Executive Board

DAVYD SMITH

President/Executive Director

Davyd is a true advocate for our furry friends. His love for animals goes way beyond just a passion - it's a lifelong commitment that shines through in everything he does. From the moment his first dog, Smudge, wagged his way into Davyd's life, he knew he had found his calling in animal welfare.

Davyd's expertise in animal welfare has been recognized nationwide, earning him invitations to speak at conferences and collaborate with esteemed organizations. He's worked alongside national No Kill leaders and even consulted on legislation related to animal welfare. His dedication extends beyond theory too - Davyd has actively spearheaded efforts to reform animal shelters, organize adoption events, and facilitate spay/neuter clinics. His determination has even transformed a number of rural towns, making a lasting impact on the lives of feral and stray dogs.

If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of animals, then people like Davyd are who you want on your side. Serving on the No Kill Movement Board and hosting panels, such as No Kill in Motion, he proves time and time again that his dedication to animal welfare is unwavering. Looking for innovative ways to help animals in need or simply make a difference, Davyd works to help homeless pets.

JAY

Executive Board

Jay has served on the executive board for No Kill Colorado since 2021..  He has been around animals his whole life as he grew up on a 10-acre farm in Hatfield PA.  The farm had horses, chickens, sheep, goats, cats and dogs.  After arriving in Denver Tracie and Jay wanted to give back any way they could so they got involved in volunteer programs like Xcel Energy’s Day of Service, AARP’s “Ready. Set. Pack.” event where hundreds of volunteers packed 500,000 meals for struggling senior citizens in the metro area, and many others.  

While working for a previous employer, Judge Learning, Jay met Davyd in a business meeting when he worked for Acumen Digital. Tracie and Jay supported a friend who participated in the Colfax Marathon a few years back and Jay noticed the No Kill CO tent where Davyd was there with several of his dogs.  After that Jay reached out and asked how they could get involved with NKC. Since then Tracie sits on the Advisory Board and Jay on the Executive Board of Directors working on ways to raise awareness and funds for the different organizations NKC supports. A few of their success stories include: establishing a partnership with a local Irish Pub called Abbey Tavern where donations are accepted, a partnership with Denver employees at Autodesk (a major software company in the architecture/engineering/construction space) who participated in a fundraising event that raised thousands of dollars, the addition of several volunteers for future NKC events, and a current venture involving partnering with the Stanley Marketplace.  Jay recently started a new position with Amazon Web Services where he hopes to introduce NKC as a charity/non profit organization to partner with. 

SARAH

Fundraising/Events

V.P. Corporate Sponsorships

Sarah has loved many pets throughout her life. She currently has two dogs, Monty and Lenny. Sarah was introduced to No Kill Colorado at the Home for the Holidays event in 2022, although she has followed the movement for years beforehand. In 2023, she became a board member. Sarah is Vice President of NKC’s Corporate Sponsorships and is an active member of our Events and Fundraising Committee. When Sarah is not volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband Christiaan, and is a professional in the Insurance Industry. Sarah serves on the board of IICF and is an active member of PIIAC and NAAIA.

KARLA

VP

Karla has been an animal lover all of her life. She grew up in a small town in Iowa. She saved her first abused and abandoned dog when she was in grade school. There was a stray dog around the school and kids were throwing rocks at her. Of course I begged my dad to keep her after checking around to see if she belonged to anyone. Karla has had gerbils, hamsters, Guinea pigs, cats, dogs and turtles.

Karla was looking for something in the animal rescue programs where she could volunteer and save animals at the same time. She found No Kill Colorado on Facebook and thought what a wonderful organization to get involved in. She learned about the No Kill Equation and volunteered to meet with No Kill Colorado. She has been actively involved in most all events and fundraisers for No Kill Colorado while educating people about the No Kill Equation. Karla is currently Vice President of No Kill Colorado.

BILYANA (Bibi)

Executive Board/Fundraiser Committee

Bilyana (Bibi) was born and raised in Bulgaria. She has always advocated for animal welfare and homeless pets. 

Wife, mom, step-mom, and a small business owner, her life is never boring. She is also a mom of three rescue dogs. In her spare time (if any) she loves to travel, hike, and do fun things with the whole pack.

Bibi’s EastFax Tap is a premiere sponsor of No Kill Colorado. Through EastFax Tap they have helped save the lives of homeless pets as well as serving their local community.

Bibi hosted the 2022 Home for the Holidays event at EastFax Tap and because of her passion for homeless pets, we knew we needed to bring her onto the No Kill Colorado board. Bibi became a board member in 2023.

