Silverdale, WA – Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) has formally named Jamie Nocula and Dr. Jen Stonequist to the position of Executive Directors, effective April 23, 2024. The duo had been acting as Interim Co-Executive Directors for the past year, following the resignation of the previous Executive Director in March 2023.

Officially, Nocula will hold the title of Executive Director of Operations and Philanthropy, focused on the day-to-day operations and fundraising for the organization, while Dr. Stonequist will be Executive Director of Programs and Services, concentrating on the animal welfare and medical side of KHS.

“It’s an unusual arrangement to have dual Executive Directors,” said KHS Board President Dr. Scott Menard, “but Jamie and Dr. Jen each bring such outstanding talents to the job and complement each other so well, it was the obvious and perfect decision for the good of the shelter.”

During their one-year stint as Interim Co-Executive Directors Nocula and Stonequist led KHS through one of the most exciting periods of growth in the organization’s 116-year history. Together, they raised more than $10 million in donations and oversaw the construction of the Russ and Linda Young Veterinary Lifesaving Center, a state-of-the-art community veterinary clinic that serves families and pets in low-income situations. The clinic fully opened in March and has already made an enormous impact for many Kitsap residents and their companion animals. They also completed construction on the campus’ Big Animal Barn, donated by the Jacobi Family Foundation, which provides the county’s Animal Control officers – whose operations are under the banner of KHS – a place to temporarily house stray or neglected livestock.

Additionally, the pair has shepherded several partnerships that will greatly benefit KHS and the community it serves. The organization was recently named a grantee of the PetSmart Charities Accelerator Access to Veterinary Care Program, through which KHS will receive funding as well as consulting, mentoring, and support tools to help build a model nonprofit veterinary practice. KHS has also been named one of only two ambassadors in Washington state for the Greater Goods Charities GOODS program. Through this partnership, the shelter will act as a distribution hub through which local charities will receive donations of thousands of pounds of food for pets and people each year.

“It’s this kind of innovative ideas and forward-thinking that makes Jamie and Dr. Jen so special,” said Menard. “They’re brilliant leaders, great partners, and enormously kind people. The perfect fit for Kitsap Humane Society.”

“We’re honored to be a part of KHS and to be able to continue down this road to success,” Nocula and Stonequist said in a joint statement. “We’re fortunate to have an incredible staff, a wonderful team of volunteers, and an unbelievably supportive board and community. We look forward to building an even better safety net for Kitsap and make a better life for all the animals who need us.”

About Jamie Nocula
Jamie joined Kitsap Humane Society in January 2021 as the Director of Philanthropy and brings with her more than 20 years of operational expertise, including 12 years of experience in the non-profit sector with an emphasis on moving organizational missions forward through philanthropy. Prior to her time at KHS, she served as the Associate Executive Director of Haselwood Family YMCA in Silverdale and the Curves International Operations Director for the Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho areas. Active in the community, Jamie has developed many significant, key relationships with others who have a passion for serving. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, attended college at The Evergreen State College, and now resides in Silverdale with her family, including two rescue dogs – Aruna and Newman.

About Dr. Jen Stonequist
Serving the community at KHS since 2011, Jennifer Stonequist, DVM, received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Western University Health Sciences in Pomona, California. “Dr. Jen,” as she’s affectionately known at KHS, started out her animal welfare career over 20 years ago at a shelter in Florida. She has since remained dedicated to improving animal welfare not only through compassionate veterinary care, but also through advocacy and strategic programmatic development. She has found her true home here in Kitsap and lives in Bremerton with her partner Alec, their cats Mini Cloud and Jajaira, and their rescue pup Cheecharita.

About Kitsap Humane Society
Kitsap Humane Society is a private, non-profit, charitable organization caring for animals in need since 1908. KHS’s vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home. For more information about our lifesaving work, visit www.kitsap-humane.org.

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