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.

Garett Auriemma

Director of Communications and Development

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Garett Auriemma,

Director of Communications and Development, joined NAVS in 2014. He has worked as a communications, community relations and fundraising professional in the Chicago area for more than 30 years, primarily in the non-profit sector. He received his B.A. in English Writing from Rosary College in River Forest, Ill., and his M.A. in Communications from Northwestern University. Garett and his family live in Chicago with their dog, Maddie.

Kimberly Ayala

Manager of Special Programs

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Kimberly Ayala,

Manager of Special Programs, 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,

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 Innovation

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Andre Davis,

Director of Innovation, 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.

Anna Madsen

Staff Research Assistant

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Anna Madsen,

Staff Research Assistant, 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.

Jonathan Widell

Manager of Community Relations and Digital Marketing

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Jonathan Widell,

Manager of Community Relations and Digital Marketing, joined NAVS in 2019. He has worked in the world of digital marketing and social media in Chicago for nearly seven years, with a passion for sustainability and creating a more just society. He received his B.A. from DePaul University. Jonathan grew up in Hyde Park and currently still resides in Chicago with his cat, Loki.

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

Eugene Elmore, Ph.D.

John Harbell, Ph.D.

Pam Osenkowski, Ph.D.

Sherry Ward, Ph.D.