Meet The Team
Here at Goatlandia, we don’t have a huge staff, fancy titles, or lots of office space. But we work our tails off, we get a lot done, and we have fun doing it! We pride ourselves on being small, grassroots, and humble. We have smart minds, big hearts, and we all do a little bit of everything to get the job done.
Meet Our Board Members
-
![]()
Deborah Beck
Board Member + Co-Chair
Deborah came to Goatlandia to volunteer in 2021 after moving to the area from New York City. New to farm animals at that time, after her first shift with the Dairy Goat Rescue Boys she fell in love and adopted 2 of those babies (now big happy boys). When not at Goatlandia, she splits her time between San Francisco and Cazadero and is the owner of Haight Fitness, an endurance coaching company focused on Ironman and ultra distance athlete training. (Photo: Deborah's 2 adopted goats, Harry and Liam)
-
![]()
Jo Dennis
Board Member + Co-Chair
Jo is British, but has been in California for the last 18 years. Most recently Jo was the Chief People Officer for Pinterest. Since then she has been on a mission to engage more deeply with the community she lives in, and pursue her passion for animal welfare, creativity, plants and fiber. Since becoming a volunteer in 2023, Jo has been inspired by the Goatlandia team and their mission. When she’s not at Goatlandia, she’s cycling with her husband, knitting, in the kitchen perfecting gluten free sourdough, or tending to her Occidental garden.
-
![]()
Joseph Drypolcher
Board Member and Treasurer
Joseph was born and raised in San Francisco and owns and operates a boutique dog hotel in the mission with his partner. He hopes to give back to his community through public outreach, advocacy, and a meat-free lifestyle. Goatlandia aligns with his views of how we should be challenging the status quo of animals, and promoting and protecting them.
-
![]()
Sylvie Fremont
Board Member
Sylvie found her passion for rescuing animals two decades ago after working in the fragrance industry, being a caterer, and raising 3 children. She was born in France but has lived in the USA for more than 30 years and moved to Northern California in 2018. Her advocacy started with cats and dogs in New York suburbs, then when she moved to California she discovered Goatlandia. Currently Sylvie actively runs her business, Atelier Sylvie Fremont, a small gold and silver handmade jewelry studio. She's also an ordained minister and enjoys performing weddings and animal blessings. Since 2001, Sylvie is also a Reiki master and teacher. Through her practice, she promotes shelter animals, healing and compassion through Kindness Reiki, her teaching platform for animals and their humans.
-
![]()
Uta Lorenzen
Board Member
Uta first visited Goatlandia in November 2016, on a quest to visit animal sanctuaries in the Bay Area after she went vegan in October 2016. She has been involved and in love with Goatlandia and its animals ever since! She is Chair of the Board, and has been a part of numerous outreach events for the sanctuary. Uta works in development at a mathematical institute and enjoys telling her coworkers about the joys of goat selfies. She is inspired daily by studying herbalism, being in nature, walking her dog, and by the founder of Goatlandia, Deborah Blum.
Meet Deborah Blum
Founder & Goddess of Goats
Deb’s been pretty busy in her life with careers that include swimwear designer, restaurateur, and commercial pilot. After living in San Francisco for 22 years, Deborah gave up the city life, bought a house, and moved to Santa Rosa. The newly acquired acreage enabled her to have space for a few chickens and a couple of goats. One thing led to another – her love of farm animals grew, as did her furry and feathered family. After seeing a video about animal agriculture and feeling shocked and saddened, she became vegan overnight. She devoted herself to the belief that all beings deserve to be happy and live a life free of harm and fear. And then she started rescuing animals. Almost all animals at Goatlandia were destined for slaughter, unwanted, sick, or born with congenital disabilities. Instead, they have been rescued, healed, made to feel safe, and are very loved (and a little spoiled). Today, Goatlandia is home to a family of goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, horses, dogs, and two happy (and very busy) humans.
Meet Our Staff
*
Meet Our Staff *
Greta Glasmeyer | Administrative Support Specialist
Originally from Germany, Greta and her husband moved to the U.S. with their two rescue cats. Working at Goatlandia has been deeply fulfilling for Greta, as she is surrounded by like-minded people and knows that her values are perfectly aligned with Goatlandia's mission. Greta is deeply passionate about animal rights and welfare: She has been a vegetarian since the age of 12 and went vegan in 2018.
In addition to her role at Goatlandia, Greta also works at another nonprofit organization that helps people rise from poverty.
Outside of work, Greta enjoys spending time outdoors with her two rescue dogs, diving into dog training, and expanding her knowledge of animal behavior and communication.
Ivan Orozco | Building and R&M Supervisor, Animal Care
Lead Dirt Pusher
Ivan is from Oaxaca Mexico, and has been here in Sonoma County for 22 years. He has spent 13 years working in Permaculture and Landscape Installation in Sonoma County. Ivan is in charge of all of Goatlandia’s Construction, Landscape Installation and Management, and Facilities. Ivan enjoys working at Goatlandia because he loves being on the land, building things, and helping things grow. Marcus is Ivan’s favorite goat. When he was a young boy, Ivan’s mom sold his favorite goat and he was so sad, so he really enjoys being around goats now that are happy, loved and safe.
