Kurt Krukenberg

President

Kurt joined HSSV as President in January 2020 after previously serving as Chair of the Board of Directors. He is thrilled to lead a talented and passionate team that is saving lives, keeping families together, and advancing animal welfare. Prior to HSSV, Kurt spent 20 years helping companies create sustainable growth. As an executive coach, he worked with business and nonprofit leaders to design effective organizations, build high-performing teams, and develop their own leadership skills. As a management consultant at Oliver Wyman, Kurt led engagements for Fortune 500 clients in media, technology, healthcare, and life sciences. He also has operating experience in marketing, sales, and product development at industry-leading technology companies including HP/Agilent and Tektronix. Kurt received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Rice University. Kurt is eternally grateful to have been rescued by his wife Charu and their adopted dogs.

Joanne Jacobs

Chief of Operations

Joanne Jacobs joined HSSV as Chief of Operations in 2016. She is responsible for Marketing, IT, Facilities, and driving cross–functional operational excellence. Before joining HSSV, Joanne held various executive positions in P&L management, product management, marketing, operations and IT at Intuit and other high-tech companies in Silicon Valley. Prior to that, she began her career at GE and GE Capital in the engineering leadership program and moved on to senior leadership roles in sales, sourcing, and business process management. Joanne holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Davis, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MBA from Santa Clara University. A lifelong animal lover, she lives in Los Altos and enjoys spending time with her golden retriever Scout and her rescue Rottweiler mix Ruby.

Dr. Cristie Kamiya

Chief of Shelter Medicine

Dr. Kamiya joined HSSV as Vice President, Medical Operations in November 2012. For over a year prior to this role, Dr. Kamiya spent Saturdays in HSSV’s surgery suite as a contract veterinary surgeon. In July 2014, Dr. Kamiya stepped in to the role of Chief of Shelter Medicine, overseeing Shelter and Medical Operations. Prior to HSSV, Dr. Kamiya worked as a shelter veterinarian in humane societies, municipal shelters, and rescues in the Denver–Boulder areas of Colorado, the greater Phoenix metro area of Arizona, and Northern California. In July 2013, Dr. Kamiya completed a 3–year intensive residency–training program in shelter medicine from the University of California–Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kamiya is one of just a handful of residency–trained, Shelter Veterinarians in the country. She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University. Dr. Kamiya enjoys traveling and volunteering with organizations that provide veterinary support for underserved areas in the U.S. and internationally. In her free time, Dr. Kamiya delights in fostering underage shelter kittens, and spending time outdoors with her adopted shelter dogs.

Yvonne Saucedo

Chief of People

Yvonne joined HSSV in June 2017 as Vice President, Human Resources, Volunteer Programs and Humane Education after spending time as a corporate volunteer and supporter. When Yvonne learned about HSSV during a corporate experience event, she knew immediately that this was the place she wanted to support and eventually work.  Prior to HSSV, Yvonne held various executive–level Human Resources positions in the high-tech industry.  In her 20 years of experience, she primarily focused on Mergers and Acquisitions, Human Resources Operations, Organizational Development, Talent Acquisition and building G&A functions within start–ups. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State. Yvonne volunteers her time as a member of the Board of Directors for Warm Winters. She has combined her lifetime support of animals and her love of world travel by continuing to transport and escort rescue animals back to the US from less developed countries to find their forever homes. As appropriately noted by her dear friend, her 3 cats (Bonnie, Clyde and White Paw Kitty) currently share their home with Yvonne and her husband.

Farideh Eshagh

VP Finance

Farideh joined HSSV in January 2023 as VP, Finance after her love for animals set her eyes on the organization. She brings to the organization over 20 years of executive leadership experience in diverse non-profit and fast paced, high technology companies throughout Silicon Valley. Prior to joining HSSV, she spearheaded the financial strategies at a non-profit global organization focused on women technologists which partnered with leading academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Her strategic operational leadership skills and collaborative management style have resulted in success throughout her career. Farideh earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from San Jose State University. She resides in San Jose where her home is filled with wagging tails including her two dogs.