Our staff

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!!!

Kristen Castro, Shelter Manager

Kristen is one of our shelter managers and our social media guru. As a child, Kristen always knew she wanted to work with animals, originally attending school as a pre-vet student. As her college career progressed, she found an equal love of working with people. She ended up finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and she used that degree to run multiple high-volume businesses. She felt like something was missing. She then found Orphans of the Storm over 10 years ago when she adopted her cat, Maddie.

She began volunteering as a dog walker on her off days and felt joy knowing she was part of a team that was there for the same purpose- to care for and better the lives of the animals. At that point, she knew she had found a home. As she became a more integral part of the shelter’s event and fundraising coordination, her volunteer role evolved into a full-time position. Kristen enjoys having a direct impact on the animals’ lives while they are here, as well as being able to engage with the community about animal welfare and the shelter’s mission.

Lindsay Echito, Animal Behavior and Foster Program Manager

With over a decade of experience working with dogs of every size, breed, and temperament imaginable, she is the perfect person to run our foster and animal behavior programs. She works with dogs at the shelter that are struggling, troubleshoots with adopters about issues they may encounter, and consults with certified trainers to help the dogs and cats that come through our doors. Lindsay not only runs the foster program but actively participates, fostering over 25 animals, while caring for her own three dogs and always making room for more. Having been in many of the same situations herself, if an adopter or foster needs advice, she has made it her mission to support them. Lindsay is also always looking for opportunities to learn more, including enrolling in many animal welfare mentorship programs and working towards her CPDT-KA dog training certification.

Sandy De Lisle, Head of Development and Community Outreach

Sandy manages fundraising, including donor relations, communications, and events. She also oversees the volunteer program and coordinates community outreach events with Kristen. She started her work in animal welfare as a teenage volunteer for Orphans of the Storm and has worked at The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, doing program development, fundraising, communications, and humane education.

Adoption Counselors, Foster Coordinators, and Volunteers

When you walk through the front door or visit our cat area you will be greeted by our knowledgeable and caring adoption counselors. You may also run into any number of dedicated volunteers who may be your friends or neighbors. They are all here to help find you a friend for life.

Kennel Staff

The Kennel Staff at Orphans of the Storm have been a hard working and committed group. They are the behind-the-scenes workers responsible for the many positive comments Orphans receives about the cleanliness of the shelter and the care of the animals. The Kennel Staff also assist with medication, handle daytime feeding and shepherding the dogs between their individual kennels and our larger outdoor exercise pens.