THE PAISLEY PAWS CHARITABLE VETERINARY FOUNDATION TEAM
Our team consists of compassionate individuals dedicated to supporting the mission of Paisley Paws. They guide the organization’s efforts to enhance the lives of pets and veterinary professionals through strategic leadership and a commitment to animal welfare.
Andrea McKown
~ Executive Director, Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation
Paisley Paws Executive Director
Andrea McKown serves as the Executive Director of Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation, where her passion and dedication to the organization's mission shine through in every conversation. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise in fundraising, event planning, marketing, media relations, public relations, and project management. Her commitment and leadership are key to the foundation's growth, as she works tirelessly to support pets and veterinary professionals, always guided by compassion. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications/Public Relations from Missouri State University. Throughout her career, she has consistently leveraged her skills to make a meaningful impact in the causes she cares about, and she is inspired to apply her experience to benefit the veterinary profession. Outside of her professional role, Andrea is a proud and dedicated mother to her three children—Andrew, Aubrey, and Annie—and their dog, Frank. Her role as both a mother and pet parent drive her commitment to Paisley Paws' mission, balancing her work with genuine care for both families and animals.
John Talmadge, DVM
Paisley Paws Board President
~ President, Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation
Dr. Talmadge grew up in Colorado and graduated in 1982 from Colorado State University with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He practiced in Portland, Oregon before joining the Iams Company where he worked from 1989 until 2006, serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Veterinary Products. In 2006 Dr. Talmadge left industry and became co-owner of Bigger Road Veterinary Centers in Dayton, Ohio. His interests in practice included behavior and general medicine, surgery, and business planning. Dr. Talmadge is a certified Fear Free practitioner and has spoken nationally on Fear Free practice as well as business management. Dr. John Talmadge joined Mission Veterinary Partners in 2019 where he served as their first Chief Veterinary Officer until he retired in January of 2023. Dr. Talmadge joined Paisley Paws in 2023 to assist in fundraising and became President in January of 2024. Outside of work Dr. Talmadge interests include golf and furniture making at his home, where he is kept company by his wife Beth and their golden retriever who runs the house, Fiona. John and Beth’s family includes a daughter Holly, a son Jason, his wife Sarah and two grandsons, Benjamin and Andrew.
Terry Roman
Paisley Paws Board Vice-President
~ Regional Director, Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina Mission Veterinary Partners
Terry is a dedicated Companion Animal End of Life Doula and a proud native of New England. After relocating to Virginia, she embraced the beauty of four distinct seasons without the burden of heavy snowfall. With a rich background in human medicine and law enforcement, she brings a compassionate approach to veterinary medicine, focusing on providing comfort and support to both animals and their families during life’s most challenging moments. An animal lover at heart, Terry and her husband, Bryan, share their home with five beloved dogs, who are a constant source of joy and inspiration. When not working, she cherishes spending time with the grandchildren, getting lost in a good book, or enjoying a round of golf. Terry is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their owners, blending her extensive experience in operational healthcare with a deep passion for animal welfare.
Kristin La Scola
Paisley Paws Board Treasurer
Kristin La Scola is a passionate finance leader and devoted animal advocate, Kristin has navigated the fast-paced world of finance, gaining invaluable experience at Harrah's, where she sharpened her skills in finance and cage operations. Driven by a love for numbers and an unwavering commitment to animal welfare, Kristin masterfully balances her professional expertise with her personal passions. Outside of the office, she dedicates her time to volunteering in the community, championing animal rights, and supporting local causes that matter most. With an adventurous spirit and a strategic mind, Kristin finds joy in exploring the excitement of responsible gambling, embracing the thrill of calculated risks. Her dedication to making a positive impact spans both the finance and animal care sectors, and she is committed to leaving a meaningful legacy through her work and advocacy.
