Who we are
Our Mission
We rescue and protect companion animals by providing for their wellbeing, uniting them with loving homes, and advocating for a compassionate society.
Our Vision
We envision a society where all dogs and cats have a loving home and the bond between pets and people is celebrated.
AAHS Staff Members
Cheryl McCormick is a nonprofit CEO with a passion for fund development, board relations and strategy development and execution. Her highest calling is generating excitement and momentum around an inspiring vision that strengthens organizational commitment and attracts donor investment.
Dr. McCormick is the CEO of the Athens Humane Society and Founder of Ascend Nonprofit Consulting & Executive Coaching, providing fundraising services, strategic planning, and board training to small and mid-sized nonprofits. She has served as Executive Director of several California-based NGOs, including AIM Youth Mental Health (Carmel), Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek), YWCA Monterey County (Salinas), and the American Cetacean Society (Los Angeles). She also served as Director of Conservation at the Santa Lucia Conservancy (Carmel).
Dr. McCormick received a BA in Environmental Science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, MA in Geography (GIS & Remote Sensing) from the University of Georgia, and Ph.D. in Ecology from the Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia. In 2018, she received an appointment as Visiting Research Scientist at the Center for Geospatial Research at the University of Georgia, directing graduate research investigating anthropogenic impacts in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon.
In 2019, Dr. McCormick received a Certificate in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University. She was certified in 2012 as an executive coach through the International Coach Federation. She is an active member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
Dr. McCormick is a co-author of Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants on Florida’s Natural Areas (2nd Edition), and has published numerous literature reviews, statewide invasive species management plans and research articles. She has served on a number of nonprofit boards, most recently the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Monterey Bay Chapter and BlueVoice.org. In her personal time, Dr. McCormick enjoys long distance trail running and creating unforgettable artisanal buffalo milk gelato.
Dr. Simpson graduated from UGA Veterinary College in 2016. Prior to veterinary college, she worked in her hometown with a private practice that provided surgeries for the local humane society in Greenville, SC. After graduating, she worked for 3 years in small animal private practice before deciding to work with a local nonprofit in Duluth, GA. She has been there for the past 3 years serving pets and people in need. During that time, she discovered a passion for surgery, shelter medicine, and rescue veterinary work. Dr. Simpson and her family have been living in a small camper for the past year while waiting for their home to be built here in Athens. Dr. Simpson currently has 2 older dogs, Pepper (Catahoula mix), and Zeke (Great Dane), who saw her through vet school, and recently adopted kitty foster failures, Maybelline and Dior. When not at work, Dr. Simpson enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, and enjoying the outdoors.
Fun Fact: Dr. Simpson used to breed and show betta fish, and she had over 300 betta fish in the basement of her home. Time will tell what the next adventure will be!
Katrin's favorite animal as child (beside her family dog) was her very own donkey, Pedro, who she got to love and take care of for over 25 years.
After living in Germany all her life, Katrin and her family moved to the US last year, and she fostered dogs and helped a local rescue with administrative work. Dedicating her life to animals was what she has always aspired to do!
Katrin lives in Jefferson with her husband, two teenagers, four dogs and a leopard gecko, but there is always room for more animals in her heart and house. Katrin loves the outdoors, taking pictures, camping, and traveling the world.
Born and raised in Georgia, Erin attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 2017 with degrees in Psychology and Communication Studies. She spent a few years trying different things and fell in love with non-profit work. While spending two years in Development at the Clarke County Mentor Program, Erin began a part-time position with us as our Donor Relations & Stewardship Coordinator. When the opportunity arose for Erin to dig deeper into fundraising, she couldn’t wait! Erin has been our Associate Director of Donor Relations since 2021 and helps build relationships with the donors and businesses that support our mission.
While growing up with pets, Erin didn’t fall in love with animals until adopting Cali, a tortie, from the Athens Area Humane Society in 2015. Erin currently resides on a few acres in Oglethorpe County, with her husband, toddler, two cats (Cali & Archie), and dog (Brooks- AAHS Alum too!).
Dr. Varner is a recent graduate (Class of 2021) of The University of Georgia’s College of
Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Varner also received her Bachelor of Science, as well as her Master of Animal and Dairy Science, from the University of Georgia making her a “triple dawg.” Dr. Varner is from a small town near Savannah, Georgia but always had big dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She enjoys preventative care, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and client communication and education. Dr. Varner is married to her husband, Brandon, and has 2 beautiful dogs named Chesney and Millie.
When not at work, Dr. Varner enjoys Zumba and relaxing at home watching TV. She’s also an avid Disney fan and frequents Disney World multiple times a year.
Kelly has a soft spot for family connections and loves spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loves the outdoors and spending time in nature. She and her family often gather for family BBQs and hiking in the mountains to see all the beautiful waterfalls in Georgia and close areas.
