BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A board of directors, also known as a nonprofit board, is the governing body of a nonprofit. The members of a nonprofit board focus on the high-level strategy, oversight, and accountability of the organization. This contrasts with volunteers or managers who oversee the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit.
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Founder & CEO
Lydia Wood
Lydia conceived of the idea for the Freedom K9 Project when she had just gotten certified as a professional dog trainer, and realized that there currently weren't any organizations in the country that train PTSD service dogs specifically for abuse survivors. In addition to running the Freedom K9 Project, she also owns Naptown K9 in Indianapolis, a for-profit dog training business that specializes in rescued dogs. Now with 10 years of dog training experience and a background in victim advocacy and clinical psychology, she aims to blow the doors wide open for survivors seeking the service dogs they need, and use her success and knowledge to help young trainers who want to make a difference in the world.
Lead Fundraiser
Shelby Jurca
Shelby Jurca graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA in Advertising and a minor in Psychology in 2017. She has always had the goal to use her skills and degree to help end human trafficking and help survivors. Shelby feels her best when she is helping others and making people smile. Her creative mind brings a lot to the table for Freedom K9, but the most important thing is her heart for the mission.
Board Member
Nahid Anowar
Nahid Anowar Graduated from IUPUI in 2012 with BA in Political Science. Since than he has worked in corporate as recruiter. He has created personal profiles and done research on C-Level candidates in the hiring process for big companies such as Land O' Lakes. He left corporate 7 years and pursued his dreams of being a Youtube Talent. He has spent 7 years as on screen personality, partner and Chief Production Officer of the Youtube Channel known as The Normies. Recently he has left his former channel to start his own personal ambitions on YouTube. He started his own channel and creates his own content currently for his YouTube Channel Nahid Watches. He is the proud pet father of 2 year old Siberian Husky named Vincent and a year old Siamese Cat named Princess.
Board Secretary
Lacey Smothers
Lacey Smothers graduated from IUPUI with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in 2016. Since then she has worked as a Client Success Manager, where she does trainings, coordinates events, and handles the day-to-day affairs of the office as the self-appointed "Office Queen." No matter where she is, Lacey's true passion is to help people. Her fun spirit and honesty uplift the Freedom K9 Project's team as a whole as her generosity and drive makes helping survivors first and foremost as the organization propels forward.
Treasurer
Cody Claborn
Though this is his first time on the Board of a nonprofit organization, has almost 2 years of experience working with nonprofits as a Software Engineer at a donor tracking software company. His level head a calm demeanor give him an edge when making critical decisions, and his organizational and technological skills give the Freedom K9 Project that same edge in regards to fundraising and the latest advances in nonprofit technology. In his free time Cody enjoys designing video games, composing music, experimenting in 3D printing, and petting all the dogs he and cats that he can get his hand on.
Board Member
McKenna Hight
An author and graduate from Kennesaw State University with a BA in English & Professional Communications, McKenna Hight is herself an abuse survivor with years of experience as a writer for others who have suffered trauma. Her fire and passion to help others overcome their demons fuels her desire to see the Freedom K9 Project help as many survivors as possible.