Board of Directors
Lisa McCarthy, DVM, MBA – Founder
Lisa McCarthy grew up in the desert southwest in a large extended family and with many pets – both domestic and the wild ‘rescued’ variety. She still remembers when Horney Toads (now a threatened species) were commonplace and could be found in any El Paso backyard!
Nancy Harrison, Managing Partner
Nancy Harrison founded Adventure Media in 1999 to serve as PR agency connecting adventure travel providers with the media. Adventure Media grew to represent many clients worldwide. She is now semi-retired from PR and enjoys serving on the Vet Treks Board as well as two other...
Stacey McKenna
Stacey McKenna is a writer and medical anthropologist. She currently works as a senior fellow at the R Street Institute, where she studies and writes about ways policy shapes the risks associated with a range of behaviors. Previously, she has worked as a professor, freelance journalist,
Jen Braaksma
In early 2023, Jen was taking a week off work from her corporate marketing job, using up vacation time when she had the idea to Google “animal service trips”. A lifelong animal lover and looking for an opportunity to do meaningful and purposeful work, she clicked on a link for the Vet Treks website. Immediately intrigued and encouraged by reading about the work and mission of Vet Treks, she applied to be considered for a future service trip. After interviewing with Lisa, Vet Trek’s Founder, Jen joined the Fall, 2023 trip to Loiyangalani, Kenya. Jen brings decades of animal volunteer experience and professional marketing experience to the board. Her love for animals started at a young age, growing up with dogs, cats, and riding horses since around the time she could walk. That love for animals brought Jen to volunteer at her local humane society caring for dogs, which then fueled volunteering as a rescue foster home volunteer and transport volunteer for several dog rescues over the last 16 years. Whether helping with a regional transport for a Great Dane in the Midwest or an overnight long-haul transport for a Chihuahua from Texas, Jen has helped dozens of animals on their journey to their new lives. When not working as an experienced brand marketer for a luxury kitchen manufacturer, she spends her weekends working as an equine caretaker for a small, private boarding facility for a herd of 12 horses. Contributing to the welfare and quality of life for any animal is her rewarding and lifelong purpose. Jen is based in Madison, Wisconsin. Her hobbies include leading a healthy, active lifestyle through endurance sports and spending as much time outside with her husband and two Great Danes
Dr. Scott Zaari
As a father of two young children – Zara and Zander, my professional motivation lies in a path that contributes to a thriving local and global community. Graduating with an emphasis in ecosystem and public health, my veterinary career has long been rooted in a holistic and ‘One Health’...