Staff
Meet the staff of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation
Executive Director/Director of Development
Danielle Johnson
My name is Danielle Johnson, and I am the Executive Director of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. I received my degree in communications from Ohio University in Athens, OH and have an MBA from Capital University in Bexley, OH. I have more than 20 years of fundraising experience from my prior two jobs at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Central Ohio and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I am married and have two dogs, Dakota (mixed) and Lilly (black lab).
Assistant Director, Programs and Operations
Gabriella Uresti
My name is Gabriella Uresti and I am the Assistant Director, Programs and Operations for the AVMF. For the past 20 years, I have worked in various roles within animal shelters including as an Executive Director, Operations Director, and Medical Clinic Director. I join the team with extensive experience in fundraising, operations, and nonprofit management. I obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio and my master’s degree in Nonprofit Managment from the University of Houston-Downtown. I am married, have a 9-year-old daughter, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and a horse named Jasper.
Data Operations Manager
Victoria DeMuro
My name is Victoria DeMuro, and I am honored to be part of the team at American Veterinary Foundation. With my experience in accounting, I enjoy working with numbers and creating data-informed analysis. As Data Operations Manager, I handle all donations received by the Foundation, including memorial gifts, and ensure acknowledgments are sent to our dedicated supporters. I work collaboratively the team to review and optimize data management processes. Being passionate about the philanthropic mission of the Foundation to help animals, I firmly believe in the importance of developing meaningful relationships with donors and supporters of the mission. Originally from Ukraine, I have resided in the suburbs of Chicago for the last twenty years with my husband, our teenage daughter, and two cats.
Annual Giving and Stewardship Manager
Karen Johnson
My name is Karen Johnson, and I work as the Annual Giving and Stewardship Manager for the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. I obtained my degree in Business Management from the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida. Before joining the AVMF, I spent over 13 years in various roles at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Advancement. I led strategic and creative engagement initiatives to improve donor, alumni, and student engagement programs. I live in North Florida with my husband, Chris, and two sons, Nolan and Collin. We also share our home with two Newfoundland dogs, Winnie and Tallulah, four birds named Butters, JoJo-Kiwi, Ruka, and Sunny, and several fish- my favorite is a Black Moor named Poe.
Development Coordinator/Leadership Annual Giving
Melanie Kreiling
I first joined the AVMF in 2017 working for Partners for Healthy Pets and have since become the AVMF Development Coordinator and Leadership Annual Giving Officer. I am honored to now oversee the AVMF REACH Program, where I support both the veterinary community and the animals they serve. I earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Richmond in VA and a master’ degree from the University of Toronto in Canada.
Although hailing from the UK, I find myself these days in the greater Pittsburgh area, where I live with my husband, children and ridiculously silly black German Shepherd, Twig. I am a lifelong dog owner and passionate animal lover, but have a decided soft spot for Great Danes and German Shepherds. When I’m not working, I love to spend time outdoors with family going for walks or hikes, reading about history, or listening to music.
Scholarships and Grants Manager
Jim McCarron
My name is Jim McCarron and I’m the Scholarships and Grants Manager at the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati and completed the East Asian Studies program at Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo, Japan. Before I joined the AVMF team, I spent a decade in higher education, mainly working in the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. I had the opportunity to lead projects that helped students discover funding opportunities, boost the visibility of academic programs, and ensure we stayed compliant with regulations and accreditation.
Outside of my professional life, I’m deeply involved with the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance, where I’ve been a foster home for over 15 years. My love for animals runs deep, and although we are currently pet-less until our daughter gets a bit older, my parents’ kai ken, Razzle, has been my best friend for 12 years and feels like my dog in many ways.
When I’m not working or volunteering, you’ll likely find me composing music, trying to snap some pictures of my toddler, or racing in my sim league. On any given weekend, there’s a good chance that you’ll catch me pretending to be an LMP or F1 driver in Assetto Corsa or iRacing.