustainable and ethically sourced hats. In addition, he works in the entertainment industry on both sides of the lens. Previously he worked in the fashion industry in the celebrity service division of Calvin Klein, and also managed the boutique Antique Store, Smith & Gurney.

In his spare time he travels, fosters dogs, and volunteers with Art Of Elysium(AOE). Currently he is scaling an all-natural, medicinal chocolate company: WHISK and blueprinting a CBD(Canines Battling depression) program. Both are aimed to help treat those diagnosed with depression. Born in Los Angeles, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a proud graduate of Texas Christian University(TCU)

Lauren Lindgren

Partnership Coordinator

Lauren is an Interior Architect by education, but has worked in residential lending for over 25 years.

Lauren gets her love of animals from her father. Her first dog “Happy” was adopted over 50 years ago from NYACC. Growing up she has always loved animals, and brought numerous strays home to live. Lauren became very involved in rescue as an adult, after adopting Shotgun. Shotgun has opened her eyes to the negative stereotyping of the Pit Bull.

She has advocated for reform in the high kill shelters in Southern California, which has included peaceful demonstrations at the local shelters, and bringing awareness to the public about the over population of the dogs and cats. Lauren has coordinated fundraisers, and donation drives for various shelters and rescues.

Currently she lives in South Orange County. She is married to Glenn, has one adult son Matt, and two rescue dogs – Shotgun and Mia.

Kelli Kehoe Barber

Director of Operations and Marketing

Kelli (KKB) is a LA native who has spent her lifetime protecting, nurturing and caring for others. Kelli believes in great consideration, compassion and love for all living things. With a natural connection ability, she has been deemed the “animal and baby whisper” by all who know her. She has a deep admiration for life itself and it is easily felt by those around her.

Professionally, Kelli is a Director of Marketing, Strategic Business Analyst, Consultant and Relationship Manager. She has worked in the Health & Wellness industry for over 15 years. Her unique skill set lead her to start her own National Management company specializing in communications and public relations serving several industries. With a deep understanding for the inner-workings of business building and development she has given a voice to professionals, prestigious leaders and Institutions nationally. She now chooses to utilize her voice by giving one to those without that desperately need one. Kelli also commits her time volunteering with women leadership and animal welfare non-profits. She continuously seeks out opportunities to inspire and be inspired for continued growth.

Kelli has been a dog mom most of her life, up until 2016 when her two dogs passed away; one being a Pit-Bull. With several cross country moves during her lifetime she found herself living in Florida for a period of time. As a Florida resident she owned and operated a dog care business and became involved with local rescues. Being a Pit-Bull Mom in a state with a ban on the breed increased her awareness as she was personally affected by breed discrimination. This experience fueled her transformation into being a fierce animal advocate. With a soft spot for the Pit-Bull breed and the determination of one; it has given her an unstoppable drive to educate, increase awareness and make a difference! Since joining the organization she has opened her home as a foster to those in need to love and prepare them to stand with a pack of their own!

Jasminka Herceg

International Outreach

When she rescued a pit bull from a dog fighting ranch 14 years ago, Jasminka instantly knew her life was about to change. As a way of thanking her, this puppy named Lina, her new best furry friend, helped her grow emotionally into a strong and kind person full of love and understanding. Since then she has completed several educational programs related to dog training, dog behaviour and therapy.

Although she has worked as an aesthetician and educational expert in the beauty and wellness industry for 20 years, it was very clear that someday she will become an animal rights activist and the voice of all voiceless creatures, especially those on the verge of extinction.

In the last two years Jasminka became an active Rotary International member, trying to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Originally from Croatia, she is also active in the Balkan region, taking care of abused animals, pressuring the system to comply with the law and, of course, educating people.In 2019 she became a proud I Stand With My Pack international outreach and is doing her best to spread the love and caring for animals around the globe.

Jasminka’s dream to help animals and protect them from human cruelty became even clearer and stronger when she visited Sumatra in 2018. Her special bond with magnificent elephants and intact nature showed her amazing wildlife worth fighting for. Her main mission is making human and animal coexistence easier, leaving this world a little better than she found it.

Nicole Jones

Foster Coordinator

Love for the natural world and a profound connection to animals since a child has become a pillar for Nicole’s ongoing involvement in animal rescue movements. From feeding and providing medical care for stray animals in Brazil together with her family, to supporting stray animals in the U.S., Nicole’s compassion and activism has extended continents and has exemplified that against all odds, financial resources, and social support, simple acts of kindness to animals are the most generous, powerful, and freeing acts that we can all do for a global difference.