She joined the fundraising committee, led lifesaving initiatives for shelter dogs, expanded corporate partnerships, and so much more in her first year!

JESSI

Secretary

An animal and environment advocate and enthusiast, Jessi Harris has volunteered as the Social Media Adviser and Legislative Intern of No Kill Colorado since October of 2013 while she was finishing up her Environmental Studies Undergraduates degree at the University of Denver. 

She became a board member in 2018.

Jessi has advocated and promoted the No Kill Equation through her work as NKC's media adviser on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and has had the opportunity to consult on animal welfare legislation proposals including working on the repeal of the pit bull ban in Aurora, Denver, and Castle Rock, Colorado. Jessi has also run as a team cheerleader and charity partner of No Kill Colorado's in the Colfax Races, with every step raising awareness and funding for the organization and the homeless animals in need. She also runs the No Kill Colorado Relay for Rescue Team and helps spread awareness for rescue animals while hopping around Denver with animal lovers that don't know how ready to be involved they will become by the end of the day! ;)

Jessi has (wo)manned and volunteered at several Just One Day adoption events. She grew up in 4-H and has always loved all animals, especially horses, pigs, and dogs. She also loves gardening and appreciating the great state of Colorado and all its hiking and camping back country glory. Her and her best friend Daisy Jean, a Labrador retriever, are often found with many furry friends in tow adventuring and shedding light on the love and joy that animals bring to our lives.

Now that she has graduated, her goals are to dedicate her work to animal and environmental rights and replacing breed specific legislation while helping No Kill Colorado make Colorado a No Kill state with a rescue and shelter system that works with the public to save all healthy and treatable lives. Save the pets of Colorado, open the door to a platform to save ALL the pets everywhere. :) Please join us!

TRACIE

Executive Board Member

Tracie is an avid animal lover, and serves on the advisory board for No Kill Colorado. Tracie moved to Denver with her husband Jay, who is part of the NKC Executive Board, 6 years ago. Tracie & Jay are both from the east coast originally and love Colorado! Growing up around dogs, she is looking to help homeless pets, the best way possible. Tracie & Jay adopted their bulldog/boxer mix, Hoosier, at 6 months old and he is the inspiration for wanting to help other animals.

After volunteering with several other organizations, Tracie wanted to dedicate her time and give back to the community, while helping animals. She & Jay found the NKC organization, and thought it would be the perfect way to help homeless pets throughout Colorado! In fact, their second dog, Rock, is a direct result of the amazing work of the organization. She is helping establish partnerships with local bars, restaurants and small businesses throughout the area, including participating in the NKC relay team for the Colfax marathon. Tracie is continuing to help expand the reach of the organization within the community and is excited for what's next!

QUINN

Advisory Board

Quinn began her animal welfare endeavors in 1991 in Philadelphia volunteering at a small shelter and within six months became the shelter manager for Hope for the Animals and was a chair for their fundraising committee. She then founded Animal Rescue and Referral (ARR) whose purpose was to network with animal rescue groups in the tri state area to move animals out of shelters and into safe, clean and attentive foster homes or rescue groups. ARR also worked to clean up animal hoarding environments as well as implemented a TNR program with feral feline colonies. ARR at is highest peak was maintaining 36 colonies.

After moving to Colorado in 1995 Quinn operated somewhat rogue. Self employed and owning three trucking operations in Colorado Springs left her with minimal time for the animals with the exception of her own. During this time she fostered for Teller County Regional Animal Shelter and Dreampower Animal Rescue.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Quinn, along with a small group of like minded citizens made three trips to the New Orleans area with community donations of food, crates, water, bleach, medical equipment totaling 155,000 lbs.

Quinn sat on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for Teller County Regional Animal Shelter from 2010 to 2013 resigning to work in underserved communities of Colorado with Animal Rescue of Conejos County, ARCC. In conjunction with other rogue advocates 210 dogs were transported in 2013 from rural southern Colorado to rescues/fosters/shelters in central and northern Colorado. Spay/Neuter/Vaccination clinics were formed and continue to this day under the direction of PawsCo, , Denver. Transports are still taking place as the work will never end but a dent is being made. In conjunction with working on behalf of ARCC, Quinn joined the board of No Kill Colorado as an adviser and currently holds the position of Treasurer.

Quinn has been a 30 year advocate of animals and animal rights and has worked hands on with several animal welfare organizations in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware and Colorado. In addition to working with animals Quinn has also volunteered in the community with CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, The Alzheimer’s Association and One Nation Walking Together.