MEET OUR BOARD

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 and a 2021 Collector Permit. Established 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.

Teresa Stewart - Board President

I am a long-time resident of Oak Grove, MO, married, and have four children. I am currently employed as the building substitute for Oak Grove Elementary School. Prior to that, I was employed for 4 years as the Executive Director of Oak Grove Chamber of Commerce where I was educated in all aspects of operating and growing a nonprofit. Philanthropy is my love language and I have had the pleasure of serving in a wide variety of ways with countless organizations. Volunteering to care for baby raccoons at Wild Souls being my absolute favorite.

Kristy Minnick - Vice President

Kristy Minnick is the Vice President of Wild Souls. 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.

Sheila Highley - Treasurer

Sheila has been a board member since 2018 and is currently the Treasurer of Wild Souls. Sheila is a Regional project manager for a corporation. She has two children and three dogs. Sheila enjoys fitness, the Kansas City Chiefs, and her children's activities.

Bonita Winingham - Board Secretary

Bonita Winingham has been a supporter of Wild Souls since 2019. She supports the organization's mission and is dedicated to helping the agency accomplish the mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild animals, as well as educating the public so wildlife and Missouri populations can live together in the changing world. Bonita is a retired government manager and currently a volunteer for Wild Souls. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Central Missouri. She was raised on a farm in southern Missouri and loves animals. She has been married to her husband for 28 years and has rescued cats for many years. She enjoys spending time with her family. Her hobbies include crocheting and photography.

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.

Carrie Siems - Board At-Large

A third-generation business owner that has maintained a family business for 60 years. She and her son founded and operate a domestic rescue.

"This allows me insight to the unique challenges present in animal rescue. An initial $500 investment is on the current trajectory to be a multi-million dollar operation within the course of a five-year time span.

Prior to establishing Pawportunities, my non-profit experience included volunteering at Powell Gardens and fundraising for the Junior Women's Symphony Alliance."

Heather Hoyle Board At-Large

"I am a long-time resident of Oak Grove, MO. Married, and have four children. I am currently employed as the building substitute for Oak Grove Elementary School. Prior to that, I was employed for 4 years as the Executive Director of Oak Grove Chamber of Commerce where I was educated in all aspects of operating and growing a nonprofit. Philanthropy is my love language and I have had the pleasure of serving in a wide variety of ways with countless organizations. Volunteering to care for baby raccoons at Wild Souls being my absolute favorite."

Michelle Alexander - Executive Committee Officer

Michelle Alexander has been an avid supporter of Wild Souls since it began. She has always believed

in April’s vision for creating a world where animals can peacefully co-exist with humans and humans can

help native animal wildlife in need. Michelle is a preschool teacher at Oak Grove School District. This

year she is serving a dual role of acting Principal and classroom teacher. She holds two Masters Degrees; one in Integrating Technology into the

Classroom and the other in School Administration.

Michelle has been married since 2010 to her current husband Joe Alexander. She has two bonus

daughters, five grandsons, one son, and a younger daughter. Being a mother/grandmother is her number

one job. She also enjoys photography and is always looking for ways to give back to the community. She

believes that, we have to have a positive outlook on life too, and we should always be picturing rainbows

and sunshine.

Kristina Haney - Executive Committee Officer - Data/IT

Kristina is on our Executive Officer Committee. She is a Litigation Paralegal by trade and mother to a 16-year-old daughter that intends to be a veterinarian one day. Kristina was previously the Clinic Director at the beginning of Wild Souls. At present, she is the Data/IT Manager and is a part of the Project Leads Team. Kristina 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 creates consistency within the organization.

Ashley O’Donnell - Executive Committee Officer

This is Ashley O’Donnell’s first year serving as Executive Committee Officer for Wild Souls, previously held At Large position. 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.

Nancy Junn - Executive Committee Officer

Nancy is on our Executive Officer Committee. She has 15 years of social service experience mainly with non-profits.
"I'm a Girl Scout Leader for my daughter's troop, Animal Welfare with LCHS and Hope (previous experience in NY state where I resided from 2012-2014). Fundraising as a PTA chair and girl scout leader, fundraising with animal welfare orgs, currently represent Hope Pet Rescue at all events, Admin tasks at work and where I have volunteered, Community outreach as a volunteer and professionally."