WILD SOULS BOARD of DIRECTORS

April Hoffman - Founder & CEO

April Hoffman is the Founder, and a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator of Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation. April founded the Nonprofit in 2017 and received MDC Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit in 2018 , 2021 Collector Permit, 2023 United States Fish and Wildlife Federal Permit for Federal Protected Raptors and Founder of Wild Souls Alliances (WSA) in 2021 a public charity that supports wildlife conservation efforts, youth programs, public education, wildlife conservation groups, and implemented the first "Shop with a Conservation Agent" in the state of Missouri. April also serves on The Affiliate Board of Conservation Federation of Missouri. April holds citizenship in Cherokee Nation as a Native American and US citizen .

Kris Haney - President

Kris is serving her second year on the Wild Souls Board of Directors. She is the President and Board Liaison. She is a Litigation Paralegal by trade and mother to a 17-year-old daughter who intends to pursue a career in conservation. Kris was previously the Clinic Director at the commencement of Wild Souls in 2019. She is the Data/IT Lead and served on the Board of Directors as the Board Liaison for 2023. Kris has always enjoyed helping animals but now primarily assists with the administrative side of Wild Souls. She brings forth skills and knowledge to create better processes to streamline the business side and create consistency within the organization.

Affiliations:

Hot Mess Moms Express KC - Secretary

Sheila Highley - Treasurer

Sheila has been a board member since 2018 and is the treasurer of Wild Souls. She is a Senior Project Manager for a large corporation. She has two children and three dogs. Sheila enjoys fitness, the Kansas City Chiefs, home projects and spending time with her friends and family.

Sam Young - Secretary

Samantha is serving her first year on the Wild Souls Board of Directors. She is a Finance Manager at a Credit Union in Independence. Samantha resides in Oak Grove with her husband, daughter and son, along with two dogs, two guinea pigs and a bearded dragon. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, crocheting and being outside. She has a Bachelors of Science from Park University where she majored in Business Administration.

Oscar Espinoza- Executive Officer

Attorney licensed to practice law in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. Currently, Oscar is employed as a Senior Litigation Associate at Injury Law Associates, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri, where he handles a variety of cases for the firm, including automobile accidents, slip and falls, and nursing home abuse, neglect, and wrongful death.

Oscar is married and has three children. He is also a Board Member for KidsTLC, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families experiencing mental and behavioral health challenges, developmental trauma, and autism.

Affiliations:

Board Member - KidsTLC

The Missouri Bar

The Texas Bar

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Johnson County (KS) Bar Association

Kansas Trial Lawyers Association (KTLA)

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA)

Kristy Minnick - Executive Officer

Kristy Minnick is an Executive Officer of Wild Souls and has served on the board for the last two years. Kristy is the System Administrator for a public school district for 20 yrs. She has been married for 23 years to her high school sweetheart and has 2 daughters, with a granddaughter and grandson. She is excited to be a part of this journey with Wild Souls and is also an animal lover.

Ashley O’Donnell - Executive Officer

Ashley O’Donnell is serving her third year serving on the Board for Wild Souls and is currently an Executive Officer. Ashley has been a staff volunteer with the Missouri Department of Conservation since 2017 and worked for the department for two years. Ashley has assisted the department with their mission directives and has aided in public programs designed to educate about fish, forests, and wildlife. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors. Ashley currently resides in Blue Springs with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. She also works as an admissions advisor at a local college. Ashley holds a Bachelors of Science from Oregon State University where she majored in Natural Resources and specialized in Fisheries and Wildlife science.

Dr. Sean Croucher - Board At-Large

Owner of Odessa Animal Clinic, Croucher Veterinary Services, LLC. Past member Odessa Planning and Zoning Board. Current Chairman Odessa Board of Zoning Adjustment. Scoutmaster Troop 1120 Odessa. Dr. Croucher is Wild Souls' Veterinarian.

Joe DeBold - Board At-Large

Joe DeBold Board At-Large has an M.S. in Wildlife Ecology. He works professionally in wildlife conservation, as a Biologist and privately enjoys consumptive recreation throughout the year. Joe has a passion to teach people the truth and facts about wildlife, biological principle, habitat, trapping/hunting ethics, and welfare. Joe is responsible for increasing the peregrine falcon population in Missouri and manages the Peregrine Falcon Nestbox program. He also received the Midwest Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) 2023 Wildlife Biologist of the Year Award! This prestigious award is given to the individual who in the past year has shown superior leadership, initiative, and dedication in their duties across 13 states!! Joe is known for his hard work and reliability. He continually goes above and beyond by volunteering for Wild Souls, for the MO Department of Conservation priorities and other activities. Joe is very knowledgeable and provides excellent customer service. He actively serves on the Community Conservation Team in the Kansas City Region working with historically underserved communities to clean up vacant lots, restore native vegetation, remove invasive species, and create green spaces to improve the community. Joe is proactive in his approach to dealing with urban wildlife by working with City Councils to hold informational public meetings with residents. He serves as the Department's recovery lead for the peregrine falcon and has worked with businesses to construct and install nest boxes for falcons. Joe also provides presentations and trainings on human/wildlife conflict to private groups and municipalities that help inform the public. Joe was presented with his award on June 26, 2023, a ceremony held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.