Our Team

Kenneth Kandaras, J.D.

Executive Director

Kenneth Kandaras, J.D.,

Executive Director, joined the NAVS Board of Directors in 1999 and served as board president from 2002 to 2018. Before becoming the Executive Director in July 2018, he was a law professor at the UIC John Marshall Law School for over 40 years. He adheres to a long-felt commitment to advocate on behalf of those in need of representation. His work to end the exploitation of animals is a natural extension of that overriding commitment.

Kimberly Ayala

Senior Manager of Operations

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Kimberly Ayala,

Senior Manager of Operations, joined NAVS in 2015.  She received her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and lived in Chicago while working, primarily in the non-profit sector, with a focus on community engagement and animal welfare.  Kimberly recently moved and now resides in Northwest Indiana and is currently in the process of finding her canine best friend.

Meredith Blanchard

Senior Manager of Advocacy and Policy

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Meredith Blanchard,

Senior Manager of Advocacy and Policy, joined NAVS in 2020. She has spent most of her career advocating for a more humane world for animals, from fighting to end puppy mills across the country to advocating for cougars in her home state of Colorado. She received her B.S. in Zoology from Colorado State University, and her M.S. in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University. Meredith lives with her senior pup, Kola, and her cat, Addie outside of Boulder, CO.

Kenneth L. Cunniff, J.D.

Corporate Counsel

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Kenneth L. Cunniff, J.D.,

Corporate Counsel, has served NAVS since 1978, advising the Board of Directors on program, administrative and investment objectives, in addition to overseeing all legal issues pertaining to NAVS. He was instrumental in establishing the NAVS-funded International Institute for Animal Law and International Foundation for Ethical Research. Ken’s extensive legal practice as a federal trial lawyer and law school professor has included a case before the U. S. Supreme Court and teaching internationally. Ken is a life-long Chicago resident who still finds time to enjoy sailing, biking, skiing and time with his family, including their most recent addition, Quigley.

Andre Davis

Director of Digital Strategy and Delivery

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Andre Davis,

Director of Digital Strategy and Delivery, joined NAVS in 2009. He has worked a project manager and marketing professional in the Chicago area for more than 25 years, in transportation, manufacturing, and digital and full-service marketing.  He studied marketing at the University of Maryland. Andre is a Gulf War veteran and currently lives in Chicago with his cat, Cero.

Natalie Fuller

Multimedia Communications Specialist

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Natalie Fuller,

Multimedia Communications Specialist, joined NAVS in 2021. She received her B.A. in media studies and production from Indiana University. Natalie grew up in Mt. Prospect, Ill. where she always had a passion for animals and digital storytelling. She currently lives in Chicago but often spends time back home with her family and her dog, Lola, and cat, Nala.

Gwen Kaminski

Director of Development

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Gwen Kaminski,

Director of Development, joined the NAVS team in 2024. She has dedicated her career to nonprofit work, devising and implementing high-impact initiatives across fundraising, marketing and public programs to advance the missions close to her heart. Having served previously in leadership positions at America’s first sanctuary for farmed animals, as well as our nation’s founding companion animal shelter, she is grateful for the opportunity to continue to forge a more compassionate world for nonhuman animals through her role at NAVS. Gwen is based in Philadelphia, where she resides with her husband and their family of felines.

Anna Madsen

Program Manager

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Anna Madsen,

Program Manager, joined NAVS in 2020. She has worked as a research assistant for non-profits dedicated to protecting animals for two years and has a particular interest in fostering a more compassionate relationship between people and wildlife. She received her B.A. in biology from the University of British Columbia. She grew up in Glenview where she lives with her family and her dog, Cora. 

Juliane Pearson

Deputy Executive Director

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Juliane Pearson,

Deputy Executive Director, joined NAVS in 2020, after working for more than 20 years in the healthcare industry in creative, technical and strategic roles. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana with a B.A. in English Literature. A lifelong resident of the Chicago area, she enjoys running, biking and spending time with her family and their dog, Peanut.

Jerome Schwich

Director of Communications

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Jerome Schwich,

Director of Communications, joined NAVS in January 2024 after spending the previous nine years in the sports industry, mainly in public relations. A native of the Chicagoland area, he spent the past two and half years in Atlanta with the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), leading all public and media relations efforts for their NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, as well as their esports team, Hawks Talon Gaming Club.

Jerome is passionate about telling stories and bringing people together with common interests and passions. An animal lover and owner of a rescue mutt named Roxy, he spends a large portion of his free time exploring new places and exercising with her. He is excited to advance the mission of NAVS and be back where he grew up.

Peggy Cunniff

Executive Director Emerita

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Peggy Cunniff,

Executive Director Emerita, joined the board of directors of NAVS in 1980 after retiring from her position as a city planner in Chicago to raise her family. She was named executive director of NAVS in 1987—a position she held for more than 30 years. Her priority as executive director was to make NAVS efforts on behalf of animals credible, compelling and visible. Under her leadership, NAVS developed and enhanced programs to advance science without harming animals, including establishment of the NAVS Sanctuary Fund. She has continued to support NAVS and IFER as executive director emerita since 2018. And best of all, the amazing 100-pound Quigley found a forever home with Peggy and her growing family.

Science Advisors

John Harbell, Ph.D.

Pam Osenkowski, Ph.D.

Sherry Ward, Ph.D.