Board Members

John's first word in this life was “rabbit,” and he has been an animal person and a student of the human-animal interrelationship ever since. When not tending to stray, injured, or confused critters John followed a path in business. He was a vice president and publisher with Affinity Group, Inc., producers of magazines and books relating to recreation. John is past president and board member of the Western Publications Association, and a founding member of Professional Small Business Investment Co., a federally chartered SBIC. He was chairperson of RV Care, Inc., a recreation vehicle dealer coalition, has served on several RV industry committees and is the current chair of an industry task force focusing on improving customer satisfaction with the RV product. John lives in Northern California with his wife Gina, magical dogs Lani and Vajra, and wise cats Yoda and Spunky. All of these housemates (except Gina), were once homeless but quickly adapted to being treated as royalty.

Kristin L. Stewart, JD, PhD is an attorney in Florida and recently completed her doctorate in cultural geography with an emphasis on animals and society. Kris engages in research devoted to exploring the ethical, legal and social dimensions of human-animal relations. Her current book project is entitled Facing Dolphins: The Joy and Shame of Our Love Affair with Dolphins, which explores the various experiences and relationships that people and dolphins share with one another today. Kris is also an Ethics Advisor for Practical Ethics and the founder of the Ark Ethics Institute. Through these organizations, she serves as an expert and/or consultant to those in the private and public sectors that grapple with the myriad questions associated with contemporary animal-society issues, including questions of animal law, policy and ethics. Kris lives in Pensacola Beach, Florida with her husband, Ben, and two dogs, Mango and Ursa Minor. Kris and Ben have a wise and affectionate white 6-year old cat who recently joined their family. Her name is KC, but Kris often calls her “Teacher.”

L. Niki Erlenmeyer-Kimling, a life-long animal lover, is a Professor in the departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Development at Columbia University School of Medicine in New York City. She received a BS degree in Experimental Psychology, and a PhD in that field with a minor in Population Genetics from Columbia. She also received an honorary Doctorate of Science from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase. She has recently completed longitudinal research, on people at high genetic risk to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Niki joined the Board of Directors of ASI in 2005. With impending retirement as Chief of the Department of Medical Genetics at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, she looks forward to more time for active participation (beyond donating) in some of the many animal and environmental groups in which she has long held membership. Her four cats--Ra, Coco, Bianca, and Danny--keep her company but spend part of their time looking out the window at the 13 "outside" cats who have an insulated 3-story palace on the kitchen-porch and an equally well-insulated bungalow near the front door. Niki cherishes the memory of the wonderful cats (and occasional rescued dogs) who shared their lives over the years with her and her late husband, Carl.

Ann A. Philips is a former therapist and teacher of literature with graduate degrees in Russian Literature and in Counseling. She practiced as an individual, family and couples therapist and college counselor in Maine for fifteen years before moving to Maryland. Ann has cared for many animals including orphaned skunks, rats, and a cockfighting escapee. She conducted home checks for the Maryland Partnership for Animal Welfare, transports injured wildlife to rehabilitation, and fosters dogs. As an educator in the Reptile Discovery Center at the National Zoo, she taught visitors greater awareness of reptile and amphibian behavior and the threats to their existence, and conducted research focused on enrichment of zoo habitat. Ann volunteered in many capacities for PsyETA, from editing journal articles to helping to develop and market the slide show which became the Culture of Violence video. Currently she is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children and writes fiction for young people. Her recent middle-grade novel is posted at believeinmermaids.net. Ann has one daughter, one son, and one grandson and holds an MA from Harvard and an MS from the University of Southern Maine.

Wanda A. Nash was ASI’s first chair and is a founding member of the Animal Law Section, State Bar of Michigan.

John A. Hoyt is president emeritus of The Humane Society of the United States.