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
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![Andrea Shearn]()
Andrea Shearn
Andrea Shearn has dedicated her life’s work to helping others and fostering connection with the natural world. As a Medical Technologist, she worked in hospitals in Baltimore, Brazil, New York City, and San Francisco before becoming a middle school science teacher at a school emphasizing outdoor education. Even while working full time, Andrea volunteered as a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve, guiding tours on the life cycle and protection of elephant seals, and for many years at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Since moving to Sonoma County she has volunteered with the Redwood Empire Food Bank distributing food boxes.
Starting in March 2022, Andrea has been an active volunteer with Goatlandia, where she values the opportunity to contribute to daily operations while also connecting directly with rescued farm animals. Andrea is inspired by Goatlandia’s mission to protect animals, educate the public, and build compassionate community, and she is honored and ready to work to support its continued growth and impact as a member of the board.
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Deborah Beck
Board Member + 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)
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Karina Houghton
Karina Houghton, an associate in King & Spalding’s Corporate, Finance and Investments practice, counsels management and investors of private companies. Her practice focuses on emerging company venture capital, technology transactions, mergers and acquisitions and strategic collaborations. Karina advises companies at every stage of their life-cycle including formation, corporate governance, employee equity and strategic transactions. Karina represents issuers, investors and financial institutions in capital-raising transactions, including venture capital and seed financings, crossover rounds, strategic investments, follow-on and secondary offerings, recapitalizations and other financings. Karina works with companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and acquirers across a range of sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, fintech, AI, standalone technology, decentralized finance, cybersecurity, and defense. Previously, Karina who began her career as a corporate associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in New York, worked in private equity in San Francisco and in the entertainment business in Los Angeles working on feature films, such as Bridesmaids, American Wrestler: The Wizard, several Spiderman movies and The Hangover.
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Kelly Lee
Kelly first visited Goatlandia in March 2018 and she's been a loyal fan and supporter ever since! She's an active animal rights advocate and volunteers at local animal rescues throughout the Bay Area. She's adopted/fostered several bunnies in need from the House Rabbit Society and Contra Costa Rabbit Rescue. She's currently a rescue parent to two bunnies, Poppy and Bubbles. Kelly works as an Associate General Counsel at LaunchDarkly and outside of volunteering, she enjoys spending her free time with her husband, hiking, snowshoeing, traveling, and exploring plant-based eats in the Bay Area.
Join Goatlandia’s Board of Directors!
About Goatlandia
Goatlandia is more than a sanctuary, it’s a movement towards a healthier, more compassionate lifestyle. Based in Sebastopol, California, we rescue and rehabilitate farmed animals, provide lifelong care, and inspire our community to live more sustainably, compassionately, and consciously. Through plant-based education, environmental stewardship, and events that connect people with animals, Goatlandia celebrates the power of kindness to change the world.
The Unique Opportunity
We’re seeking passionate, mission-driven individuals to join Goatlandia’s Board of Directors and help shape the future of our growing organization.
As a Board Member, you’ll play an active role in guiding our strategic direction, supporting fundraising and outreach, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our programs and sanctuary. This is a unique opportunity to contribute your expertise to a cause that blends animal rescue, environmental conservation, and plant-based lifestyle education — all while working alongside a dedicated team that believes in the power of our daily actions.
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Provide strategic guidance and oversight to support Goatlandia’s mission and vision
Actively participate in quarterly Board meetings (hybrid of virtual and in-person)
Advocate for Goatlandia within your personal and professional networks
Participate in and support key fundraising campaigns and events
Contribute your unique skills to the organization
You might be a great fit if you are:
Passionate about animal welfare, kindness,sustainability, and healthy living
Collaborative, proactive, and willing to roll up your sleeves when needed
Excited to use your professional skills to make a real difference
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Be part of a kind, creative, and mission-driven community
Directly impact the lives of animals, help heal people, and steward the planet
Expand your network within Sonoma County’s nonprofit, environmental, and plant-based communities.
Contribute to meaningful programs in rescue, education, and sustainability.
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If this sounds like you or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you! We welcome all types of professional expertise and backgrounds including culinary arts, veterinarian care, legal, marketing, non profit leadership, retail sales, organization and systems, etc. There are plenty of ways to help.
Please email a brief introduction and your professional background or LinkedIn profile to: Deborah@goatlandia.org.
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 changed her lifestyle 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
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Meet Our Staff *
John Feissel | Animal Care lead
John was raised in Greenwich, CT and studied philosophy in college and graduate school. John has always had sympathy for animals, and since 2010 has focused his life on working for the animals either as a staff member or a volunteer at farm animal sanctuaries, animal shelters and horse stables. Working on behalf of the animals and ensuring they have the highest degree of care and comfort has been extremely rewarding and the most incredible way for John to dedicate his time. One of the most fulfilling aspects of being an animal caregiver is establishing close interpersonal relationships with the animals, from the horses to the chickens, proving every day they all are deeply emotional and complex people who deserve love and respect.
Mary Pulcheon | volunteer coordinator
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.
Ivan Orozco | Building and R&M Supervisor, Animal Care
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.
Anna Harrison | operations administrator
Anna has been working and volunteering with all types of animals since 2008, including barn animals, local and exotic wildlife, and companion animals. Most recently, she worked for the Humane Society of Sonoma County as the Admissions and Animal Care Manager. She is thrilled to be providing administrative support to all the programs here at Goatlandia.
Anna has three senior pets at home, and a rotating roster of foster kittens at any given moment. In her free time, she loves reading, traveling, and watching trash reality tv.
Devyn Paul-Wilson | Farm Manager
Devyn was born and raised in San Francisco. They found their love of gardening and farming in high school when they began volunteering at various community gardens around San Francisco, including the Tenderloin People's Garden and the Garden for the Environment.
During COVID, Devyn began working at the farm for The Restaurant at Meadowood, where they worked as the Greenhouse Manager and headed their chicken program from 2020 to 2024.
Devyn then returned to school to finish their BA in Politics from Scripps College, where their thesis focused on how farming can be used to help queer youth rekindle and reestablish relationships with food and movement. Devyn's original research and personal experiences speak to the power of farming and cooking in helping queer folx reinvent their relationships with food.
Devyn is so excited to bring their experience in crop farming, chicken care, seed saving, and composting to the Goatlandia team.
At home, Devyn and their partner have three rescued cats, Cricket, Riot, and Jude, who all love going on adventures in their harnesses.
Kimberly Luck | Lead 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. 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, training aerial silks, and spending time with her two dogs, Oscar and Ellie.
Jessie Sherman | Social Media
Jessie spent 2021 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 plant-based recipes, reading, and spending time with her human and animal friends alike.
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.
Ronda Bode | Tour Guide, Animal Assisted Healing
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.