Jessie Sherman | Social Media
Jessie first went vegan in 2021 after living and working at an animal sanctuary in Hawaii, where she fell in love with the rescued farm animals and witnessed their deep bonds and unique personalities firsthand. Ever since, she’s been passionate about inspiring others to live more compassionately. With over five years of experience in digital marketing and social media, Jessie is thrilled to help share Goatlandia’s story and mission with the world. When she’s not drafting content or giving goat toe scratches, Jessie enjoys cooking new vegan recipes, reading, and spending time with her human and animal friends alike.
Kimberly Luck | Tour Guide
Kim Luck moved to Sonoma County from Los Angeles in 2020. She is beyond excited to be joining the Goatlandia team after falling in love with the sanctuary on a Farm Trails weekend. Kim became a vegetarian at 16 and went vegan in 2009. An avid animal lover, she believes in the healing power of animals and their ability to bring us to the present moment, which she observed in her work with older adults and therapy animals. On a mission to spark joy and foster compassion, Kim believes these elements will help us create a better and kinder world. In her free time, she enjoys baking vegan treats, training aerial silks, and spending time with her two dogs, Oscar and Ellie.
Laurie Waissman | Marketing Communications & Fundraising
Laurie was born with a love for animals and stuffies, and was raised by a caring family that adopted critters of all kinds into their home. After spending 20 years living in San Francisco and working in digital marketing, she moved to Sonoma County to advocate for animals through her volunteerism and freelance work.
Joyfully, her path crossed with Goatlandia’s in 2023, and she is dedicated to spreading the word about the kind and compassionate work happening here.
In her free time, Laurie enjoys exploring backroads, floating in bodies of water, galloping along trails, and reading about heroines.
Mary Pulcheon | Sanctuary Assistant
Before joining Goatlandia, Mary dedicated 11 years to feline animal welfare. A lifelong advocate for animals, she has been passionate about their well-being since day one. At home, she cares for a house full of senior animals who keep her on her toes. When she’s not tending to her furry companions, Mary finds joy in music festivals, gardening, and traveling the world. She feels honored and grateful to be part of the Goatlandia team.
Patrick Stewart | Fixits & Tidbits
If Patrick can’t do it, no one can!
Patrick is someone who is totally in love with food. (Oh, and he’s in love with Deborah, his wife too). Patrick grew up in California and Canada, but Patrick’s serious love of food began 25 years ago when he got a job in the warehouse of an organic produce distribution company in San Francisco. He made his way up through the company over the years to become Director of Operations. He had the incredible opportunity to visit organic farmers all over the world, and his love of fruit and vegetables blossomed. Then he met Deb in 2017 and learned about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. After meeting Deb and the rescued animal family at Goatlandia, Patrick found it really easy to give up eating animals and animal products. Patrick shifted to working full time for Goatlandia as a volunteer and is in charge of all the really fun and hard stuff; building structures and fences, repairs and maintenance, compost management, orchard and vineyard work, and animal transport.
Reede Shadbourne | Kids Camp Coordinator
Reede started as an intern at Goatlandia during her freshman year of college in 2020. "I was the first intern that Goatlandia had so I got the opportunity to work closely with Deborah and learn more than I ever thought possible. My time at Goatlandia was the happiest I had been throughout my whole college experience and once I graduated I just knew I had to come back." Reede was raised as a vegetarian and has always had an intense love for animals, especially goats! Her college experience allowed her to learn new perspectives and ideas that have made her a more compassionate and confident person. " I hope I can use what I've learned to save more animals that deserve all the love and appreciation in the world." Reede adds, "Deborah is my personal hero and I feel blessed to be back working here and continue to learn from everyone involved here." In Reede's free time she like to run, play soccer, and attempt to cook new vegan recipes. A special memory at Goatlandia was getting to do physical therapy and care for Vincent, the tripod goat. " I still think about him to this day," she says.
Ronda Bode | Hospitality +Tour Guide
Ronda brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the Goatlandia team. Her background includes working as a hotel concierge in Hawaii and leading award-winning sales and marketing teams in the Sonoma wine industry. Since childhood, she has felt a deep connection to animals, which has evolved into her gift for animal communication. Additionally, Ronda is a certified end-of-life doula for both people and animals. She is dedicated to serving her community; alongside her therapy dog, Billy, they volunteer at schools and hospitals bringing comfort and joy to those in need. A vegan for 11 years, Ronda delights in crafting beautiful, healthy meals and is excited to contribute her culinary talents to the Goatlandia catering team. In her spare time, you can find Ronda happily tending to her garden or hiking along the coast and in the redwood forests with her two rescue dogs, Billy and Matilda. Ronda is committed to living a life of kindness and compassion, believing that Goatlandia aligns with her mission to serve animals and the planet.
Our Mission
At Goatlandia, we believe in having fun while making a difference—for animals, people, and the planet. Through rescue, education, and community outreach, we provide farm animals with a second chance, empower people with knowledge, and inspire compassionate living. Together, we’re building a kinder world through every rescue, every meal shared, and every heart we touch.
