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RAGOM Board Members
Meet our Board of Directors & Officers
ELAYNE SEXSMITH, DIRECTOR & CHAIR
Elayne started in RAGOM as a transporter but quickly jumped into foster and now is a mentor for new fosters. She’s also part of the Intake team, working to match incoming dogs with a foster family who can help the dog get ready for its forever home.
Elayne recently retired as a health care administrator with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She looks for ways she can use those business skills to assist organizations through active membership and board participation.
Elayne and her husband, Fred Page, have an active and welcoming pack of goldens and typically have a foster. Along with all the dog activities, Elayne enjoys gardening, traveling, and studying art history.
Term expires: December 31, 2027
ROSS ANDREWS, DIRECTOR
Ross began his relationship with RAGOM in the fall of 2019 when he and his fiancé adopted their Goldendoodle, Spencer (19-179), in what can only be described as a love-at-first-site experience.
A native of Duluth, MN, Ross holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa College of Law. He is an associate attorney at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he specializes in representing doctors, hospitals, nurses, and nursing homes in their professional malpractice cases. Ross also serves as secretary on the board of Central Furniture Rescue in Iowa.
You can find Ross watching Michigan football and basketball outside the office, teaching spin classes, shooting trap, and spending time outdoors with Spencer.
Term expires: December 31, 2026
CATHERINE ANGLE, DVM, DIRECTOR
Dr. Cat Angle began working with RAGOM after joining the veterinary team at Rum River Veterinary Clinic in 2013. In 2020, she became the clinic owner and has continued the clinic’s support of RAGOM.
Dr. Angle adopted her first RAGOM dog in October of 2023. Duke was welcomed into the family after bonding with him at Goldzilla. Duke settled into life with his two human and two cat sisters. Dr. Angle loves to read, spend time with her family, go to their cabin, and bake with her daughters.
Dr. Angle received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She has a particular interest in toxicology, nutrition, and internal medicine. Dr. Angle applies her veterinary and public health training to identify ways to reduce risks and optimize the care and well-being of RAGOM dogs and those caring for them.
Term expires: December 31, 2026
AMY FLYNN BRENNAN, DIRECTOR
Amy’s first engaged with RAGOM in 2008 when she adopted Murphy (Bruiser 08-057). That RAGOM adoption was followed by another in 2016 when Stanley joined the family. After two great adoption experiences, Amy decided to support RAGOM differently, and she and her husband became Fosters in 2022. One of those foster dogs, Seamus (Bixby 23-031), decided he was already home and became their third RAGOM dog.
Amy has worked in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry for thirty-four years. She has held various roles in sales, account management, and sales management. Amy is also an active volunteer with their lake association and another water quality group. Her leadership and strategic planning experiences support RAGOM as it continues to evolve.
Amy and her husband live in the Brainerd Lakes area of north central MN. When not working, you can usually find them and their pack (Seamus and English Springer, Lucy) on the pontoon in the summer or out snowshoeing in the winter. She also enjoys baking, gardening, and traveling with her husband.
Term expires: December 31, 2026
HEATHER CASPERSON, DIRECTOR
Heather works as a municipal advisor to state and local government clients and has done so for more than 25 years. She brings her public finance experience and decades-long experience on
other professional organizational boards. Heather graduated from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Born and raised in Brooklyn Park, MN, she has two daughters and welcomed Golden Retriever Lola into the family in 2021. Together, they enjoy taking walks, playing endless hours of catch, and swimming in the lake in the summer.
Term expires: December 31, 2025
SUSAN EVANS, DIRECTOR
Susan has been a passionate RAGOM advocate since 2006, when she and her husband adopted Lovey Howl, the family’s first rescue. After 15 ½ wonderful years with Lovey, her family welcomed Truly Scrumptious in March 2022, whom they describe as a tornado of love.
Susan brings over twenty-five years of experience in multi-channel strategies, communication, marketing and sales, and business growth. Her expertise ranges from counseling C-suite and senior leadership across various industries, streamlining communication, sales, and marketing divisions to work together and support an organization’s growth goals. She has a proven track record of success developing effective, scalable programs that facilitate holistic business management, stakeholder communication, omnichannel and content marketing, go-to-market strategies, and data analysis and visualization.
At home, Susan and her husband happily revolve their free time around Truly, which includes Truly’s favorite things, adventurous walks, visits to dog parks, and playing tug-then-hug with one of her toys.
Term expires: December 31, 2026
MICHELLE MALOTT, DIRECTOR
Michelle first connected with RAGOM in 2005 when she and her husband adopted King (05-423). Living in Minnesota at the time, she was inspired by RAGOM’s mission and began volunteering in the late 2000s, helping with transport, fostering (briefly and failed!), and answering calls to the general RAGOM number. She has served as a dedicated Hotline team member for the past three years.