Stacy Edgar
Paisley Paws Board Secretary
~ Founder of Saving Grace Marketing
Stacy Edgar has been happily married for almost 30 years and is the proud mom of two grown kids, Grace (24) and Steven (22). Their home wouldn’t be the same without June, their 6-year-old heeler mix, who adds a little extra joy to every day. Professionally, Stacy’s journey has been all about creativity and connection. She spent a decade as the Marketing Director for a mutual insurance company and a community bank, but recently took a leap of faith and launched her own business, Saving Grace Marketing. Now she gets to pour her heart into helping brands grow in a way that feels both exciting and fulfilling. What really lights Stacy up, though, is combining her love for pets with her marketing expertise. She is especially excited to now use her skills and love for animals to help Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation. Their mission to enhance the lives of veterinarians, pets and their families really resonates with her, and she is honored to contribute to their amazing work in the pet care community.
Dr. Brian Hamm, DVM
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ CEO of Paisley Candle and Home
Dr. Brian Hamm, DVM, DACVIM, is the founder of the Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation. With over two decades of experience in veterinary medicine, including 11 years as a board-certified internal medicine specialist, Dr. Hamm combines his clinical expertise with his business acumen to improve the well-being of pets and their families. His education includes an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, which has helped him bridge the gap between clinical practice and the strategic growth of veterinary organizations. Driven by his desire to create a positive impact beyond the exam room, Dr. Hamm founded Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation. The foundation’s mission is threefold: providing financial aid for pet owners during medical crises, offering support to newly graduated veterinarians to help them excel, and addressing the mental health challenges that plague the veterinary profession. Dr. Hamm is dedicated to reducing financial and emotional barriers, empowering veterinarians, and saving lives—both human and animal. Through Paisley Paws, he hopes to fill the gaps in care and make a life-saving difference across the profession.
Jack B. Fishman
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ Founder and Managing Partner of Fishman Miller PC
Jack B. Fishman is the founder and Managing Partner of Fishman Miller PC. Jack advises individuals and corporations on matters relating to corporate governance and transactional matters, bankruptcy and restructuring, estate planning, elder care, animal law, and real estate. Jack is also a well-recognized authority in complex corporate bankruptcy and restructuring, wind downs, and reorganizations. Jack has been a licensed attorney for almost 40 years and has a reputation as being through, dedicated and intense. Previously, Jack founded, managed and operated Novare, Inc., a successful nationally recognized bankruptcy advisory services firm, specializing in providing a unique array of services to Chapter 11 and corporate Chapter 7 clients. In addition to his management role at Novare, Jack was directly involved with substantive case work in all client engagements, including United Air Lines, Wickes, Inc., Wickes Lumber, and Big V Supermarkets, Inc. Prior to establishing Novare, Jack held numerous senior level executive positions in other companies, including Managing Director of Bankruptcy Administration, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Beloit Corporation; General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Rentar Industries; and Administrator and General Counsel of Leyden Community Hospital.
Pamela L. Johnson, DVM
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ Founder of Veterinary Masterminds
Dr. Pamela Johnson is the founder of Veterinary Masterminds, a coaching and leadership development company based in Newnan, GA. It is a membership platform dedicated to providing compassionate support for pet owners and veterinary professionals. Prior to this Dr. Johnson was the owner and Hospital Director of Dogwood Veterinary Hospital and Laser Center, an AAHA accredited hospital. She sold to Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP) in 2020. She served on the MVP Medical Advisory Board and was selected as a Regional Director for MVP prior to resigning in August 22. Under Dr Johnson’s leadership, Dogwood was named the Small Business of the Year by the Coweta County Chamber of Commerce in 2016 . The hospital was also named a “Reader’s Choice” veterinary hospital by the Coweta magazine in 2019 through 2021. Most recently, Dr. Johnson was nominated for the 2022 Citizen of the Year for Coweta County, along with nine other people, for community leadership. Dr Johnson was also associated with AAFP, VMG, and Fear Free. She serves on the University of Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education Advisory Board and is privileged to join the Board of Directors for Paisley Paws, a veterinary charitable foundation in October 2024. Dr Johnson received a BA from the University of Montevallo on full scholarship in women’s basketball, a BS from Auburn University, and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn. She has benefited from numerous leadership and business training programs, including the University of Notre Dame Executive Leadership, MVP executive leadership program, and Shore Capital Leadership Programs. She resides with her husband, Pat, on a small farm with three horses, four cats and two dogs in Newnan, Ga.
