The People Behind the Paws
Behind every rescued Great Dane is a team of people juggling veterinary appointments, adoption applications, fundraising, foster homes, sanctuary care, and approximately a million other things that never seem to fit neatly into a job description.
At Great Dane Rescue of Minnesota & Wisconsin, our board is a small but dedicated group of people who share a passion for these giant, goofy, sometimes challenging, always lovable danes.
We each bring different experiences and strengths to the table, but we’re united by one goal: doing what’s right for the dogs who depend on us.
And while the dogs get most of the credit (and attention, and couch space), here’s a little introduction to the humans working behind the scenes.
Karla — President
The matchmaker, the big-picture thinker, and someone who has made Great Danes a pretty significant part of her personality.
Karla’s rescue journey began in 2015, inspired by her first Great Dane, Cash, and her own experiences navigating the world of Great Dane ownership and rescue.
What started as volunteering quickly grew into something much bigger. She became Foster and Adoption Coordinator in 2017, stepped into rescue leadership in 2018, and became President in 2021.
Her passion has always been finding the right fit between dogs and families. Understanding a dog’s history, personality, challenges, and progress is what makes a successful adoption possible—and Karla loves putting those pieces together.
Today, she helps guide the organization’s mission and long-term direction while remaining passionate about responsible rescue, thoughtful placements, and the Sanctuary dogs who depend on the organization for lifelong care.
For Karla, rescue isn’t just something she does. It’s something that has shaped her life, thanks to one very special Great Dane named Cash.
Stephanie — Director of Rescue Operations
The girl who fell in love with Great Danes at nine years old and never looked back.
Stephanie’s love for the breed started with a dog book from her grandmother. Years later, her first Dane, Howard, confirmed everything she’d imagined about these extraordinary dogs.
After Howard passed away, Stephanie welcomed Gryffindor, a young Dane who had already been through multiple homes and was terrified of much of the world. Helping him grow into a confident, social dog gave her a firsthand understanding of what patience, consistency, and the right environment can accomplish.
Stephanie became involved with the rescue as a volunteer and foster before joining the board.
Today, as Director of Rescue Operations, she helps navigate the complicated world of dogs needing assistance, surrender requests, rescue coordination, and the decisions that come with helping dogs in difficult circumstances.
She knows firsthand that rescue can be incredibly rewarding and heartbreaking, sometimes all in the same day. But her commitment to helping Great Danes and the people who love them hasn’t wavered.
Meg — Director of Sanctuary Operations
The heart behind our Sanctuary and a fierce advocate for the dogs who don’t fit into the traditional rescue mold.
For years, Meg dreamed of creating a sanctuary for Great Danes who had nowhere else to go.
Working in rescue, she saw dogs whose age, medical needs, or behavioral histories made finding a safe, appropriate home incredibly difficult. She believed that dogs who couldn’t be adopted still deserved dignity, compassionate care, and the opportunity to enjoy their lives.
That belief helped inspire the creation of our Great Dane Sanctuary, which Meg co-founded.
Today, Meg oversees Sanctuary operations and the specialized care of our resident dogs, many of whom have significant behavioral challenges that require experienced handling, structure, and lifelong management.
Sanctuary work isn’t always easy. There are difficult decisions, complicated medical needs, and the reality that we simply can’t help every dog who needs us.
But for the dogs who call our Sanctuary home, Meg’s commitment means consistency, understanding, and a safe place to spend their lives.
Lisa — Secretary/Treasurer
Proof that sometimes all it takes is one Great Dane to change your plans. And your husband’s opinion.
Lisa admired Great Danes for years, but convincing her husband that they needed one was another story.
Then came Eleanor (Ellie), the Great Dane who officially joined their family in 2020 and opened the door to a whole new community.
Through Great Dane meetups, Lisa connected with other owners, including Karla, and eventually became involved with the rescue as a volunteer.
What began as attending events and lending a hand grew into a desire to make a bigger impact. With experience supporting fundraising efforts and a genuine love for the breed, joining the board felt like a natural next step.
Today, Lisa serves as Secretary/Treasurer, helping support the administrative and financial responsibilities that keep the organization operating.
Because behind every successful rescue is someone helping make sure the important details don’t fall through the cracks.
And we’re pretty sure Ellie approves.
Rachel — Director of Fundraising
Started as a foster. Failed spectacularly. Found her calling in fundraising.
Rachel’s journey with Great Dane Rescue of Minnesota & Wisconsin began as a foster, opening her home to a Dane who needed a soft place to land.
And, well… she adopted her very first foster.
Around here, we call that a foster fail—and it’s the only kind of failing we fully support!
But Rachel didn’t stop there. She’s continued to foster a handful of Great Danes, helping them find their way to forever homes while becoming increasingly involved in the rescue.
Along the way, her ambition and enthusiasm for fundraising really started to shine. She saw firsthand just how much goes into caring for these dogs and was eager to find ways to help make it all possible.
Today, as our Director of Fundraising, Rachel brings that same passion and drive to supporting the rescue’s financial needs, connecting with supporters, and helping create opportunities for more Great Danes to get the care they deserve.
She came to us wanting to help one dog at a time. Now she’s helping make a difference for dogs across the entire rescue.
It Takes More Than a Board to Save a Dane
While our board helps guide the organization, we’re only one piece of a much bigger picture.
Our foster families open their homes and hearts. Our volunteers help with everything from transportation to events and behind-the-scenes coordination. Our Sanctuary care team provides the consistency and hands-on attention our resident dogs need.
And our adopters, donors, and supporters make it possible for us to keep doing this work.
Rescue has never been a one-person job. It takes a village. And ours happens to have a whole lot of Great Dane hair on everything.
Want to Get Involved?
Whether you’re interested in fostering, volunteering, adopting, or supporting our mission, there’s a place for you in our rescue community.
Become a Foster | Volunteer | Support Our Rescue
Have a question or need to reach our team? Contact us at info@savingdanes.org.
Big dogs. Big hearts. A whole lot of people who care. ❤️