Nicole grew up questioning everything – from the existence for the countless zoos across the world, to the destruction of natural habitats for resources, to ‘why is there a fish in a bowl.’ Her curiosity, concerns, and expressed compassion for animal and environment welfare had her embed a firm alliance and stance with them early on.

Since the beginning of 2019, Nicole has embarked on a mission with I Stand With My Pack to help save as many lives from high-kill shelters. As a committed foster, volunteer, and full-time college student, she has fostered countless rescue dogs over the course of a few months and has helped them find their forever homes.

Nicole is a recent graduate and pre-law student from California State University of Northridge. She wants to further her studies and attend law school to practice Environmental and Animal Rights Law. In the meantime, she continues to use each day as platform for opportunity to stand for the voiceless and advocate for their rights, their peace, and their liberation.

Nicole has an endless passion for traveling, learning languages, and training jiu jitsu. She enjoys spending time with her family and her incredible pack of rescues!

Dillon Neaman

Event Manager and Coordinator

Dillons experience with animals began as a child spending her first five years on a small cow cutting ranch in Sun Valley, Idaho. She learned the needs of animals always come first, while the needs of humans are secondary. She grew up with numerous dog breeds, horses, cats, ferrets, rabbits as well as a beautiful landscape of wildlife in Idaho of deer, elk, hawks. Training all types of horse breeds and disciplines growing up also gave Dillon the knowledge to train and understand animals. Dillon’s ability to read an animal, each having their own energy and personality has served her well in successfully training many dog and their owners. While training animals comes naturally to Dillon, she continues observing trainers and watch training videos in order to give the dog the best opportunity for success.

Leaving the Valley at the age of eighteen with her strong character, she headed to New York City to learn the TV and Film industry. After a short period of time working in NYC Dillon headed to Los Angeles with James Dean a cat she adopted from the New York ASPCA, who eventually went on all road & camping trips thru the west. She adopted a Pitbull mix from West LA shelter 10yrs ago and trained her as a therapy dog and worked at Children’s Hospital of LA for many years visiting sick kids & their families. Fourteen years later she embedded in the film and television industry in Los Angeles as a full-time 2nd Assistant Director.

Because of Dillon’s love for animals she answered a call for volunteers during the 2018 Malibu fire requesting fosters, drivers to pick up and delivery of supplies from a Instagram post. There was no hesitation Dillon answered the call and opened her home to a foster dog. A door was thus opened to a great organization. Dillon stands strong and brings her endless amount of energy and get it done attitude to “I Stand With My Pack”!

Since joining I Stand With My Pack Dillon has assisted in many successful forever home placements. There is so much work to be done and so many dogs in need of forever homes it’s daunting! But with a get it done attitude and a great organization it can and will be done!

Stephanie Powers Kurtz

Volunteer Commitie

Stephanie was born and raised just outside Philadelphia, PA where her love for animals was evident from the start. In addition to growing up with a plethora of pets, Stephanie found her voice at a young age by advocating for fair treatment of all animals.

A graduate of Villanova University with a biology/pre-med degree and Saint Joseph’s University with a Master’s in education, Stephanie went on to teach and then work in entertainment prior to moving to Los Angeles to work in the pharma/biotech industry. It was here in Los Angeles that she expanded her work with animals by volunteering, organizing animal welfare events, and fostering dogs and cats, with a particular passion for advocating and educating. Aside from the great joy that these activities bring, Stephanie greatly values the amazing people she has met through rescue work. She began fostering and volunteering for ISWMP at the start of 2019 and is proud to be part of the Pack!

I Stand With My Pack Manifesto

We believe that all sentient beings should live free form human inflicted violence, oppression, enslavement, exploatation, subjugation, and unnecessary death.

We believe that all opression is interconnected. Because we are connected through life and consciousness, no one being will be truly free until all are free.

We believe animal rights are an extension of civil rights, as we humans are animals too. Racist and speciest ideologies stem from the same flawed logic, and therefore are both devoid of validity.

We believe it is imperative that humans develop respect for the sanctity of ALL life. It is morally unacceptable for humang beings to exploit other beings in the natural world. The survival of our planet and all life on Earth depend on it.

We commit to working as a unified group to awaken humanity to our collective beliefs. It is our responsibility to respect ALL life and act toward ALL beings in a contentious and compassionate manner.

We vow to protect ALL life.

Together, we raise our voices and speak for those who have no voice, for those who are marginalised, and for those whose cries are never heard. The value of ALL lives will be respected, because we stand with our pack.

Meet Our Team

Volunteer Committee Members

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