Amy Marvaso
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ Partner Marketing Coordinator at Mission Veterinary Partners
Amy Marvaso currently serves as the Partner Marketing Coordinator on the Commercial Excellence Team at Mission Veterinary Partners. Amy brings 19 years of experience in the animal health industry spending a majority of her career working with manufacturing companies and leading sales teams as they support the veterinary profession at the hospital and team levels. Amy is also a long-standing member of WILMAH (Women in Leadership and Management in Animal Health). In her time in animal health Amy has been an advocate in developing training programs for hospital leaders and teams in compassion fatigue, personality styles, and more. Amy earned her degree in Sports Medicine from Eastern Michigan University and is a certified Athletic Trainer. In addition to her sales background, Amy served as a Director of Operations in the hospitality industry overseeing cross-functional service and sales teams. Amy lives in the Detroit area with her husband and college sweetheart, Don, and is a devoted mom of three boys, a border terrier named Thomas, and a black cat named Fish Biscuit. Amy loves to travel, bake, and cheer for her boys in their many activities. Her creative outlet is refinishing furniture, and nothing compares to a good book, a blanket, and a lap kitty!
Kevin Patterson
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ Vice President of Real Estate and Facility Operations at Mission Veterinary Partners
Kevin currently serves as the Vice President of Real Estate and Facility Operations at Mission Veterinary Partners and leads MVP’s operational strategy related to Real Estate, facilities, construction projects, capital expenditures, and vendor relationships. Kevin brings 15 years of experience in the health care industry in Real Estate, multi-site management, technology, financial planning, and healthcare distribution. Prior to joining MVP Kevin has worked in veterinary distribution, human healthcare systems management, and is a certified radiation physicist. Kevin holds degrees in molecular biology and physics from The Ohio State University. He currently resides in Ohio with his wife, Kelly, and his two Great Danes Harper and Storm.
Danielle Reske
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ MVP Office Administrator and Facility Operations Manager, LVT
Danielle’s journey in veterinary medicine began at 17 when she took on the role of kennel assistant. Driven by her passion for animal care, she advanced in her field earning her certification as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Her broad experience in veterinary medicine is complemented by her operational and administrative skills. She expanded her passion when she joined her local animal shelter, serving as Administrator, staff and community education, management of the volunteer program, donation incentives and fundraiser organization. In addition to her LVT certification, holds an Associate’s in Paralegal Studies and serves a notary. She is the Office Admin and Facility Operations at Mission Veterinary Partners. Now, she is excited to bring her diverse expertise to Paisley Paws, aiming to enhance the veterinary profession. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys living an active lifestyle, spending time with family members, fostering kittens, ducklings, and gardening. Her well-rounded interests and dedication to both her professional and personal life make her an asset to any team.
Dr. Karen Young
Paisley Paws Board Director
~ Retired Veterinarian & Practice Owner
Dr. Karen Young's journey in veterinary medicine began at the tender age of three, a passion that she carried with her into adulthood. After graduating from Kansas State Veterinary School in 1981, she started her career in her hometown of Salina, KS. Though she initially saw Salina as a temporary stop, the opportunity to purchase the clinic led her to realize that her dreams were being fulfilled right where she was. Over the years, Dr. Young expanded her practice significantly, growing from a small clinic with two veterinarians to a thriving establishment with six vets and a spacious 15,000 sq ft facility. Under her leadership, the clinic earned the distinction of being the first Fear Free Certified clinic in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, setting a high standard for compassionate animal care. In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Young is a dedicated mother to four daughters and a loving pet owner, with two dogs, Louie and Noir, and numerous horses that are close to her heart. Her commitment to advocating for both clients and their pets remains a driving force in her life. Dr. Young is thrilled to embark on this new chapter with an organization that aligns with her lifelong passion for veterinary medicine.
Dr. Rebekah Zahedi
Paisley Paws Board Director
Dr. Rebekah Zahedi is a dedicated veterinarian and executive leader whose career blends hands-on small animal practice, research, and strategic organizational development. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and subsequently her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Her passion for research led her to complete an HHMI Research Fellowship at UC Berkeley, where she explored the intersections of neuroscience, aging, and metabolism before then joining a small animal hospital in California as an Associate DVM. Outside of her career, Rebekah enjoys exploring national parks, learning new languages, and hiking around her Boulder, CO home alongside her husband and their three beloved dogs.