About Us
I Stand With My Pack is a female-run, non-profit organization that works locally and internationally to save the lives of animals and prevent suffering and cruelty.
ISWMP’s local efforts – which make up 98% of their work – focus on the successful removal of dogs from high-risk kill shelters in LA city and LA County, as well as other parts of California; they assist these dogs through the rehabilitative process and successfully place them in their forever homes. ISWMP has also created an international platform increasing awareness for animal welfare through education, hands-on field work, disaster relief, and fundraising in Puerto Rico, Korea, Croatia, China, Indonesia, and Mexico.
Additionally, ISWMP extends support to, and collaborates with, like-minded individuals, organizations and governments to build the momentum required for sustained changes in animal welfare.
These domestic and international efforts support ISWMP’s ultimate mission to create global, long-term solutions for a more humane world.
Nonprofit Executive Director
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.
Nonprofit Administrative Director
Jasminka Herceg
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.
Adoption Coordinator
Elizabeth Abrams
A Los Angeles native, Elizabeth grew up volunteering with various rescues, and always had a dream of having an animal rescue/sanctuary one day. Her unwavering passion for animals led her to start volunteering on a weekly basis with I Stand With My Pack during the pandemic, and her deep engagement eventually turned into a position as a Foster and Adoption Coordinator.
Known as the artist and songwriter “LIZ” aka “Liz Y2K”, Elizabeth has worked with a variety of household names including Pharrell Williams, Zedd, and Diplo. An ‘underground pop princess’ previously named The First Lady of Mad Decent, Diplo’s sprawling EDM empire – Elizabeth’s penchant for sonic innovation, visual experimentation and the creation of her unique brand of nostalgia indebted bubblegum pop led to a wide range of support from the likes of The Guardian (One To Watch), Noisey, The FADER, Pitchfork, i-D, Stereogum, SPIN, Billboard, PAPER, Line of Best Fit, Clash, MTV and many more.
Medical Coordinator
Riley Stauffer
Riley, an East Coast native, has spent her adult life in positions that allow her to help others. After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University, Riley spent the next four years teaching kindergarten in Connecticut and New York. She also obtained her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Johns Hopkins University.
However, she felt like something was missing and eventually found herself working as a Veterinary Assistant at an emergency animal hospital in Portland, Oregon. There, she found her true calling – working with animals and their loving owners during their times of need
Today, Riley works full-time as a Doctor Assistant Supervisor at an emergency and specialty animal hospital in Hollywood. As someone with three rescue dogs of her own, she was interested in learning more about rescue work, which led her to join the team at ISWMP. Riley works part-time as our Medical Coordinator and loves helping pups get ready to find their forever homes.
Nonprofit Development and Program Director
Jessica Kowalski
Jessica strives to live her life in a way that gives something back to the world; having empathy and being kind to others is exceedingly important to her.
For the first 15 years of her adult life, Jessica taught English and Theatre at inner-city high schools in Canada. She also worked as a teaching artist for a non-profit theatre company serving at-risk and incarcerated youth. When Jessica moved to Los Angeles from Vancouver, and agreed to give up her teaching career in order to relocate, she made sure her family knew that her goal was to start helping Pitbull type dogs. Since then, she has volunteered and fostered for various shelters and rescues, and opened her home to three adorable rescue Pitbulls named Murphy, Holly, and Truffles. Jessica, and her husband and son, have dedicated their lives to being ambassadors for these misunderstood dogs.
Foster Coordinator
Jackie Harris
Jackie grew up with dogs. She remembers always having dogs and advocating for them even as a young girl. She was the one who cared for the family dogs, and her family still comes to her now with questions about, and for help with, their pets. This love for dogs drove Jackie’s journey up to now.
Jackie always wanted to be a veterinarian; she even completed a vet tech course at an occupational school and worked for 6 months in a vet’s office. Life ended up taking a different turn and she went to college to get her degree in accounting. For the past 16 years, Jackie has been working as a sales tax consultant. She was able to buy her own home and build the life she wanted as a little girl – a life with a house full of dogs!