TEAM MEMBERS
MARLO BOTELLO-AEPLI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Marlo found UnChained when she adopted her dog Roland who is a graduate of the Canines Teaching Compassion program. The mission spoke to her and she started volunteering and fostering for UnChained. She joined the Board of Directors in 2016 had been a longstanding UnChained board member since. She comes with more than 25 years of experience in tech, where she has an impressive track record of driving organizational growth, developing successful strategies, and leading teams to achieve their full potential. She is excited to use her skills to help UnChained grow and expands our reach.
MELISSA WOLF
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
After working in the social service sector, developing and managing programs for people with developmental disabilities for 20+ years, Melissa took a sabbatical to research the field of animal-welfare, that she hoped would open doors to a new career. Along the way, she discovered the specific ways animals can help heal human souls. Through the Humane Society University, she became certified as a Humane Education Specialist. It was one particular homework assignment involving Monterey County's Department of Child Protective Services that ultimately led to the birth of UnChained.
"Seeing the way a dog can confirm a child's sense of self worth, is what makes my heart sing"
CHRISTINA WHITTON
YOUTH THERAPIST
Christina has since supported in different ways including providing educational trainings for new staff in learning the unique needs of our students, community trainings to educate about the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, and currently providing consultation on how to best implement activities to support the highest potential of student's learning and growth.
WHITNEY WEIBEL
PROGRAM TRAINER
Whitney has always loved animals. Her passion for animals led her to zookeeping where she trained an assortment of animals and performed on stage with them.
Additionally, she taught incoming zookeepers and volunteers how to train animals using positive reinforcement. Throughout her life she has always trained dogs; first her family's dogs before getting her own, of which she's trained to CGC standards and taken to agility trials.
STACEY IVERSON
PROGRAM TRAINER
Stacey has been involved with UnChained since 2013. She served as a Wildlife Biologist in the Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa, and continued working in international wildlife conservation for many years. With over 25 years in non-profits, her focus has been humane education, animal welfare, and advocacy. Stacey is certified in Canine Massage, Equine Welfare, and Horse Powered Reading®.
Through her experiences in animal rescue and therapeutic programs, she has seen firsthand the transformative power of connecting with animals. She is thrilled to be a part of UnChained’s extraordinary mission and team.
JANE GRADY
PROGRAM COACH
In the past Jane has enjoyed doing dog agility, and for the last nine years has been involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind as a puppy raiser. But years ago when she saw a presentation about Unchained and heard the stories of the youth who had been impacted by the program, she knew she'd like to get involved with this organization.
In 2023 she was able to join the team as a Program Coach, and in that role has delighted in watching the "alchemy" between dogs and youth trainers!
MARYANNE PAUL
PROGRAM COACH
Maryanne is a retired bilingual educator and counselor with a Master's Degree in Counseling Education. She lived and taught in Ecuador before working in Watsonville. Maryanne has worked in the Latino community for over 30 years, focusing on young people and families. She is active in social justice and equity issues.
A lifelong dog lover, Maryanne currently has one dog. She trained her dog in basic skills and agility with Living with Dogs, using positive reinforcement. Maryanne began working with UnChained in January 2024 and is a Coach in our CTC program, having completed three training sessions with youth teams at Rancho Cielo and MCYC.
ALEX BREMER
PROGRAM COACH
Alex is a certified Family Dog Mediator with 10 years of professional experience in dog training. Her journey with dogs began in childhood, working with their family pets. She specialize in grooming, pet sitting, behavior training, agility, obedience, rally, and scent work.
Her path to becoming a Family Dog Mediator stems from a desire to bridge the gap between dogs and humans. By focusing on the "why" behind behaviors, rather than just the "how" of changing them, she helps both stray and pet dogs thrive. This approach has brought remarkable changes, benefiting dogs and their owners alike.
FELIPE DE LA CRUZ
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR/ PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Felipe is an advocate for homeless dogs and a dedicated community volunteer with several local dog rescues. Since joining UnChained in 2017, he has served as the Social Media Coordinator and Program Assistant, working tirelessly to support the organization's mission.
Felipe has coached youth extensively in the Canines Teaching Compassion (CTC) program, ensuring they train dogs using UnChained’s methods while learning valuable life skills in the process. He has also conducted extensive outreach in the community through events to advocate for UnChained and the youth it serves, further supporting the vision of a compassionate and empowered future.
UnChained is actively seeking a Program Manager to lead our programs in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MELISSA WOLF, President, UnChained Founder, Humane Education, Social Services
ALLISON DARIN, VP, Marketing
LIZ MACDONALD, Director of Content Strategy - Monterey Bay Aquarium
SUSAN SKULLEY, BSN, RN, PCCN, Manager, Center for Lifestyle Management - Dominican Hospital
MARTHA E. DENNY, E.A, President/CEO/General Manager - A2I, Inc
SASKIA CAN DEKAMP, Nonprofit Management, Strategic Planning
Interested in driving positive change? Learn how you can join UnChained's Board of Directors.
Discover the impact you can make and the steps to apply.
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MAKE A DONATION
Support UnChained by making a simple donation or celebrate a beloved pet, person or event with a special in-honor donation to create new opportunities for our community’s youth and the dogs they train.