Kelly resides in Dewy Rose, Georgia with her husband Chuck on 15 acres. Where she enjoys gardening and spending time outside with her animals. Kelly’s passion outside her family is her spending time with her dogs. She currently owns Shetland Sheepdogs and spends time going on walks and training them to compete in performance sports and in confirmation. She also has 5 cats, all of which were adopted from animal shelters. And she also adores her horse Cricket and buckskin quarter horse.
Lexi was born and raised in a small town in the mountains of Walhalla, South Carolina. Ever since she was little, she always had a passion and love for all animals; she can recall crying over sad animal commercials all the time... and still does! She spent most of her career in management. She recently moved to Athens in late May of this year with her fiancée and knew she wanted to find a job that involved what she was passionate about: helping animals! Lexi has four cats of her own, but she also grew up with dogs, so she loves them all! AAHS has shown her that helping animals is her calling in life. Every day is rewarding! In her free time, Lexi enjoys hanging out with her cats and fiancée, reading books, and traveling!
Heather studied accounting at Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, GA and her background is in banking and construction accounting.
She grew up in Flowery Branch, GA and has resided in the Banks County area for the last 20 years. Heather currently lives on a small/hobby farm in Carnesville with her husband, 4 children, 2 dogs (Birdie & Bug), 2 cats (Pinky & Fatty), 8 goats & 20+ chickens. 🐐 She also enjoys gardening, beekeeping and DIY projects around the farm.
Her love of animals began early at the age of 5 when her brother gave Heather her first pet, a kitten she named Bandit. She was fortunate to have Bandit until she was 17. Her parents and siblings also share this love and they've had many family pets during her childhood.
She is very excited about her position here at AAHS because she can put her professional experience to work helping improve the life of cats and dogs, because they have brought so much joy to her life.
Kelsey has a special place in her heart for senior pets and community cats. In her spare time, she enjoys mixed martial arts and figure skating.
Athens Area Humane Society Board of Directors
Community leaders and animal philanthropists
Before delving into the MBA world, Mukul embarked on his professional journey with Deloitte as a Business Technology Analyst, where he played a pivotal role in helping clients optimize their finance operations.
Following his consulting stint at Deloitte, he ventured into the fast-paced world of startups. As the Operations and Analytics Manager at Sri Kramah Organics—a foodtech startup focusing on organics—he worked on operations, product development, and e-commerce sales.
Now, he's ready to bring his passion for strategy, analytics, and operations to the heart of our team.
When he's not unraveling MBA case studies or attending board meetings, you can find him enjoying the finer things in life—bird watching, delving into international history, or acing it on the badminton court.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
Laura's love for animals began at an early age, but strengthened after she adopted Rooster, a fearful Australian Cattle Dog who came into the shelter as a stray. Rooster needed a lot of training but earning his trust and affection over the past year has been one of the most rewarding experiences of Laura's life! She's excited to embody servant leadership in order to learn from, contribute to, and drive forward the mission of Athens Humane.
Makayla is from Oconee County and resides in Athens Clarke County with her three rescue cats, Toothless, Cricket, and Minnie. Makayla adores all animals but holds a special place in her heart for senior and special needs pets, as well as a strong admiration for those who provide love and life-saving care for all animals.
Edward is a frequent lecturer at continuing education programs, on various topics in the law and professional ethics. He has an AV® Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Edward also is a past president of the Clarke County Board of Education and a retired officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
With a lengthy history of complex litigation and complex domestic cases, as well as his current practice fields, Ed has extensive trial and appellate experience both plaintiff and defendant. He has tried hundreds of cases to jury verdict in Georgia Superior Courts with significant success and with some of the largest settlements awarded in the state. Ed has also represented clients in the Georgia and Tennessee Courts of Appeals and has argued before the Supreme Courts of Georgia and Tennessee. He has mediated hundreds of cases, the majority to settlement.
Ed earned his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1973. He graduated from the University of Georgia with honors with his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1970. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in the United States Air Force.
Ed is admitted to practice before all state trial and appellate courts in Georgia, and the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia, the 5th and 11th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Western Circuit Bar Association.
Ed moved to Athens in 1955 with his mother and brother, where he attended local public schools and graduated from Athens High. He was an active member of and played football with the YMCA. He was All State in football at Athens High School and play football for the University of Georgia from 1966 to 1970. Ed is active at the Athens United Methodist Church where he is a member of and teaches Sunday School for the Tuck Class. He is a member of the Georgia Football Lettermen's Club and the Gridiron Secret Society. Ed was inducted into the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
Ed is married to Page and has four children, Vonnie Allen Chesser, Adair Allen, Elizabeth Guess, and Ben Guess. He has three grandchildren, Allen, Payton, and Stancil.
