Shelter Leadership

Richard Alexander, Shelter Director

Rick Alexander has been a passionate advocate for animal welfare since joining Orphans of the Storm in 2016. With over 12 years of international experience, his journey has encompassed various roles, from kennel work and enrichment to adoptions and shelter management. As Director, Rick has inspired and led his team to enrich the lives of cats and dogs, ensuring they find loving forever homes.

Under his leadership, Orphans of the Storm has successfully launched many thriving programs, including community outreach projects, enhanced foster initiatives, behavioral support services, and improved healthcare standards for all shelter animals. Rick is committed to the future of animal welfare, envisioning Orphans as a vital source of community support and resources for years to come.

Kris Irvin, Shelter Manager

Kris is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the shelter. Having over 25 years of experience in animal care. Her background goes back to her first job at age 16, being a kennel attendant at an animal hospital, then at a boarding facility until she realized she wanted to work with animals that didn’t have a home to call their own. Kris joined Orphans of the Storm in 2000 as an adoption counselor and, after many dedicated years, became manager in 2015.

She is known for adopting long-term older dogs who must be the only pet. Her most recent adoption was Pumpkin, AKA Diamond, who was waiting for a home for 10 years due to not liking other animals and severe separation anxiety. Kris is also known for rescuing 2 field mice (brothers Hans and Franz) from one of the kennels 6 years ago, Franz is still going strong!!!

Bri Griffin, Shelter Manager

Bri has been part of the Orphans of the Storm team since early 2023. From the moment she stepped through the doors, she knew there was something special about Orphans of the Storm. Having grown up surrounded by animals, Bri always knew that working with them would be a part of her life. After working her way up into management, she now serves as a jack of all trades, supporting the shelter and its team wherever she is needed.

When she’s not at the shelter, Bri can usually be found at home with her own cats, each with a story of their own. Her crew includes a cat who was thrown from a car and brought to Orphans by Good Samaritans, one who was abandoned outside a pet store, and an extremely shy cat who was found living in an alley as a kitten. Her love for animals extends far beyond the shelter, and she is passionate about giving even the most overlooked animals the chance to feel safe, loved, and at home.

Kristen Castro, Shelter Manager

Kristen is one of Orphans’ Shelter Managers and resident social media guru. An animal lover from a young age, she originally entered college as a pre-vet student before discovering that she had just as much of a passion for working with people. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and went on to manage several high-volume businesses, but always felt like something was missing.

She found Orphans of the Storm more than a decade ago after adopting her cat, Maddie, and soon after began spending her days off at the shelter as a volunteer. Kristen knew she had found a place and a mission she truly cared about, and over the years, her involvement with Orphans grew into a career.

Today, Kristen loves being part of a team dedicated to making life better for animals while connecting people throughout the community with Orphans’ mission. Whether she’s helping with shelter operations, telling the stories of the animals through social media, coordinating events, or jumping in wherever she’s needed, she loves knowing the work makes a difference. She shares her life with three Orphans alumni—Lando, Biggs, and Mara.