Michelle holds a doctorate in biomedical sciences and has over 16 years of experience in higher education administration, specializing in grant writing, strategic planning, and project management. Originally from Canada, she now lives in Indiana with her husband, three dogs, two cats, and occasional opossums on their 13-acre property. She is passionate about dog rescue and has a soft spot for elderly and sanctuary dogs. She enjoys weightlifting, cross-stitching, and outdoor adventures with her pets.
Term expires: December 31, 2027
MARY McGOWAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mary’s relationship with RAGOM began in 2007 when she adopted Mia, a golden girl rescued from a large North Dakota puppy mill. This experience sparked Mary’s passion for animal welfare and her commitment to rescue efforts. Since then, she has fostered numerous dogs, contributed to nearly every operational team, and served as Board Chair.
As Executive Director, Mary leverages over 35 years of senior leadership experience in Technology and Operations. Her expertise includes strategic planning, program development, process improvement, and leading large-scale organizational change—critical skills for navigating the complexities of nonprofit management. Mary excels in creating and implementing strategies that align with RAGOM’s mission, ensuring sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Mary’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to animal welfare, fostering collaborative environments, and building relationships that strengthen RAGOM’s impact. In addition to their love of dogs, Mary’s family enjoys traveling whenever possible, hiking, biking, beekeeping, and spending time with rescue dogs Beau, Maggie, and Shelby.
JENNA NIEDZ, DIRECTOR & Treasurer
Jenna’s relationship with RAGOM began in 2022 when she adopted Tonka as part of the Foster-To-Adopt program. As she and her family navigated that program, she noticed improvement opportunities – no surprise, as that’s what she does for a day job!
Jenna is a Director of Internal Audit & Financial Advisory for Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Her projects focus on understanding processes and the controls that make them successful and mitigate risk. Jenna has worked with many companies to strengthen the overall business environment.
Jenna and her husband are doodle and retriever lovers and have two Goldendoodles – Tonka and his big-little brother, Narvey.
Term expires: December 31, 2025
JANE NYGAARD, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
Jane founded RAGOM on February 14, 1985, and continues to serve as a Board member. She regularly visits schools and scout groups to educate children about properly interacting with and caring for a dog, including the importance of microchips and training. Jane is a retired nanny who cared for many children with whom she has continued to stay in touch over the years.
With the help of her husband, Hank, Jane has fostered more than 1,000 dogs. After Hank died in 1999, Jane adopted Ford (04-258), who was found in a trash can and weighed just one pound when RAGOM rescued him. Ford flourished and became a support dog, sitting with children in reading programs, attending funerals to support grieving families, visiting hospital patients, and comforting students who had lost their classmates.
After Ford died in May 2015, Jane adopted Doc (15-210) from the first group of Turkish Goldens that RAGOM helped rescue and bring to the United States. Doc went to the Rainbow Bridge in 2019. Jane adopted Leo (19-162) in February 2020. He is RAGOM’s first dog rescued from Korea.
CRYSTAL SANDER, DIRECTOR
Crystal began volunteering with RAGOM in 2023 as a Foster and then moved to the Finance and Audit Committee. She became interested in volunteering with RAGOM after she and her husband adopted their Goldendoodle, Winston. They have enjoyed bringing fosters into their homes and watching them grow.
Crystal is the Controller at the Walker Art Center, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis. She is an active CPA with a nonprofit accounting, auditing, and tax background. Crystal has a unique perspective and view of the nonprofit industry and its day-to-day operations. Crystal and her husband live in the Twin Cities. They love to have family game nights, spend time on the water in the summer, and travel.
Term expires: December 31, 2027
PEGGY SPOFFORD, DIRECTOR & SECRETARY
Peggy started volunteering for RAGOM during the 2012 Goldzilla event, shortly after adopting Zena, their first RAGOM Golden. She is a Foster and volunteers on the Placement and Transport teams.
Peggy retired from 3M after 35 years in various jobs, from internal auditing to supply chain business information management. In retirement, she has volunteered for several organizations, including the Humane Society and the surgery department of a local hospital. Peggy and her husband, Neil, travel as much as possible during retirement.
In addition to traveling, they enjoy spending time with their fourth RAGOM dog, Bentley (22-177), and their daughter and grand-dog Nugget (19-057). They also have three cats: Sasha, Sully, and Zoey. If there is any time left after making all their animals happy, Peggy loves to bake and read. Neil is also a Home Visit volunteer, and their daughter is on the Goldzilla Planning Committee.
Term expires: December 31, 2027
MISSY STANISZ, DIRECTOR
Missy has been a RAGOM volunteer since 2015, starting as a Foster and moving into marketing. Missy also served a term on the Board of Directors from 2019 – 2021, ending as Vice Chair. A significant career project took her away from the Board for a term, but she is returning to help continue advancing RAGOM’s mission.
While Missy doesn’t have any Goldens, she has a passion for the breed and RAGOM’s mission. She resides in Southern California with her rescues: Shepherd mix Dolly and Chihuahua mix Tika.
Missy’s diverse background in marketing, business operations, technology, and political campaigns will help RAGOM continue to expand its fundraising and advocacy efforts.
Term expires: December 31, 2026